A Meeting with a WWII-Inspired Author
JUMP TO RECIPES
Something extraordinary happened to me recently: I met an author! Linda Matchett has written more than 40 books, several inspired by the World War II era. It was delightful to chat with her in an interview a few weeks ago, a very special chance to share the motivation behind this website.
Meeting Author Linda Shenton Matchett
Imagine my excitement when I received an e-mail from an author who had stumbled upon my website! But when she invited me to an interview, to share the story behind it, I was gobsmacked. It was so much fun to talk with her and reminisce about precious family memories. You can click the button above to watch it.
I have also read a few of Linda’s World War II-era stories. If you are looking for lovely, low-stress reading for the holiday break, check out her books on Amazon.
A Cheerful Heart Book Review
One of Linda’s novels is part of a holiday anthology that just released. I enjoyed reading the story of Meg Underwood and the unwelcome Pinkerton agent who wants to drive her back East from Oregon to claim an inheritance she doesn’t want.
Although this story is not one of Linda’s 1940s stories, I appreciated the diversion of entering Oregon of the late 1800s and imagining life in the frontier town of White Oak.
Mrs. Krause & the Staghead Cafe
One of the main characters is Mrs. Krause, owner of Staghead Cafe and its principal cook. An immigrant from Germany during the gold rush of the mid-1800s, Mrs. Krause’s husband had died in a claim dispute, after which she moved to the Oregon coast and opened her cafe.
One of the recipes the townsfolk loved most was her cucumber-potato salad. I had never heard of a salad combining potatoes and cucumbers, and this intrigued me. After researching a number of wildly different concoctions, I decided to try making my own version with a vinegar-based dressing that I associate with German food. I am including my Potato-Cucumber Salad recipe here in case you would like to try it.
This salad could have been popular during the 1940s as it is mainly vegetables—potatoes and cucumber—but the amount of oil would have posed a problem for homemakers in many parts of Europe. In such a case, the dressing might have been halved and a bit of mayonnaise added to complete the salad. Also, other vegetables such as shaved radish or carrot, or minced celery, could be added. During winter, when fresh garden produce is limited, this salad is a refreshing option with a heavier meat like roast beef or chicken.
Potato-Cucumber Salad
A comforting homestyle salad, easy to make any time of year
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel potatoes and cut into bite-sized cubes. Place in a pot of salted, boiling water. Boil 8 minutes or until potatoes are soft enough enough to eat but no more (they need to be firm enough to toss in the salad without falling apart).
- Drain potatoes and set aside to cool.
- Peel cucumber. Cut in half lengthwise; then, use a spoon to scoop out seeds. Cut cucumber into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Prepare dressing. Once potatoes are cold, toss gently with cucumber slices and dressing. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley.
- Mix dry ingredients in a wide-mouthed jar or small bowl. Add vinegar.
- Using a small whisk, whisk vinegar mixture constantly while slowly pouring in oil. Cover dressing and chill.
References
Archer, Melody, Eliza Boyd, Corilyn Holloway, Gayle M. Irwin, Linda Shenton Matchett, Christine Sterline, Lisa Swinton & Sharon D. Tweet. A Cheerful Heart: A Christmas Anthology of Wholesome & Christian Romances to Benefit Charity. Cactus Rose Press, 2025.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22