Laura Rebecca's Kitchen

Retro Recipe Challenge #3 Deadline: Sunday, October 15 at 11:59pm. If you’ve ever set foot inside a bookstore in New York State, chances are you’ve spotted this iconic book: First published in 1981, Applehood & Motherpie: Handpicked recipes from Upstate New York is a collection of recipes put out by the Junior League of Rochester. […]

Whip out your aprons, warm up your ovens, and grab yourself a nip of sherry ‘cause it’s time for the latest Retro Recipe Challenge! There were a number of wonderful theme ideas. But the one that got the most people buzzing was suggested by Bibliochef: a recipe from Gourmet published during the year of one’s […]

Not familiar with the RRC? Take a look at rounds one and two. “Hmmm. Should I make tomato aspic or a sherry chicken hot cup?” There have been some GREAT ideas for the next RRC: * Casseroles, suggested by Kalyn *Mother’s (or grandmother’s) best recipe, suggested by Acme Instant Food and seconded by Ellie *Brightly […]

“Oh, I just don’t know what to make!” In two weeks, the next theme for the Retro Recipe Challenge will announced. But what should the theme should be? Halloween? Back-to-school? Pumpkins? Drug paraphernalia crafted from roadside-stand produce? (Mmmm-mmm!) Post your ideas in the comments section below or send them to me at LauraRebeccasKitchen@gmail.com . Thanks […]

I think we have a dream spread here, folks. There is nary a healthy dish in sight. We are laden with sugar, fat, salt — just the way people ate before they knew about cholesterol. So get out your prescription for Lipitor and dig in. The lovely AliCat from Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter […]

So appealing, don’t you think? The recipe for Lime Honey Dressing comes from the 1957 edition of Helen Corbitt’s Cookbook. Corbitt was the director of restaurants at the “famous” Neiman-Marcus store in Dallas. Here’s a partial description from the bookflap: This Yankee-born authority on food is a truly creative cook and superlative party-giver. Earl Winston […]

Who’s more swinging than Eleanor Roosevelt? That’s right. No one. The Round Up has been posted! *** wing·dingn. Informal.A lavish or lively party or celebration. *** For round two of the Retro Recipe Challenge, the theme is outdoor wingdings – parties held outside. First, pick a party you’ll be cooking for: church picnic? Sophisticated bridal […]

I am filled with gratitude toward our Retro Recipe Challenge contributors. They threw on their decorative aprons, all-purpose pearls, and 2-1/2 inch heels, headed into their kitchens, and whipped up a little something for Wally and the Beave. Because it would be wrong — and dare I say, unfeminine — to let the tykes suffer […]

I find the 50s fascinating. Not having lived through them, however, my knowledge of the era comes largely through the hazy glow of TV reruns. I love all of it: the dreams of space, the modernization of food, the clothing that was “just so” – it’s surreal. The 50s emulate that wholesome everything-is-fine-and-dandy ideal, but […]

RRC #1 Challenge has been posted. Please take a look! One of my favorite sites is The Gallery of Regrettable Food. Such loving care seems to have been put into each recipe – but the results are just appalling. When did benedictish frankwiches seem like a good idea? Why? Let’s find out. Here’s the challenge […]