The Magic of the Mid-Century Menu
When cooking was king, the dinner table rivalled social media. Sure, you'll want to snicker at the mere mention of gelatin molds, but remember, these take a heaping portion of nostalgia and comfort that fusion food will never be able to beat. With that in mind, here are 20 hearty, kitschy, and down-home meals of the Boomer generation.
1. Classic Beef Stroganoff
Homestyle Sour Cream Beef and Mushrooms was the peak of fancy dinners that you could make on a weeknight. Tender strips of beef and mushrooms covered in a creamy sour sauce = restaurant quality food in your wood-panneled dining room. Serve this over buttered egg noodles for the coziest hug!
2. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
This dessert impressed me because when you turn the pan upside down onto your serving plate it was a piece of edible art. The brown sugar glaze seeped into the rings of fruit creating a caramelization you don't find in today's cakes. Can't beat that big cherry in the center of every slice.
Oscar Ivan Esquivel Arteaga on Unsplash
3. Savory Meatloaf
There is nothing quite like your mom's homemade meatloaf smothered with a hearty, sweet layer of tomato glaze or ketchup. It was the safe and sturdy center of our meal that filled our stomachs and our wallets. Not one bit of the down-home flavor you were yearning for was missing. When made properly, the leftovers are the greatest cold sandwich the following day.
4. Shrimp Cocktail
If there was one thing that meant dinner was about to get classy, it was a cold bowl of jumbo shrimp and an overly-spicy sauce made with horseradish. This appetizer is all about using fresh shrimp and nailing that dip recipe. Trust us, it’s still the best way to start off a summer soirée decades later.
5. Chicken Divan
One pan? Check. Cream sauce? Check. Chicken and broccoli smothered in melted cheese? Double check. Chicken Divan was a quintessential dish of the times and for good reason. There was no way you weren’t eating all of your broccoli with this on your dinner table. Feel free to kick it up with some herbs, but this recipe is solid as is.
tengrrl from Blacksburg, VA, United States on Wikimedia
6. Ambrosia Salad
It's not really a salad, but this combo of marshmallows, coconut, and mandarin oranges was likely the shining star at every feast. Every bite popped with fruity freshness that served as a nice break from all the savory dishes. Plus, it didn't look like much, but this stuff was fluffy!
7. Salisbury Steak
It wasn't your average hamburger bun-dling, thanks to a savory seasoned beef patty topped with a rich onion gravy. Whether it was your mom's homemade version or one you heated up from your school cafeteria, this old-school dinner takes you back. Don't forget to sop up all of that extra gravy with your mashed potatoes!
8. Tunnel of Fudge Cake
Name one other Bundt cake that had a magical, molten chocolate center oozing out from the middle when sliced? Didn't think so. This retro classic was pure chocolate bliss and required the brand specific boxed cake mix to achieve that trademark "tunnel."
9. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Green bell peppers were the edible vessels you filled up with seasoned ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce. They were self-contained meals that you could prep ahead of time and pop in the oven. Plus, they looked pretty darn festive on your dinner plate.
10. Baked Alaska
Watching ice cream survive an oven under a toasted meringue shell was kind of like magic. It was the ultimate showstopper and guaranteed to impress your guests if you dared to serve it at your gathering. Bring this towering dessert back for your next over-the-top occasion.
11. Swedish Meatballs
Little spiced bites of heaven served with a creamy white sauce were definitely the kings of cocktail parties. Didn't you spend countless hours picking them up with plastic forks while gossiping with neighbors in somebody's packed living room?
12. Waldorf Salad
Celery, apples, and walnuts tossed in light mayo dressing taste way fancier than they should. The Waldorf salad was born in a fancy hotel but ended up in home cooks' kitchens everywhere who wanted to dress up their luncheon tables. Bonus: you get that nice crispy crunch with a sweetness that compliments savory dishes so well.
13. Tuna Noodle Casserole
Canned tuna, frozen peas, and cheese sauce mixed together and topped with crunchy crushed potato chips is the ultimate no-effort meal. Come dinner-time and an empty fridge, you could throw together this nostalgic dish in no time.
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14. Fondue Parties
Nothing says '70s like slowly dipping bits of bread (or fruit) into melted cheese (or chocolate). Fondue forced you to take your time while eating and focus on the conversation at hand. Bonus: get your guests talking and munching at your next game night by digging out that fondue pot.
15. Glazed Ham with Cloves
No holiday was complete without a huge ham festooned with pineapple rings and Maraschino cherries sitting on the dinner table. The smell of those cloves pounded into the ham as it cooked would permeate your whole home. Bonus: just looking at a picture of one of these beauties takes you back.
16. Deviled Eggs
A picnic or potluck just wasn’t complete without a plate of these protein bombs sprinkled generously with paprika. They’re insanely convenient finger food since you can eat them one-handed while mingling with guests and they’re bursting with flavor in every bite. Sprinkle them with bacon or jalapeños for some new twists.
17. Chicken Cordon Bleu
Stuffing ham and Swiss cheese inside of a breaded chicken breast was serious haute cuisine to a lot of chefs. Slicing into the middle to reveal the molten cheese flood was always the highlight. They require some work, but wow your guests by showing them you went all out in the kitchen.
18. Sloppy Joes
Sweet, sloppy, and fun to eat. These adorable loose meat sandwiches were a favorite amongst children and grown-ups too. You simply heap that tangy beef mixture on a hamburger bun and resign yourself to the fact you’ll need about five napkins to get through dinner. Let loose and enjoy a playful meal that doesn’t have to be stressful.
19. Gelatin Molds with Fruit
Strange as they may appear now, gelatin molds were where it was at back in the day and allowed you to be as creative as you wanted. Literally anything could be suspended inside of a tower of sparkling green or strawberry gelatin. Chill your guests’ eaters with these fruit-filled desserts that will be the talk of your table.
20. Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
Nothing else comes close when it comes to comfort food on a rainy day. Tomato soup and grilled cheese is perhaps the most famous pair of foods known to man. Dip that buttery toast into the soup and revel in a crunchy exterior melding with tomato bliss. Keep this timeless tradition alive.
