From the Archives Kitchen – Hermit Cookies

Posted on July 2, 2015 by richmondarchives

Freshly-baked hermits, using Hettie London's 1902 cookbook. John Campbell photograph

Freshly-baked hermits, using Mrs. Charles London’s 1902 cookbook. (John Campbell photograph)

Imagine yourself in the kitchen of the farmhouse at London Farm in the early part of the last century, thinking about a nice treat for your cook to bake for the family. You go through your favourite cookbook and voila, you find a healthy, yet simple recipe for hermit cookies.

Cover of “Woman’s Favorite Cook Book,” published in 1902 and used by the London family. City of Richmond Archives reference files

This is what Hetty London, wife of pioneer farmer Charles London, might have done using her “Woman’s Favorite Cook Book”, published in 1902, and found with old records of the London family now in the holdings of the City of Richmond Archives.

London Farmhouse, 1908. City of Richmond Archives Photograph 2009 16 75

Charles London and his brother William purchased land in the South Arm district of Richmond in the 1880s, the area taking on the name of “London”. After their marriage, Charles and his wife Henrietta (Hetty) built their farmhouse, where they raised a family of eight children (three of whom died as infants.) In 1978, the farmhouse was designated as a heritage site and the next year was purchased by the municipality to be restored as a heritage property.

London Farmhouse after restoration by the municipality. City of Richmond Archives Photograph 2009 16 13-4-3-1

The recipe for “hermits” found in Mrs. London’s old cookbook was particularly appealing to Precilla Huang, professional pastry chef and Board member of the Friends of the Richmond Archives, because it represented simpler times and the use of wholesome ingredients.

Recipe for Hermits from “Woman’s Favorite Cook Book.” City of Richmond Archives reference files

The result of Precilla’s baking was a tasty drop cookie, not too sweet but rich with buttermilk and lightly spiced with a hint of nutmeg.

A plate of hermit cookies hot out of the oven. (John Campbell photograph)

Imagine the fragrance of the batch of cookies coming out of the oven, and the enjoyment they would have brought to the London family and guests.

From the Archives Kitchen – Sour Cream Doughnuts

Posted on January 29, 2015 by richmondarchives

A tasty, 1930-style, homemade sour cream doughnut. (Bill Purver photograph)

A homemade, 1930-style, sour cream doughnut. (Bill Purver photograph)

Before the proliferation of specialty bakeries and fast food chains in the latter half of the 20th century, the search for a fresh doughnut to accompany an afternoon coffee often ended up in one’s own kitchen.

An old recipe for homemade sour cream doughnuts was recently discovered at the City of Richmond Archives in records of the Ladies’ Aid of Richmond United Church.

Cover of "Tested Recipes" published in 1930 by the Ladies Aid to Richmond United Church. City of Richmond Archives, Richmond United Church fonds, Series 5, File 3

Cover of “Tested Recipes.” City of Richmond Archives, Richmond United Church fonds, Series 5, File 3

The recipe was found in “Tested Recipes”, a book published in 1930 by the women’s group as a fundraising effort on behalf of the church situated at the corner of River Road and Cambie.

Richmond United Church at the corner of River Road and Cambie, ca. 1930. City of Richmond Archives Photograph 1985 39 104

Constructed in 1891 as the Richmond Methodist Church and renamed the Richmond United Church in 1925 after church union, the building was later purchased by the municipality, moved to Minoru Park in 1967, and renamed Minoru Chapel.

Ad supplied by BC Electric Railway Company on inside of front cover of "Tested Recipes."

Advertisement on inside front cover of “Tested Recipes.”

The recipe book is a collection of old family recipes submitted by church members, the names of whom read like a who’s who of some of early Richmond’s most prominent residents.

Contributors included Mrs. H.A. McBurney, Mrs. R.P. Ketcheson, Mrs. E. Cooney, Mrs. W.G. Easterbrook, Mrs. J.W. Miller, Mrs. James Thompson, Mrs. Grauer, and Mrs. Mitchell among others.

The book was sponsored by various companies and includes advertisements for services and products of interest to those who would be using the recipes.

Recipe for Sour Cream Doughnuts on page 13 of “Tested Recipes.”

The Friends of the Richmond Archives’ resident pastry chef and Board Director, Precilla Huang, decided to try out the recipe to gain insight into the culinary expertise and practices of homecooking in the 1930s.

A tasty plate of homemade doughnuts using the 1930 recipe. (Graham Turnbull photograph)

A tasty plate of homemade doughnuts, thanks to Friends of the Richmond Archives Board Director Precilla Huang and the 1930 “tested recipe.” (Graham Turnbull photograph)

The end result of Precilla’s work was delicious, a doughnut much less sweet than that of the present day, but rich in texture and taste.

(Note: “Doughnut” is the traditional spelling of the word and consistent with usage in the 1930s. “Donut” is a modern-day spelling associated with the later, large-scale commercialization of the snack.)

From the Archives Kitchen – Clover Leaf Salmon Bread Pie

Posted on December 11, 2014 by richmondarchives

Various products sold under the Clover Leaf brand, ca. 1955. City of Richmond Archives RL258

British Columbia Packers Limited was at one time the largest and most diverse fishing company in Canada. For many years, the company operated out of headquarters in Steveston, a major centre for the British Columbia fishing industry for much of the last century.

Renewal of Clover Leaf trade mark, 1915. City of Richmond Archives, BC Packers fonds, Series 5 , Sub-series 1, File 17

Of the many brand names and trademarks owned by BC Packers, “Clover Leaf” was one of its most well established.

The trademark was first registered in 1890 by a New York City company before being transferred to the British Columbia Packers Association, the forerunner to British Columbia Packers Limited.

The brand was registered to be used for a wide-range of canned products, including fruits, vegetables, soups and fish. The Clover Leaf brand over time, however, became synonymous with quality seafood canned in Steveston and at other BC Packers canneries up and down the BC coast.

Clover Leaf Sockeye Salmon, by appointment to the Governor General and the Lady Tweedsmuir, 1939

Clover Leaf Salmon, By Appointment to their Excellencies the Governor General and the Lady Tweedsmuir, 1939. City of Richmond Archives, BC Packers fonds, Series 5, Sub-series 1, File 17

Clover Leaf Display, 1954. City of Richmond Archives Photograph 2001 34 9-93

BC Packers marketed its “Clover Leaf” salmon locally, throughout the British Empire, and around the world. In the 1950s, its marketing campaigns often included displays at various exhibitions and shopping outlets, radio advertisements with catchy jingles, and the publication of pamphlets containing recipes for easy-to-make meals.

“Sea Food Recipes”, ca. 1955. City of Richmond Archives RL258

One pamphlet produced by BC Packers around 1955, “Sea Food Recipes”, was recently consulted at the Archives in the course of historical research on food preparation. In the interest of accurate research, we thought we should try one of the recipes, the “Salmon Bread Pie,” a kind of poor man’s Salmon Wellington.

Recipe for Salmon Bread Pie in “Sea Food Recipes”, City of Richmond Archives RL 258

The surprisingly tasty result of our research , thanks to professional chef and Friends of the Richmond Archives’ Board Director Precilla Huang. (Bill Purver photograph)

From the Archives Kitchen – An Old-Fashioned Roly Poly

Posted on November 20, 2014 by richmondarchives

A slice of mouthwatering roly poly. (Graham Turnbull photograph)

Have you tried a roly poly lately? Research at the City of Richmond Archives recently uncovered a WW II “ration guide” containing a recipe for this mouthwatering dessert.

Cover of WW II ration book. City of Richmond Archives Accession 2011 24

The ration guide was produced as a result of the need to control the distribution of staple food products during World War II. A rationing program was implemented in Canada in 1942 to ensure adequate food supplies for the armed forces and for citizens through the balance of the war. Foods such as meat, butter, sugar, coffee and tea could be purchased only with the redemption of an appropriate coupon from a ration book.

WW II ration book coupons. City of Richmond Archives Accession 2011 24

Cover of WW II Home Canning Ration Guide. City of Richmond Archives Reference Files

In addition to rationing, citizens were encouraged to augment the food supply by activities such as making their own butter from milk, and by preserving fruits and vegetables.

“Here’s Your Home Canning Ration Guide” was published in 1943 “in the interests of maximum results in home canning with available sugar.” Inside, instructions were given for methods of canning without sugar, and how to use the preserved fruits or vegetables in the form of recipes.

On page 8 of the guide is a recipe for “Sweet Cherry Roly Poly,” a jelly roll-like confectionery. We thought we should try out this recipe in the interests of historical research and appetite.

Roly Poly Recipe from Home Canning Ration Guide. City of Richmond Archives Reference Files

Here’s the result of our research into wartime cooking:

The end result of our research, thanks to pastry chef and Friends of the Richmond Archives’ Board Director Precilla Huang. (Graham Turnbull photograph)

Outside the Box – The Richmond Archives Blog

Presented by the Friends of the Richmond Archives

Category Archives: Archives Kitchen

From the Archives Kitchen – Hermit Cookies

From the Archives Kitchen – Sour Cream Doughnuts

From the Archives Kitchen – Clover Leaf Salmon Bread Pie

From the Archives Kitchen – An Old-Fashioned Roly Poly