Grandma’s SOS

Thanks for sharing!

This vintage favorite is frugal but delicious.  Sometimes the best recipes are born out of necessity and this one is a really quick and comforting dinner. SOS is on the table in less than 15 minutes!

This classic dinner recipe is still a favorite of my grandma’s.  I would imagine if your parents or grandparents were from a certain era, they know about it too. 

Some people may have their own little twists they like to put on it, mine is the addition of peas.  Though mushrooms would be great too.

It is a great cheap and easy meal that is quick to get on the table.  Served up some creamed beef on toast for a tasty blast from the past.

The way I came upon this recipe is still cracking me up.  Grandma used to ride along with me every once in a while when I would go on a work trip.

It worked out great for both of us.  I got somebody to talk to on some of the many drives around the state.

Then I drop her off at a Barnes and Noble (if it is next to a Michael’s all the better!) and I collect her and her purchases when it is time to go home.  So she got some fun out of town shopping time at some of her favorite store.

It might not sound like fun to you, but you should know my grandma.  She doesn’t know a stranger and will have a half dozen new friends by the time I get her.

Plus they have coffee, food and books.  What more do you need?!

Usually she is sad that I am ready to go already.  I don’t think she has ever once been anxious for me to come get her.

Usually she has a handful of treasures from Michael’s and a handful of books.  One time a couple of years ago she had a couple of handcarts piled up and waiting for me at Barnes and Noble.

No kidding!  She had Christmas darn near wrapped up with all the games and books she couldn’t pass up.

It was tradition on these trips to discuss what we were planning to make for dinner on the way home.  We both mentally walked through our refrigerators and pantries and decide what we are going to throw together.

One time, she had finally decided on making salmon patties if she had the salmon.  I got a phone call later that night saying she did not have the salmon so she ended up making (cover little eyes here!) shit on a shingle.

I thought she was making a joke and told her “oh no! poor grandpa!”  It turns out that “SOS” is a real thing and not just her being funny.

Her mom made it for their family when she was growing up.  She makes it sometimes still, including one day last week!

My parents were talking about it this weekend.  They thought it was funny I didn’t know what she was talking about, because apparently they made it for me when I was little too.  Who knew?
 

SOS is basically just chipped beef in a cream sauce served over toast (the shingle).  It seems to normally be served just like that.

My mom and grandma both put peas in theirs.  My dad said when he made it in college he would add a can of mixed vegetables.

I don’t remember eating it growing up, but now I am intrigued.  Shit on a shingle it is!

Some of those vintage frugal recipes that were born out of need are classic comfort food favorites to this day.  Along with SOS, we still enjoy favorites like scalloped corn.

My grandma also gave us our favorite Kelly’s cheese soup and pumpkin bars.  What are some of your favorite recipes from grandma?

Thanks for sharing!