6 of the “Best Wartime Recipes” Shared during World War II - The official blog of Newspapers.com (2024)

FAQs

What dishes were popular during WWII? ›

The categories of rationed foods during the war were sugar, coffee, processed foods (canned, frozen, etc.), meats and canned fish, and cheese, canned milk, and fats.

Even though thousands of items became scarce during the war, only those most critical to the war effort were rationed. Key goods such as sugar, tires, gasoline, meat, coffee, butter, canned goods and shoes came under rationing regulations.

As well as the regular ration of such things as meat, sugar, butter, margarine, cheese, jam and tea there were 'points' in the ration book which you could use largely for tinned things; Spam, golden syrup, corned beef and so on. Coffee was never rationed, though maybe scarce - Nescafe wasn't invented.

According to The US Dept. of Defense, at first, the meals were stews, yet more varieties were added as the war went on, including meat and spaghetti in tomato sauce, chopped ham, eggs and potatoes, meat and noodles, pork and beans; ham and lima beans, and chicken and vegetables.

They ate mutton or beef, alongside potatoes and bread to keep them full. Plum puddings or chocolate were also common, especially in emergency rations, eaten by individuals trapped behind enemy lines. Instant coffee became the staple drink for G.I.'s to such an extent that the nickname of G.I.

An English Breakfast during WWII. Breakfast tended to be porridge with milk if available but some families would use melted lard! OMG. A special treat was toast or bread and jam (we always had jam apparently – my grandmother would make it, but so little sugar, she relied on the fruit.

Troops serving in the trenches received a regular supply of food called rations. The daily ration for a British soldier consisted of measured amounts of fresh or canned meat, bread, vegetables, bacon, cheese, jam, tea and sugar, rum and tobacco. Mr. Patenaude describes the preparation and transportation of rations.

A typical menu included such canned items as butter-substitute spread, soluble coffee, pudding, meat units, jam, evaporated milk, and vegetables as well as biscuits, cereal, beverages, candy, salt, and sugar. Accessory items were can opener, toilet paper, soap, towels, and water-purification (halazone) tablets.

The government began rationing certain foods in May 1942, starting with sugar. Coffee was added to the list that November, followed by meats, fats, canned fish, cheese, and canned milk the following March.

Are WWII ration books worth anything? ›

A: Millions of ration books were issued during World War II. They were intended to prevent the hoarding of such goods as coffee, sugar, meat and other items in short supply due to the war. Ration books generally sell in the $5 to $25 range, but unlike savings bonds, you can't cash them in as you wish.

The OPA rationed automobiles, tires, gasoline, fuel oil, coal, firewood, nylon, silk, and shoes. Americans used their ration cards and stamps to take their meager share of household staples including meat, dairy, coffee, dried fruits, jams, jellies, lard, shortening, and oils.

Lower prices made peanut butter sandwiches an affordable, easy-to-make meal and good source of protein for families suffering from the Great Depression. Grapelade (a popular jelly), peanut butter and sliced bread were three staple items in soldiers' rations during WWII.

Additionally, some of the most popular foods we still eat today were introduced during World War II in response to the shortages and changing food needs of the United States. Cheerios, M&M's, corn dogs, SPAM and Rice Krispie Treats were all introduced during America's war years.

Hershey's created the Tropical Bar in 1943 to be distributed to troops in the Pacific Theater. It weighed 4 ounces and was crafted to withstand extreme heat. Hershey's wasn't alone in stocking military haversacks with chocolates. M&M's were created in 1941 by the Mars Candy Company exclusively for the U.S. troops.

Particularly in the early years of the war, a trip to the movies would have plenty of war references. A theater ticket usually bought access to two full-length feature movies, previews, a serial, cartoons and newsreels. About 75% of newsreels showed military, naval or other war-related activities.

Military meals don't change much. Eggs and a meat. cereal, toast and sometimes a sweet for breakfast and coffee or milk. If you were at sea for more than a week a number of these items were powdered and others were prepared on board in the ships galley.