1927 Knox Gelatin Dainty Desserts Salads-Candies

Aug 3

My Nanny almost never served a meal without a “congealed salad” or jello salad, as we know it. I didn’t care for all of her gelatinous creations but more often than not, I happily ate them. We all had our own favorite fruity flavor. Mine was, what tasted like, peach jello with pineapple tidbits. It was a sweet and opaque, peachy-pink color that had an airy, fluffy texture. I believe it consisted of orange or peach jello, evaporated milk, mayonnaise, pineapple bits and pineapple juice. This is an educated guess as my mother nor myself really know how she made it. My mother’s favorite was the orange jello salad with shredded carrots. Nanny, she preferred her own layered strawberry, cream cheese salad with pecans and a pretzel base, if I remember correctly. I can vividly recall sitting at her table as a little girl, singing the jello jingle in my head “watch it wiggle, see it jiggle” and giggling. I still do this at the site of shiny, jiggly jello whenever I see it. As far as I know, Nanny never created the fancy molded jello salads that sometimes grace or disgrace the covers of vintage mid-century cookbooks. Those jewel-toned, jellied mounds with floating chopped meats, eggs and vegetables, trimmed with lettuce leaves and radish roses. Strangely unappetizing sights that I absolutely love to look at! No, Nanny’s presentation was simple and unfussy. She always served her congealed salads respectably, in a vintage Pyrex refrigerator dish with a glass top.

That brings us to todays vintage cooking booklet. The 1927 “Knox Gelatine Dainty Desserts Salads-Candies” published by Charles B. Knox Gelatine Co. INC. It is absolutely one of my favorites in my collection. I love the mix of Art Deco and 18th century illustrations and Marie Antoinette vibes. It feels very French. The colors are bright and pretty pastels. The gelatine mold illustrations are beautiful, with the exception of the fish mold but that is just my opinion. Some of the interesting sections include directions for setting an attractive table, children’s party recipes, “Dishes for Convalescents” and more. I’ve added additional photos of this gorgeous booklet below.

Do you have a favorite vintage cookbook or cooking booklet? What is it and why do you adore it? Let me know in the comments!