Pork & Beans Rarebit

If Pork and Bean Rarebit be the food of love, read on.

Play Queen-for-a-Day...absent (mostly) from the toils of the kitchen. Step into this linoleum hell-chamber only long enough to melt half a pound of American cheese with seasoning and milk and pour over VAN CAMP'S Pork and Beans.

VAN CAMP’S, creators of the beloved Beenie Weenies, is America’s original canner of beans. These cans were difficult to obtain on first try, but were eventually found to be hiding, coyly, on a lower shelf in the Messrs. Ocean State Job Lot, purveyors of dry goods, large brassieres, and plastic things.

Original issue and advertisement


Recipe: Pork & Beans Rarebit

Ingredients:

1/2 pound of cheese (american, or other melting cheese)

1/2 cup of milk

worcestershire sauce

dry mustard

salt to taste

1 can of VAN CAMP'S Pork and Beans

1. Melt the cheese with the milk

2. Add Worcestershire Sauce, dry mustard and salt to taste

3. Pour over heated VAN CAMP'S Pork and Beans


Occasionally images of the sacred in appear in food: The Blessed Virgin in an omelette; The Son of God in a pint of deli-counter potato salad. Here, one can discern the image of a bloated businessman who is addicted to his Twitter feed. 


ALSO FROM THIS ISSUE:

SIT-DOWN STRIKES SWEEP NATION

In the January 18, 1937 issue, LIFE documented the first sit-down strike of the Detroit motor workers. The call to (in)action carries on.

 

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: SILENT BARRIERS

Read the original New York Times review

 

HOW TO UNDRESS PART II:

In the March 8, 1937 issue, many letters were published in response to an photo essay concerning the correct way for a woman to undress for her husband. Amongst the hysteria was the reasoned request from many: Why not show America how a man should undress? 

Thus, on March 15, 1937, LIFE complied with this photo essay:

Here are a the letters in response in  the April 5, 1937 issue:

SPEAKING OF MASCULINIZED UNDERGARMENTS... 

Coopers Jockey Shorts protects men from the relentless clutches of their underwear.

Cheers!