Good as (Green) and Gold!

1923...  The year that constructed started on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the first domestic refrigerator went on sale and the USSR came into being.  And in Adelaide, South Australia, the very first edition of the Green and Gold Cookery Book went on sale.  Originally used as a fundraiser for a local school, the book has just hit its 90th birthday, and is still selling strong.  I'm unsure of many other cook books that can equal that! 

Tired of the mundane breakfast of ancient grain bircher muesli, served with organic Coyo in a mason jar?  Green and Gold saves the day with a plethora of breakfast options such as Brains In Butter, Liver & Bacon, Eggs a la Tripe and Kidney Savoury.  Is it perhaps no coincidence then, that the first Kellogs factory opened in Australia in 1924?

However, there is an upside to some of these recipes.  If you have an issue with one of your children insisting they are "sick" and cannot go to school, try serving them some Raw Beef Tea along with a healthy Cup of Gruel.  This should have them miraculously recovering in no time!  Amazing how those old remedies work!

Okay, so I am obviously taking the mickey a tad, but the Green and Gold is fascinating reading for those who have a genuine interest in food history.  And while some of the recipes are a product of their time, and possibly no longer considered fit of human consumption (Ammonia Biscuits, anyone???) there are some tried and true recipes within its pages.  Along with the recipes there are household hints, for the housewife of the day from laundry to dinner parties.  It covers everything that the woman of the 1920s house ought to know. 

I am also proud to add, that I have a personal link to the Green and Gold.  My great-grandfater edited the original printing of this culinary bible, although sadly he is not credited in the reprints.  Therefore, my hunt commences for an original printing...


(**  Update on activity in YurtGirl World coming up shortly... it's just been a... challenging couple of weeks! **)