Soup Is Liquid

Why yes, it certainly is. I think we can all get on the same page here. If we forget about things like jellied consommé, of course.

In this Campbells’ Soup ad from 1928, one requires what Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1817 called “the willing suspension of disbelief.” [You may need a dollop of this for the Wikipedia article in the hyperlink, as the Wiki people are not entirely pleased with it]. For example:

1.  Soup is liquid – always. See jellied consommé above.
2.  “Over-eating is being replaced with intelligent and adequate eating.” I don’t know what it was like in 1928, but the Campbell’s Soup Kid, charming as she is, has had some extremely adequate meals.
3. “Soup has its own peculiar and special advantages that no other food can offer.” Depends on how peculiar and special the soup is, doesn’t it?
4.“It blends in many fascinating combinations and varieties.” It does blend, that is true. But when I think of canned soup, the word “fascinating” is not the first one that springs to mind (actually, the first word that springs to mind is “canned”).
5. “Soup is now eaten every day.” Did the Campbell’s people take a soup census? Are they like Orwell’s Big Brother on the TV screens, watching to see of all the proles slurp down a bowlful of Tomato Rice? (There is a commanding tone to this it’s true).

Now I like soup, don’t get me wrong (though I tend to make my own these days- it’s not as hard as I thought. I used to think I was a lousy soup-maker, but I seem to have got better, or else less picky). And Campbell’s isn’t too bad (I used to love their Turkey Vegetable, but it is really hard to find in Canada now! Chicken Vegetable, no problem – zillions of cans of that around. But not so much with the Turkey).

But it’s like the ad was written by someone about to break into – into poetry, that’s what. Perhaps Samuel Taylor Coleridge had a hand in this, through the magic of time travel (how’s that for suspending disbelief!). 

There’s even a little poem at the end:

I’m on my way with feelings gay.
My appetite is real.
For in my hand is Campbell’s grand -
I’m headed for some meal!

Well, OK then…We’ll just leave it at that.

 

Donut Muffins

I hesitated a little bit over this one, because the book is called Recipes For Young Adults. It was put out by the B.C. Sugar Refining Company in 1973 and – well, they specifically say young adults – not mid-forties adults who have been trying to wrestle meals onto the table for lo these many years.

But this is what I’ve got so far, so I’m going to press on anyway. Even though I am not sure how much refined sugar those young adults really ought to be taking on board. There is also a good dollop of household hints (how to get Rogers’ Pancake Syrup off the counter), and party suggestions (eat more sugar!) and a chapter on “Stain Removal” (because the spilling of the Rogers’ Golden Syrup is inevitable).

Actually this book covers the waterfront – all sorts of recipes. Though naturally they are rather keen on the sugary stuff.

And on edible conundrums. Here is the Donut Muffin. Is it a doughnut? Yes, sort of. But it is in a muffin tin and therefore…a muffin. But not really.

DONUT MUFFINS

Oven 400 degrees, yield: 18 small; 20 minutes [baking time]

2 cups Master Mix
2 Tb sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon

1. Stir sugar into Mix.
2. Combine milk, egg and Mix until well blended.
3. Bake in small muffin tins.
4. Dip one at a time into melted butter.
5. Remove quickly and shake in a bag containing sugar and cinnamon.

MASTER MIX

1. Sift 3 times: 9 cups flour, 1/3 cup baking powder, 1 Tb salt, 1 tsp cream of tartar, 1/4 cup sugar.
2. Cut in 2 cups shortening until mixture resembles cornmeal.
3. Store in covered containers at room temperature.
4. To measure pile lightly in cup and level with spatula.

These look like a good idea to me because I don’t like deep-frying things. It isn’t all that healthy, plus also the fear of burning myself (never mind the actual event) is also not healthy. I would make these, probably. Once in awhile. Usually I make vegetarian/vegan stuff in real life, much though I love retro recipes and baking – and desserts, and candy. Not that you can’t have healthy veggie-ish desserts, but – oh, you know what I mean.

Anyway. This book is full of useful things, not just sugar. Like how to make Wiener Winks (a hotdog appetizer) and advice on how full to fill the water glasses (three-quarters, you young’uns, not a drop more) and only “just before announcing the meal.” Come and get your Wiener Winks and Donut Muffins! Just what young adults like to eat while they’re – being young and youthful. And buying Rogers’ sugar.