Perhaps it was the cut of meat we used; perhaps it was our lack of seasoning. Regardless it tasted dreadful!!
As one of our first recipes and therefore one of the earliest it sets the precedent for the recipe layout. Potentially unfamiliar to the modern day reader we are left to discover the ingredients for ourselves as we read through the method. “Mealy” potatoes and “lean” mutton do not conjure up an appetite; even shredding the onion seems lifeless so I would suggest that this recipe is more of a practical dish rather than an appetising one. Growing your own vegetables was highly encouraged with the infamous campaign “Dig for Victory”.
As one of our first recipes and therefore one of the earliest it sets the precedent for the recipe layout. Potentially unfamiliar to the modern day reader we are left to discover the ingredients for ourselves as we read through the method. “Mealy” potatoes and “lean” mutton do not conjure up an appetite; even shredding the onion seems lifeless so I would suggest that this recipe is more of a practical dish rather than an appetising one. Growing your own vegetables was highly encouraged with the infamous campaign “Dig for Victory”.
"The Ministry of Agriculture launched one month on from the outbreak of the Second World War, one of the most memorable slogans of the whole conflict - 'Dig for Victory'. From this point on, the whole of Britain's home front were encouraged to transform their private gardens into mini-allotments. It was believed, quite rightly, that this would not only provide essential crops for families and neighbourhoods alike, but help the war effort by freeing up valuable space for war materials on the merchant shipping convoys.
Indeed, over just a few months, Britain saw its green and pleasant land transformed with gardens, flowerbeds and parkland dug up for the plantation of vegetables. By 1943, over a million tons of vegetables were being grown in gardens and allotments. During the course of the war, many propagandist moves were made to promote the importance of 'growing your own'.
In addition to the circulation of familiar Ministry of Agriculture 'food flashes', literature and poster displays, anthems were also introduced. One such 'Dig for Victory' anthem went;
"Dig! Dig! Dig!
And your muscles will grow big
Keep on pushing the spade
Don’t mind the worms
Just ignore their squirms" "
Furthermore, in built up areas such as London even the smallest of spaces were used, including the small grass areas around the Tower of London! Overall, if we are to return to my argument of the value of rationed or substituted foods this recipe does not actually use any substituted foods but perhaps is itself rationed as its ingredients are limited. It is practical and the recipe shows this, but thanks to the 'Dig for Victory' campaign may seem more worthy of its time than in modern day society.
Indeed, over just a few months, Britain saw its green and pleasant land transformed with gardens, flowerbeds and parkland dug up for the plantation of vegetables. By 1943, over a million tons of vegetables were being grown in gardens and allotments. During the course of the war, many propagandist moves were made to promote the importance of 'growing your own'.
In addition to the circulation of familiar Ministry of Agriculture 'food flashes', literature and poster displays, anthems were also introduced. One such 'Dig for Victory' anthem went;
"Dig! Dig! Dig!
And your muscles will grow big
Keep on pushing the spade
Don’t mind the worms
Just ignore their squirms" "
Furthermore, in built up areas such as London even the smallest of spaces were used, including the small grass areas around the Tower of London! Overall, if we are to return to my argument of the value of rationed or substituted foods this recipe does not actually use any substituted foods but perhaps is itself rationed as its ingredients are limited. It is practical and the recipe shows this, but thanks to the 'Dig for Victory' campaign may seem more worthy of its time than in modern day society.
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