Bingo and BBQ: Discover WWII Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds!

Dothan, Alabama, USA - On October 3, 2024, Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel, alongside his young son Malik, enjoyed sampling delicious dishes at the Alabama National Fair. This fair, an annual hallmark of community spirit, runs from October 4-14 in Montgomery, and this year it featured an array of recipes reminiscent of a time when America faced tough challenges during World War II. These culinary gems included beloved creations like Victory Banana Cookies, Fan Tan Meat Pie, and Honey Sticks, all shaped by the necessity of wartime rationing. In a fitting twist of nostalgia, Heupel recently celebrated his 10th wedding anniversary at a bingo hall in Florida. With free anniversary packs in hand, he and his wife made quite the night of it.

The bingo hall, allowing patrons to indulge in their own culinary delights, saw Heupel bringing along mouthwatering barbecue from Smokey Joe’s in Dothan. To further complement their meal, he enjoyed a tantalizing fried pork chop sandwich paired with chili cheese fries from S&M’s Cafe of Dothan, a food truck stationed at the venue. In his piece, Heupel proposed sharing these comforting WWII-era recipes that would make for the perfect addition to any bingo night.

WWII-Inspired Recipes

Heupel’s Victory Banana Cookies are not just a nod to history; they also serve as a delectable treat. The recipe calls for common household ingredients that were available even during times of rationing. Here’s how you can recreate these flavorful cookies:

• Ingredients:
  • 2.25 cups of flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp soda
  • 0.75 tsp salt
  • 0.67 cup shortening
  • 0.33 cup sugar
  • 1 cup corn syrup
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp lemon extract
  • 1 tsp grated lemon rind
  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas

Instructions: Mix the dry ingredients, cream the shortening and sugar, then add the corn syrup, egg, vanilla, lemon extract, and rind. Fold in the dry ingredients and mashed bananas. Drop spoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet and bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes.

Another delightful recipe from the era is the Fan Tan Meat Pie, perfect for a hearty meal. Here’s how to whip it up:

• Ingredients:
  • 3 cups ground beef (or sausage)
  • 3 tbsp chopped onion
  • 3 tbsp fat
  • 2 tbsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp pepper
  • 2 cups peas
  • 2.75 cups canned tomatoes and juice
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 2 cups sifted flour
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp shortening
  • 0.67 cup milk

Instructions: Brown the meat and onions, drain the grease, and mix in the seasonings. Combine flour and water to thicken, then blend with the meat and vegetables. Prepare the dough, fill with the meat mixture, shape it, and bake in a preheated oven at 450°F for 10-12 minutes.

Lastly, the Honey Sticks offer a sweet finish with a dash of nostalgia:

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 cups flour
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 4 tbsp fat
  • 1 egg
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • 0.33 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 cup raisins

Instructions: Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and water. Cut in fat, then add the egg and milk. Pour the mixture into a shallow pan, heat the remaining ingredients, pour over, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Once done, cut into sticks and serve warm.

Echoes of Wartime Food Rationing

The nostalgia of these recipes ties directly to the challenges faced during World War II, a time when food rationing became a way of life. According to the National Park Service, wartime restrictions made creative cooking essential. People learned to make the most out of what they had, utilizing ration cards and devising ways to stretch limited resources. Community cookbooks and shared recipes thrived during this period, showcasing not only resilience but also resourcefulness.

Charlotte Adams once penned a “Daily Menu” during this time, reminding us how culinary creativity thrived despite constraints. The public’s ability to adapt to rationing, noted in numerous publications from that era, transformed the American kitchen into a space for innovation.

Shannon Heupel encourages readers to try out these nostalgic recipes and share their experiences. Whether you’re reminiscing over a bingo night or just looking for a delicious treat, these recipes encapsulate a piece of history that continues to resonate. Feel free to reach out to him with photos and feedback on your culinary creations.