"Nice Family Meals" from the Fifties

This book was apparently written by Helen McCully who was then the food editor of McCall's Magazine. She was a prolific cookbook author (and the person who introduced Julia Child to her neighbor, Jacques Pepin).

I doubt Ms. McCully had all that much to do with this particular book, which you could get by sending 25 cents in stamps to the magazine.  It's a genuine time-machine, filled with advice, photographs, and menus for "Nice Everyday Dinners" and "Tasty Casserole Meals."  "Flavorful Eating for Four" features chili con carne and "Your Friday Dinner" is, of course, pan-fried fish fillets.

I love this glimpse into a long-gone America.  Here, for instance, is the magazine's take on France, where, of course, the natives normally served  their meals with antipasto salads.

I love the idea of these stuffed frankfurters and chickens...

And I could not resist this suggestion for a weekly dinner.  (Imagine trying to force your family to eat calves liver once a week.)

How to Make Hashed Brown Potatoes

And finally, where would America be without a tuna casserole? This one makes "A Very Good Supper."