By Ella Tomlin, Archives Apprentice
Perhaps the most enticing part of the festive season is the food it brings; from the traditional Christmas roast to the delightful cakes and pastries which fill the supermarket shelves this time of year! Walking around your local Tesco in December it might seem impossible that it hasn’t always been the extravagant season we recognise, but back in the Second World War, when rationing was the norm for the British public, recipes had to be adapted for minimal fat, egg and even sugar use. So, if you’re looking for a theme for your 2025 festive menu, why not check out some of our Wartime favourites found within the Nutrition collection of our archives.
Peppermint sticks
Nothing screams winter like a good old stick of peppermint! While the original refreshing candy is made from sugar and peppermint extract, this Ministry of Food recipe utilises golden syrup instead. Though using a pound of syrup to ‘make the most of your sugar ration’ feels somewhat counter-economical, if you happen to have an excess this season why not treat your loved ones with this Victorian Christmas favourite?
Soy Gingerbread
If peppermint’s not your style, perhaps you’d prefer some soy based gingerbread? Written in Czech and published by the “Ministerstvo výživy” (the Ministry of Nutrition), this card from our collection explores the use of soya as a substitute for both flour and meat products such as eggs in a variety of recipes. The spotlighted recipe roughly translates to ‘Tasty Gingerbread’.
Christmas recipes
Not to be overlooked, of course, is the 1945 Ministry of Food’s ‘Xmas Recipes’ featuring Christmas classics. Alongside the Christmas Pudding and Mincemeat recipes, this booklet offers the slightly sinister sounding ‘Mock Cream’ and ‘Mock Marzipan’, the perfect way to bring a side dish of mystery to your Christmas!
Marmalade and other orangey gifts
Lastly, if you’re looking for a perfect last-minute gift, look no further than leaflet no.13 ‘How to use Bitter Oranges’. With little more than some Seville Oranges, you can whip up some Marmalade, Curd or even Crystallized Orange Rind for those hard-to-buy-for friends.
You can find more Ministry of Food recipe leaflets from our Nutrition Collection, just search our online catalogue or contact the archives@lshtm.ac.uk to find out more.
