That 70s food

November 13, 2016 by
 |  6 Comments  |  Leave Comment

 That 70s food

As food trends change through the ages, people often look back to previous eras and revive the popular food and drink from that time. The craft cocktail movement is one example, hearkening back to the golden age of cocktails in the early 20th century, and even reviving 19th century favorites. Anna Pallai is taking a look at a different age, that of the 1970s dinner party. 

After viewing the slideshow that accompanies Pallai’s article, it becomes clear that while vintage cocktails enjoy a large following, it is unlikely that many people will rush toward the foods described in the article and in Pallai’s book, 70s Dinner Party. Dishes like Ham and Banana Hollandaise were making the rounds, a trend Pallai tries to explain: “It was a time of meals that didn’t just taste out of this world, they looked out of this world, too.”

I suppose we can give them credit for inventiveness. In our age of molecular gastronomy, maybe we shouldn’t judge too harshly. Looking at dishes like Ham and Banana Hollandaise or Fish Sticks and Pineapple makes one wonder if these dishes were really popular during their day, however, and it also leads to speculation about what current trends will be looked at in amazement by future generations. 

Photo of unnamed dish from The Gold Star Cookbook, a publication from an industry certification group for “Gold Star” ranges

Category: Antipasto

Post a comment

6 Comments

  • Rinshin  on  November 13, 2016

    I started cooking in late 60's and I've never heard of such a thing like banana hollandaise. OTOH, I still have many favs from that time period and I've started making charred eggplant dips of various kinds in early 70's and now they are very popular dips in some of the restaurants near me. The casseroles were bit boring though but I really did not make them too many times.

  • wester  on  November 14, 2016

    I thought the cauliflower surprise was really funny. Just think that someone said: Hey, let's stick some hamburgers in a cauliflower, and everybody else said: Oh wow, you're so creative!

  • annmartina  on  November 14, 2016

    There's a site that features the unappetizing recipes and their illustrations from this era: Lilek's Gallery of Regrettable Food. It's a rabbit hole that will have you laughing until you cry http://www.lileks.com/institute/gallery/

  • Nancith  on  November 14, 2016

    I certainly remember the Perfection Salad, & other molded gelatin salads. (At the time, I thought they were pretty tasty). You have to wonder if anyone ever served those other dishes!

  • Rinshin  on  November 14, 2016

    I had to look up perfection salad – never heard of it either. I wonder if some of these were more regional thing. The big thing around here in the 70's were fondue (lots of restaurants), beef wellington, cioppinos, salmon coulibiac, taco salads, and crepes.

  • susan g  on  November 15, 2016

    The 70's for me were Julia Child and (on the other hand!) natural foods and baking bread.

Seen anything interesting? Let us know & we'll share it!

Categories

Archives