The Casserole, Perfect for Winter

The best way to fight the winter blues is with comfort food! Every January Betty takes out her pink pyrex casserole dish and gets cooking. After a warm and hardy dinner her family forgets all about the cold weather. This season test out Betty's favorite winter recipe.

Pink Pyrex: www.SunnyDayVintage.etsy.com

Betty Crocker's New Dinner for Two

1964

Shepherd's Pie

1/4 cup (1/2 envelope) of our instant Mashed Potatoes

1 1/2 cups diced cooked beef or lamb

1 cup cooked vegetables

1 cup beef or lamb gravy or 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) mushroom gravy

1/4 tsp. salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare potatoes as directed on pkg. for 2 servings; set aside. Stir meat, vegetables, gravy, and salt together. Pour into 1 qt. baking dish. Mound Potatoes in a ring around the edge of dish. Bake 30 min., or until potatoes brown slightly.

2 generous servings.

Happy New Year!

This year your only resolution should be to be more like Betty! Start by planning a rocking retro New Year's Eve cocktail party. Sparkly silver mid-century barware is all you need to plan your event. As Betty always says, start the New Year right with a cocktail in your hand! Happy 1958...no, wait... 2011!

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Happy Holidays!

With Christmas around the corner Betty is busy trimming the tree, wrapping presents and, of course, baking! Her favorite holiday tradition is making a gingerbread house. But being the mid-century woman that she is Betty does not go for a traditional look. Each year she creates a new twist on a modern home and you can do the same! Find this cute kit at RedEnvelope.com or check out the architectural design below. Every December the firm Hometta comes up with a take on the gingerbread house based on a home they have actually built. You can find their instructions for this one at http://www.hometta.com/holiday-2010.

Happy Holidays!

Gift Wrapping Christmas

Betty knows it is the thought that counts and the thought will look a whole lot better wrapped in one of these retro- inspired papers. They will take any gift from drab to fab in a pinch! In fact, these prints are so pretty your friends and family will resist tearing into their gifts. Instead they will take a cue from grandmothers around the world, carefully opening their presents and then smoothing out the paper to save for another use.

From Top: Smock Paper (2), Hello! Lucky (2), The Paper Studio, Paper Mojo (2)

Kitschy Cupcakes

As winter drags on Betty adds a little color and cheer with festive cupcakes decorated with plastic toppers. Whether she makes chocolate, vanilla, or butter cream who can resist one of her cute confectionary concoctions. These little cakes aren’t just for birthdays or holidays. Betty thinks they are perfect for frosty afternoons. All it takes is one bite and you are reminded that spring is on its way!

Check out Betty’s favorite recipes below!

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Better Homes and Gardens: Pies and Cakes 1966

Yellow Cupcakes

1/3 cup shortening

1 3/4 cups sifted cake flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Place shortening in mixing bowl; sift in dry ingredients. Add egg and 1/2 cup milk; mix till flour is moistened. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed on electric mixer. Add 1/4 cup milk and vanilla; beat 2 minutes longer. Fill paper bake cups in muffin pans half full. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool. Frost with Sea Foam Frosting. Makes about 18 cupcakes.

For Lemon Cupcakes: Prepare Yellow Cupcakes; add 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel. Frost with Seven Minute Frosting. Top with coconut.

Seven Minute Frosting

A white frosting to crown your best cake. Try the two variations, too, and please your family three ways-

2 unbeaten egg whites

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 teaspoons light corn syrup or 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/3 cup cold water

Dash salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

Place all ingredients except vanilla in top of double boiler (not over heat); beat 1 minute with electric or rotary beater. Place over, but not touching, boiling water and cook, beating constantly, till frosting forms stiff peaks, about 7 minutes (don't overcook).

Remove from boiling water. Pour into mixing bowl, if you wish. Add vanilla and beat till of spreading consistency, about 2 minutes. Frost tops and sizes of two 8- or 9- layers, top of 13x9 inch cake, or 2 dozen cupcakes.

Sea Foam Frosting

Prepare Seven Minute Frosting, substituting 1 1/2 cups brown sugar for the granulated sugar.

Burnt-Sugar Frosting

Prepare Seven Minute Frosting, using 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, 1/4 cup cold water, and substituting 3 to 4 tablespoons cooled Burnt-sugar Syrup for the corn syrup.

Burnt Sugar Syrup

Melt (caramelize) 1/3 cup granulated sugar in small, heavy saucepan, stirring constantly. When a deep golden brown syrup, remove from heat and slowly add 1/3 cup boiling water. Heat and stir till all dissolves. Boil to reduce syrup to 1/4 cup. Set aside to cool

Winter Weekends

Betty and her family love to head outdoors on winter weekends. Even though the air is cool, they spend afternoons ice skating at their neighbor's frozen pond or sledding in the park. When their noses are red and fingertips numb, Betty surprises everyone with homemade marshmallows and hot chocolate. This sweet snack warms her family so that they can head back out for some more fun in the snow. This weekend don't be afraid of the cold weather; just be sure to make plenty of hot cocoa and bring gourmet marshmallows. Everyone will want a second cup!

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Hot Chocolate

Dishes Children Love, 1965

Heat together, stirring constantly, in top of double broiler over low heat.

2 sq. (2 oz.) chocolate

1/2 cup water

When chocolate has melted, add

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Cook 4 min., stirring constantly. Place over simmering water. Stir in

2 cups milk

Heat thoroughly. Beat with rotary beater just before serving.

Float on each serving

1 or 3 marshmallows

Soups On

Watching the snow falling, Betty and her family are warm and toasty sitting in their cozy kitchen. Betty serves steaming soup for dinner, perfect for cold January nights. Betty knows enough recipes to keep her family satisfied all winter long. This week make two of her favorites for your family, classic tomato and chicken noodle. After just one spoonful, you will forget all about the weather outside.

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Chicken Noodle Soup

from Better Homes and Gardens Favorite Ways with Chicken, 1967

1 2-1/2 to 3 pound broiler-fryer, cut up

3 quarts water

1 medium onion, quartered

few sprigs parsley

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. whole black peppers

2 cups uncooked fine noodles

1 cup diced celery

1/2 cup shredded carrots

2 tsps. salt

1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed

1/4 tsp. dried oregano, crushed

Place chicken in Dutch oven or deep kettle. Add next 5 ingredients. Simmer, covered, 1 hour. Remove chicken from broth; cool and remove meat from bones; dice meat. Strain broth; return to kettle. Bring stock to boiling; add remaining ingredients, except chicken. Return to boil; cook covered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes, or until noodles are tender. Add chicken; heat. Makes 2-1/2 quarts.

Hearty Tomato Soup

From Betty Crocker's Cookbook, 1969

1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)

2 tbs. butter or margarine

1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened

2 cans (10-3/4 ouncces each) condensed tomato soup

1 soup can milk

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. sweet basil leaves

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

In medium saucepan, cook and stir onion in butter until onion is tender. Stir in cream cheese. Gradually stir in soup and milk; beat with rotary beater until smooth. Add seasonings. Heat, stirring frequently, but do not boil. If desired, garnish each serving with sieved egg yolk.

3...2...1...Happy New Year!

Betty counts down to the New Year with glittering style. Whether choosing to wear her silver shoes or grabbing her gold clutch, Betty knows she will shine. With a little mid-century sparkle and a kiss at midnight you'll be starting the New Year off just right. Because even though it's 2010 it doesn't mean you shouldn't dress like it's 1957.

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Merry Christmas!

Betty hopes you get everything you want for Christmas, but if not, mix up a few retro cocktails. After one of these drinks even socks from your great aunt Bertha will look a little sweeter. Perfect for the holidays, this festive Martini will make any party special and any woman happy!

Peppermint Martini

1 peppermint stick, crushed

1 1/2 ounces vodka

1 ounce peppermint schnapps

1 ounce Triple Sec

ice

1 small candy cake

Dip a moistened martini glass into crushed peppermint. Mix the vodka, schnapps, Triple Sec and ice in a retro cocktail shaker. Strain the mix into a vintage martini glass and garnish with the candy cane. Serve to friends or keep it for yourself.

Trimming the Tree

Established in 1937, Shiny Brite ornaments hung from millions of Christmas trees across the country throughout the 40's and 50's. Betty decorates her silver aluminum tree only with these American made, hand-painted glass balls. Since the company closed in 1962 all of their products are vintage and easy to find. Whether you have a real evergreen or prefer the artificial kind, give it mid-century style with these wonderful ornaments.

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Holiday Baking with Style

Betty begins her holiday baking the first weekend in December. Just because she spends her days in the kitchen doesn't mean she shouldn't look good. With these aprons Betty can keep her clothes nice and her holidays filled with sugar and spice. Speaking of spice, every Christmas Betty makes savory gingerbread. Check out her recipe below!

Clockwise from top left: www.LookBackVintage.etsy.com, www.VintagefromVermont.etsy.com, www.5gardenias.etsy.com, www.vintagedame.etsy.com

Better Homes and Gardens: Pies and Cakes 1966

Gingerbread

Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar to 1/2 cup shortening, creaming till light. Add 1 egg and 1/2 cup light molasses; beat thoroughly. Sift together 1 1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 3/4 teaspoon soda, 1/2 teaspoon ginger and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Add to creamed mixture alternately with 1/2 cup boiling water, beating after each addition. Bake in well-greased 8x8x2 inch pan in moderate oven (350 degrees) 35-40 minutes or till done. Serve warm with Citrus Fluff.

Citrus Fluff

In small saucepan, beat 1 egg; add 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon grated orange peel, 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Cook and stir over low heat till thick, about 5 minutes. Cool thoroughly. Fold in 1 cup whipping cream, whipped. Chill. Spoon onto squares of warm gingerbread. Garnish with a twist of orange. Makes about 2 cups topping.