Special Collections WWII recipe books feature on Blue Peter
Recipe books and pamphlets from the University’s Home Studies Collection featured in an item on confectionery and baking during the Second World War on CBBC’s Blue Peter last week.
Held in Special Collections at Manchester Metropolitan University Library, the collection holds more than 700 books from the last 300 years covering everything from food production, preservation and technology, to home economics, family living and domestic and regional cookery.
The Blue Peter team took a step back in time and revisited some sweet treats that would have been enjoyed during the Second World War, looking at these recipes from a healthy eating point of view, as sugar was rationed during the war.
Dr Bryce Evans, from Liverpool Hope University, provided a historical context to the material. He discussed some of the characters that were created during the war to encourage children to eat vegetables, including Potato Pete and Dr Carrot.
Dr Evans has previously researched the Home Studies Collection as part of the Art Council funded Feast Project which took place at Special Collections last year, organised by Dr Laura Mansfield and Elisa Oliver from Manchester School of Art.
Some of the recipes from the books, including Economy Cake and Apple and Potato Pudding, were prepared in the studio for the team to taste.
Along with Dr Evans, presenters Lindsey and Radzi baked some Carrot Cookies on air using a recipe from 1942. The vegetable biscuits were enjoyed by the guest editor of the show - children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
