Betty Crocker & Outdoor Entertaining

As Friday afternoon hit and I still didn’t have an idea for a post, I suddenly remember the bright red box shelved in our Special Collections Media section. Saved by “Betty Crocker” for neither the first nor last time! (I know it’s really a team of people, but admit it, we all have an image of her.) A couple of years back, I found the cheery box that is the Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library (our edition is from 1971). As we headed into the Memorial Day weekend and grilling season, I pulled out the section called “Outdoor Entertaining.” (We’re only taking on one section for today–the cheery red box of Betty Crocker recipes holds lots of surprises for future posts!)

Section cover card

“Beef Roast on a Turnspit” There are 27 cards in this section and 1/3 of them seem to involve food on spits or skewers….

“Ground Beef Sizzlers”

“Ground Beef Sizzlers” recipes. Do olives shrivel up when grilled?

“Fun with Franks” (These are secured with toothpicks, which we could technically count as skewering.)

“Fun with Franks” recipes…though we might wonder about some of these combinations!

“Game Hens on a Spit” Can’t forget to skewer the poultry.

“Ways with Turkey” And for the record, yes, it’s cooked on a spit.

“Ways with Eggplant.” Though the eggplant is really the last thing that draws attention in this image. Were the sausages skewered, too?

“Sparkling PIneapple”

“Sparkling Pineapple” recipe, plus a “punch” recipe. A good idea, but sparkling grape juice alone may not a punch make…

Section index

Skewered or spitted foods not pictured include steak kabobs, lamb or veal skewers, and ham on a spit, in case you were curious. There are a number of seafood recipes (nothing stabbed or punctured—though there is a fish in a wire grilling frame) in this section, what appears to be a nice recipe for grilled apples, and lots more meat.

So, as we kick off grilling season and unofficial summer, take some inspiration. This weekend, break out the coals/gas/wood and skewer away (carefully, of course). It’s amazing what you can do with a little grill power.