Anybody know of any serious blogs or websites that recreate weird vintage recipes?

[frigidlizard]

So, we've probably all seen those outrageous old recipes from American magazines like tuna set in lemon gelatin, spam with canned peaches, sandwich loaves iced in mayonnaise, etc. I've seen some blog posts and videos where people make these recipes and judge them, but they're never serious. They all seem to be done by people who don't really understand the basics of cooking, and often skip steps and make lazy substitutions. The angle is usually that they are getting progressively drunker as they cook. It makes for good comedy, but I want to see these old recipes really tested. Something like the youtube series Binging with Babish, but for old/unusual recipes.

Have you seen any videos or websites like that?

[donk79]

Cannot say I am a huge fan, but I do know one youtube channel that focuses in this direction: https://www.youtube.com/user/jastownsendandson

[frigidlizard]

9 minutes ago, donk79 said:

Cannot say I am a huge fan, but I do know one youtube channel that focuses in this direction: https://www.youtube.com/user/jastownsendandson

 

That's not quite the time period I had in mind, I was thinking mid-century; nonetheless that looks like a fascinating channel. Thank you very much for the link. 

[liuzhou]

57 minutes ago, frigidlizard said:

I was thinking mid-century

 

Mid-which century?

[frigidlizard]

52 minutes ago, liuzhou said:

 

Mid-which century?

 

Sorry, mid-20th century. 1940-1960.

Edited August 29, 2017 by frigidlizard
clarification (log)

[BetD]

http://www.midcenturymenu.com is one you might have fun with.

Edited September 1, 2017 by BetD (log)

[frigidlizard]

3 hours ago, BetD said:

http://www.midcenturymenu.com is one you might have fun with.

 

 

Marvelous! That's right up my alley. Thanks a lot!

 

 

Edit: That was *exactly* what I was looking for. Great job, BetD!

Edited September 1, 2017 by frigidlizard (log)

[Shelby]

I don't know how much actual food testing gets done, but I love this site (you're probably already familiar with it).

 

http://www.lileks.com/institute/gallery/

[Toliver]

I recall the Old Foodie. I have a good friend who enjoyed the Master and Commander series of books and I bought the cookbook "Lobscouse and Spotted Dog", which had recipes for the food mentioned in the books, based on a suggestion from the Old Foodie. My friend enjoyed the cookbook and made several of the recipes from the cookbook. 

But I believe that cookbook is a little too far back/dated for the O.P.'s needs.