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Clara's Kitchen: Wisdom, Memories, and Recipes from the Great Depression
YouTube® sensation Clara Cannucciari shares her treasured recipes and commonsense wisdom in a heartwarming remembrance of the Great Depression.
Clara Cannucciari became an internet sensation late in life, making cooking videos until her 96th birthday. Her YouTube® Great Depression Cooking channel garnered an army of devoted followers. Now, in Clara's Kitchen , she gives readers words of wisdom to buck up America's spirits, recipes to keep the wolf from the door, and tells her story of growing up during the Great Depression with a tight-knit family and a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" philosophy of living.
In between recipes for pasta with peas, eggplant parmesan, chocolate covered biscotti, and other treats Clara gives readers practical advice on cooking nourishing meals for less. Using lessons learned during the Great Depression, she writes, for instance, about how to conserve electricity when cooking and how you can stretch a pot of pasta with a handful of lentils. She reminisces about her youth and writes with love about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Clara's Kitchen takes readers back to a simpler, if not more difficult time, and gives everyone what they need right now: hope for the future and a nice dish of warm pasta from everyone's favorite grandmother, Clara Cannuciari, a woman who knows what's really important in life.
Clara Cannucciari became an internet sensation late in life, making cooking videos until her 96th birthday. Her YouTube® Great Depression Cooking channel garnered an army of devoted followers. Now, in Clara's Kitchen , she gives readers words of wisdom to buck up America's spirits, recipes to keep the wolf from the door, and tells her story of growing up during the Great Depression with a tight-knit family and a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" philosophy of living.
In between recipes for pasta with peas, eggplant parmesan, chocolate covered biscotti, and other treats Clara gives readers practical advice on cooking nourishing meals for less. Using lessons learned during the Great Depression, she writes, for instance, about how to conserve electricity when cooking and how you can stretch a pot of pasta with a handful of lentils. She reminisces about her youth and writes with love about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Clara's Kitchen takes readers back to a simpler, if not more difficult time, and gives everyone what they need right now: hope for the future and a nice dish of warm pasta from everyone's favorite grandmother, Clara Cannuciari, a woman who knows what's really important in life.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
210 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
July 30, 2010
Ms. Cannucciari and her grandson have created an absolutely delightful little book. About three years ago, Christopher started filming (and posting on Youtube) brief videos of his grandmother cooking while talking about her life as a young woman during the Great Depression. Large sections of the book are taken directly from her running commentary on those videos, so the text has a real oral storytelling quality. Occasionally, it’s a bit repetitive, but rather than being annoying that just adds to the authenticity and charm. After all, how many times did you hear the same story or tidbit of memory over and over from your grandparents?
An aggregation of this 94-year-old’s simple family recipes from the Great Depression and recollections from her younger days, this is less a cookbook than a memoir focused on food.
Most of the recipes feature few ingredients – cheap foods like potatoes, pasta and eggs appear frequently – interspersed with cooking tips and life lessons. In particular, the recipe for homemade ketchup was a revelation and I might have to try out the cooked dandelion leaves since I have an overabundance in my own yard! Ms. Cannucciari reminds her readers (and viewers) of the pleasures of basic foods prepared simply and the difference between wants and needs. And she does it with a no-nonsense, spunky attitude. Refreshing!
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
An aggregation of this 94-year-old’s simple family recipes from the Great Depression and recollections from her younger days, this is less a cookbook than a memoir focused on food.
Most of the recipes feature few ingredients – cheap foods like potatoes, pasta and eggs appear frequently – interspersed with cooking tips and life lessons. In particular, the recipe for homemade ketchup was a revelation and I might have to try out the cooked dandelion leaves since I have an overabundance in my own yard! Ms. Cannucciari reminds her readers (and viewers) of the pleasures of basic foods prepared simply and the difference between wants and needs. And she does it with a no-nonsense, spunky attitude. Refreshing!
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
February 6, 2019
Simple and charming recount of life for this woman during the depression era with her Italian family. There are plenty of recipes for easy and affordable cooking. I devoured the book in a day. She also has a YouTube Channel but has since passed. We all love her.
November 5, 2013
This is a quick, fun read that will stay with you for a surprisingly long time. I was hooked from the beginning because I have my own almost 94 year old Sicilian grandfather. But I was delighted by her tone and the stories of her childhood in Melrose Park, and I was amazed by the recipes she shares. It really puts life in perspective to read about families storing meat in the snow before they had iceboxes and using the dandelion leaves in their yards to make a tasty salad. Her stories and simple, fresh recipes are at the same time thought-provoking, challenging, lighthearted, and fun.
June 27, 2013
I found this in my library's cookbook section but it is really much more. It's a charmingly told but very real slice of Italian-American history, the sort of-memoir of Clara Cannucciari who grew up in Melrose Park, a Chicago suburb once home to many Italian-Americans.
Often when hearing of how people had to "make do" during the Great Depression, it doesn't really hit home to generations born after. In this book, however, it does and not only because of the many reminiscences scattered throughout but because the author shares the extremely economical recipes that she grew up on. Not the most enticing dishes I've ever encountered, perhaps, but they were obviously created by a loving and clever Italian cook who used them to keep her family healthy during very tough times.
Loved the vintage photos of Cannucciari's family.
Often when hearing of how people had to "make do" during the Great Depression, it doesn't really hit home to generations born after. In this book, however, it does and not only because of the many reminiscences scattered throughout but because the author shares the extremely economical recipes that she grew up on. Not the most enticing dishes I've ever encountered, perhaps, but they were obviously created by a loving and clever Italian cook who used them to keep her family healthy during very tough times.
Loved the vintage photos of Cannucciari's family.
March 7, 2022
Very simple recipes with few ingredients for hard times. She has small stories throughout the book of life during the depression. I watched her Youtube channel and then requested the book from the library. A lot of the recipes are on Youtube also. She is definitely worth a watch. https://www.youtube.com/c/GreatDepres...
April 28, 2022
This was so nice, I loved Clara's videos on youtube.
Kinda side-eyeing her mother though... Wouldn't let Clara play with her doll because she kept it for herself? Expected gifts on her birthday but the kids got none? Wack.
Kinda side-eyeing her mother though... Wouldn't let Clara play with her doll because she kept it for herself? Expected gifts on her birthday but the kids got none? Wack.
July 5, 2022
I love watching Clara’s videos on YouTube, so it was wonderful to read more about her life and about the food she learned to cook during the Great Depression.
February 6, 2020
During Great Depression era studies/teaching, I stumbled across Clara’s YouTube channel, discovered she had a book, & promptly sought it out. Her wit & wisdom, timeless advice, and disposition are absolutely captivating.
My students & I fell in love with her retelling of one of the darkest times in American history, and we have made many of the frugal recipes, which we think are just as filling & tasty today as when she ate them in the 1930’s.
It is a great honour to hear first hand accounts of the struggles Clara endured, and how it moulded a woman of such character. I highly recommend this book as supplemental history, as well as a wonderful cookbook worthy of kitchen counter space,
A small note to my local friends, Clara hails from the town of Skaneatles, NY, which I discovered wholly on accident watching her YouTube videos.
My students & I fell in love with her retelling of one of the darkest times in American history, and we have made many of the frugal recipes, which we think are just as filling & tasty today as when she ate them in the 1930’s.
It is a great honour to hear first hand accounts of the struggles Clara endured, and how it moulded a woman of such character. I highly recommend this book as supplemental history, as well as a wonderful cookbook worthy of kitchen counter space,
A small note to my local friends, Clara hails from the town of Skaneatles, NY, which I discovered wholly on accident watching her YouTube videos.
September 8, 2017
Great recipes for a survival time during the depression. Interesting what they could do with olive oil garlic, and lemon. Basically, they ate pasta every night, no meat. When the boxes of grapes were shipped in, look out! This family was poor before the depression. The writer is so sweet and full of life. Most generations have no idea how hard living was back in the 1930's. They didn't eat breakfast and skipped supper a lot of days to save food. Great book!
September 13, 2020
Recipes But So Much More
I first discovered Clara on YouTube. I immediately loved her. She was everybody 's grandma. I am from the Chicago area. She is a reminder of my childhood.
What I loved about her on YouTube can be found in this book. Simple meals that don't require a lot, though love is probably the main ingredient in all the recipes. Watching her cook, you knew it was the first ingredient. If you take the time to read the book and not just the recipes, you will realize love goes in every recipe. Clara made you feel at home on her videos. That feeling can be found in this book. It was something that delighted me. Her grandson has made a loving tribute that teaches us more than cooking.
The recipes are basic. Many are also versatile. You use what you have. That was an important part of cooking that I learned as a single mother. It is the best thing about Clara's recipes. You are encouraged by her to improvise. This cookbook is one that makes a wonderful gift for new cooks. It teaches much more than the recipe. Clara's words of wisdom, her encouragement and her skill in using what you have make this a guide to life. There will always be difficult times to get through. Having someone believing in you can make a huge difference in how you make it through. Inside the covers of this book, and on her YouTube videos, you find a grandma who believes in you.
I first discovered Clara on YouTube. I immediately loved her. She was everybody 's grandma. I am from the Chicago area. She is a reminder of my childhood.
What I loved about her on YouTube can be found in this book. Simple meals that don't require a lot, though love is probably the main ingredient in all the recipes. Watching her cook, you knew it was the first ingredient. If you take the time to read the book and not just the recipes, you will realize love goes in every recipe. Clara made you feel at home on her videos. That feeling can be found in this book. It was something that delighted me. Her grandson has made a loving tribute that teaches us more than cooking.
The recipes are basic. Many are also versatile. You use what you have. That was an important part of cooking that I learned as a single mother. It is the best thing about Clara's recipes. You are encouraged by her to improvise. This cookbook is one that makes a wonderful gift for new cooks. It teaches much more than the recipe. Clara's words of wisdom, her encouragement and her skill in using what you have make this a guide to life. There will always be difficult times to get through. Having someone believing in you can make a huge difference in how you make it through. Inside the covers of this book, and on her YouTube videos, you find a grandma who believes in you.
December 31, 2021
Clara was amazing! So much to learn from the recipes and how things were during the great depression.
September 11, 2020
Thrifty recipes and memories of the Great Depression, mostly vegetable/starch based for a filling and cheap diet. Reminds me of my mom's cooking--she raised six kids on a policeman's pay with a garden and thrifty recipes like this. Of course, times for us weren't NEARLY so hard and we had our own cow and chickens with all the cream, milk and eggs we could want. That's the way I want to go!
February 22, 2019
This is a super quick read that gives a sneak peak into life during the Great Depression, as seen through the eyes of a girl who was growing up through it. Those people were the REAL minimalists; zero waste was not a fashionable trend for them, it was survival. It’s unfortunate that their habits of frugality and resourcefulness didn’t make it down through the generations in most cases, but Clara can teach us a few of her tricks.
It’s fascinating to learn how this family did their best to make filling and tasty meals when money was at a bare minimum. Dishes revolve heavily around pasta, potatoes and eggs, usually with some variation of olive oil, garlic and vegetables. I was tickled to see a recipe featured that I grew up eating myself; a meal of pasta dressed only with garlic sautéd in olive oil and salt and pepper (you might not think it, but it’s a total comfort food!). I’ll definitely be trying some of these simple recipes.
A note for those who have seen the YouTube videos:
I’ve only seen two or three of the original videos myself, but as far as I can tell the book is just a transcription of them, and I don’t think any new material is added aside from photos of Clara’s life.
It’s fascinating to learn how this family did their best to make filling and tasty meals when money was at a bare minimum. Dishes revolve heavily around pasta, potatoes and eggs, usually with some variation of olive oil, garlic and vegetables. I was tickled to see a recipe featured that I grew up eating myself; a meal of pasta dressed only with garlic sautéd in olive oil and salt and pepper (you might not think it, but it’s a total comfort food!). I’ll definitely be trying some of these simple recipes.
A note for those who have seen the YouTube videos:
I’ve only seen two or three of the original videos myself, but as far as I can tell the book is just a transcription of them, and I don’t think any new material is added aside from photos of Clara’s life.
March 14, 2024
This is a treasure and so was Clara. In reading the comments, I noticed many comments stating that the recipes are limited and that they wished there was more. The recipes are limited, because that is all they had, they used what they had, there wasn’t anymore more.
July 22, 2012
Clara, well known as the grandmother on YouTube, was 94 years old when her book was published. Her videos on the Internet made her famous for their common sense, simplicity and wisdom. This book captures the essence of Clara.
Born and raised in a Chicago, IL. Suburb, Clara and her family survived the "Great Depression". Her stories are mostly of that time; they are filled with family, friends, and food.
Clara tells a story from her life, and then adds a recipe associated with the story. There are many photographs illustrating the stories. The photos feature Clara, friends and family, and food.
Clara adds tidbits of her cooking wisdom throughout the book. The tips are useful and practical, such as differences between olive oil and vegetable oil. The index makes it easy to follow and find items and recipes.
The illustrations are also listed, putting Clara's life into perspective. Her book is a wonderful volume of history, memoir, cookbook, and advice. It is no wonder that she is known as YouTube's "favorite grandmother"!
Born and raised in a Chicago, IL. Suburb, Clara and her family survived the "Great Depression". Her stories are mostly of that time; they are filled with family, friends, and food.
Clara tells a story from her life, and then adds a recipe associated with the story. There are many photographs illustrating the stories. The photos feature Clara, friends and family, and food.
Clara adds tidbits of her cooking wisdom throughout the book. The tips are useful and practical, such as differences between olive oil and vegetable oil. The index makes it easy to follow and find items and recipes.
The illustrations are also listed, putting Clara's life into perspective. Her book is a wonderful volume of history, memoir, cookbook, and advice. It is no wonder that she is known as YouTube's "favorite grandmother"!
December 29, 2009
I am a sucker for a book that combines history and cooking and I found this to be a quick and entertaining read. I loved reading about how she and her family made do during the depression and I noted some recipes. It's not as polished or detailed as Little Heathens (which I LOVED) but is written as though Clara is just talking to you. My only complaint is I wish that the photos were captioned in the book, rather than at the end.
October 5, 2014
I started watching Clara's youtube videos around the time my own life was experiencing some turmoil. I really enjoyed her calm wisdom and gentle humor- not to mention the historical aspects involved. She told great stories too! So when I came across her book at the library I had to read it. So grateful she and her family were so willing to share. Excellent resource for a fun primary historical account and some useful recipes that are easy and cheap.
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January 16, 2012This book is charming...a little book filled with wit, wisdom, advice, and good ole fashion Italian recipes of a 94 year old woman. A spicy grandmother we all would wish to have. Do not pass up this little gem!
February 11, 2020
Several years ago I stumbled upon a YouTube channel called "Great Depression Cooking" and just became enthralled by the concept and its execution. I just loved watching Clara cook some cheap dish and reminisce about her youth and how things were back then, and relate it to today, as her grandson recorded her. She was funny and sweet, and had very interesting stories to tell. A lot of what she said stuck with me, even years after I'd watched her videos, like the time she said that she had to leave school because she didn't have any shoes to wear, or the time she said that she found it funny that her grandson and his friends loved one of her dishes and often asked her to cook it for them when they came to visit, and it was a dish that she remembers being embarrassed to eat when she was young because it was so simple and cheap that only poor people ate it. How things change.
When I learned that she had passed away I was saddened by her loss because I enjoyed watching her videos and there wouldn't be any new ones, but some time later I found out that they had published a book based on the same concept from her YouTube channel, and I just knew that I'd purchase it sooner rather than later, since I love cooking and I'm always interested in fun, different, cookbooks. This one didn't disappoint me at all. I loved it, and it was cool to spend more time with her.
My only complaint, if you can call it that, is that it's not so heavy on the recipes, but I bought it in part because I love Clara's stories, so it wouldn't be fair to hold that against it. I wish it was longer, though!
When I learned that she had passed away I was saddened by her loss because I enjoyed watching her videos and there wouldn't be any new ones, but some time later I found out that they had published a book based on the same concept from her YouTube channel, and I just knew that I'd purchase it sooner rather than later, since I love cooking and I'm always interested in fun, different, cookbooks. This one didn't disappoint me at all. I loved it, and it was cool to spend more time with her.
My only complaint, if you can call it that, is that it's not so heavy on the recipes, but I bought it in part because I love Clara's stories, so it wouldn't be fair to hold that against it. I wish it was longer, though!
January 4, 2023
I found Clara's videos through Youtube one day and watched how her grandson and she put together, "Clara's Kitchen." I just finished Clara's book. What a wonderful story, with simple recipes from her time growing up in the Great Depression.
Being the youngest of six, I had grandparents, aunts and uncles who lived through this time. They all passed when I was very young. Not being able to ask them questions about their childhood, this story really made me feel like they were with me, sharing their stories, too.
To Clara's grandson, thank you so much for taking the time to do the videos and share her stories with us. I especially appreciated you making this final video of her on Youtube, titled, "Clara in Memoriam - Aug 18, 1915 - Nov 29, 2013." I will do what you suggested on reaching out to those who have stories to tell and really listen to what they have to say.
For those that have not read her book, I hope you will do so as it will give you a glimpse into what the 1930's were like. As we all go through these times today in 2023, it may help us all stop and appreciate what we have and how to conserve our resources a little better, as well.
Being the youngest of six, I had grandparents, aunts and uncles who lived through this time. They all passed when I was very young. Not being able to ask them questions about their childhood, this story really made me feel like they were with me, sharing their stories, too.
To Clara's grandson, thank you so much for taking the time to do the videos and share her stories with us. I especially appreciated you making this final video of her on Youtube, titled, "Clara in Memoriam - Aug 18, 1915 - Nov 29, 2013." I will do what you suggested on reaching out to those who have stories to tell and really listen to what they have to say.
For those that have not read her book, I hope you will do so as it will give you a glimpse into what the 1930's were like. As we all go through these times today in 2023, it may help us all stop and appreciate what we have and how to conserve our resources a little better, as well.
March 25, 2023
I started watching Clara’s Kitchen on YouTube before it became a hit. I cried when she passed away. This lovely woman invited us all into her kitchen and shared so much more than recipes, she shared her love. I have waited years to read her book and I have not been disappointed at all. I know so many of these recipes like the back of my hand from how often I watched the videos alone. It brings her back for a little while when I can’t watch the videos and with the recipes in book format, I’m much more likely to make them more often. (I just like old fashioned printed recipes over trying to keep up with a video.)
July 14, 2017
A quick read, and fun to read Clara's stories of growing up. She was a but repetitive at times, just like any grandma. I wish I had some of these types of stories from either of my grandmas. The memories would have been priceless, even if neither one was a good cook! Be sure to check out her YouTube videos. I may even try a few recipes, although it's interesting to see how few spices there were. No hiding the food. It's filling, so just eat what you have. My kids could learn a few things about gratitude.
June 14, 2020
This was like having an afternoon of tea and biscuits with warm, loving, no nonsense grandma who tells stories about her childhood in the Great Depression. I had no idea that families ate just one meal in the Great Depression - lunch. And kids had coffee and wine. And meals were largely ovo-vegetarian - beans and pasta, potatoes and eggs, bread and spinach. This book had such a cozy feel to it. The perfect thing for quiet reading time this afternoon.
I loved how Clara had such a grateful attitude about everything she had in her life. Just a totally heartwarming read.
I loved how Clara had such a grateful attitude about everything she had in her life. Just a totally heartwarming read.
June 10, 2021
Such a charming collection of stories and recipes
I stumbled across Clara's YouTube videos a couple years back and I was absolutely enchanted. She reminded me very much of my great-grandmother in both her cooking and her philosophies. Growing up with an Italian grandfather, I found that a lot of the traits that she talked about in her family were very familiar to me. I can't wait to test my grandfather's pasta sauce recipe against Clara's. I enjoyed reading this book very much and I'm grateful to Clara's grandson for sharing her with us.
I stumbled across Clara's YouTube videos a couple years back and I was absolutely enchanted. She reminded me very much of my great-grandmother in both her cooking and her philosophies. Growing up with an Italian grandfather, I found that a lot of the traits that she talked about in her family were very familiar to me. I can't wait to test my grandfather's pasta sauce recipe against Clara's. I enjoyed reading this book very much and I'm grateful to Clara's grandson for sharing her with us.
May 31, 2022
A really nice book with great stories and simple recipes. The only reason I knocked off a star is because they almost all have an Italian theme so expect lots of pasta, garlic, tomato sauce, olive oil, and sometimes cheese. To be fair there are a lot of onions and potatoes which is perfect, cheap and easy. Some of the ingredients aren't the most budget friendly in our 2022 inflation-riddled world. But overall I recommend it, I'd love a recommendation of a similar cookbook with less of an Italian flare but that's more of a personal taste issue.
November 28, 2019
Delightful. Inspiring
This little slice of history deserves a wide audience. Clara's energetic personality shines through this little volume of wit, wisdom and recipes from the Great Depression. Clara, in her 90s, invites us into her homey kitchen and fills our hearts and stomachs with stories and recipes. She shows us how cheer can be present in the making even in dark times. Great gift for history buffs and foodies.
This little slice of history deserves a wide audience. Clara's energetic personality shines through this little volume of wit, wisdom and recipes from the Great Depression. Clara, in her 90s, invites us into her homey kitchen and fills our hearts and stomachs with stories and recipes. She shows us how cheer can be present in the making even in dark times. Great gift for history buffs and foodies.
April 6, 2022
After listening to the author’s podcasts about depression era cooking, i was delighted to discover this little treasure in my public library. Clara’s memories of growing up in an Italian immigrant family in the early 1900’s are wonderful. The recipes are so interesting and some are things I had never heard of.
My sister and I plan to make her Sicilian Christmas cookies after Thanksgiving this year. We hope to make more of our own precious family memories.
My sister and I plan to make her Sicilian Christmas cookies after Thanksgiving this year. We hope to make more of our own precious family memories.
November 30, 2023
Enjoyable read about Clara's life and struggles during the Great Depression. She give some great advice on how to feed yourself and family on little. It really puts life into perspective and she seems like such an amazing lady. It didn't come across as pretentious, like some nonfiction can. She gives you a starting point, how to work with little in the kitchen, and great life advice. Thank you Ms. Clara for your inspiration <3
September 11, 2018
Clara's Kitchen
This is one book/cookbook that I have ever read. I love the her stories that she shared about growing in the Great Depression and how we can apply it for today. The recipes are wonderful and most of them are not hard to make. You need to have this book and give it out as a gift as well.
This is one book/cookbook that I have ever read. I love the her stories that she shared about growing in the Great Depression and how we can apply it for today. The recipes are wonderful and most of them are not hard to make. You need to have this book and give it out as a gift as well.
January 11, 2019
Loved Clara on YouTube! I watched many of the videos her grandson produced. This book is a delightful cookbook with memories of growing up in the Depression. My parents were a bit older but the resounding ethic that you use things completely- waste not- and appreciate what you have in Clara's stories are the same ones I learned from my parents.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews