Great Depression Cooking - The Poorman's Meal 

Why did RU-vid have to show me such a great channel 12 years late Rest In Peace ❤️💐🌷

I like how she said, "I'm going to turn on the gas" even though it's an electric stove. Classic. This lady is cool, reminds me of my grandmother

1929: It sucks now but in 2020 there will be flying cars. 2020: Out of work have to eat great depression meal.

A friend of mines father said, "have potatoes and onions and you'll never go hungry".

My dad's mother and father were neighbors in Arkansas during the Depression. They knew each other since they were both children. Grandma got tired of potatoes all the time and mentioned it to grandpa. No one had money, but my mother's father had a grove of pecan trees. Well grandpa would sneak over and steal pecans and shell them. Pecans in Arkansas weren't the most common thing at the time (they still aren't). So when the weather turned warm and grandpa's family took the wagon and mules 70 miles south to Little Rock grandpa traded in those pecans for a fishing poll, reel, line, and hooks. He snuck it onto the wagon just like he snuck the pecans onto the wagon. Grandpa was a patient man. He would sit by the little river next to their house for hours to land a few good sized fish. Well he would bring the fish home and invite grandma over for fish dinner. He finally fessed up to grandma's dad about what he had done. The old man wasn't angry. He said, "you stole from me so you could feed my daughter?" Grandpa said "Yes sir. She wanted something besides potatoes." The old man hugged him and said "son, you're family now". Grandma and grandpa would get married 10 years later.

Today I temporarily lost my job due to coronavirus and stumbled upon this video trying to find recipes to make that won't break the bank. You take so much for granted until your lifeline gets taken away from you.

My goodness we need more Clara's in this world. I have watched and rewatched her videos many times. It's 2 in the morning and I couldn't sleep. Clara makes me feel happy and comforted. I miss her.

This woman will never cease to put a smile on my face

I can remember like it was yesterday , I was 15 yrs old (I'm 52 now and grew up upper middle class) when my grand maw asked if I would carry a bowl of ice cream to my papa in the living room where He was watching TV,( ice cream was his favorite). My papa was # 11 of 13 children that grew up during the depression and He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and reverting back to childhood. When I handed him the bowl he happily took it, then a tear ran down his cheek and I asked what was wrong?. He replied He couldn't remember what He did to deserve that bowl of ice cream.....I gained a whole new outlook on life that day.

Anyone else crying when you found out she died even though you just heard about her? Also, anyone missing their grandma right now?

All the boys: "Thank you, Nana!" So precious.

Love how they all thank her at the end. . . I miss my grandma

I have to wonder what kind of person would vote down a video like this. Literally a slice of life and history.

I would haven gotten upset too if someone helped themselves in my garden without asking. It is very hard work to grow your own food.

"I'm 91 years old" Posted 12 years ago :,(

I like how she says potatoes, I could listen to her talk all day. Makes me hungry

my father would talk about finding a sack of onions on the side of the road, fell off the truck leaving a farm. He carried it 3 miles home. That fed 7 of his siblings for a week. There was nothing else to eat.

Omg. I wish that was my granny. I would eat so good.. granny food freakin rocks Just read this lovely lady passed. Rest in peace granny.

Whenever I’m feeling sad or anxious I sometimes like to put Clara’s videos on and rewatch them because I find them very soothing.

All the boys at the end, "Thank you Nona". I have a feeling they went there a lot for a nice home cooked meal. 💛

You think it’s wholesome just because she’s sweet...but then all the boys are eating at the end and it becomes the most precious video on RU-vid.

She reminds me of my mom. My mom is 90 years old and doesn’t waste anything. My dad passed away a few years ago and my mom is lost without him. They were married nearly 70 years before he passed away.

Who could possibly give a thumbs down to this sweetheart shame on you.

This ain't just for old timers...this is how poor people now cook when they can't afford fast food.

Clara makes my heart happy. Rest in peace, dear, sweet lady.

I love when Clara says "let's turn on the gas" when her stove is electric🤭.. so adorable..wish she was still around. I love her stories❤

This made me cry happy tears. There's so much bad things happening right now and seeing this wholesome video was overwhelming

I didn’t go to school once for a couple a weeks. When I go back my teacher yelled at me and asked me why I was gone so long if I wasn’t sick. I told her that my washer was broken and she asked me what did that have to do with anything. I said because I didn’t have any clean clothes. She got quiet then and told me to go sit down. So I can’t fully relate Clara, because I did have socks. But I grew up dirt poor so I can a little (very little). I find her stories remind me a little of my childhood but they also make me realize that it could’ve been worse and I was still lucky. I had a family who loved me and that’s more than a lot of others. Seems like Clara had a lot of love in her life too

And she didn't even season a thing and yet, it appears that everyone loves it. I think not only do the ingredients speak for themselves, but the cook, with all her love, makes it taste even better. She was sweet.

This is who I want to be when I become old. I want to have a reputation through friends of grandkids and distant relatives and anyone, as the nice old lady that loves to feed you good food and tell you stories.

Year of our Lord 2020, Saint Clara saves millions during the Coronavirus. History books.

I actually can’t believe YT recommended this to us all man :/ never taking stuff for granted again

I love that all the boys called her nana.

She would have today 104 years RIP

The “thank you Nana!!” At the end had me in tears 🥺🥺

Yes man, my mom was smart like that. We had a large family. Sometimes, she would cook chicken backs with rice. Sometimes she fixed mac and cheese casserole with sliced weiners. We called her dishes chicken butt special and Mac and dogs.

Dropped out of school because she didn't have socks,... The little things we take for granted think about that for a minute

Its poeple like this that we should pay attention to. Not these entitled clowns. God rest her soul.

Here in 2020 - Clara❤️showing us what’s truly important. I feel humbled and honored.

This lady's channel is popping now

What a sweetie. May she rest in peace.

You can have those self centered Food Network celebrity chefs.. I'd rather have this sweetheart cook for me any day of the week if she were still around! Awesome video.. the world would be better if we had more appreciative strong people like her

Powerful human being. Clara in her generosity and ingenuity - shows us there’s nothing “poor” in this Poor Man’s Meal. Be safe, everyone.

It’s 2023 and I still watch these videos for comfort. Clair warms my heart and calms my soul from a long stressful day.

she reminds me of my grandmother who can cook anything out of nothing

I'm on the poor end of society. Although not starving, I pinch my pennies, and things like this make me realize that the financial strain we feel in the moment will eventually pass, and it may also be important for us to go through. Decades later, the Great Depression enabled this dear woman to invest in her grandchildren's lives, and those of their friends. It encourages me to look beyond today's worries and realize that when I'm 90, today's struggles may have a positive impact on my family.

Thank you Clara, I wish more folks with the depression stories would tell us more, I feel this recession we are going into is going to be a lot harder this time.

Up until a few years ago the Denny's chain sold a meal called "The Meat Lover's Skillet" which was just this meal with the addition of a sprinkle of cheese and a fried egg on top. We still make this at home in the UK today. Good food born out of necessity.

The people who pressed the dislike probably thought it meant “Dis I like”

Who’s here in 2020 preparing for isolation?

I didn’t know how much I needed to sit down and listen to this wonderful lady tell her life and share her food with us. I feel so happy yet so sad at the same time.

Our whole country could survive on this meal.. if necessary She's so soothing she'll put you right to sleep calming mother figure like a little angel

I wish I knew about Clara’s channel when she was producing her videos. Love how she shares her personal depression era experiences. God bless her soul!! 🙏❤️

How sweet, She so cute and the boys were very respectful. That’s how people should always be, Respectful and grateful

This dear lady knows hard times just like my Mother. God bless you and your family Ma'am!

amazing how many dishes that come from poverty have so much soul and taste so incredible

Thank for this Ms. Clara! Your family was blessed to have you, we are blessed to see this. Rest in peace, sweet lady.

Never, ever, ever take these videos down! They are wonderful and comforting. Sorry for her passing but, what a great gift she left everyone. Now where are those hot dogs I just bought?😄

She seems like she was a very sweet Lady to be around, reminds me of my Nanny, love potatoes & onions....

Who is watching in March 2020 during Covid 19 outbreak. We may need these recipes soon.

my heart hurts to know that the first time I find you that you are gone.... may your soul rest well and thank you for these amazing meals and stories !!!

I was so sad to see that this wonderful woman passed away on 11/30/13. This little video has brought so much joy to people, and has helped bring more attention to the history of the Great Depression in the U.S. Thanks for sharing her with us!

Everybody, all together now ... “Thank You, Nana!” (She felt that. I know she felt that.)

everyone learning how to get tough from a 91 year old angel

who in their right mind would dislike this masterpiece

I love that she says "turn on the gas" for her electric stove. My grandma says the same thing (:

I love seeing her and listening to the stories she’s gone through in her era durning the depression. From the few years after I first subbed her channel, I wanted her cookbook to enjoy and think of maybe she has gone through perhaps some of the things and had ways just like or similar to what my great grandmother also went through during he depression era. My great grandmother died at the age of 96 and she was a feisty smart beautiful lady. I love Clara’s cookbook it has beautiful stores and her book is written just as she presented herself on her channel. R.I.P Clara

Clara is without a doubt the most precious person that ever existed. We miss you dearly 🙏💗

We also ate a lot of potatoes when I was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. I come from a family of 9 siblings and my dad supported us on a house painter's salary. We didn't have many toys or a TV but there was always food. We never went hungry. Potatoes are great because there are so many different ways to fix them. My mom worked hard in the kitchen but she was never able to cook as well as my father. He was amazing in the kitchen. He really knew how to make delicious meals for very little money. We had eggs and fried potatoes for breakfast a lot. We lived right next door to bakery and they used to give us their day old french bread all the time. My dad would cut it into slices and make the best grilled cheese sandwiches on the griddle.His specialty was soups. Split pea soup with ham hocks. Every year on my birthday he would come home from work early and make my favorite dish, stuffed bell peppers for the family. My mom tried to do it one year and couldn't get the hang of it. By the way, one dollar in 1933 had the same buying power that $18.33 has today.

Lord bless her and her family. I miss my granny. This is beautiful we can learn so much from our elders.

There’s nothing better than a grandma’s cooking.

I recently lost my grandmother. Hearing Clara describe the poor man’s meal, cooking for her grandson, and repeating herself/stories a couple times brought me back to good times in my own grandmas kitchen

Respect due to this lady, god bless her x

Fuck it's 1:40 and I gotta work Tommorow and here I am watching Clara cookin' up a storm

clara’s kinda saving our lives right now

I'm happy that her family got these memories to see.

I grew up eating this for dinner too. Didn't realize we were poor 😀. We just called it kielbasa and home fries. Good old school comfort food. This lady was a sweetheart! Lucky grandkids having her as a grandmother. RIP

I'm Hispanic and I grew up on this. Mom used to make this in a pinch and we loved it. Nice to know good food crosses all borders, because it's made with LOVE.

I watched her alot I love that little lady shes so sweet

What a absolute blessing she was and still is!

I just found this channel and sad to hear about her passing. I’m 70 and this fine lady reminds me so much of my Mother. She could make a five star meal for nearly nothing from nearly nothing. It was a time my generation could only share and be thankful we didn’t have to go through those tough times. The Greatest Generation on many levels. And yes, my Mother cooked the very same meal and occasionally used sausage as the meat.. Thank you keeping this channel up. It is very important that we all learn from her.

Christopher, I dont know if you read these comments but I want to thank you on behalf of many people for doing this series with your amazing grandmother. She was part of the greatest generation and this generation will never be again. You have made a permanent history of her cooking, her insights, and her love for you and your family.

She's so sweet to just love cooking for someone

Watching her videos has me bawling... so comforting... sort of like being with my own Nana who went to Heaven when she was 102. Many reasons for me to cry watching this... mainly because of all the suffering so many of us are going through right now. What a comfort to see this in 2021. So timely. Thank You Lord. Thank you to Clara up in Heaven... give Nana a warm hug for me. ❤

Just found this channel yesterday. It makes me wonder how much more I could have learned from my grandmother if I hadn't thought I already knew everything. Now that she's gone, I miss her terribly, and treasure everything I can remember about her.

Now into my mid sixties, I well remember my parents and grandparents telling endless stories of the depression. Yes, times were hard but in the interim we’ve lost the essence of being a part of something. Neighbors shared what they had and looked out for each other. People worked hard and went to bed early. Kids played outside and learned the value of a dollar. Sunday morning everyone went to church. Growing up when I did and how I did was a blessing.

I was sad and you make me smile, Clara. Thank for that, we miss you.

She is sweet and a beautiful grandma! ❤️😀🌺 made my day. May God bless all the senior citizens in this Coronavirus time. 🙏❤️😌 Lets keep our eyes on our neighbors seniors, just in case they need any help and support! Not only at this pandemic time but always.

The story of the neighbor taking Clara's vegetables reminded me of when one of our elderly neighbors opened our gate to take leaves from a medicinal plant we had growing in a flower pot. My dad was so angry because just like Clara said, he wouldn't mind giving her the leaves if she had asked for them, but she didn't. She waited until everyone had gone to work or school and just waltzed in. She did it twice, second time he caught her. To add insult to injury, she unwittingly killed the plant because she removed every last leaf from it in the middle of summer. It couldn't transpire or do photosynthesis, so it died. Now my dad has only decorative plants near the gate, any food and medicinal plant he now keeps in the backyard away from any neighbors including her. He said that he understands necessity, he grew up in the 50s with 10 siblings and a working single mother, he knows how it is to go without food, but all that hospitality goes out the window when people enter our property without permission. Not even because she was elderly she got a pass, he said "She's old enough to know right from wrong, and taking things that don't belong to you without asking is wrong".

Wow. What a wonderfully sweet lady. I just looked her up, and sadly she passed away in 2013. Thank-you Clara for all your recipes. I may not have ever known you, but your spirit will now live on through your recipes in my kitchen. Thank-you so much. Rest in peace, sweetie.

Makes sense RU-vid recommends this now that everyone is in isolation.

This lady is amazing. God bless her. So sad she’s passed. She has true wisdom

come on guys its a 90+ year old grandmother. even if u dont like the video u cant dislike it. she has lived her life and knows way more then Any of us know. leave this video at peace

I was privileged to know families who grew up in the hills of Ohio & Kentucky, they had chicken on Sundays (sometimes) the rest of the time they ate pinto beans cooked w/saltpork & cornbread...they were the Best people in the World❤️

This must be so precious to the family of this beautiful soul.

What a wonderful character. This lady was a real life history book. Thank God she is on you tube and we can all benifit from her recipes in these hard times, but still we never knew the hardship she experienced. You lady are my heroine thank you and God bless and keep you

all I can say is that women is extraordinary

Fried Eggs over cooked rice. I still eat that and other "poor meals" even though I can afford to eat better. Poor food is what I was raised on, and I still love it.

I sure do enjoy these! She was an absolute treasure!

God bless this lady, and God rest her soul.