Rations

Photo © Rob Jones

I love old cookbooks.

I am also into family history.

I keep across current affairs as the ‘news junkie’ that I am.

Sometimes it all comes together.

Looking through a box recently, I found an old Ration Book … coincidentally from the last time we had a coronation, 1953.

It set me to thinking exactly what people were eating in 1953. The war was ended only some 8 years earlier and rationing was still very much in evidence. Testament to how long it takes to get over a brutal conflict. It never ends when it ends.

I turned to my Marguerite Patten Post War Cooking book. Makes a fascinating read.

I was amazed to read exactly what was still being rationed…

Newswise - people were getting excited about the coronation at the beginning of June; A British expedition got to the top of Everest days before; There was massive flooding down the North Sea Coasts.

Masks were made available on the new NHS - for Smog. Not free though. You had to pay a shilling.

On the kitchen front … Eggs came off ration. Dried eggs could apparently be stored for up to ten years, pretty certain we had some still when I was growing up. Real cream became available - it was never rationed, but it was illegal for farmers to produce it for sale. Some younger children had never tasted it before. Sugar, too, came off ration so Britain could once again make jam. Oh and sweets were de-rationed too.

Coronation Chicken burst onto the scene.

Not a lot has changed really has it?

Though we have Coronation Quiche to look forward to.

RJ