In the 1970s, dinner recipes often took a turn for the strange and experimental, thanks to the popularity of new cooking gadgets and the availability of various ingredients. Here are 15 truly strange dinner recipes from the era that you can attempt to recreate today. Prepare to be amazed (and possibly confused) by these culinary oddities.
1. Tuna Jell-O Pie
Ingredients:
- Canned tuna
- lemon-flavored Jell-O
- mayonnaise
- chopped onion
- chopped celery
- Saltines
Instructions:
- Dissolve Jell-O in hot water and mix with mayonnaise until smooth.
- Stir in tuna, onion, and celery before pouring into a pie crust made of crushed saltines.
- Chill until set and slice.
2. Spaghetti-O Jello Mold
Ingredients:
- Canned Spaghetti-Os
- tomato soup
- unflavored gelatin
- Worcestershire sauce
- Tabasco sauce
Instructions:
- Mix tomato soup with gelatin, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco.
- Stir in Spaghetti-Os, pour into a mold, and refrigerate until firm.
- Unmold and serve chilled.
3. Peanut Butter and Mayonnaise Sandwich Loaf
Ingredients:
- White bread
- peanut butter
- Mayonnaise
- lettuce.
Instructions:
- Create sandwiches with peanut butter, mayonnaise, and lettuce on white bread.
- Stack the sandwiches into a loaf shape, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.
- Slice and serve.
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4. Bologna Cake
Ingredients:
- Bologna cream cheese
- cheddar cheese
- Worcestershire sauce
- mustard
Instructions:
- Stack layers of bologna with a mixture of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard in between.
- Chill, then slice and serve as a cold appetizer.
5. Tangy Tomato Aspic
Ingredients:
- Tomato juice
- unflavored gelatin
- Worcestershire sauce
- lemon juice
- Sugar
- Tabasco sauce
Instructions:
- Mix tomato juice with gelatin, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, sugar, and Tabasco sauce.
- Pour into a mold and refrigerate until firm.
- Unmold and serve as a cold appetizer or side dish.
6. Prune Whip with Cheese Sauce
Ingredients:
- Cooked prunes
- egg whites
- Sugar
- cheddar cheese
- Milk
- dry mustard
Instructions:
- Whip cooked prunes, egg whites, and sugar into a fluffy meringue.
- Serve topped with a cheese sauce made by melting cheddar cheese, milk, and dry mustard together.
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7. Ham and Bananas Hollandaise
Ingredients:
- Sliced ham
- Bananas
- lemon juice
- prepared hollandaise sauce
- mustard
Instructions:
- Roll ham slices around whole bananas brushed with lemon juice.
- Bake in a greased dish, then top with hollandaise sauce mixed with mustard and broil until bubbly.
8. Liver Pate en Masque
Ingredients:
- Cooked liver
- cream cheese
- pickle relish
- Mayonnaise
- gelatin
Instructions:
- Combine cooked liver, cream cheese, pickle relish, and mayonnaise.
- Stir in dissolved gelatin and refrigerate until set.
- Serve chilled, sliced with crackers.
9. Pineapple and Cheddar Salad
Ingredients:
- Crushed pineapple
- lemon Jell-O
- grated cheddar cheese
- whipped cream
Instructions:
- Mix crushed pineapple with lemon Jell-O and grated cheddar cheese.
- Fold in whipped cream and refrigerate until firm.
- Serve chilled as a dessert or side dish.
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10. Creamed Corn and Hot Dog Casserole
Ingredients:
- Creamed corn
- sliced hot dogs
- Onions
- bell peppers
- Ritz crackers
Instructions:
- Mix creamed corn, sliced hot dogs, onions, and bell peppers in a casserole dish.
- Top with crushed Ritz crackers and bake until bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve warm as a main dish.
11. Pickle and Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Ingredients:
- Dill pickles
- peanut butter
- white bread
- mayonnaise
Instructions:
- Spread peanut butter and mayonnaise on white bread slices, then layer with dill pickle slices.
- Assemble the sandwiches, cut into triangles, and serve as an appetizer or light snack.
12. Tuna and Potato Chip Casserole
Ingredients:
- Canned tuna
- cream of mushroom soup
- Milk
- crushed potato chips
- peas
Instructions:
- Combine canned tuna, cream of mushroom soup, milk, and peas in a casserole dish.
- Top with crushed potato chips and bake until bubbly and golden.
- Serve warm as a main dish.
13. Marshmallow Meatballs
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- chopped onions
- crushed pineapple
- Breadcrumbs
- Marshmallows
- barbecue sauce
Instructions:
- Mix ground beef, chopped onions, crushed pineapple, and breadcrumbs.
- Form into meatballs, stuff each with a marshmallow, and bake.
- Serve with barbecue sauce for dipping.
14. Jellied Veal Loaf
Ingredients:
- Cooked and ground veal
- unflavored gelatin
- chicken broth
- chopped vegetables
- vinegar
Instructions:
- Mix cooked and ground veal with dissolved gelatin, chicken broth, chopped vegetables, and vinegar.
- Pour into a loaf pan and refrigerate until firm.
- Slice and serve cold as an appetizer or main dish.
15. Frosted Ribbon Loaf
Ingredients:
- Alternating layers of mashed potatoes
- minced ham
- Peas
- all held together with cream cheese frosting
Instructions:
- Spread mashed potatoes in a loaf pan, followed by a layer of minced ham and a layer of peas.
- Repeat layers until the pan is full.
- Frost the loaf with cream cheese frosting and refrigerate until set.
- Slice and serve cold.
Final Thoughts
These 15 truly strange dinner recipes from the 1970s may leave you scratching your head or perhaps inspired to host a retro dinner party. While some recipes may have been tasty and inventive, others were simply bizarre. As you venture into the world of vintage recipes, don’t forget to appreciate the culinary creativity and ingenuity that fueled these quirky dishes.
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