Carrot Roll, gravy and fresh seasonal vegetables
Ann Mitchell
WWII Rationing Challenge: Week 1 Day 3, Wednesday 3rd June
I am very excited about taking part in the World War 2 food rationing challenge, because I think it will give me the opportunity and the incentive to make changes to my diet that will benefit my health, and also reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of the food I eat. It is also rather daunting, as, like most people, I am used to being able to choose what I eat from an incredible range of different foods.
So on Monday morning I measured out my rations of butter, cheese, sugar and oil (I am using oil instead of margarine). I think cheese is going to be the hardest thing cut back on, and my 57g looked very tiny.
Monday evening supper was the remains of a liver casserole (tomatoes, onion, green pepper, celery, coriander leaves and a small portion of liver), and Tuesday was just a sandwich day as I was rushing from place to place. I usually make my own bread in a bread maker, so on Monday morning I made a wholemeal loaf instead of the mixed grain one I usually make. Much heavier and denser, but I’m sure I will get used to it.
Some tips I have found useful so far are:
• Keep butter in the fridge – it is easier to scrape off a very small portion using a slightly serrated knife
• marmite adds flavour to a salad this is me sandwich
• chutney is a good substitute for mayonnaise in salads or sandwiches
This evening I decided to try one of the recipes from The 1940s Experiment, a web site which has 138 recipes for ideas and inspiration, including ‘mock duck’ and ‘mock goose’. I tried carrot roll, which consists of carrot, oatmeal and herb mix inside a roll of mashed potato, all heated and browned in the oven, and served with gravy made with stock, and whatever vegetables are available. Incredibly cheap to make, interesting to look at when sliced on the plate, and really very tasty!
The next step is to visit the butcher, and negotiate what I can buy with my rationed allowance. Then back to the recipe books for some more inspiration!
