It is hard to imagine what people were thinking back then, but the decade was filled with shaky aspics and mushy creamed vegetables that would never fly at a dinner party today. Some of these retro plates are so strange that it is a miracle they were ever popular in the first place. These 10 dishes are a perfect look at the food trends we fortunately left behind.
Table of Contents
Aspics
Aspics were a dark time in culinary history. They're a meat jelly or savory gelatin dish that can consist of anything from oysters to ground beef to carrots to boiled eggs, all disgustingly encased in gelatin. This dish seems abhorrent, but they were common because they were a great way to use leftovers or food that was about to spoil.
Canned Chinese Food
Canned Chinese food was once a weeknight go-to, believe it or not. Chow mein, beef and broccoli, even sweet and sour chicken all came packed in metal tins. It was quick, salty, and far from authentic, but people loved the convenience. These days, it’s mostly vanished from shelves, and honestly, no one’s really asking for it back.
Deviled Ham Spread
Deviled Ham Spread was a lunchbox hero in the '70s. Sold in tiny cans with a paper-wrapped label, it was a salty, spicy mix of ground ham and seasonings. Spread on crackers or white bread, it had a savory punch that appealed to kids and adults alike. Though still made by a few brands today, it’s more of a retro curiosity than a kitchen regular.
Cheese Logs
You can sometimes find cheese balls or logs at the grocery store, but they are not nearly as popular as they once were. A zesty cheese log or flavorful cheese ball would be made of soft cheese coated in nuts or other crunchy ingredients, and people would dip crackers or bread into it. This used to be the equivalent of a cheese platter or charcuterie board at parties.
Spam
Spam hasn't necessarily vanished, but many people turn their noses up at this canned ham product nowadays. But people in the '70s used it for everything. They'd add chopped Spam to salads, and bread slices and fry them, add it to chili, mix it into peach cups, and other atrocious uses.
Creamed Vegetables
Sure, you might see creamed spinach on a menu occasionally, but creamed vegetables used to be a staple at most meals. People used to cream every veggie they could get their hands on, including carrots, broccoli, peas, corn, Brussels sprouts, and more. It was probably a decent way to get kids to eat their greens.
Liver and Onions
Once upon a time, dinner meant sizzling up a pan of liver and onions. This iron-packed combo was considered healthy and budget-friendly, even if the smell filled the whole house. Nowadays, it’s more of a punchline than a menu item. Most people under 40 have probably never tried it, and they’re honestly not missing much.
Mincemeat Pie
Mincemeat pie, a peculiar remnant from the culinary past, is a sweet pie filled with a mixture of dried fruits, spices, and minced meat. Though it's rooted in medieval times, mincemeat pie was quite popular in the '70s, especially around holidays. But as times changed, the idea of mixing meat with sweet dried fruits in a pie became less appealing, and its popularity dwindled.
Chicken a la King
Chicken a la King is like a culinary time capsule to the '70s. It's a dish consisting of diced chicken in a cream sauce, often with mushrooms, and served with rice, pasta, or bread. Once a symbol of elegance and fine dining, it's now rarely seen. This decline in popularity might be due to its heavy cream sauce and somewhat mundane flavor profile compared to today's more vibrant, diverse cuisine options. Get the recipe
Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad was often considered a luxury dish reserved for special occasions, as the ingredients were rather exotic and pricey. It's a "salad" typically made with canned fruit, marshmallows, cream (sour or whipped), and coconut. This strange dish has essentially been erased from American cuisine, thank goodness.
Fondue
Fondue is definitely still around, but in the '70s, people were positively obsessed with it. Both cheese and chocolate fondue were all the rage, and people would dunk anything they could get their hands on into the yummy goop. Nowadays, fondue is a rare treat, and most people don't own a fondue pot or plan fondue nights with their neighbors.
Pineapple Meatballs
Frankly, people back then were all about pineapple. It's been available in the US for centuries, but an interest in Hawaiian culture in the mid-20th century made this sweet, acidic fruit wildly popular. Pineapple meatballs were a sweet and savory meal that, honestly, sounds delicious. But they would also often add pineapple to chicken and pork dishes!
Source: Quora.
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