Today I want to show you my 1967 Betty Crocker’s Hostess Cookbook. It’s easy to find at your local used bookstore or on eBay.
The mid-century illustrations are charming, but the mid-century food photography is atrocious and several of the recipes are definitely, entertainingly disgusting looking to modern eyes.
Chapters include:
- Dinner Parties (Gay supper parties; easy little dinners; classic company dinners; buffet suppers)
- Bright Little Brunches and Lunches (a casserole brunch, a Brunch Parisienne, a pancake party, a club luncheon, a mixed foursome lunch, and a two-table Bridge luncheon)
- Teas and Receptions (reception tea; small afternoon tea; wedding reception; anniversary buffet)
- Casual Get-Togethers, Outdoors and In (Patio parties; spur-of-the-moment dinners, morning coffee break, come for dessert and coffee, snacks at Five or Midnight)
- Happy Holiday Specials (New Year’s Buffet, Chinese Style; Valentine Luncheon; Easter Sunday Brunch; Polynesian Picnic for Summer Holidays; Halloween Pnch Party; Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner; Merry Christmas Dinner).
Take a look at the inside of the cookbook:
While there are a lot of good useable recipes and helpful entertaining tips, most of the value of this antique cookbook comes from gawping at the strange photos and unappealing foods!
-Carrie
