A 1940's Christmas Dinner: Mock Turkey

[@Realvintagedollshouse]

Tune in THIS WEDNESDAY at 7 pm for a very special Christmas video where I go back in time for the festive season 🎄...

[@andrewmorley355]

@@Realvintagedollshouse really enjoying your channel and I suffer from Crohn's disease and I have been unable to enjoy roast potatoes for years now due to the fat content, so when I watched your mock turkey video recently the way you cooked the roast potatoes really caught my attention and this is what prompted my original comment, as I would love to try this method this Christmas. If you could let me know how long you cooked them for and if you added the salt to the water or sprinkled it on the potatoes I'd really appreciate it thanks.

[@Realvintagedollshouse]

@@andrewmorley355 Hello there my lovely, the potato's were cooked in the oven for 1 hour gas mark 7, with a pint of water and salt sprinkled over everything. I do hope you get to give them a try! ❤

[@andrewmorley355]

@@Realvintagedollshouse thank you for getting back to me with this info and it's very much appreciated and I'm definitely going to give them a try this Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and your family and me and my wife are really enjoying your content/channel and wishing you further success in 2025.

[@Mike-oo5ys]

Yum yum 😋

[@safiremorningstar]

I said this in the comments and I’m gonna say it again I’m very jealous of that oven. Your mom got for 16 pounds. I know it’s 1940s cooker but I don’t care the idea that it’s cheap enough and Works is what matters when you’re poor and you’re looking at how you’re cooking you can wish to have an oven like that. I am really enjoying your channel and I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year where I’m from it would be seasons greetings. Not everybody celebrate Christmas.

[@My2up2downCastle]

Everyone grew something pre the supermarket era...... both my Grandads had a veg patch and kept chickens. They considered themselves 'well off' as they were now not under wartime restrictions. .... then "convenience" came along, and here we are! I'm grateful i chose to be like them.....and learned from my Mum in the kitchen.

[@penelopewilliamson1860]

My Mother always chucked the roasties in water around the chicken to cook together. Her mother was born in 1903. Its my favourite way to cook them. They are gorgeously chewy, fluffy inside with a devine flavour from the chicken juice and fat. Baste half way through. You don't know what you're missing. Feeds a large (6 children family) meal from economical fuel usage. (we were very poor but always had a full belly) Great fun using candles as kids too! Didn't realise till mum told us as adults that we had no electricity for 9 months. Told you we were poor. Couldn't afford it. That was the 1970 for us. We grew up thinking it was government power cuts. Oh well now I'm old and heating allowance denied my partner (67yro) it'll be like revisiting my childhood 😬🥶 xx

[@kmom452]

Thanks for sharing your memories. So sorry to hear about the heating allowance though. Its been a cold December so hope you are well. Burn lots of candles. We've bgotten into our emergency stash of candles and have been burning them regularly on the colder darker days and in the evening. It's actually been cozy in the living room with quilts to snuggle into on the couch while reading or watching television. Even the teens have come out of their rooms to join us. 😊

[@johnnyfivejmc]

"don't panic", I hear Guy Fawkes could make a comeback!

[@NakishaJordan94]

As someone who’s not the biggest fan of Turkey, me and my partner are going to try make this for our Christmas dinner, as it’s essentially a giant pig in blanket with stuffing which sounds delicious

[@woodyhayes7402]

How did it turn out?

[@AprilAiteen]

How’d it go?

[@Clara-ph7my]

Well I was interested to see, how the roast potatoes and mock turkey turned out. It shows how we all get caught up, in what is the norm and scared to adjust/revert. Love your little 1940's home. New subscriber.

[@donna9374]

This is pure delightful entertainment 😂❤

[@mareahmom]

I've decided this year to grow a "victory garden" and can as much as I can. I remember my grandparents being so proud to show off their pantry of canned goodies.

[@IzzySwiftie]

I LOVE people who do vintage Christmases and try to be and dress vintage in general. I seriously love your vintage videos :) Merry Christmas!

[@margaretclancy8694]

It looked alright. I know an Irish porridge dessert that would go well with the mock Turkey. You soak 400g porridge oats in water overnight. Soak a cup of sultanas in black tea overnight. Melt 75 grams of dark cooking chocolate in a pot with 150 ml of milk. Add seed & walnuts to the porridge . Mix everything together. Refrigerate for 6 hours & serve . It's absolutely delicious, healthy & very cheap.

[@penny1186]

It’s been ages since I had to light my oven. Watching you brought back some memories. I can even remember the smell when I would light the stove.

[@schannstewart9385]

Your kitchen is adorable

[@Greenjeansbetty]

Beats tofurkey! I’m going to make this next week for Christmas! Thanks so much!!!

[@karenmena9483]

Since my children were small, we have had goose for Christmas, never turkey and they have both carried on the same tradition in their own families. However, for about 15 years now we have also had a ‘Murkey’ using this very recipe! I tried it as, I suppose, a bit of a joke but it obviously backfired and joins the other festive food traditions! Thank you for putting a smile on my face and hopefully other people will try and realise it’s actually quite tasty!

[@galebecker3487]

I made a vegan murkey last year, huge hit and very delish🎉

[@BlueSkyLtd.]

​@@galebecker3487May I ask for the basic ingredients you used? Ty!

[@galebecker3487]

@@BlueSkyLtd. My ingredients were. Onion, garlic, celery, fresh rosemary, tinned kidney beans, oats, soy sauce, paprika, driex coriander. For the murky legs i used parsnips and glazed with a barbecue sauce. Hope this helps. Kind regards

[@GlendaGolden]

The reaction to the carrot fudge is priceless 😂

[@dianeshiffer364]

This is so fun!!

[@hope_25058]

Loving the front door in the background! It looks great!

[@dittedatte8046]

Your look Tonight reminds me of Mrs Hall from All Creatures great and Small. So cozy...🦃

[@emilykatemadethis]

That's exactly what I thought 😆🎄

[@dittedatte8046]

@@emilykatemadethis: The New Series I hope? ☺️

[@darrinmckeehan5697]

Your mock turkey and the dinner itself looked & sounded like it would be really good 😊. I'm not a vegetarian but would try it. The carrot "fudge" I think I would pass on, though I understand how -like you said -if I was growing up in the war time like my mom and her siblings, it may've been something they would have liked. Kudos to you for your videos. I'm loving them 😊

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

12:51 your sweet partner is so concerned about what the worst thing you've ever eaten would be if this isn't it! His face when you say it's not too bad is hilarious! 😂😂😂😂

[@BlueSkyLtd.]

THANK-YOU for remembering those of us who eat Plant-based meals! 🌱 Never heard of this WW2 faux-turkey. This meal could be recreated as a rememberance of past Christmases from leftovers from our present Christmas. Adding parsenips to my Christmas shopping list next year! 🥕🥔🍞

[@corringhamdepot4434]

As a kid in the 1960s I lived in a road with large gardens, with many fruit trees. I remember a neighbour used to store apples in their shed over the winter. Laid out on trays so they didn't touch each other. So they would have had plenty of whole apples at Christmas.

[@noramartin96]

100%

[@My2up2downCastle]

The houses, were I used to live, were all built with an apple tree in the garden...... the gardens were made so that a decent sized veg patch could be constructed.... now, of course, all the trees are gone and the patios and decking and trampolines have taken their place

[@mikehudson8884]

I loved your little film. Excellent well done. You're a wonderful presenter.

[@MichelleEvans6231]

I commend you, not even a giggle as you stuck the parsnip legs into the body of the mock turkey. 😂Gosh I am so immature because that’s the funniest mock bird I have ever seen. 🤣Genius pure culinary genius.💕

[@johnwynne-qx6br]

It looks superb, especially the mock turkey/roast potatoes 👍

[@jenniferbrown2402]

That mock turkey is actually adorable. It really is.

[@momof2momof2]

What a delightful meal !! Well done. Thank you for sharing history! 🥰🎄❄☃🎅💖✝ Merry Christmas !

[@pinecone50]

Here in the US we would call your "carrot fudge" a carrot Jello salad. In the 50's and 60's anything that could be put into gelatin was called a salad. It was always called Jello salad after the Jello brand of presweetened and colored powdered gelatin.

[@slytheringingerwitch]

I love the fact that you say 'what are we going to use as turkey legs?' while showing the turkey legs. Will say though although I don't live in the 1940's style, I love (that's probably not the right word) the period during and after the second world war. Loved the series 'Wartime Farm' and do remember vaguely 'Shine on Harvey Moon' that was set shortly after that time. Do love your apron, love that style.

[@kmom452]

I admire the pluck people had during that time. I also admire how people made do during the Great Depression in America.

[@chriscaspian2280]

We had this for our Christmas dinner it was lovely.

[@eliatone5842]

Thought your mock Turkey was Incredible it looked so realistic especially with the bacon on top, you made it look fantastic. We love the Vintage decorations too, we have a few of the paper tree, heart, and ball ones. Next year hoping to make our own crackers and vintage decorations and cards. This year thoug we had to paint and do mold control plus lay the bathroom floor, porch gloor, kitchen floor , same as yours which sounds easy but the walls are all uneaven, quirky shapes and so tight , so its hard to lay flooring around toilet and sink prdastals too , kitchen has lots of uneven walls, so lots of shaping around cutting out, sounds simple, we wish but managed it in the end, then had to build a flat pack larder, said it would take two hours to buold, it took us 12 hours and did flat pack lader for in porch too, which porch is 4x4 foot lol took about 8 hours to make that one.😢😢😢😢😢 1910 terraced houses cute they said, quirky they said lol. We have similar tastes flooring us sane as your kitchen floor, and even dkirt around your Christmas tree we have sane skirt lol great mind think alike 😊 Mind I do like my vintavint Christmas decorations too very simple.

[@freetobeme6013]

I’ve always hated carrots in desserts but orange glazed carrots are delicious roasted. Have a very merry Christmas. 🎉❤

[@Democratsrock]

My dad was a depression kid. I think they did have a little bit of a rough time, but my grandma worked for Wrigley‘s. My grandpa worked, but sporadically because he had health issues. They did have a regular paycheck coming in. The big thing was that you did not waste food! My dad always cleaned his plate. The way he ate chicken and pork chops never ceased to amaze me. He got every scrap of meat off those bones. 😊

[@harryshurtleff480]

Great 👍 video 👍

[@DvorahDavida5778]

Fascinating idea!

[@kimberlypeterson4883]

The dinner actually looked really good!! Great job on perhaps reinventing something from the past?❤❤🎄🎄🥰🥰

[@DebraWhite-fh4ii]

Merry Christmas

[@jessicaneilson9383]

The roast potatoes shocked me! Was so impressed with them, haha. I find food history so fascinating, so I really enjoyed this video. Found it cool that you potentially used the same brand of sausages that many households back then, too 😊

[@juliedriggers4939]

Great video!!! Happy Holidays 🎄🎁☃️🥳🥂

[@bettygraham818]

I have seen Ruth Goodman make the mock turkey and have the recipe in one of my wartime cook books. If and when I make it, I shall peel and parboil the parsnips. I think they would crisp up nicely with the fat from the bacon and sausage meat. I also think the bacon would have been streaky bacon which would have meant more in weight , less in cost and more bacon fat going into the stuffing. You have definitely encouraged me to make it instead of just reading about it. Your cooker is lovely and also your room setting for the meal..

[@robertaevans9658]

Wonderful & merry Christmas ❤

[@suewilkinson910]

You know Aldi is advertising the world's smallest turkey and all the trimmings/veg to feed 6 for less than £2 per person. This is were we are going wrong. Cheap stuff and not much of it. Your mock turkey would feed 6 and fill them up more and probably be better quality. But perhaps try a different pudding. Well done for being game enough to give that a go. It turned out surprisingly nice looking.

[@kellystarot1980]

I loved this. This is one of my favourite channels as someone who loves the 40s also.

[@noramartin96]

Great unless you lived through it Happy xmas

[@kellystarot1980]

@@noramartin96 Yes, you're right, they were hard times, but I was referring to how much I love the era for how people pulled together. Happy xmas to you too.

[@TheUKMediaWatch]

Brilliant 🇬🇧💯👍🏼

[@stephaniehall3798]

This was really interesting and looked delicious!!! Very impressive ❤

[@GM-jv9jz]

Love that mock turkey! Im going to make it.

[@osgood1281]

I will definitely try the potatoes 😊

[@ashleygoddard3902]

I bet Glenda works better than my 2022 oven that goes out for no reason.

[@dwhitman3092]

Could be a short in the wiring or a loose connection. You really need to get that checked.

[@TarnishedTreasures1]

I love all your videos.

[@Glory3823]

in a charity shop here in Devon there is a Masters voice Record Player i am sure you would love it 😂❤❤❤

[@judis6224]

Amazing Hannah 😊

[@WendyHartmann-vv2jm]

I have just randomly found your channel . Subscribed Immediately . What a joy to meet you!.

[@seasmacfarlane6418]

Wartime orange squash didn't contain Aspartame or a similar sweetener, which yours probably did, as it had printed "No added sugar" in the blue band across the label. These sweeteners don't stand up well in this kind of recipe (I think they taste vile), or any cooking really. A full sugar version might have made a nicer fudge, but the rest of your Christmas dinner looked delicious!😊

[@bobmcdermott9535]

Or the concentrated orange juice you got for babies.

[@ursulacook9883]

Aspartame loses its sweetness in high temperatures. Erythrit or saccharin/cyclamate can be used for cooking or baking, but of course the texture is different

[@kathleenroberts7972]

This was so intresting!

[@glyndairby5513]

lol My name is Glynda.. love it!

[@susanmacdonald4288]

It all looks really good!

[@uphillhomestead6188]

I really enjoyed this video ( always do) I loved seeing the Christmas dinner and the mock turkey was fantastic!

[@StephenJohnson-hl4kz]

I love the video of what you've done. WOW. I love the war years too. More people should try this, i would.

[@geovanniinusa5973]

I will definitely have to make the turkey, but I'm still out on making the orange fudge. I really enjoyed this episode and the history. People today are living in the golden age of abundance and convenience and still manage to complain about it.

[@LilacWolfGames]

That actually looks really good and I want to try it. I’m especially interested in them roast potatoes! Thank you ☺️

[@LisaHenty-z7s]

Brilliant Thankyou x

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Very nicely done!

[@Tiffany-vj1tv]

Love your channel so much ❤️🙏thank you for sharing all you do… it’s very calming and charming. Happy holidays 🎄

[@nelliemelba4967]

That looked a perfectly acceptable and delicious alternative to turkey. After all it is the stuffing, sausages and the bacon that gives turkey it's added flavour! And the potatoes - what a revelation! The carrot "fudge" not so! I have Margeurite Pattern's wartime cookery books so I'm going to check out some other recipes. Thank you, Hannah!

[@raneemilliman7130]

Merry Christmas!!

[@gaylejideofor6198]

Hmmm~apples were a winter fruit that was stable in storage for cold climate living. Plus Apples balance out fatty meats beautifully. Like serving applesauce with greasy potato pancakes&bacon. ADORABLE Cooker! thanks Mum.

[@sarahbeddow1480]

I want your kitchen ❤

[@Annyoung-x8f]

I would gladly eat your 1940's war time Christmas dinner especially if I could be your guest at your table and kitchen!!

[@ZartelleRose-y1k]

I loved everything you did. I will try the Mock Turkey, too. But I am not keen on potatoes with all those nicks and knocks on them. We cut out the dark spots and have a cleaner spud, and that doesn't mean we wasted a lot of the potatoes. Merry Christmas, all.

[@mermaliade6631]

I love that people were resourceful in making the best they could. We usually do a ham for Christmas, I know some folks do goose or turkey. It looked like it turned out pretty great though.

[@cathyblock6197]

Very fun you two!

[@missalienpaige]

Love your videos, Merry Christmas xx

[@staceypenn1095]

My Nana made carrot scones and carrot cake, which are nice with a cup of tea.

[@mrodriguez9922]

I love your channel! Your videos are so delightful to watch!😊

[@mommamcj2978]

This looks tastier than meatloaf! 😋

[@ourenchantedcorner]

We are actually going to try a vegan version of this for Easter dinner 😁

[@BlueSkyLtd.]

I may as well. 🌸👒🌸

[@johnnyfivejmc]

If "it's really good", it means you're a good cook.

[@lornamoore242]

I really enjoyed this vlog. Thankyou x

[@vanessaboyd8676]

Stuffing is the best bit! this is great... so I'm 14:04 min in!

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

Roasted are the star of the show

[@LS-um3zq]

For Thanksgiving (US), I make wild rice and sausage dressing. I like it more than the turkey. Your Christmas feast looks delicious.

[@joanmatchett8100]

Merry Christmas to all, and a joyous and peaceful new year x The mock turkey looked good, l don't think I'll be changing my Christmas pudding for the fudge 😊.

[@michwinspear6005]

That's exactly how my grandma made roasties in the 70s and 80s but always added a stock cube as well, I always thought it was weird but they did taste nice. This got me thinking about her homemade soups which was a tin of mixed veg and an oxo cube now that was awful 😊

[@traceyjordan9284]

Just found this channel. I'm so glad I did. Wonderful to see the 49s oven. Going yo bunged watch the videos x

[@sarahjames2991]

Trying the mock turkey 😊

[@wulfrenne]

Like you, my husband is a fiend for stuffing. So I'm going to try this recipe for Christmas Eve. We already bought a ham. Also apples were common in England. They add a sweetness to a meal. But I would have gone with baked apples with a little Golden Syrup and raisins.

[@racheljacobs933]

Side note something that I find helps when I'm cutting onions and I start having watery eyes it's connected to your nose so if you catch it right away some sort of pleasant scent might stop it also just washing your nose.

[@amyfromflorida4518]

It looked great! Although as an American, I had to google to find out what “orange squash” is. 😂

[@maureenburgess113]

Hi darling thank u I learned a lot from your channel and how to cope on little money merry Christmas x

[@susefink6099]

I subscribed a few weeks ago and enjoy your videos so much❤... i would love to give that turkey a try...i'll try the vegetarian version...thank you very much. I loved that carrot bit🤣 with you two...looks like it wasn't as delicious😘. Have a merry christmas🎄🕯🥰

[@teresanovotny2876]

16 pounds for the stove??!! Did I hear that correctly? Beautiful I'm so jealous! 🤩. The only thing that would make me even more jealous.. a DEEP WELL COOKER burner!!! Want one so bad!

[@katgillang]

Southern Unites States, my mother used to make a version of the carrot fudge ALL the time 😸 it was something her mother made

[@SK-ki1te]

Lol I would have certainly cut out all-the brown bits while peeling the potatoes!! LOVE the stove and your vid! Thx!

[@AnneSmith-mu2ph]

Hi from Ann ❤️❤️❤️🇬🇧

[@carolmillins9199]

My mum had a 4-legged chicken, aka rabbit, 😂 for her christmas lunch during the war years

[@Martin-ro2ns]

Fair play, I'd like to try that mock turkey this Christmas! Basically sausagemeat stuffing and bacon, what's not to like???

[@cherylriera6325]

Thanks for your historical info about how British people celebrated Christmas in the '40s. As a Venezuelan all this information is like a master class.BTW my country opened doors and received a lot of immigrants during and after war to help them restart a new life. Thanks

[@joyplummeridge6940]

The roast potatoe tip would be useful for people who have to watch cholesterol levels

[@AmyMahoney-m6y]

Next time, try to add some raisins to the carrot 🥕 fudge, along with sone carrot juice.. who knows? 🤷🏼‍♀️ it might taste better!! ❤

[@peter8178]

New subscriber here and thanks for the video it was great, I loved your pantry so much better than stacks of expensive kitchen units. Going to give the roast potatoes a try but where didyougettherecipefrom? Best wishes for Christmas and the New year.

[@michellesmixedmediamadness]

Leave it to Jack to be real! Love it!