When I first met Gene (hubby) this was one of the few meals he cooked for me…
– then there was hash from a can or if he wanted to get fancy a chuck roast surrounded by vegetables and mashed potatoes. He did make a good omelette too!
I actually have a picture of his chuck roast…
We were both happy that I took over most of the cooking duties but he still occasionally requested this classic American fare.It became popular during WWII and is still served in the military today – usually for breakfast.
I ran across this beef at the grocery recently but in the dairy section. I use to buy it in jars on the grocery shelf. It brought back some good memories and so I decided to make it for “old times sake”.
Oh my – Stouffers sells a frozen version of this! So, if you want to go the easy route buy this frozen dinner instead!
Chipped beef is a form of pressed, salted and dried beef that you slice into thin pieces. It became popular with the military during WWII. Not sure what part – whether the Navy or the Army can take credit for this – specific origin is unknown. However, it is served in all branches of the United States Armed Forces as well as in diners and restaurants, usually for breakfast. It has a reasonable nutritional profile, ease and speed of preparing and relatively low cost to produce in large quantities (enough to feed an entire military outpost).
Gene was an officer in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lt. in the Signal Corps as a Radar Corps Maintenance Officer during the Korean War. I bet he learned to love “S.O.S” during this period of his life. He definitely enjoyed all kinds of sauces from a white bechanel to turkey gravy and for something sweet Hersheys chocolate syrup on top of French Vanilla ice cream!
I recently spoke to my BIL Stan during a ZOOM family meeting who was a fighter pilot in the Air Force during the Iraq War and he remembers this dish. Seemed to enjoy it (at least at the time) and said it was served for breakfast.
Many versions have evolved using different ingredients such as the meat or sauce. Nicknames are many such as S.O.S = Same Old Stuff, Save our Stomachs or S-it on a Shingle (shingle is the toast). No matter what it was, and still is, comfort food for many people. This would not be high on my list of comfort food but for Gene it was. It is not low fat but it was good – anything with a Bechamel Sauce was always a hit for him!
SPAM was also popular with the military during WWII; go here for my post. It was a canned product with a long shelf life that could feed quite a few (just like SOS).
Creamed Chipped Beef in a Bechamel Sauce on Toast (or SOS)
- 2 (2 oz. each) Buddig original dried sliced beef (found in the refrigerator section in small packets) use as much chipped beef as you like (you can also buy it in a jar, Hormel on your grocery shelf)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups milk (2% worked for me)
- 1/2 to 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- salt and white pepper to taste
- dash of cayenne (optional)
- bread toasted or biscuits; try my Bakewell Cream Biscuits or White Lily Southern Style Biscuits
Slice the beef into thin strips/pieces and set aside. Melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Cook for a few minutes stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth. Add the Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and cayenne (optional) to taste. Stir in the chipped beef and simmer for 5 minutes.
Serve over toast or your favorite biscuits!
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
This must be such a nostalgic dish for you!
I’ve never heard of this dish, but I can see why it was popular with soldiers – it’s homey, warm and comforting, and fairly easy to prepare.
I would probably add a bit of mustard to the sauce, but I add mustard anywhere possible! 😀
As it is shelf stable chipped beef was perfect especially for the Navy who didn’t have access to fresh meat. A bit of mustard would be good 🙂
I haven’t thought of this for many years. It used too be a weeknight dinner. Thanks for the memory.
Memories for me too as Gene did try to contribute to the cooking routine. I would fix it once in awhile but he appreciated “my fancier” cooking much more 🙂
I still make this on occasion. It’s an easy meal and seems better in the winter.
Yes, it’s a hearty meal and better during the cooler months 🙂
My mobile Air Force unit in Germany traveled with a field kitchen back in the 70s and our dining facility was quite a step up from the Army’s (which consisted of packaged C-rats eaten while sitting cross legged on the ground!). I remember watching one of our field cooks open a huge can labeled simply “Pork Chops” which contained what looked like hockey pucks – that is, until they were put in water and voila! they became pork chops. Smothered in barbecue sauce, they actually weren’t that bad!
Ha!Ha! it’s amazing how good canned products can be – but pork chops? You’re a good cook and if you say they weren’t bad I’ll go along with it 🙂
i’ve been watching a lot of youtube videos highlighting Spam. The chipped beef seems like it ‘s from the same family 🙂
Both items are shelf stable and convenient for the military to feed a large group of soldiers. The products caught on and a lot of people (at least in the U.S.) really enjoy them, SPAM especially in Hawaii 🙂
I just can’t do this, but I love that it brings you wonderful memories!
Great memories and some history in American cuisine. Chipped beef and SPAM will live on forever in the U.S. 🙂