Episode 8 Wartime Kitchen and Garden

Daily life and rationing in Britain during WWII,this is a great, 8 part series from the BBC

[@David-uf8ex]

Some of today’s woke brigade who seem to hate everything British would do well to watch this series and learn what proud people had to fight for

[@janesmith1398]

My boyfriend's parents were in Holland in WWII. They ate grass to survive. Bless all those who got us through the war: the vets and those who worked hard on the homefront too.

[@thisorthat7626]

Jane Smith, watching this series made me realize how much the British went through, but only having grass to eat is shocking. I do remember my friend in Italy telling me his grandparents lived in a cave during the war. I don't think I will ever take the amount of food we have available for granted again. Blessings.

[@MrSunlander]

This was a delightful and engrossing series. Thank you for posting it.

[@amygirl1983]

Watched the whole series today (during Covid19) and took breaks to plant my own small victory garden. Absolutely loved this.

[@ssamorgan2044]

I've been watching during covid, too. I have a small garden and added some fruit trees. We may soon be very glad we have our gardens!

[@jessiec1194]

Here also. Gives me faith that we can get through this as well.

[@jenniferlrobison]

Me as well. This has been wonderful. We have been working on our garden, I am just amazed at what they were able to do. This has also helped me understand why my grandmother always carefully unwrapped presents and kept the bows, and truely never wasted anything. A very different mindset from today. But a very beautiful way of thinking.

[@evangelinamurray147]

@@jenniferlrobison my children used to call me cheap and i said it was being frugal

[@sonofeloah]

@@jenniferlrobison: And now that mindset of that time needs to be the mindset of today. I am expanding the garden and even though we are experiencing a severe drought here in missouri usa, I go to local water ways to load up on water for the garden as tap water has too much added chemicals that is not good for growing healthy crops. Heirloom seeds so we can reproduce our crops from our own seed again and again.

[@cynthiamullin661]

Just binge-watched all 8 episodes. Thank you so much for sharing these. God bless

[@thisorthat7626]

Fascinating series. I am tempted to try to eat all my meals for two weeks based on the rationing shown during the series. 2 oz of cheese, 12 eggs for a month, hardly any butter, sugar, tea or meat. It would be challenging and I would certainly learn something.

[@stevep5408]

My mom used to reserve the water from boiling potatoes to save the starchy water. I forget what she used it for, pie making? It was more of a grey market. Everyone got their basic ration, it was amazingly fair and managed to convince people that at the basic level everyone was getting their basic share. Nutrition improved for many poor Britains and malnutrition was unknown under rationing. They started rationing soon enough, they made it as fair as practical, they lowered the ration points on anything that suddenly became plentiful if a shipload made it through the blockade! Damn they had rationing till 1953, 8 years after the war ended. The British people were amazingly resilient.

[@CSheri2]

11/11/2023. I grew up listening to my mom & dads stories of living in these times. These episodes were like being with my grandparents again. Even as a child they would take us kids to the local dump and send us out with boxes to dig in the piles of garbage to find mayonnaise and pickle jars and grandma would clean them up and use them to can her garden foods. Grandpa, my dad and Uncles would rummage for things to fix and use on the ranch. Then we would head over to a farm to swim in the fish pond to wash the stink off us and have a picnic lunch. I don't think grandma ever took that kitchen apron off until Sunday when she went to church. Here I am all these years later growing a Victory Garden. Governments showed us over & over that if we give them the power to feed us then we give them the power to starve us. Save those Heritage seeds!

[@margaretmccullough4457]

At first Ruth was really kind and sweet with her lodger . By the end she was really bossy. LOL

[@barbking3985]

As a proud daughter a Canadian second world war veteran very sad to see not a Canadian flag lots of American flags no Canadian we were in it from the beginning and fought to win the war I think sometimes we forget the contribution of the Canadian forces that helped 2 bring along hard fought victory

[@karensiegel6669]

This just not taught in schools or talked about in my area at all. It is a shame. My American father served in the Pacific Theater.

[@Euroisme]

Barb King here in holland (the netherlands) we have a lot of memorial statues, signs etc for the canadian army. They liberated us together with the British and poolish army. 🇨🇦🇱🇺

[@suzannetodaro5494]

They also do not mention the fighter pilots from all over Europe after the first battle did heavy damage to their planes and piolets. For example the Norwegian 333 squadron and the many Polish pilots too.

[@allandavis8201]

You are 100% correct, and if this was an American made programme you would not have seen the Union flag 🇬🇧, just Stars and Stripes.

[@virus2502]

Wah

[@brittanydumoulinful]

I absolutely adore this! I think this is my 3rd or 4th time watching this series.

[@scruffy281]

I know........me too. I see new things and feel new feelings every time I watch this series. I wish there were more series like this. Thanks so much for posting these. Such a joy. Lots of love from Texas!❤️

[@NicGiollaMhichil]

What a wonderful series - thank you for uploading it ! The writer and narrator: Peter Thoday presented 'The Victorian Kitchen Garden' on the BBC in 1987 before this series aired in 1993. I get a real sense of his passion for gardening and the times he wrote about in his work, especially in 'The Wartime Garden and Kitchen' - himself a horticulturalist and son of a renowned gardener, he understood how much it pained gardeners to uproot plants they had nurtured for years. 'The Wartime Garden and Kitchen' felt like a natural progression from his previous work and I think it outlined well the hastening changes in Britain from the perspective of gardeners and cooks alike.

[@BasedRanger]

By the end, I felt almost nostalgic for a time I've never even known.

[@margaretmccullough4457]

For those of you who enjoyed the series you should check out the green valley series

[@fireflymoon]

Will check thst series out. Thankyou.

[@bettygraham818]

I agree the Green Valley series is good and unlike this one can be obtained on CD. I have never understood why the BBC did not issue a copy of this brilliant production.

[@franpotter5041]

That peal of bells made me cry

[@horsenuts1831]

I was a kid in the 1970s and WW2 seemed like a distant memory. People didn't talk about the war (both sets of my grandparents lived in both Hull and Coventry which were obliterated by bombing, and they probably felt emasculated - it wasn't their war, and they just had to endure it). It is only from the perspective of 2023 that I now start to see echos of the war from my childhood. Even as late as 1980, there were scrapyards near me with WW2 vehicles in them (we used to scavange bits for whatever project we had). There was also a lot of infrastructure in the woods which was probably related to invasion troops being billeted. And what I distinctly remember from the 1970s were the number of people who would keep chickens or even a pig or two out of habit. This was all in a small satellite town of Oxford.

[@Raych-]

Binged all 8 episodes today. Absolutely loved this series. Thank you for uploading it, I’m proud to be a descendant of these remarkable people.

[@GinaSigillito]

This is so comforting. Especially in the time we’re living in. Lovely series.

[@sonofeloah]

And now, a year later and we really need to apply these methods all over again.

[@franlooving4203]

"Gosh, if you had lived in the war, whatever would you have done?" IKR. I grow some veg & fruit, but I am a wimp at skinning a fish & my rabbit is a pet. I have enjoyed learning these pieces of advice & hope to try some gardening ideas. Thank you for the upload!

[@franlooving4203]

@ja da Makes sense. Ok. Thanks!

[@blaise6652]

ja da and exterminating all the pets turned out to be a disastrous move, as what rations were thought to be saved by doing so, were quickly consumed by explosive plagues of rodents & attempts to chemically destroy them. Such a tragedy.

[@jessiec1194]

Well, get a rabbit of the opposite sex and raise up the babies for meat. That's hard too but the neighbors would be much more approving. I suppose that news of the horrors of the seige of Leningrad where the nazis calculated to starve out the residents and they survived by eating dogs, cats, rats, glue and even their frozen dead didn't arrive until very late in the War.

[@carolineg1872]

"Because the kids don't like too much curry.." How tastebuds change, now it's all korma and chili sauce.😊

[@GinaSigillito]

I'm back watching this because it seems more poignant. All the things we take for granted until they're no longer there.

[@oldplaner]

Yes indeed

[@lynnejackson5052]

Very nostalgic...really enjoyed seeing what our parents and grandparents went through. Thankyou.

[@kathieawoyomi66]

Amazing reminder ov how lucky we are and blessed we are a waste generation so many people are starving but we still can eat how unfair

[@marilynryan7822]

Thx for sharing .I really enjoyed...let’s not forget🇺🇸

[@user-om2bw1cj1r]

🇬🇧❤️🇺🇸

[@David-uf8ex]

Lovely to see this again , back when you could be proud of your country

[@evelynwattson9996]

I remember my auntie saying when she brought things in that were tinned that they fell of the back of a lorry ..they were so badly off even in the 90s in Yorkshire..

[@jc-d6179]

Very, very good series indeed! Thanks for uploading it!

[@billg4630]

Grew up so much like this...this series was calming and reminded me of a simpler time...a good time inspite of the hardships

[@Marie-or6hz]

Delightful ! The boy never grew. He must have refused his cod liver oil. Peace and happy blessings, everyone.

[@karensiegel6669]

"Winnies" going to talk. 😍

[@dwightehowell8179]

If you are truly hungry you don't drain beans or if you do you drink the juice! It tastes good! My next observation is if they spent six yrs. of war living with the elderly lady when they left the 3 or four yr old is going to a 9 or 10 yr. old!

[@granolagirl4972]

But the soaking water for beans can cause digestive distress, can't it? Is it worth it to drink if it will pain your stomach?

[@eboracum2012]

Selfishly, I wished there had been more episodes, covering the in- between times of existing shows perhaps. In the end, I'm grateful for the wonderful job they all did, and a big thank you to out host for posting them!!

[@DraconZa]

Wish the Pandemic can end now, so that we celebrate. I know it is not the WAR, but it is not easy, going into max lockdown this week again ... Great series, binged watched it all!

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

What a fantastic and MOST entertaining series, all 8 episodes! Thank you for posting these gems, just marvelous stuff!

[@FrugalMummy]

I live in Australia and am really enjoying this series. Thank you so much for sharing it :)

[@franlooving4203]

4:47 watching this again and I'm focused on the cooking parts. I'd love to try this dinner effort sometime. Just made a ration recipe earlier today, but to go all day like Ruth here-wow. I like how she and the kitchen helper/evacuee mom get along so well. At least I think that is what her role is here. Still love watching this video for all the helpful advice!!! Thanks again.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Been watching this series as company during the -40° windchills. This video quite interesting to hear wild herbs being used. Great tip using wild greens & elderberry flowers.

[@andrewcrosby9976]

Thank you, it was beautiful. what a lesson...

[@heatherbray7713]

What a great series!!! So nice to see how things were so we can appreciate what we have now. Thank you for sharing.

[@greenfingersgardener822]

Even to this day, I still boil bones up to make a stock, I get such a pleasure in doing so

[@GiGiGoesShopping]

Don't want it to be over ! 😢 The war, yes ! But following the lives, no.

[@josephhaddakin7095]

Thanks for the series of videos. Good job, GB.

[@jeanskilling708]

Seriously there must of not been much left for the hens.

[@lidascarbro1773]

I watched all in one sitting. Loved it. Thank you to all who contribute the making of this great series.

[@babysisdolls3336]

thank you for this series...it's Jan 2022 looks like we may needs these skills again.

[@mrohlfsrohlfs4865]

Ilove seeing the village people come together to celebrate. The children. The pennants and the handheld flags. So sweet.

[@joncawte6150]

Rationing was harsh on the boy, looks like it stunted his growth😂 Great series, just bought the kitchen front cookbook off ebay, I think it will make a good read.

[@dutchgram3799]

I totally enjoyed watching this. Thank you for posting it.

[@bookswithb2684]

Thanks so much for posting this. I’ve truly enjoyed this series.

[@MysticalMum68]

Thank you for this series. Extremely interesting.

[@Satters]

What a wonlderful series this is, i recall glimpsing some of it around thirty years ago, I was brought up by my grandmother, and of course i inherited her traits, waste not want not, make do and mend is how i eat and live comfortably on a tight budget, Sadly i'm hopeless at gardening, for I would love to grow my own vegetables,

[@adan9850]

Oh my goodenss....I felt as though I was there with them sometimes. It was sad to say goodbye but so beautiful to know that times were going to be better for them. What a wonderful series!

[@jyotichugani2996]

Excellent series.

[@andrewstetson7614]

Great series now to watch it again

[@annahorton650]

Absolutely loved the series. Thank you

[@AuntBecky1]

Thank you for posting this! I am absolutely transported with this series. What a treat!!

[@ssamorgan2044]

Thank you for posting these videos. My daughter and I have enjoyed watching them together. Both of my grandfathers and all four of my daughter's great-grandfathers were WWII veterans.

[@ddsmiles6382]

I found this today! I’m downloading so I can write down the recipes. Wish there were more like this it’s wonderful! Ty so much! And the canner I want one ! So awesome! What a great way to preserve even dry goods! 💜

[@najroe]

Just be sure to get a pressurecanner, regular boiling only works for some fruits and berries. some old methods are very dangerous, even deadly, canning meat without enough heat (quite a bit over just boiling water) can lead to butolism and other nasty stuff

[@granolagirl4972]

I just wanted to reply to echo what the other commenter said: canning is fabulous but must be done safely. Tomatoes are naturally high in acid and easy to can. Other things (like meat and many fruits and veg) are low in acid and must go through extra canning steps so you don't kill yourself and your entire family with botulism. Make sure you do your research. I live in the US and our Department of.... Agriculture, I believe, has a full guide available all about safe canning. I'm sure other countries have something similar!

[@Teapot-Dave]

Most of the recipes can be found in the book "Food Facts For The Kitchen Front". Original copies are quite expensive and highly prized, but there are some reasonably priced authentic-looking reprints available on eBay if that is of any help to you.

[@ddsmiles6382]

Teapot-Dave Thank you for the name of the book. I’ll look it up. It sounds like a must have for my collection. I’m excited and hope I find it.

[@kellymurphy7444]

Lovely series. Thank you for the upload

[@nordvegfigg7746]

What a marvellous series. Have just binged the whole thing in one go and loved it.

[@mudpyz]

i do wonder - sometimes - how many young women and children who were sent out to these farms - decided to stay after the war and make their life in the country

[@MrDavey2010]

I remember this series fondly. Thank you for uploading it.

[@SAnn-rf3oz]

Thank you again!😀

[@MrsLovelyPendragon]

Just watched all 8 episodes! Thank you!

[@bashkovb5773]

really enjoyed the series, thank you!

[@tomandamandasmolik523]

Thank you for posting this series!

[@mariacristinalastrabelgran1258]

Thanks for posting this true gem.

[@laylahalgharib3150]

Thank you for uploading.

[@codyspencer7194]

Love this series so much!!!

[@rough-hewnhomestead5737]

Love this series!

[@yammo12]

I enjoyed the series thanks for sharing it

[@MichaelJenkins910]

Thanks so much for sharing this; it's a wonderful treasure to have.

[@starababa1985]

I'm surprised more people didn't raise rabbits with all those gardens producing waste from lettuce and crucifer crops. A pair could yield more than two dozen offspring in a year. Saving scraps for a year in return for a small share of a pig hardly seems worth it in comparison. In the States, many folks raised pigeons in the cities. Our Chicago neighbor continued to do so long after the war ended.

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

Lots of people did raise rabbits. Well into the 60s and 70's. Why do you think that they didn't? I know people who do now

[@lauriemichaud5509]

Very enjoyable and interesting series! I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

[@sdelacour3]

It’s remarkable how little the boy grew over six years

[@elainefarley1895]

I would have liked seeing the entire skinning and learned how to cure the skin with fur.

[@mairzydoats4879]

The youtube channel Good Simple Living has those techniques

[@elainefarley1895]

Thank you Penny. This helps me. I'm going to look for beans next year.

[@kerplunk8011]

I believe that was a 50 star flag in the window. During WW II we were 48 State country.

[@mairzydoats4879]

It's a 48 star flag. The stars are in straight lines instead of alternated.

[@stevieray7203]

What would Ms Ruth and Mr Harry think of things now….

[@piccalillipit9211]

I keep thinking that - protests in London today cos people don't want the inconvenience of "Plan B"

[@andymccabe6712]

Well, considering that Ruth Mott only died in 2012.........

[@elainefarley1895]

Are any of the WWII cookbooks for sale on Amazon? Thank you

[@happydays1336]

Today, May 8, is Victory over Europe Day.

[@idaharrison1818]

Unconditional Surrender.

[@Cliff6965]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@intheshell35ify]

We can't even get our doctors and nurses covid shots in an orderly fashion.

[@elainefarley1895]

I missed the name of the green beans. Can someone clue me in? How are those prepared? Thank you

[@mairzydoats4879]

Haricot Verts, I think they can be harvested young like a green bean or shelled fully mature and cooked like white beans. There are so many kinds of pole bean for every area.

[@burthabard8316]

Turnip topsgreens and cold spud mashed cold then frying in smoky Bacon fat toped with a Moor hens egg and a wild picked horse mushroom and a poached breast of peasant cooked in scrumpy cider was my granddad's grub of choice he always said times were hard back in the day ha ha you will pay £ 40 for the same dish in a 5 star restaurant to day and thy give it a French sounding name .booble and squeak to the wartime folk tripes a La lyonnaise tripe and Union as I now it difrent name tasting the same was his saying

[@carolineg1872]

Bubble and Squeak. A very traditional British dish.

[@TheLondonForever00]

We love bubble and squeak in England!

[@echognomecal6742]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo it's over nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

[@oldplaner]

Have you watched Wartime Farm as well as Victorian Farm and Edwardian Farm? All very well done maybe even better than this series. KZbin user Farmvids is the best source to find them

[@echognomecal6742]

@@oldplaner Better than This? I don't believe it ;) ...but I'd already put one on my Watch Later & will be looking for the others. Thank you so much!

[@oldplaner]

@@echognomecal6742 Keep me posted, I'd be interested in your review of the Wartime fame series(8 episodes) and the Victorian and Edwardian Farms

[@echognomecal6742]

@@oldplaner I noted recipes & without a doubt I'll have a haybox. I've already watched 4-5 videos on it. You know you can make BREAD with one?!!! Cooking with a steamer pot...I doubt I'll do that since I have a microwave. If the other series' have similar information, then I'm doubly grateful for your introduction to them 👍

[@judya.shroads8245]

What did Harry get in return for all the veg to the black marketer?

[@burthabard8316]

Swops for petrol and or a push bike to deliver by stelf ?

[@relybiggunsbigguns5478]

At Wal-Mart in S.C they have eggs for .35 cent a dozen lol

[@idaharrison1818]

Westminister Abbey.

[@jaykay8570]

Five hoarders downvoted.

[@bluewolf4915]

No Spam?

[@hydrotilling7043]

🫐🫐🫐🫐🫐🫐🫐🫐🫐🫐🫐🫐🫐🫐I did my best planting elderberry is this year I only had access to just a few trees and a Washington state USA I found enough before I planted around 15,000. I found something special also it’s called a highbush cranberry I only seen one. I put the seeds through erotic acid for about an hour to duplicate the digestive system of an animal, the neutralize it with baking soda and water, then water so I could start absorbing into the seed because I had a wax coating on it. I try to find what’s left and I tried to duplicate it , I’m afraid for this country one slight problem there is no food