08/05/2025
Imagine waking up this morning and realising that, in Europe at least, the war was over!!!! Like having sat your English exam yesterday and waking up today with it over ... the relief ... and everyone was allowed to celebrate!!
At a VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) party in 1945, the food would have been heavily influenced by the rationing, which didn't end till 1954, so people had to be creative with the ingredients they had available. Despite the restrictions, VE Day marked a moment of celebration, so people tried to make the most of their limited resources. Here's a look at what the food at a typical VE Day party in 1945 might have consisted of:
1. Sandwiches 🥪
Sandwiches were a popular party food since they were easy to prepare and could be made with small amounts of ingredients. Common fillings included:
Egg (from the limited supply of eggs available), Ham (though it was in short supply, it might be served in small portions), Cheese (rationed, but used creatively), Marmite (a savoury spread made from yeast extract, which was a staple).
2. Rationed Cakes and Biscuits 🍰🍪
Baking was popular, though the ingredients were often restricted. People would bake cakes with substitutes like self-raising flour or cornflour, and simple recipes that required less sugar and butter. Some popular cakes included:
Victoria sponge (with rationed butter and sugar), Carrot cake (carrots were often used as a substitute for sugar or fats)
Scones (made with basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and a small amount of butter), Biscuits like digestives or shortbread would also be common, though again made with limited ingredients.
3. Cold Meats 🍖
While fresh meat was in short supply, people might have had access to canned meats or cold cuts like corned beef, spam, or tongue. These were often served in small portions, alongside the sandwiches.
4. Stews and Casseroles 🍲
For a more substantial meal, families might have made stews or casseroles, which could stretch limited ingredients. These dishes often featured:
Potatoes (a common and filling ingredient), Carrots and other root vegetables, Pulses like lentils or peas and a small amount of meat (such as bacon, sausages, or a bit of beef) to add flavour.
5. Jelly and Fruit 🍓🍮
Fruits like apples and rhubarb were sometimes available (if they were in season), and people would often make jelly or a fruit salad. Canned fruit was another option for those who didn’t have access to fresh produce. Jelly (often made with limited sugar) was a fun treat for the children at the party.
6. Tinned Fish 🐟
Tinned fish like sardines, pilchards, or mackerel was popular during the war due to its long shelf life. This might have been served on bread or crackers, or mixed into salads.
7. Puddings 🍮
Traditional puddings, though often simple due to rationing, were still a part of the celebration. These might include:
Rice pudding (a common wartime dessert, made with rice, milk, and a bit of sugar), Spotted Dick (a steamed suet pudding with dried fruit, often served with custard), Bread and butter pudding (using leftover bread, butter, and sugar)
8. Drinks 🍷🥤
Alcohol was limited due to rationing, but beer and wine were available in small quantities. Some might have made homemade lemonade or other non-alcoholic drinks to serve at parties, using what ingredients they could get their hands on.
9. Sweets and Candies 🍬
Candy was a rare luxury during the war, but by 1945, people might have had access to small amounts of sweets like chocolate bars or sweets made from dried fruit. These were often shared between families or served as treats for children.
10. Tea ☕
Tea was an essential part of daily life in Britain, and VE Day celebrations would certainly have featured plenty of tea, served with whatever baked goods or sandwiches were available.
However or whatever you are celebrating today think of this day 80 years ago! I will be thinking of my father-in-law Robert Coupland who was in the navy initially safeguarding food supply ships from America and fought in the Battle of the Atlantic, but didn't get to celebrate the end of his war till September 1945 as he went on to Burma to fight the Japanese and was there during their surrender...very proud of him!
