More from a farmhouse kitchen

This little recipe book published in the 70’s but from a collection of newspaper columns and articles from earlier, and some stories going back maybe to the previous century, has lots of little helpful hints and stories. They were written seriously and much appreciated no doubt, but to us, probably half a century on from when they were written, they seem quaint and rather charming in a way… I’m sure some people will gnash their teeth at the outdated attitudes, but that is how it was at the time, and  that is the way many people lived their lives in rural communities:

MARKS ON TABLES – rub as soon as possible with linseed oil. Leave overnight, then polish. If this treatment is given regularly it helps prevent surface marks.
In the days of strong digestions and homely fare, there was greasy goose and plum duff on the festive table. Strong black tea was sweetened with coarse grained sugar and well dried-out oatcake was spread with oozing butter cut from a print stamped with a cow or sheaf of corn.
A farmer hates shopping at any time, so preparations are a female affair. His only contribution to the seasonal preparation is likely to be plucking the turkey.
Farmers wives are experts at providing large meals. They bake, fry, boil and stew seven days every week. Down to earth men need plain food. Women in an Ulster farm kitchen provide this every day. She is always on duty to see that the family are well fed and satisfied as always.

This story is from a time when there weren’t the modern conveniences in the kitchen; farming was a 6am to 6pm if not longer day. Many of the women if not most would rely on buses to take them to the shops or markets, and at home there would be no fridges, microwaves, hoovers, or other things we think are necessities!