I’ve been reading a couple of books about food history in Britain over the last month so there was a certain thrill of recognition when I clicked on this Guardian slideshow. The images are taken from a book called The Visual History of Cooking and it’s published by Black Dog. I particularly liked the one taken from a pamphlet by the Ministry of War. ‘Enjoy a new taste thrill!’ exhorts the text. Mmmm, shredded raw cabbage. What could be more thrilling?
On a similar theme, What To Eat Now chef Warner Valentine is presenting a programme called Ration Book Britain on the Yesterday Channel. This year marks the 70th anniversary of rationing in Britain and Warner has teamed up with veteran pan-basher Marguerite Patten to look at what life was really like on a diet of dried eggs, mock crab and the hated snook. It is broadcast on Friday at 9pm. Mr Valentine has done an interview with Saga on the subject here.