When 92-year old Clara made her Depression Cooking web series last year, she probably didn’t know that we’d soon be on our way to another Great Depression (or at least a Great Recession). While I might make a few substitutions to her potato-heavy meals today (chorizo for hot dogs, frozen sweet peas for canned), Clara proves that even when times get tough, we can still be fat and happy. In fact, Clara says she was a fat kid because of all of those potatoes! Unfortunately, she only made three episodes, but hopefully we’ll see more of her soon. Rachael Ray has nothing on Clara.
More videos of Clara here.
Tags: depression cooking with clara, the great depression, cooking, cooking with clara, depression food, recession food, one pot meals, cheap dinners, food on the cheap, dinner for under $5
October 18, 2008 at 5:57 pm |
This is amazing! We learn so much from people like Clara. I hope she’s still happy and healthy. I wonder how she feels about things today. She probably reels from the price of things today. I know I do. Thanks for posting this. Good luck.
October 23, 2008 at 1:49 pm |
[...] for Hard Times Jump to Comments At Casserole Crazy, Emily Farris directs us to a short video series on “Depression Cooking” by a 91-year old woman named [...]
November 1, 2008 at 3:05 pm |
I loved this so much. Wish we’d had video when my grandma was a live. She too was a fantastic cook and made do with little. Also fantastic cajun cook.
December 5, 2008 at 9:03 pm |
I’m back!
http://www.youtube.com/user/DepressionCooking
February 23, 2009 at 6:22 pm |
That was absolutely beautiful. I love this series. many thanks.
February 25, 2009 at 6:34 pm |
loved this so much…in fact, i wrote down the ingredients for your dishes….goona try them..especially t
he christmas cookie…
thank you for giving us this wonderful site to enjoy.
your wonderful..keep up the good work.
February 27, 2009 at 1:46 pm |
Just found out about Clara today. I am an administrator of an assisted living facility and will share all about Clara today in activities.
FUN FUN FUN
February 27, 2009 at 2:13 pm |
This is beautiful! I absolutely LOVE the wonderful tips and recipes from Clara! I wish we could have done this with my grandmas before they passed, both wonderfully talented culinary gurus in their own respects…Best wishes to Clara!
February 27, 2009 at 2:26 pm |
My mother was a depression era child and grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. Fortunately, she taught me how to cook “depression-style”. In recent year I’ve gotten lazy, but am now using the hand-written receipies she passed down to me.
February 27, 2009 at 2:30 pm |
thank god for those who come before us whats old is new again i do believe we are going in the depression route and we nead more people like clara
February 27, 2009 at 3:22 pm |
I have truely enjoyed watching Claras videos and I am going to try a few of the recepies. God Bless You Clara
February 27, 2009 at 3:52 pm |
I loved her videao and her cooking. God bless her always
February 27, 2009 at 3:52 pm |
If you can afford to put chorizo in instead of hot dogs, then you’re eating these casseroles by choice not because you’re hard up. Not there’s anything wrong with that, I have the best memories of spending the summers with my grandparents and eating the meals grandma threw together.
February 27, 2009 at 4:20 pm |
Just heart warming…..more videos soon please!
February 27, 2009 at 4:26 pm |
what a great way to preserve memories, customs and ideas…i think we should all keep a bit of the depression era mentality, even when life feels more prosperous. i do alot of looking in the frig to see whats in there that i can combine and cook up. i cook twice the amount of rice that ill need for one night and then steam it with leftover meat or “fakie” veggie meat and lots of veggies- sprinkle with some parmesan cheese, toss in a salad and there you are. thank you clara and her production crew.
February 27, 2009 at 5:54 pm |
Love Clara! Would love to hear more about how they survived during the Depression. Although she says, “It was bad.” She exudes an attitude of making do with less and surviving. All with a nice down to earth pleasantness. Clara you are charming and so impressive to be going strong at 92! Thank you and God Bless!! Wonderful video!!
February 27, 2009 at 8:16 pm |
I love this! My parents and in-laws remember the depression well. I grew up during some hard times in the 50′s on a small farm, and we were very frugal…but nothing like the depression. Thank you Clara.
February 27, 2009 at 8:29 pm |
This is great! God bless you Clara!
February 27, 2009 at 9:00 pm |
Your awesome and an inspiration to us all!! The recipes are great, keep them coming!!
February 27, 2009 at 10:05 pm |
hEY THAT’S WHAT WE HAD FOR DINNER LAST NIGHT AND I NEVER MET CLARA
February 27, 2009 at 11:18 pm |
This is what the world needs get back to basics.
Share a meal and create memories.
Makes me miss my grandmother even more, she raised ten children on her own and baked bread everyday starting at age 6 (she passed away at 80).
Keep it up Clara
February 28, 2009 at 1:10 am |
Such a wonderful person! I watched all ten videos and learned some great basics! God Bless
February 28, 2009 at 2:24 am |
Clara,
Leaves asking for more. She reminded me of Julia Child
March 1, 2009 at 1:02 pm |
I was married 1935 and learn how to cook with very litlle money. Today you can expend $ 5.00 a day for four persons.
Using chiken or meat and broth in litlle porcion if you want or your budget can efford.
You can make stew with out meat only vegetables all kinds and broth and came delicius.
Make spaghetti with all kinds of vegetables.
Spaghetti with pesto or tomatoes sauce
Red peper staff with rice and spices
Rice with all kind of vegetables and curry.
Chicken 1/4 breast for person and 1/2 patataos with anios, garlic and pepper mint.
This to mention only few.
March 2, 2009 at 2:26 pm |
Where are recipes???????????????????????????????
March 5, 2009 at 6:33 am |
I watched all your videos and loved them. Would love to see more! Thanks so very much. Linda
March 5, 2009 at 1:18 pm |
That was wonderful Clara…Thank you for sharing the great recipes with us. Your a most delightful lady. Much Love and Many Blessings
March 5, 2009 at 9:43 pm |
I saw Clara on our local news channel, looked her up on my pc. She is a great inspiration. My mom just turned 91 in Feb. and I recall lots of stories of the great depression. My mom is a wonderful cook and can get by on so little, makes me ashamed of our younger generations. Let’s get back to some basics. God bless you Clara
March 6, 2009 at 9:15 am |
I enjoyed the videos very much. They were heart warming to me because they reminded me of my mother who cooked like Clara when we were young. My older brother told us stories about his friends wanting his egg and pepper sandwiches at school and traded his for bologna sandwiches. The two of us would go to a redskins’ game in the 70′s and bring egg and pepper sandwiches to snack on. People around us were curious about the wonderful smell.
March 6, 2009 at 9:36 pm |
Please, how do I get a DVD? I loved the video’s.
January 10, 2010 at 6:45 pm |
I’m doing a research paper on the cause of the great depression and your site is of great help, but I’m trying to find even more specifics. I found this article cause of the great depression but I’m not sure I believe the ‘official’ story… I’m on a quest to find the TRUE cause of the great depression, if you have any ideas of some other alternative sources for info please send them to me.peace out
January 18, 2010 at 8:53 am |
solid recipe!
. I enjoy studying your website. Where did you get this gorgeous weblog design from? Compliments from greece.