My Grandmother raised her children through the depression. She spoke of it often and still made the food from that era in the 70s. She had cookies and cakes that had no eggs. She always had a garden and always made everything from scatch. And would never eat in a restaurant. I never received a Christmas gift that wasn't handmade and she gave me $1 for my birthday every year until I turned 25. If people would look to the past there are ways to get through tough times.
My parents lived through the depression and also WWII. During the war, food was rationed. They became frugal and saved things. Not just food. That mindset lasts a lifetime. My mother made dinners such as this. It was so good. Miss them so much. 😢
Growing up in the 1950’s and 60’s we didn’t have salad dressing so we put mayonnaise on our salad. All that we had to put in one in the winter was lettuce, tomato and onion. In the summer we had fresh vegetables like green onions,fresh tomatoes p, cucumbers, bell peppers and lettuce but still mayonnaise for the dressing. I still like to make a simple salad with mayonnaise on it. I also make the hamburger with gravy and onions. My dad would kill and dress up to 100 meat birds every spring and in the fall he would slaughter 2 hogs. He had a smoke house where he cured the bacon and the hams and folks said that he was the best around when it came to smoking meat. Oh my goodness the smell of biscuits, bacon and eggs filled the house every morning and made you want to get up. My daddy never took sandwich bread in his lunch, he wanted biscuits with fried bologna or bacon and egg sandwiches with cheese on them. I remember when I got old enough to help mother, I would make his lunch and I took such care with making it. He would take four sandwiches and two or three pieces of cake. How I would love to go back to the good old days.
I remember her mixing Miracle Whip, milk, apple cider vinegar and a little salt, maybe a dash of paprika,I think. This is the only salad dressing we had, she may have made Thousand Island too. Aren't these wonderful memories?
I am the 13th child by a minute and we grew up on hamburger gravy and potatoes and venison gravy and potatoes. But never heard of a poor man's salad. Thanks for sharing
@@oursilvermoments6028 yes I have a twin brother and being the baby and a girl isn't easy they still treat me like a kid at 61 LOL. I still make this meal and always will.
Oh my goodness I was surprised when I saw your post. I am the 12th child and my twin is 13 by a minute. All girls except one. I looked at your name to see if it was her. I hardly ever come across someone that has as my siblings as I do😊
I watched your video yesterday and my mouth has been watering, im so hungry. My mom made hamburger gravy with milk we had it over toast. My hubby loves mashed taters, so I think he will love it. I think sweet corn for a side will be good. I'll be praying you will be safe.
At one point last year, scallions/green onions were $2 a bunch. I bought myself a window box that could sit on a window sill in the house in cold weather and put outside when its warm. I filled it with soil, cut off the white bulb of the scallions and plunked them into the soil about half inch apart. Within a few days, they started sprouting. They grow very quickly and you will have a continuous supply.
I keep 2 inch white part green onion in the water in my kicked window all winter and they grow 4-5 times , in the ends it is to light color and onions get little mushy so I plant it in the dirt . After spring plant it out side 😊all winter I have green onions to use 👍
My Mother made this, but didn't use broth. She added water to the pan, brought to a boil, then gradually stirred in a flour thickening. She stirred in Kitchen Bouquet, a small amount at a time. It was excellent. She served it over boiled crushed potatoes and leftovers were served over bread. Yum. I still make it today.
Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes was one of my favorite meals growing up. I’ll have to make it one day soon! Prayers that fire is under control and no one gets hurt ❤ Thanks for sharing
@denisesw9128 Thank you for your prayers! So far the fire has burned up 6 homes just 15 minutes from us but the fire crews are working hard to keep it from getting to us.
In my Scottish mother's home we called this mince and gravy, and I still make it today at 74 yrs of age. She would add flour to the leftover mashed potatoes, roll it out and create triangles then were fried in a little butter---called them "tatie scones". Thanks for reminding me of such lovely times.
In my Scottish home this was called “mince and tatties” my husband liked it spiced up a bit though, so I added oregano and basil and a wee bit of tomato sauce to the gravy We called it “farmhouse stew”.
This made my heart smile!! My grandmother OFTEN made this dinner when we visited. At 71, it is still one of my comfort foods,and I think of Grandma every time I make it!
I grew up on mashed potatoes and gravy, I raised my children and still make mashed potatoes and gravy. I never heard of poor man’s salad, but my mother made tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches. Good memories shared. Thank you.
Colleen, thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us. My mother, whom I miss so much, moved with her family in 1935 from Hays, Kansas. I am 71 now and loved this recipe as a child. I live in Portland, Or. She prepared this for us, and all of our family loved it. You were so easy to follow and listen to during this preparation. My Mom also used an electric skillet just like yours. I felt the childhood nostagia as you were preparing this delicious meal. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Praying to Saint Joseph to protect your home during this fire season.❤
This is my first time joining u, n I'm glad I did. I am from Goodland, Ks! We did not live through the depression. I am 60 yrs old the 3rd of seven. My dear mother died 3 yrs ago n miss her sooo much. She used to love us trying recipes like this. Thank you for sharing. GBY
My Grandmother, born 1926, also moved in 1935 from Salina Kansas to Seattle! The story was that they went to the local equivalent of Chamber of Commerce and chose the brochure that had the most green. Westward bound they went, all 11 of them , to land in the Pacific Northwest!
Well, the hamburger gravy sure took me back many many years. In fact, we still have it occasionally to this day. We really like it. Continued prayers that you will be safe from the fires. Sending you love and hugs, Colleen.
My mom's version was hamburger patties covered with cr of mushroom soup, served over boiled potatoes. We lived on a farm so had our own beef and potatoes. We would have a veggie or two from the garden as well.
Oh I hate fire season. It scarred our daughter, probably forever. When my husband was in the military, we spent several years in southern California. We woke up one Sunday morning and you could see the flames from the upstairs window. The kids were 8 & 4. We came down the hill and there was only one direction that we could go in because the fire had jumped 12 lanes of the freeway interchange. We were evacuated for days not knowing anything. Our daughter slept in a sleeping bag for years with her treasures in the bottom just in case. Even when we transferred to another base, October would come back. One year, we were triangulated by separate fires. Whoo, memories
@lisapop5219 I am so sorry, those sound like a terrifying time for you and your family. We are doing everything the fire suppression crews are recommending. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Best wishes, Colleen
I'm in Central California so I know what that can be like. We've been fortunate, closest one was 2 years ago and contained. They stopped it 9 miles away.
I also grew up with hamburger gravy. I love it over toast, potatoes, rice, and pasta. Any starch will do. It truly is a comfort food for me. My mom grew up in the depression. Stay safe with fire season and the smoke. My mom would add dried onion and condensed milk.
I enjoy your recipes. I am happy when I see you on UA-cam with a new video, it feels like we are sitting in your kitchen and you are talking about what you are cooking. The fire season is scary, please be safe. Thank you for taking your time to be with us. ❤❤
You're right, Colleen. There's no way even one person can be fed on $10 a week in these times. Even if you watch for sales on meat, etc. you can't do it - not if you want to eat reasonably healthy. I used to have hamburger gravy when I was a kid and it's still a staple in my house.
Wow, I remember that dish. It was always one of my favorites as a kid. My mother didn’t make it but it was served at school. Loved loved loved it. I know what I’m having for dinner tomorrow night. Thank you for post this recipe. I’m a newbie. I don’t inked how you ended up in my feed, but I’m glad you did. Nothing better than home style cooking to warm your heart.
Our version was hamburger gravy made with a can of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, a can of milk and some dried onion flakes. A bit of flour to thicken. Served over wide egg noodles. If we had a friend over my mom put the noodles on a platter like a nest and put the gravy in the middle. So fancy!
Hello, from Omaha Nebraska! We grew up on hamburger and even minced chicken gravy when i was a child in the 1960s! My dad and brothers hunted and fished a lot. If they caught it, momma could cook it into something great!
We never had this growing up. But in the 90s my sister hosted a foreign exchange student from Denmark. One day, when he was homesick, he asked to make supper. This was the dish he made! She taught me, and I've loved it since. Thanks for the reminder. I have never heard of the cracker salad. Stay safe.
I have fond memories of my grandmothers and mom making old recipes of depression food. I admired all the cooking of that era. They made the best of what they had available. ❤️
We had hamburger and gravy, one of our favorites. Family of eight. Had cracker salad once at a church function. We had sausage and gravy too over biscuits too. We had hamburger stew also.
Thank you for an excellent presentation, I felt like I was sitting in your kitchen with you. My mom cooked this meat and gravy dish also in Pennsylvania, was so good with mashed potatoes. First time I have heard of a cracker salad but I will have to try it, so simple to make. I am 85 and have cooked many simple dishes from scratch too, I just subscribed as I liked my visit with you! Right now again Canada is also having wildfires and the smoke is coming through Massachusetts where I currently live. I pray you, your family and neighbors are protected from the devastation of the fires. Good luck !
Hamburger gravy over French fries was a weekly meal at our house when kids were growing up. I learned to make it with milk like my mom did. Always served green beans with it. Oven fried chicken with baked potatoes was also on the menu each week. Now when I visit my kids and grandkids or they fly to me, they always ask for these two meals. Food traditions are great to pass down to family. Debi in Vicksburg, MS. 🥰🥰 .
This was a staple in my house growing up on the east coast of our beautiful country and we still have it today and I agree it is a comfort food. I have never heard of adding the butter though. You worked hard in this video; it was enjoyable and I didn't know that the recipe came from the depression era. Thanks for sharing. ❤
Moms made this for our family, came in handy with 9 children, she taught us all well on making a dollar stretch, thank you for showing others how to make a Real comfort food.
My mom made hamburgers in gravy with either mashed potatoes or white rice quite often. My brother and I loved it. Mom, the youngest of 5, was born the year after the Crash, so she may have grown up eating it herself. She told me that she didn't know she was "poor", so I guess when she saw that meal on the table she thought her family was rich. ❤
My mother made this often when I was a child. Now I am 67 and still love it for its simplicity and great taste. Real comfort food. One thing though is my mother--and grandmother---called it Hamburger stew. Same dish. Different part of Canada. That salad is a new one for me, but I can bet it tastes great. I am certain you have tried over the years many of the dishes that use soda crackers in place of other ingredients, for example the mock apple pie. Thanks, Colleen!
Back in my Army days this was a once a week dish in the Mess Hall. I didn't like it because I was used to chipped beef back home. Changed my tune when I married though chipped beef at the Commissary was very cheap (not now I might add). As a widow this would make me at least 4 meals.
One tip for cooks. Is to have a garbage bowl . Much easier since you will have dishes to do anyway. Saves a little time going to the trash can. Great meals! I make a soup similar with crumble hamburger / lean meat very little fat like 80 to 90 lean. Same pot, fill with water . Potatoes diced,marjoram leaves,salt oneHamburger gives flavor and leaves. You can add egg noodles to pot at the end. My mom called it pepper pot soup. Serve with bread. It will be thick because of potato starch, when eating leftovers,but will get a little liquid. I think it’s better the next day.
Remember my dear Mother making this dish in the 50’s, loved it and still make it every few weeks. Youngest munchkin wouldn’t eat it unless we added peas to it, he still asks for it when he visits. Thank you for sharing, really enjoyed your video. ❤
That is almost the same as our traditional Scottish dish ‘Mince and Tatties’. We use a pot rather than a frying pan and we brown the onions first, seasoned with salt and pepper, before adding the mince. Keep stirring until everything is browned, add a beef stock cube which has been disolved in a mug of boiling water. Add enough water to just cover the mince. Give it a stir. Bring to the boil and turn down the heat. Simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally. Thicken with gravy browning (Bisto) stirred in a cup with a little cold water before adding to the pot. You can use cornflower (cornstarch) if you don’t have gravy browning. Mince n Tatties is still a very popular comfort food dish here and there’s nothing like it on a cold winter day.
I watched a lady todsy who did the challenge, she went day by day and meal by meal. She actually had a bit left over. It was a great video. She was quite resourceful. When my grandson was living with me, he loved hamburg gravy. I made for him often. My mom used to make it for us a lot. Yummy. Love your videos .
Hoping you, your family and friends stay safe. I love “cooking with you” and yes, real time demonstration is so important! Recipes might say prep time is 15 or 30 minutes but well, we all know 😊that’s never true. BTW watching you is like watching my sister cook!
Hello sweet Colleen. Thank you for these recipes. Right up my alley! Filling and economical! Please stay safe and of course we will continue to pray for all of you.
I love Hamburger gravy over mashed potatos, i add chopped onions & celery and sometimes minced carrots also, it adds a nice flvor to this dish. When making my gravy i add kitchen bouquet. beef boullion to help darken the gravy, so delicious! I usually make this dish once a month. Thanks for sharing.such a nice comfort dish.
We still have it in Scotland it’s called mince and Tatties. If we have veg we would add diced carrots and onions and sometimes peas. We would serve it with dumplings which was self raising flour, some butter rubbed in and water or milk and drop these in little balls into the mince and cook for 20min in the oven
My brother in law and sister in law had taken a foreign exchange student in years ago and she had agreed to do a Girl Scout project with my daughter to do with cooking a dish from Japan which happened to be where the foreign exchange student was from. Going to the grocery store to find minced meat was fun. Neither party could communicate what "minced meat" was. We finally found it and we learned something new that day (never to be forgotten). 😅
My mom used to make the gravy over potatoes quite often. I never knew it was from the depression, my parents did go through the depression, I never knew it was sposed to be for the poor. We just thought is was a good dinner. Never heard of cracker salad tho but it sounds good. Love the show. Subscribed a while back.
That's a beautiful salad which is new to me. I'd love it with cheese. With the price of lettuce now it's good to know this recipe. We had a very good sale on hamburger & lots of potatoes so I made a dish nearly identical to yours except I put sliced potatoes right in the gravy. Delicious. I enjoy your laid-back style & real time demonstration, I hope you weren't directly affected by the fire.
One thing about being older, we were taught to be frugal, thank goodness. With inflation, frugality is so needed. Love your videos, stay safe from the fires.
@Diane-s5g Thank you Diane, We are safe from the fires now. We have had fall rains and with the cooling weather the fires in our area are now out. Thank you for your well wishes, Colleen
That sure does bring back memories I haven't made that for years since my family has grown up thank you for the reminder I'm praying that the fire does not reach you and I'm praying that they get it stopped😊
My Mom made hamburger gravy when we were growing up. I've made it once in a while. I just browned up hamburger, added some flour or Wondra with some milk to it to thicken it up and make the gravy, added any seasonings I wanted, which was usually just some salt. I put it over toast. Loved it!!!!
Love hamburger gravy and mashed taters!! It’s been years since I’ve peeled potatoes and never use paper towels for trash. I’m used to old fashioned rags and just wash. Old comfort and ways are great! Thank you✌️😘
Oh my goodness this video definitely brought back the memories! We would have it sometimes on rice, mashed potatoes, egg noodles and sometimes even toast. Our "poor man's salad" consisted of lettuce, banana and mayo.....so good! Thanks for the video!
Grannie Cyndy from South Australia here. New subscriber today. Good to hear see easy, inexpensive meals for these hard times. Well done. I used to watch another depression cooking video with a lovely lady called Clara who was in her 90's.
I am sending prayers that you and all around you are kept safe from the wildfires. I loved watching this video and it certainly brought back many memories ❤ Stay safe and God bless 🙏
Thanks to YT for recommending your channel to me. I thoroughly enjoyed watching you prepare your meal. I’d forgotten how Mom made your hamburger and gravy, and watching you brought back those memories. Never heard of the poor man’s salad but it looks so good that I shall give it a try! I’ll be saving this video into my Recipes to try. Watching from Niagara Falls Canada
Very interesting to see how people ate during the Depression. We have a lot to learn from that era because we could find ourselves in the same situation. It is comforting to know how we can also survive Thank you for sharing with us
Hello Colleen!! I stumbled on your site and I am hooked. When I was married and lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, my ex husband suggested I make this. I had never heard of it. It became one of our favorites. I am single now and still make it every so often.. I do love it. The salad is new to me and I am going to make that in a small batch for myself. It looks so good and simple. I will pray for the fires to subside and that you and your husband and loved ones are safe.
@620Pat Thank you! We have had lots of rain and the fires are out! Today we are getting snow in the high passes around us and it is raining down here. All is well and I hope you are too! Best wishes! Colleen
My good friend used to make this hamburger dish for her family and they used to call this "potatoes on point " as she served the saucy meat on top of a little mountain of potatoes...lol Sadly she passed away last year but this made me smile😊😊😊❤
Never heard of cracker salad but I will try it. The meat and gravey, as well as, the creamed/mashed potatoes are exactly like my mother and grandmother made. They both lived through the depression. Fortunately they had a large farm and sawmill with their family and they could grow almost everything they needed
Hello Colleen, Just want to tell you how much I love your recipes. Your sweet nature reminds me of my mother. Thank you for sharing these delicious meals⁰😊
The fact that you cook in real time sets you apart. I love feeling like I am right in your kitchen. ❤ (PS another option for the liquid would be some of the nice starchy water from the potatoes)
Hi Colleen, I made this delicious meat dish last night as you described but I added thinly sliced mushrooms to the pan with the onions. The result was wonderful. We had it with mashed potato and steamed broccoli because it was freezing here yesterday. I just had a little leftover meat sauce for lunch to which I added some peas. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe xx Yvette 🇦🇺💖🌹
I'm thinking if you add some corn to the mashed potatoes and hamburger gravy, you'd have all the flavors of shepherds pie. Also, I just want to offer a tip about storing potatoes. Take them out of the plastic bag they came in (the bag traps moisture) and put them into a paper bag. The paper will let them breathe, plus it keeps the potatoes in the dark so they don't turn green. Your potatoes will last twice as long. I might have to try that salad. It looks yummy.
Colleen, hello from Yorktown VA in the States. I see that you refer to Miracle Whip as mayonnaise??? I find them to be 2 very different condiments. Prayers for you and your husband’s safety during the fire season.
I was wondering if anyone would comment on that. Miracle Whip actually says it is a tangy dressing. It has sugar and spices whereas mayo does not. I do not mean to be critical here, but the difference in these two products could easily change the outcome of a dish if being used by someone that did not realize the difference.
My understanding is that miracle whip came about due to the depression. Mayo was expensive but you could cut it with sugar and oil and get MW. We use MW in mayonnaise cake. It gives the cake a zip that mayo doesnt. If you use mayo my family knows and is not thrilled.
Yes I wondered about that. Miracle whip has no eggs. It was created long ago when eggs were rationed I guess during the depression. I saw a program called Foods that made America. So MW is definitely an American product. It's very sweet. My husband prefers it. My mom wouldn't use mayo she grew up on MW.
I just happened upon your channel. I remember my mom making hamburger gravy when I was a kid. I made sure to subscribe to your channel; I know I will enjoy it.
Miracle Whip isn’t mayonnaise! I’m going to try the salad. My kids have grown up in hamburger gravy, I have never added onions. I’m going to try that as well. I like your videos. Ty
I am surprised you are not using a potato peeler . My sister peels potatoes that way too! I love your videos. I live alone and when I watch your shows, I feel like my neighbor has stopped by for a chat. Thank you!
New viewer here. LOVE your recipes, your videos and your style. Could you help me with a little confusion? I want to try that Poor Man's Salad. You say you are using "Mayonnaise" but I see that you're using "Miracle Whip". Those are two very different flavors and I just wonder which one I should use. Thanks again for your great work here. Scott
Oh my goodness this meal brought back memories for sure. I will definitely🙂 make it in the fall. Always enjoy your cooking various meals. Stay safe and be well. Thanks for sharing with all of us
My Grandmother raised her children through the depression. She spoke of it often and still made the food from that era in the 70s. She had cookies and cakes that had no eggs. She always had a garden and always made everything from scatch. And would never eat in a restaurant. I never received a Christmas gift that wasn't handmade and she gave me $1 for my birthday every year until I turned 25. If people would look to the past there are ways to get through tough times.
@gaylenemandelka8872 There are ways to get through tough times, wr just have to adjust our expectations.
My parents lived through the depression and also WWII. During the war, food was rationed. They became frugal and saved things. Not just food. That mindset lasts a lifetime. My mother made dinners such as this. It was so good. Miss them so much. 😢
Treat yourself and take time to make some of them
A tribute to them that you remember them so fondly.
Growing up in the 1950’s and 60’s we didn’t have salad dressing so we put mayonnaise on our salad. All that we had to put in one in the winter was lettuce, tomato and onion. In the summer we had fresh vegetables like green onions,fresh tomatoes p, cucumbers, bell peppers and lettuce but still mayonnaise for the dressing. I still like to make a simple salad with mayonnaise on it. I also make the hamburger with gravy and onions. My dad would kill and dress up to 100 meat birds every spring and in the fall he would slaughter 2 hogs. He had a smoke house where he cured the bacon and the hams and folks said that he was the best around when it came to smoking meat. Oh my goodness the smell of biscuits, bacon and eggs filled the house every morning and made you want to get up. My daddy never took sandwich bread in his lunch, he wanted biscuits with fried bologna or bacon and egg sandwiches with cheese on them. I remember when I got old enough to help mother, I would make his lunch and I took such care with making it. He would take four sandwiches and two or three pieces of cake. How I would love to go back to the good old days.
@@sandraskalnik2369 our salad dressing was mixing mayo with ketchup and called it thousand island dressing
My mom always made salad dressing with mayo and milk. I thought that was the only salad dressing for a long time. 😅
@@megdeyoung2378
So did I Meg!
I remember her mixing Miracle Whip, milk, apple cider vinegar and a little salt, maybe a dash of paprika,I think.
This is the only salad dressing we had, she may have made Thousand Island too.
Aren't these wonderful memories?
You have some fabulous memories to cherish.
I am the 13th child by a minute and we grew up on hamburger gravy and potatoes and venison gravy and potatoes. But never heard of a poor man's salad. Thanks for sharing
13th by a minute must mean you had a twin and your mother knew how to stretch a bit of meat. Best wishes, Colleen
@@oursilvermoments6028 yes I have a twin brother and being the baby and a girl isn't easy they still treat me like a kid at 61 LOL. I still make this meal and always will.
Oh my goodness I was surprised when I saw your post. I am the 12th child and my twin is 13 by a minute. All girls except one. I looked at your name to see if it was her. I hardly ever come across someone that has as my siblings as I do😊
I watched your video yesterday and my mouth has been watering, im so hungry. My mom made hamburger gravy with milk we had it over toast. My hubby loves mashed taters, so I think he will love it. I think sweet corn for a side will be good. I'll be praying you will be safe.
Momma Sue calls it cracker salad
My dad always said “it’s my birthday” when mom made hamburger gravy. His favorite meal ever
@marydenney8249 awe, that's awesome! It must have meant alot to him. ❤️
@@marydenney8249
Your Father's reply "It's my birthday", is heart warming, what a wonderful memory.💕
The lunch ladies fixed this dish for us during the 50s. We all loved it.
@@janetworrell5979 I thunk most people have had this at some time in their lives. It brings back good memories.
At one point last year, scallions/green onions were $2 a bunch. I bought myself a window box that could sit on a window sill in the house in cold weather and put outside when its warm. I filled it with soil, cut off the white bulb of the scallions and plunked them into the soil about half inch apart. Within a few days, they started sprouting. They grow very quickly and you will have a continuous supply.
I keep 2 inch white part green onion in the water in my kicked window all winter and they grow 4-5 times , in the ends it is to light color and onions get little mushy so I plant it in the dirt . After spring plant it out side 😊all winter I have green onions to use 👍
Thanks, you too for the tip. I was wondering how to grow spring onions.
My Mother made this, but didn't use broth. She added water to the pan, brought to a boil, then gradually stirred in a flour thickening. She stirred in Kitchen Bouquet, a small amount at a time. It was excellent. She served it over boiled crushed potatoes and leftovers were served over bread. Yum. I still make it today.
@dianenordstrom2770 oh that's an interesting way to make it but still sounds delicious.
My Mom made it with water and Kitchen Bouquet also. It was always served over boiled potatoes, so tasty. I may make some tonight.
I used hot water and a little bit of beef "better than bouillon."
Just love the aroma of onions and beef cooking on the stove!
@@cathynevius2164 best smell because you know something delicious is happening!
Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes was one of my favorite meals growing up. I’ll have to make it one day soon! Prayers that fire is under control and no one gets hurt ❤ Thanks for sharing
@denisesw9128 Thank you for your prayers! So far the fire has burned up 6 homes just 15 minutes from us but the fire crews are working hard to keep it from getting to us.
I'm going to make this dinner. Looks so very good.
In my Scottish mother's home we called this mince and gravy, and I still make it today at 74 yrs of age. She would add flour to the leftover mashed potatoes, roll it out and create triangles then were fried in a little butter---called them "tatie scones". Thanks for reminding me of such lovely times.
Oh my, that sounds good!
In my Scottish home this was called “mince and tatties” my husband liked it spiced up a bit though, so I added oregano and basil and a wee bit of tomato sauce to the gravy We called it “farmhouse stew”.
This made my heart smile!! My grandmother OFTEN made this dinner when we visited. At 71, it is still one of my comfort foods,and I think of Grandma every time I make it!
@@larkmilisits3702 Awe, I'm glad that it brought you some joy. Best wishes to you! Colleen
TY for sharing can’t wait to make this, ate it growing up in California at school it was one of our favorites a
❤
They served the hamburger gravy my high school cafeteria 50 plus years ago and I loved it!
Yes!! And the homemade rolls🔥💥
The hamburger and gravy was something my mother made for us often and I loved it. True comfort food.
@@elizabethpitt8404 ❤️
I grew up on mashed potatoes and gravy, I raised my children and still make mashed potatoes and gravy. I never heard of poor man’s salad, but my mother made tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches. Good memories shared. Thank you.
Nothing like mashed potatoes from scratch.
Colleen, thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us.
My mother, whom I miss so much, moved with her family in 1935 from Hays, Kansas.
I am 71 now and loved this recipe as a child. I live in Portland, Or.
She prepared this for us, and all of our family loved it.
You were so easy to follow and listen to during this preparation.
My Mom also used an electric skillet just like yours.
I felt the childhood nostagia as you were preparing this delicious meal.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Praying to Saint Joseph to protect your home during this fire season.❤
This is my first time joining u, n I'm glad I did. I am from Goodland, Ks! We did not live through the depression. I am 60 yrs old the 3rd of seven. My dear mother died 3 yrs ago n miss her sooo much. She used to love us trying recipes like this. Thank you for sharing. GBY
My Grandmother, born 1926, also moved in 1935 from Salina Kansas to Seattle! The story was that they went to the local equivalent of Chamber of Commerce and chose the brochure that had the most green. Westward bound they went, all 11 of them , to land in the Pacific Northwest!
Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes was my favorite meal growing up. ❤
Well, the hamburger gravy sure took me back many many years. In fact, we still have it occasionally to this day. We really like it. Continued prayers that you will be safe from the fires. Sending you love and hugs, Colleen.
@@cyn4rest Thanks so much! We love it!
Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes. Delicious and great comfort food! God bless you and keep you safe.
My mom's version was hamburger patties covered with cr of mushroom soup, served over boiled potatoes. We lived on a farm so had our own beef and potatoes. We would have a veggie or two from the garden as well.
Oh I hate fire season. It scarred our daughter, probably forever. When my husband was in the military, we spent several years in southern California. We woke up one Sunday morning and you could see the flames from the upstairs window. The kids were 8 & 4. We came down the hill and there was only one direction that we could go in because the fire had jumped 12 lanes of the freeway interchange. We were evacuated for days not knowing anything. Our daughter slept in a sleeping bag for years with her treasures in the bottom just in case. Even when we transferred to another base, October would come back. One year, we were triangulated by separate fires. Whoo, memories
@lisapop5219 I am so sorry, those sound like a terrifying time for you and your family. We are doing everything the fire suppression crews are recommending. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Best wishes, Colleen
I'm in Central California so I know what that can be like. We've been fortunate, closest one was 2 years ago and contained. They stopped it 9 miles away.
I know the fire you are speaking of, I’m from Ramona, scary indeed.
@@marleneclark4186 💯.
@@oursilvermoments6028
I also grew up with hamburger gravy. I love it over toast, potatoes, rice, and pasta. Any starch will do. It truly is a comfort food for me. My mom grew up in the depression. Stay safe with fire season and the smoke. My mom would add dried onion and condensed milk.
We had it over potatoes, rice, noodles, elbows. Yummy every time.
I enjoy your recipes. I am happy when I see you on UA-cam with a new video, it feels like we are sitting in your kitchen and you are talking about what you are cooking. The fire season is scary, please be safe. Thank you for taking your time to be with us. ❤❤
@@sandyrinehart5566 I love to be here cooking with all of you. Thanks for the good wishes.
My family had this many times over biscuits and green beans on the side! My father called it Poor-Doo. He said “When you’re poor it’ll do!”
You're right, Colleen. There's no way even one person can be fed on $10 a week in these times. Even if you watch for sales on meat, etc. you can't do it - not if you want to eat reasonably healthy. I used to have hamburger gravy when I was a kid and it's still a staple in my house.
Wow, I remember that dish. It was always one of my favorites as a kid. My mother didn’t make it but it was served at school. Loved loved loved it. I know what I’m having for dinner tomorrow night. Thank you for post this recipe. I’m a newbie. I don’t inked how you ended up in my feed, but I’m glad you did. Nothing better than home style cooking to warm your heart.
Our version was hamburger gravy made with a can of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, a can of milk and some dried onion flakes. A bit of flour to thicken. Served over wide egg noodles. If we had a friend over my mom put the noodles on a platter like a nest and put the gravy in the middle. So fancy!
Try with French Onion soup!
Hello, from Omaha Nebraska! We grew up on hamburger and even minced chicken gravy when i was a child in the 1960s! My dad and brothers hunted and fished a lot. If they caught it, momma could cook it into something great!
@@Beepinsqueekin Mom's had a gift of turning anything into something delicious.
the salad idea is amazing...loved this video
@@hardwood7955 Thank you for watching it!
We never had this growing up. But in the 90s my sister hosted a foreign exchange student from Denmark. One day, when he was homesick, he asked to make supper. This was the dish he made! She taught me, and I've loved it since. Thanks for the reminder. I have never heard of the cracker salad. Stay safe.
Me neither.
The poor man’s gravy sounds good.
I have fond memories of my grandmothers and mom making old recipes of depression food. I admired all the cooking of that era. They made the best of what they had available. ❤️
@@AlphaPoe yes they did!
We had hamburger and gravy, one of our favorites. Family of eight. Had cracker salad once at a church function. We had sausage and gravy too over biscuits too. We had hamburger stew also.
Thank you for an excellent presentation, I felt like I was sitting in your kitchen with you. My mom cooked this meat and gravy dish also in Pennsylvania, was so good with mashed potatoes. First time I have heard of a cracker salad but I will have to try it, so simple to make. I am 85 and have cooked many simple dishes from scratch too, I just subscribed as I liked my visit with you! Right now again Canada is also having wildfires and the smoke is coming through Massachusetts where I currently live. I pray you, your family and neighbors are protected from the devastation of the fires. Good luck !
Please Stay Safe and I will be Praying for you and your Hubby 🙏🙏💕🌹
@dellasmalley6097 Thank you Dallas!
Hamburger gravy over French fries was a weekly meal at our house when kids were growing up. I learned to make it with milk like my mom did. Always served green beans with it. Oven fried chicken with baked potatoes was also on the menu each week. Now when I visit my kids and grandkids or they fly to me, they always ask for these two meals. Food traditions are great to pass down to family. Debi in Vicksburg, MS. 🥰🥰 .
For me there is such a difference between miracle whip and mayonnaise I remember the hamburger gravy thank you for reminding me of my childhood
I grew up on Miracle Whip.
Now I only buy Hellman’s mayonnaise.
There’s a huge difference between them I agree
My mom in California always miracle whip. That's the only way I'll eat an egg sandwich. Now I live in the south and we eat Duke's mayonnaise.
@@RogueWave2030 Dukes Mayo just like Hellmans is real mayonnaise with egg yolks and lemon juice!
Miracle Whip is not mayo but salad dressing. I especially like it's on BLTs
@@johnacres4666 yeah and it's got that twang
This was a staple in my house growing up on the east coast of our beautiful country and we still have it today and I agree it is a comfort food. I have never heard of adding the butter though. You worked hard in this video; it was enjoyable and I didn't know that the recipe came from the depression era. Thanks for sharing. ❤
Moms made this for our family, came in handy with 9 children, she taught us all well on making a dollar stretch, thank you for showing others how to make a Real comfort food.
Our mom made this often. Loved this dish. To this day we still make it often. Just found your videos. 😋😋😋🇨🇦
I’m always looking for meals made with Hamberger. I’m definitely going to make this!
My mom made hamburgers in gravy with either mashed potatoes or white rice quite often. My brother and I loved it. Mom, the youngest of 5, was born the year after the Crash, so she may have grown up eating it herself. She told me that she didn't know she was "poor", so I guess when she saw that meal on the table she thought her family was rich. ❤
@@YT4Me57 ❤️
My mother made this often when I was a child. Now I am 67 and still love it for its simplicity and great taste. Real comfort food. One thing though is my mother--and grandmother---called it Hamburger stew. Same dish. Different part of Canada. That salad is a new one for me, but I can bet it tastes great. I am certain you have tried over the years many of the dishes that use soda crackers in place of other ingredients, for example the mock apple pie. Thanks, Colleen!
Back in my Army days this was a once a week dish in the Mess Hall. I didn't like it because I was used to chipped beef back home. Changed my tune when I married though chipped beef at the Commissary was very cheap (not now I might add). As a widow this would make me at least 4 meals.
One tip for cooks. Is to have a garbage bowl . Much easier since you will have dishes to do anyway. Saves a little time going to the trash can. Great meals! I make a soup similar with crumble hamburger / lean meat very little fat like 80 to 90 lean. Same pot, fill with water . Potatoes diced,marjoram leaves,salt oneHamburger gives flavor and leaves. You can add egg noodles to pot at the end. My mom called it pepper pot soup. Serve with bread. It will be thick because of potato starch, when eating leftovers,but will get a little liquid. I think it’s better the next day.
Praying for you and your family! Please stay safe!
@cathyjackson7175 Thank you, we are following all the advice of the Fire crews and are packed and ready to go at a moments notice.
Remember my dear Mother making this dish in the 50’s, loved it and still make it every few weeks. Youngest munchkin wouldn’t eat it unless we added peas to it, he still asks for it when he visits. Thank you for sharing, really enjoyed your video. ❤
We had this growing up in the 60’s and 70’s. My mom would serve it over whole wheat toast. It was delicious!
I'm from the American South and we had a similar salad made with left over cornbread but otherwise the same ingredients.❤
That is almost the same as our traditional Scottish dish ‘Mince and Tatties’. We use a pot rather than a frying pan and we brown the onions first, seasoned with salt and pepper, before adding the mince. Keep stirring until everything is browned, add a beef stock cube which has been disolved in a mug of boiling water. Add enough water to just cover the mince. Give it a stir. Bring to the boil and turn down the heat. Simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally. Thicken with gravy browning (Bisto) stirred in a cup with a little cold water before adding to the pot. You can use cornflower (cornstarch) if you don’t have gravy browning.
Mince n Tatties is still a very popular comfort food dish here and there’s nothing like it on a cold winter day.
I watched a lady todsy who did the challenge, she went day by day and meal by meal. She actually had a bit left over. It was a great video. She was quite resourceful. When my grandson was living with me, he loved hamburg gravy. I made for him often. My mom used to make it for us a lot. Yummy. Love your videos .
Prayers that you and your neighbors can remain safe!! Amd wow on the price of that hamburger meat! Canadian prices are a lot higher than in the U.S.
It always is more costly in Canada.
@marygrott8095 yes, it is much more expensive here in Canada.
Hoping you, your family and friends stay safe. I love “cooking with you” and yes, real time demonstration is so important! Recipes might say prep time is 15 or 30 minutes but well, we all know 😊that’s never true. BTW watching you is like watching my sister cook!
@@elizabethsleison6079 I am so happy to hear that you think of me as a member of the family. Thank you for having me over every week. ❤️
My mother used to make this and it was my favorite! Thanks for reminding me, I'll definitely make it soon!
@@sarabelits2362 so simple and yet so comforting.
Hello sweet Colleen. Thank you for these recipes. Right up my alley! Filling and economical! Please stay safe and of course we will continue to pray for all of you.
Thank you, we appreciate the prayers! Thanks for watching!
I love Hamburger gravy over mashed potatos, i add chopped onions & celery and sometimes minced carrots also, it adds a nice flvor to this dish. When making my gravy i add kitchen bouquet. beef boullion to help darken the gravy, so delicious! I usually make this dish once a month. Thanks for sharing.such a nice comfort dish.
One of my all time favorites to make i cook mine excatley like yours, so delicious
OMG Sorry for another post, so embarrassed
We still have it in Scotland it’s called mince and Tatties. If we have veg we would add diced carrots and onions and sometimes peas. We would serve it with dumplings which was self raising flour, some butter rubbed in and water or milk and drop these in little balls into the mince and cook for 20min in the oven
My brother in law and sister in law had taken a foreign exchange student in years ago and she had agreed to do a Girl Scout project with my daughter to do with cooking a dish from Japan which happened to be where the foreign exchange student was from. Going to the grocery store to find minced meat was fun. Neither party could communicate what "minced meat" was. We finally found it and we learned something new that day (never to be forgotten). 😅
My mom used to make the gravy over potatoes quite often. I never knew it was from the depression, my parents did go through the depression, I never knew it was sposed to be for the poor. We just thought is was a good dinner. Never heard of cracker salad tho but it sounds good. Love the show. Subscribed a while back.
My late husband loved mashed potatoes, gravy and peas on top. Never tried this salad but I think I will. Thanks😊
@@cherylwagg1371 Good old comfort food!
That's a beautiful salad which is new to me. I'd love it with cheese. With the price of lettuce now it's good to know this recipe. We had a very good sale on hamburger & lots of potatoes so I made a dish nearly identical to yours except I put sliced potatoes right in the gravy. Delicious. I enjoy your laid-back style & real time demonstration, I hope you weren't directly affected by the fire.
One thing about being older, we were taught to be frugal, thank goodness. With inflation, frugality is so needed. Love your videos, stay safe from the fires.
@Diane-s5g Thank you Diane, We are safe from the fires now. We have had fall rains and with the cooling weather the fires in our area are now out. Thank you for your well wishes, Colleen
That sure does bring back memories I haven't made that for years since my family has grown up thank you for the reminder I'm praying that the fire does not reach you and I'm praying that they get it stopped😊
My Mom made hamburger gravy when we were growing up. I've made it once in a while. I just browned up hamburger, added some flour or Wondra with some milk to it to thicken it up and make the gravy, added any seasonings I wanted, which was usually just some salt. I put it over toast. Loved it!!!!
Love hamburger gravy and mashed taters!! It’s been years since I’ve peeled potatoes and never use paper towels for trash. I’m used to old fashioned rags and just wash. Old comfort and ways are great! Thank you✌️😘
Oh my goodness this video definitely brought back the memories! We would have it sometimes on rice, mashed potatoes, egg noodles and sometimes even toast. Our "poor man's salad" consisted of lettuce, banana and mayo.....so good! Thanks for the video!
My mom made a salad like that. I loved it
Grannie Cyndy from South Australia here. New subscriber today.
Good to hear see easy, inexpensive meals for these hard times. Well done.
I used to watch another depression cooking video with a lovely lady called Clara who was in her 90's.
@@cyndyfabian7555 Thank you for joining us all the way from South Austrailia! I hope you find many useful things here. Best wishes, Colleen
I am sending prayers that you and all around you are kept safe from the wildfires. I loved watching this video and it certainly brought back many memories ❤ Stay safe and God bless 🙏
@@candaceclark6861 ❤️ thank you!
Thanks to YT for recommending your channel to me. I thoroughly enjoyed watching you prepare your meal. I’d forgotten how Mom made your hamburger and gravy, and watching you brought back those memories. Never heard of the poor man’s salad but it looks so good that I shall give it a try! I’ll be saving this video into my Recipes to try. Watching from Niagara Falls Canada
@missygilly9917 Thank you for watching and I am so glad it helped bring back happy memories for you. Best wishes, Colleen
Very interesting to see how people ate during the Depression. We have a lot to learn from that era because we could find ourselves in the same situation. It is comforting to know how we can also survive Thank you for sharing with us
Hello Colleen!! I stumbled on your site and I am hooked. When I was married and lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, my ex husband suggested I make this. I had never heard of it. It became one of our favorites. I am single now and still make it every so often.. I do love it. The salad is new to me and I am going to make that in a small batch for myself. It looks so good and simple. I will pray for the fires to subside and that you and your husband and loved ones are safe.
@620Pat Thank you! We have had lots of rain and the fires are out! Today we are getting snow in the high passes around us and it is raining down here. All is well and I hope you are too! Best wishes! Colleen
My good friend used to make this hamburger dish for her family and they used to call this "potatoes on point " as she served the saucy meat on top of a little mountain of potatoes...lol
Sadly she passed away last year but this made me smile😊😊😊❤
Thank you so much for sharing. Love the way you take your time! Janet …(we have lots of Canadian snowbirds to come here for the winter) Rockport Texas
Ok. I stayed for the hamburger gravy but almost bailed when I saw the miracle whip 💨💨💨💃🏼……😂💦😂💦 love,,, a mayo purist 😉😉🤣
Me too. Hellman's all the way.
I make hamburger gravy w mashed at the school. One of their favorites.❤❤ I put a bit of thyme in it. I love thyme or marjoram with beef.😊
@@LeahNess-t7o I will try it with thyme next time I make it. ❤️
Colleen I’ve never heard of a salad like that one. Looks interesting. The meat and gravy looked delicious. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.
@annapower9799 thank you Anna! It is really good simple fare.
Never heard of cracker salad but I will try it. The meat and gravey, as well as, the creamed/mashed potatoes are exactly like my mother and grandmother made. They both lived through the depression. Fortunately they had a large farm and sawmill with their family and they could grow almost everything they needed
Found you accidently. I love the multi-tasking and the dance of the pans and ingredients. A real cook.
Hello Colleen, Just want to tell you how much I love your recipes. Your sweet nature reminds me of my mother. Thank you for sharing these delicious meals⁰😊
The fact that you cook in real time sets you apart. I love feeling like I am right in your kitchen. ❤
(PS another option for the liquid would be some of the nice starchy water from the potatoes)
This is soul food for me having been born in 1937. My mom had a Victory Garden that supplied much of what we ate.
Awwww. The Victory Gardens!!! Precious times.
Hi Colleen, I made this delicious meat dish last night as you described but I added thinly sliced mushrooms to the pan with the onions. The result was wonderful. We had it with mashed potato and steamed broccoli because it was freezing here yesterday. I just had a little leftover meat sauce for lunch to which I added some peas. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe xx Yvette 🇦🇺💖🌹
Great meals without additives that we cannot pronounce.thank you!!!
I'm thinking if you add some corn to the mashed potatoes and hamburger gravy, you'd have all the flavors of shepherds pie. Also, I just want to offer a tip about storing potatoes. Take them out of the plastic bag they came in (the bag traps moisture) and put them into a paper bag. The paper will let them breathe, plus it keeps the potatoes in the dark so they don't turn green. Your potatoes will last twice as long. I might have to try that salad. It looks yummy.
I love all your recipes, bringing memories back to my grandparents
This reminds me of something my mom made. Now I have a name for it. Thank you
Colleen, hello from Yorktown VA in the States. I see that you refer to Miracle Whip as mayonnaise??? I find them to be 2 very different condiments.
Prayers for you and your husband’s safety during the fire season.
They are very different. I love mayonnaise, especially Best Foods. I gag on Miracle Whip.
I was wondering if anyone would comment on that. Miracle Whip actually says it is a tangy dressing. It has sugar and spices whereas mayo does not. I do not mean to be critical here, but the difference in these two products could easily change the outcome of a dish if being used by someone that did not realize the difference.
My understanding is that miracle whip came about due to the depression. Mayo was expensive but you could cut it with sugar and oil and get MW. We use MW in mayonnaise cake. It gives the cake a zip that mayo doesnt. If you use mayo my family knows and is not thrilled.
Yes I wondered about that. Miracle whip has no eggs. It was created long ago when eggs were rationed I guess during the depression. I saw a program called Foods that made America. So MW is definitely an American product. It's very sweet. My husband prefers it. My mom wouldn't use mayo she grew up on MW.
I just happened upon your channel. I remember my mom making hamburger gravy when I was a kid. I made sure to subscribe to your channel; I know I will enjoy it.
@@patmentzer6771 Thank you for joining us over here. I hope you find lots of reasons to come back. Best wishes, Colleen
@@patmentzer6771 Groceries are very expensive here compared to other places. I am happy to hear they are not that high where you live. Cheers, Colleen
Miracle Whip isn’t mayonnaise! I’m going to try the salad. My kids have grown up in hamburger gravy, I have never added onions. I’m going to try that as well. I like your videos. Ty
That amount of food could easily feed 4 people 😮
@thixotropic447 yes, we had it foe dinner and made two little aluminum foil containers for my husband's lunches on the road.
@@oursilvermoments6028 Cook once, eat twice (or more). I like saving time . And am lucky my family likes 'planned-overs'. :)
I am surprised you are not using a potato peeler . My sister peels potatoes that way too! I love your videos. I live alone and when I watch your shows, I feel like my neighbor has stopped by for a chat. Thank you!
Im from Seattle and we had this for school lunch. I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 53 years and its one of our treasured dishes.
What grade school? I grew up in Seattle too and had this for school lunch. Always, enjoyed the school lunch at Magnolia Elementary.
New viewer here. LOVE your recipes, your videos and your style. Could you help me with a little confusion? I want to try that Poor Man's Salad. You say you are using "Mayonnaise" but I see that you're using "Miracle Whip". Those are two very different flavors and I just wonder which one I should use. Thanks again for your great work here.
Scott
I love watching your show and how you present your recipes! It’s all so peaceful and calming! I’m so glad I found you!!
Hope you stay safe, salad was new to me.
First time viewing you Colleen. Great video 😊 Thank you for sharing 😊
@Angelbee-i4l Thank you! Great to have you here. Best wishes! Colleen
So good to see you! We had our hamburger gravy over bread so good ❤️
Oh my goodness this meal brought back memories for sure. I will definitely🙂 make it in the fall. Always enjoy your cooking various meals. Stay safe and be well. Thanks for sharing with all of us
@ditsytheoneandonly7930 yes it's definitely more of a fall dish but good anytime you need a quick tasty meal.
Cracker salad looks awesome. We never had salad growing up. Dad called it rabbit food.😂 I’ll be trying your cracker salad for sure.👏😋🇨🇦
First time I’ve watched and I cannot wait to make this
My mom called this volcano meal 1 of my favorites, I have passed down to my daughter. Yummy
I just love hamburger gravy over mashed potates!❤