Gettin' Sauced with Corning Ware - Cornflower Saucemaker Trio

It's been awhile since I have talked about the SauceMakers. 

Those really strange shaped pieces made by Corning Glass Works' Consumer Products Division starting in 1963 and discontinued at the end of 1974.  SauceMakers, according to the catalogs, were available in 1 quart (P-55/P-64) & 2 quart (P-65) sizes.  Be aware that not all SauceMakers are actually stamped with their model number (none of mine are - neither my Cornflower nor the 2 Wheat ones currently in my collection)   

The only SauceMaker to last through the entire 11 year production period was the 1 quart Saucemaker, which appeared in several patterns other than Cornflower; such as Wheat, American Oil & Floral Bouquet as well as All White.  The 1 quart started life in 1963 as the P-55 (no lid). By 1964, a lid was added to the piece and it was packaged as the P-64.  Both models were available until 1968, at which point, the P-55 was dropped all together and only the P-64 remained.

The 2 quart Saucemaker had a much shorter life span from 1964-1970.  This particular piece was always packaged with a lid as the P-65. While it's life span was shorter, it did manage to come in several patterns; Cornflower, Wheat and All White. 

Before I continue, it should be noted that the White Cookmates versions of the 1 quart (SM-1) & 2 quart (SM-2) SauceMaker were produced until about 1976 before being discontinued.


The small 1 pint SauceMaker is still a bit of a mystery.  It appears to have never been released to the market, though at least 8 have been accounted for at this point.  CMOG (Corning Museum of Glass) has one labeled as a Prototype P-5.

(Photo courtesy of Rakow Library - CMOG)

But what bothers me is that it has a lid.  Now the 1 quart P-55 was released first, without a lid. So wouldn't that mean that this one was produced later?  And if it was produced later, then why is it a P-5 instead of a P-63; following suit with the P-64 and P-65?  And just WHAT is under that sticker?  Is it really only a "-B" or is it some other number? Maybe P-54?

Needless to say, mine has nothing printed on it to give any clue as to what the model number is or whether it actually a prototype or not.  It has a lid and, because the lug is the same as a petite pan, uses a P-41-HG for a handle... (P-5? on Left)

The P-55/P-64 (right) & P-65 have standard P-series lugs and use the standard P-10-HG handle.

 (P-55/P-64 in back - P-5? in front)

(P-55/P-64 top - P-5? bottom)

None of the lids have the model numbers on them... Being P-64-C (1 quart), P-65-C (2 quart) and potentially P-5-C or P-63-C or even P-54-C (for the 1 pint) 

Thus are the mysteries of Corning Ware.  


Where is your Corning Ware??
~~

Super Secret Saucemaker - 1 Pint Saucemaker

Well, another "find" found it's way into my hot little hands.

The most interesting thing is that I cannot find it in any of the books I have on Corningware, nor can I find it anywhere on the internet.  My guess is that it's either a "super secret squirrel piece" that was being tested by a group of consumers, or it was a promotional item.  I'm really not sure.

I see the 1 quart (P-55-B & P-64-B) and 2 quart (P-65-B) models all the time. (OK, I see the 2 quart size less frequently, but they are out there)   I had no idea that this piece ever existed and evidently neither do any of the Corningware dedicated blogs and sites, nor did any of the authors of Corningware Collectors Guides.  So in the interest of disseminating as much information as possible to everyone, THIS is my "find".

Corningware 1 Pint Saucemaker 

in Cornflower

As you can see, it's significantly smaller than my 1 Quart Wheat Saucemaker.

It requires a Petite handle (P-41-HG) instead of the regular handle (P-10-HG) used on the 1 & 2 Quart sizes.

It's marked inside up to 2 cups/16 Oz.

There is no model number on the back, like all my others.  It simply says "1 PT. Saucemaker".

The lid has no numbers on it, which I think is a little odd.  My 1 Quart lids has an A-6 on it.

Be that as it may, I am excited to have found something that seems to be unknown.  As far as using it?  Well, I can think of no better crucible for making browned butter.  :-)

Where is your Corningware??
~~

No Pain, No Grain - Wonderfully Winsome Wheat

So you may be wondering, at this point, if I am purchasing all the pieces I have been photographing in the thrift stores.  No.  My kitchen is not nearly big enough to house a collection of that size.  Neither is my pocket book large enough to support amassing a collection of that size.  Thus, mere photographs shall have to document the patterns I have come across in my rummagings.

There is one pattern though that I cannot resist purchasing, when found.  That would be my precious Wheat pattern.

It's somewhat rare, but it does crop up from time to time.  And I purchase EVERY single piece I find.  As is the case today.  A Saucemaker presented itself to me and, well.....  Veni, Vidi, Visa!

OK, it was really my Visa debit card, so technically it was "veni, vidi, checking account", but that just doesn't have the same ring to it.   Am I right?

The Saucemakers are kind of a strange anomaly.  I have 3 now... Two 1-quart models (seen below) and one 2-quart model in Cornflower.

NONE of mine have model numbers on them, they simply have "Saucemaker" printed on the backside under the handle tab.

Interestingly, if you look on eBay, some of them DO have numbers printed on them.  However, while the 1 quart models seem to have 2 different numbers (P-55 or P-64), the 2 quart model seems to be only a P-65.  Sometimes there is a "B" afterwards on both sizes, sometimes not.   It's inconsistent and very confusing.

To top it off, the Wheat pattern pieces do not start with a "P" (original) or "A" (post-1972) like most of the standard shaped pieces (French White is another story).... The wheat pattern pieces begin with "W"...  I don't know why the Wheat pattern has it's own beginning letter.  As a result of this, my guess is that this piece, being a 1 quart model, is either W-55 or W-64.  I have no idea which. 

Identity aside, I am extremely happy with this find.  It cost a little more than I am usually comfortable paying for pieces, that is for sure.  After all, for me, half the fun of collecting is getting a bargain.  In the grand scheme of things, however, I can think of many other things I could have spent $10 on and had nothing to show for it in the end.  Instead, I have a beautiful, and sligthly rarer piece of the elusive Wheat pattern to go with my Broil and Bake tray (W-35-B), 4 quart Dutch Oven (W-34-B), my 6 cup Drip-O-Lator (W-104 with P-114-U) and my Pie Plate (W-309)

So few pieces when compared to the amount of Blue Cornflower I have.  Must keep looking!

Where is your Corningware??
~~

Baking Bogus Baklava - Mocklava

Have you always wanted to make Baklava?  You know, that quintessential Greek confection of lemon and honey soaked deliciousness.  Yes, it's true that filo dough can be a pain to work with, especially if you are not use to working with it.  It dries out fairly quickly, it rips and tears if you look at it funny and you need a lot of counter space to lay it all out, next to the pan....  Well I have a solution for you.

True, it will not be exactly the same, but it's pretty darned close.  At least it's close to the versions I have had with shredded filo on the top, instead of more layers of dough.

Be forewarned, this recipe is overflowing with Corningware pieces.  If am not cooking in it, I am mixing stuff up in it, or storing stuff in it.  I think this recipe uses pieces from almost every decade.  An 8-inch Utility pan from the 50s, Saucemaker from the late 60's, and Grab-its from the 70s & 80s. 

Mocklava

Syrup:
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
1/4 cup Honey
1/2 cup Hot Water
3 TB Lemon Juice
1 tsp Lemon Zest, grated
1/4 tsp Salt
Corningware's 1 qt SauceMaker (P-55-B) or 2 1/2 cup Saucepan with spout (P-89-B)

Filling:
1 cup Walnuts, finely chopped
2 TB Granulated Sugar
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
Grab-it Bowl (P-150-B)
Grab-it Plastic Lid (P-150-CPC)

Assembly:
1 cup Almond Milk (or Whole Milk)
6 large Shredded Wheat Biscuits
8 TB Unsalted Butter, melted and cooled
Grab-It Bowl (P-150-B)
Utility Pan (P-322)

Make the syrup by combining Sugar, Honey, Hot water, Lemon Juice, Zest and Salt in the Corningware SauceMaker (P-55-B).

Bring to a boil for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and let cool slightly, (about 5 minutes)

Cover the syrup and refrigerate until needed.

Mix the filling by placing finely chopped Walnuts with Granulated Sugar and Cinnamon in a Grab-It bowl (P-150-B).

Place the plastic lid on top (P-150-CPC) and shake well, to combine the ingredients.

Set this aside while you prepare for assembly.

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees and grab a couple packages of Shredded Wheat.

Place Almond Milk (or Whole Milk) in a second Grab-It bowl (P-150-B).

Dip the Shredded Wheat biscuits, one at a time, into the Almond milk, turning to moisten both sides.

Allow the excess to drain back into the bowl.

Set each biscuit on Paper towels to drain completely.

Using kitchen shears, cut through the side seams and divide the biscuits in half.

Place the "bottom" half of each biscuit in an 8-inch Utility Pan (P-322).

Drizzle with 4 TB of the melted butter.

Sprinkle with the Walnut Filling.

Top with the remaining Shredded Wheat halves.

Drizzle with the remaining melted Butter.

Lay a piece of waxed paper over the buttered Shredded Wheat, and press down lightly.

Remove waxed paper and bake for 35-40 minutes.

Until golden brown......

Remove from the oven and drizzle with the refrigerated Lemon Syrup.

Allow to cool completely before consuming with delight.

Mmmmmmm! 

Where is your Corningware??
~~