These are times when food - its style, preparation, and consumption - is changing radically... Kay Sullivan, 1972

{HISTORY}

As Kay Sullivan mentions in the quote above, by the time McCall's Book of Wonderful One-Dish Meals was published in 1972, the way Americans ate was far different from how families ate 20 and 30 years prior. 

Many more women had full-time jobs and careers in addition to raising families. The ease and excitement of international travel raised the sophistication level of at home-dining and interest in multi-cultural recipes. Innovations in convenience foods made it faster to prepare meals for busy households and the just budding organic movement helped draw attention to healthy, balanced, nutritional meal planning.  

McCall's magazine always had a keen understanding of its readership and a current grasp on ways to help women navigate issues presented in the contemporary landscape. Their answer to those challenging, and ever-changing situations that always seemed to affect the kitchen in one way or the other, was to put together a cookbook full of easy, economical one-pot recipes that would free up kitchen prep time while also providing a healthy and balanced meal. 

Coq au Vin, Lamb Ragout with Baked Eggplant, Chilled Avocado Soup, Ham and Swiss Salad Bowl, Chicken and Vegetable Casserole, Creole Jambalaya, Meatball Surprise, Avocado Walnut Salad, Pok Pot Pie and Spinach Beef Casserole are just a few examples of the types of recipes found here. 

Lauded for both its content and creativity by food columnists, these were the types of meals that were served on weeknights in busy households and toted along to potlucks throughout the decade. Most recipes called for fresh, whole ingredients with the exception of some canned or frozen vegetables, canned broth, or dehydrated bouillon mixes. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Published in 1972

- 212 pages

- Contains over 200 recipes

- Includes original dust jacket 

{CONDITION}

In beautiful vintage condition. This book contains no cooking spots or stains. The dust jacket is completely intact with no rips or tears. There is a lovely gift inscription on the inside endpaper dated December 1972 from Barbara to Melody advising that "a well-fed husband is usually a contented one."

{SIZE}

Measures 8.5" inches (length) x 6" inches (width) x 1" inch (thickness) and weighs just under 1 lb.