Eating for Victory: Healthy Home Front Cooking on War Rations

by Jill Norman (Contributor)

Food rationing was introduced in England in January 1940 after supply ships were attacked by German U-boats. The first food items to be rationed were butter, sugar, bacon, and ham, though restrictions were also eventually placed on meat, fish, jam, biscuits, cheese, eggs, and milk. In response, the Ministry of Food produced a series of "Eating for Victory" pamphlets that advised the general public on how to cope with these shortages. Designed to lift spirits in a time of shortage, these jolly leaflets contained a variety of recipes and cooking advice ranging from how to make steamed and boiled puddings and hints on how to reconstitute dried eggs. For all the hardship that rationing brought, the food restrictions resulted in many people eating more healthily than ever before. A nostalgic look back at one of the most difficult and yet healthiest times in history, this quaint collection is also a relevant guide to good eating today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Reference, World War II, War, Food and Drink

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2007

About the author

Jill created the Penguin Cookery Library in the 1960s and 1970s, bringing many first-class authors to the list. She has since become a Glenfiddich trophy winner in her own right, and is a leading authority on the use of herbs and spices. She is the literary trustee of the Elizabeth David estate, and worked with Mrs David for many years.

Reviews

[☮ morgan ☮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book because I thought it would be a unique way of seeing how World War 2 affected the home front. Overall though I wish there was more historical context given, as this was mostly just recipes.

[Jasmin Chua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Facsimiles of the leaflets handed out by the Ministry of Food during World War II; immensely fascinating, though I wish there had been a deeper explication of the period through contemporary eyes.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reread this for a refresher on the nutrients gathered from various sources during WWII food rationing in Britain; I love how much “can do spirit” was embedded into the various pamphlets on that topic, with notes for how to supplement one’s rations with home-grown vegetables and herbs for extra vitamins.

[Christine Pilcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

How they tried to keep food interesting during WWII was amazing. Some of these recipes look very interesting and I look forward to trying them. The facts they give about vegetables, vitamins and how to die out your rations are as relevant today as they were then.

[Bébhinn Ní Riain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent compilation of recipe leaflets produced by the Ministry of Food during WWII in Britain. I plan to start trying to live "on the ration" for a few weeks to see what it must have been like back in those days. This book has some great ideas and inspiration for meals and lunches.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pro: Excellent collection of original source material. I love it. This stuff is hard to find.
Con: I was expecting a little more analysis beyond the Intro. Not much of a Con, but...

[Rosie Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant

This book is amazing. Filled with loads of information which I had never seen or heard before. I'm definitely going to try out some of the recipes

[Natasha Garside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Loved this book. Well written with all the info you need on how people survived rationing. Recommended to all who love their history

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

B

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another compilation of wartime leaflets showing a snapshot of how people lived and ate in Britain during world war 2

[Renee CHAMPION · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was wanting recipes from the era. While there are a few this is more the story of war rations from the UK.

[Janine Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

INTERESTING THOUGH i DOUBT I WILL MAKE MANY OF THE RECIPES .