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Potatoes

1 Jan 1940
Sound
6m

Austerity Britain reaches for the humble spud in this earnest wartime cookery film.

Austerity Britain reaches for the humble spud in this earnest wartime cookery film, sponsored by the Ministry of Information. While a no-nonsense narrator delivers practical do's and don'ts - "never use cold milk - it makes them sad and heavy" - a model-of-efficiency housewife demonstrates how to save fuel, preserve goodness and achieve that "nice floury quality". And with recipe suggestions ranging from the depressingly drab (jackets stuffed with leftovers and chopped onion), to the downright distasteful (grated-potato pudding crust, anyone?), it's a startling reminder of just how food habits have transformed since the 1940s.

If you find the taters a little bland, the filmmaking is rather lacking in seasoning too - especially when compared with the wonderfully funny Public Information films of Richard Massingham, or the extremely punchy 'Food Flash' series. Other culinary delights from the MOI's Cookery Hints included: Herring; Oatmeal Porridge; Steaming and Casserole Cookery.

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From the collection

Ration Book Britain

As if the bombs weren't enough, wartime Britons faced another fearsome foe: the ration book...

Everyday goods, from food and fuel to clothing, became luxuries - especially with supplies from Britain's Empire territories routinely intercepted by Nazi U-boats. Public information messages urged housewives to get creative with dried eggs and potato peel. Austerity was soul-sapping, and lasted long after the peace was won.

But rationing did help foster a sense of 'all in it together' and focused minds on managing scarce resources (while also creating profitable opportunities for the entrepreneurial 'spiv'). Make-do-and-mend became second nature, and wartime Brits recycled and salvaged more diligently then even today's eco-conscious citizens.