Roberta's Realities: Retro Recipes!

Years ago I became the caretaker of some very special recipes that were handed down to me by my 'Grandmother-by-Courtesy'. Her name is Juddy and I believe that sharing some of these recipes now is what makes sense. I'll try to post at least three per week (maybe more) and provide as much historical information as possible about the recipes. I'll start with a collection she kept specifically from the 40's, 50's and 60's. Here's a picture of this treasure trove. If you have something similar, treat it with care!

For the first recipe, I thought I would start with a family friendly noodle recipe (I don't think the recipes went by 'pasta' in the late 40's or early 50's). You'll have to adjust this recipe to today's standard for larger servings! I added some tomatoe sauce to appeal to my family. It's very similar to 'Company Casserole' recipes that have been around for years.

NOODLES ROMANOFF

1 - 5-6 oz. package of egg noodles

2 quarts boiling salted water

1 cup cottage cheese

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

3/4 teaspoon salt

Dash of cayenne pepper

1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

Cook noodles until tender -- about 15 minutes--in boiling water.

Drain. Stir in cottage cheese. Add remaining ingredients, except cheese.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Serves 2 or more.

There it is. Simple and well, small. This recipe came with a caveat to not publish or circulate it until 1970. Time's Up!! Below are the typed notes to Juddy that were attached to this recipe.

Juddy - You mentioned this dish the last time I saw you--this may not resemble the one you have had, but this is as I got it last summer in California. I believe it called for 1 cup cheddar cheese on top, which seemed a lot. However, I may try it again. I don't recall the number of servings--I did not make the entire amount.

Should you try it and have suggestions for improvement, let me know. I recall that I liked it, but there may be some 'refinements' which should be added.

I have something similar made with macaroni--which has, in addition, caraway seed--also a very good casserole.

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It just seems to me that a recipe with warnings shouldn't come with a plea not to publish until 1970. Anyway, this recipe is on faded piece of fragile typewriter paper and was typed on an old typewriter with a carriage return. Here's a picture in case you don't know what that is!