Part 4/8:
To create this symbolic dish, one needed just a pound of ground beef, a half-cup of milk, a cup of crushed Wheaties, salt, pepper, and chopped onion. This amalgamation was shaped to resemble a T-bone steak, ultimately baking under a broiler at high temperatures. Judging from modern culinary standards, it seems improbable that such a concoction could satisfy steak enthusiasts—but during the era of rationing, any semblance of traditional cuisine was a cherished victory.
The basic preparation involved mixing the ingredients thoroughly—an act that became more artful when it came time to sculpt the meat mixture into a steak shape. This endeavor offered Americans a semblance of normalcy during trying times and a brief escape from their limited palate.