Carrie12345 Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 I can and will Google, but I’d also like to hear some tried and true with notes. We’re doing a 70s themed party for my mom, who’s turning 70. It’s just a small family deal (14-19, including kids) so we’re cooking ourselves, but I’d like to simplify it as much as possible since my clan is driving all day the day before. I’ll have access to a full kitchen that afternoon, but one I’m not fully accustomed to, and gas vs. my usual electric. I’ll also have access to two kitchenettes the night and morning before. Cake is my sister’s job. I know I’ll make clam oreganata, because that’s a routine dip for us. I’m also hoping I can get one of my sisters to do a jello salad, lol. Otherwise, I’m starting from scratch. Ideas? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 (edited) Canned cheese on crackers (or pimento cheese) CASSEROLES!! The more outlandish, the better. And if you can top with Tater Tots or potato chips it's a win. Deviled ham or salmon mousse needs to be featured Piped cream cheese into celery logs with olives or other toppings cocktail weiners Jello in all forms It sounds like a fun party...but I definitely prefer modern recipes.😄 Edited May 26, 2023 by HomeAgain Edited because I cannot spell first thing in the morning. 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 Seven layer salad- iceberg lettuce, peas, onions, hard boiled eggs, shredded cheese, mayo, and bacon 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachermom2834 Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 My mom used to make a casserole. We called it hamburger casserole but it was ground beef cooked with cream of mushroom soup and then topped with cheddar cheese, peanuts, and chow mein noodles. Whenever I think about it I am all ewww….yuck…maybe I’ll make that for dinner. Lol. My family would revolt if I put that on the table. It probably isn’t a famous recognizable 70s food but it is what I always think of as representative of the time. I actually remember it as being good? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 Tuna noodle casserole. The more gross the better. I think my mom's was noodpes, canned tuna, and cream of mushroom soup over it, and crunched potato chips on top. I think I have mental trauma from some of the stuff we were fed in the 70's. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholastica Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 Fondue. You could do a cheese one as an appetizer. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teaching3bears Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 No wonder I didn’t eat as a child! 2 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 You also must serve Tang. Don't even think about leaving that out. 17 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danae Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 Chipped beef, cream cheese, and pickle appetizers. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 Most of those suggestions I only saw in pictures as a kid in the 70s. never saw it on the table. except or jello (with marshmallows, or dream whip) and tang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knitgrl Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 Carrot cake was invented in the 70s. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 Macaroni and cheese is always a favorite. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 I always think of chicken a la King or seafood newberg as very 70’s dishes, but I could be wrong 🤣 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 If you need something green to go with all the potato chip topped casseroles, I can’t remember what it’s called but there was a salad made of broccoli, mushrooms and red onions marinated in Kraft Italian Dressing. Easy to make, just requires a fridge to marinate overnight. That appeared on our table quite a bit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 1 hour ago, Faith-manor said: Tuna noodle casserole. The more gross the better. I think my mom's was noodpes, canned tuna, and cream of mushroom soup over it, and crunched potato chips on top. I think I have mental trauma from some of the stuff we were fed in the 70's. I have an edible recipe that's really good. Box of chunky pasta (elbows are fine, but penne or corkscrew pasta is better)--cook it for half the time, then drain White sauce, whatever your preferred method Frozen peas Can of petite diced tomatoes, drained Black olives, halved Can of tuna (or two)--also good with canned salmon that's been deboned and crumbled Top with sliced mushrooms and grated parmesan Bake until bubbly The fun part is that the peas migrate to fill in the olive holes, lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 18 minutes ago, kbutton said: I have an edible recipe that's really good. Box of chunky pasta (elbows are fine, but penne or corkscrew pasta is better)--cook it for half the time, then drain White sauce, whatever your preferred method Frozen peas Can of petite diced tomatoes, drained Black olives, halved Can of tuna (or two)--also good with canned salmon that's been deboned and crumbled Top with sliced mushrooms and grated parmesan Bake until bubbly The fun part is that the peas migrate to fill in the olive holes, lol! Peas migrating... 😂😂😂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted May 26, 2023 Share Posted May 26, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vasha Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 Kool aid? Pigs in a blanket or was that a different decade? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 I feel like divinity candy is a food from that era. Also punch that involves floating sherbet. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busymama7 Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 My mom made a casserole that was canned pork and beans (like baked beans) and hot dogs sliced part way but not all the ways through. They sat on top and when baked they kinda curled up. I looked for a picture but can't find it. I do think I saw it in a cookbook at some point but maybe she made it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 31 minutes ago, Forget-Me-Not said: Also punch that involves floating sherbet. I know this one! Orange Blossom Punch. From that severe looking kitchen green general cookbook--Betty Furness maybe? A liter or so of ginger ale, equal pineapple juice, and a brick of orange sherbet, plus a ring of ice (you freeze water overnight in a ring pastry mold so it's just one big ring piece and doesn't melt that fast). Plus some festive marischino cherries floating around if you want to make it prettier. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 There is also a drink involving Tang and powdered iced tea mix. I don't remember all the details but it was classic 70s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
***** Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 Or you could make little appetizer sandwiches with liver sausage or spam?🤢 Pot pies. And if you make a casserole, don't forget the pimentos. It seemed all the casseroles contained pimentos, and I used to wonder, where do those things come from? What are they before they get chopped? Just ewww... And for dessert, don't forget the 7-layer bars: graham cracker crumbs made with and melted butter, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, nuts and topped with sweetened condensed milk. They were gooey delicious, but whoa, so sweet. I wouldn't be able to stomach those anymore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 27 minutes ago, ***** said: Or you could make little appetizer sandwiches with liver sausage or spam?🤢 Pot pies. And if you make a casserole, don't forget the pimentos. It seemed all the casseroles contained pimentos, and I used to wonder, where do those things come from? What are they before they get chopped? Just ewww... And for dessert, don't forget the 7-layer bars: graham cracker crumbs made with and melted butter, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, nuts and topped with sweetened condensed milk. They were gooey delicious, but whoa, so sweet. I wouldn't be able to stomach those anymore! Pimentos are tiny peppers. Nothing ew about the vegetable. (I have never been a fan of them in cheese, however.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VickiMNE Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 The one I most remember having is a Chicken Rice Casserole made with cream of xx soups and Lipton's Onion Mix: this recipe is pretty close. My mom used 1 can cream of mushroom and 1 can cream of celery. Plus, she mixed in 1/2 pkt of soup mix into the rice and sprinkled the other half on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstharr Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 So, are you going to wear a mini-skirt, hot pants, or wide flares? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knitgrl Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 If you have Kool Aid, it needs to be served out of a Tupperware pitcher 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
history-fan Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 (edited) This is the tea recipe that was popular @Carol in Cal. 2 cups sugar 2 cups Tang 1 cup instant tea powder 1 pkg 3oz lemonade 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves Mix together, 3-4 Tablespoons to 1 cup hot or cold water This was a staple for a long time. Edited May 27, 2023 by history-fan 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cintinative Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 This thread is bringing back memories. Chipped beef over toast Pimento cheese balls for company Some sort of casserole involving a cream sauce, egg noodles, and hot dogs. LOL. Oh and so very many jello salads. I love the fondue idea. That would be fun and edible, versus some of the other ideas. 😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 (edited) Jello "salads"; Hamburger Helper; any casseroles that have ground beef, tomato sauce, and egg noodles; tuna casserole with peas and chow mein noodles; chipped beef over toast. @cintinative I see you listed chipped beef above, and that's what reminded me. 🙂 I used to love it as a kid! Edited May 27, 2023 by J-rap 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knitgrl Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 You all are so genteel with your "chipped beef on toast." My dad always called it "sh!t on a shingle." 😆 4 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstharr Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 I liked that Borden canned milk, Philly cream cheese, Graham cracker crust, cheesecake thing. It was one of aunt's specialities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 Spinach salad with warm bacon dressing. I am gagging at the memory. My brother and I used to call it Garbage Salad because the dressing smelled so bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneezyone Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 (edited) If you want one that actually tastes good, the old Betty Crocker cookbook from that era has a recipe for brandy snaps. They are sooooo good! Like these… https://artofnaturalliving.com/brandy-snaps/ I second the fondue idea, also chicken cordon bleu, coq au vin…classic Julia Child stuff. My mom usually entertained with beef Wellington. Edited May 27, 2023 by Sneezyone 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 Are you sure you don't want to do the 50's? The 50's had the best recipes!Liver sausage pineapple 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 You guys are making me really glad I missed the 70's 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 17 hours ago, busymama7 said: My mom made a casserole that was canned pork and beans (like baked beans) and hot dogs sliced part way but not all the ways through. They sat on top and when baked they kinda curled up. I looked for a picture but can't find it. I do think I saw it in a cookbook at some point but maybe she made it up. My mom did that one too. She also sliced hot dogs lengthwise halfway through, stuffed cheese in, wrapped them in bacon and broiled them. IMO, Watergate Salad is a must for any 70's gathering! https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/13811/watergate-salad/ My mom always baked a birthday cake for me that was a white or yellow layer cake. Between the layers she'd put a whipped topping and pineapple frosting and I think there were some mandarin oranges in there somewhere. I'm pretty sure it's this one. https://southernhospitalityblog.com/delicious-orange-pineapple-cake/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knitgrl Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 One phenomena I am totally on board with, that seemed to be a thing in the 70s and no longer is for some bizarre reason, are bar cookies. One pan, two trips to the oven, done. They are a beautiful thing. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 17 minutes ago, Pippen said: My mom did that one too. She also sliced hot dogs lengthwise halfway through, stuffed cheese in, wrapped them in bacon and broiled them. IMO, Watergate Salad is a must for any 70's gathering! https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/13811/watergate-salad/ My mom always baked a birthday cake for me that was a white or yellow layer cake. Between the layers she'd put a whipped topping and pineapple frosting and I think there were some mandarin oranges in there somewhere. I'm pretty sure it's this one. https://southernhospitalityblog.com/delicious-orange-pineapple-cake/ That hot dog recipe was a staple of my childhood! Probably my favorite dinner with a nice side of frozen peas and some of those biscuits you whack on the counter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneezyone Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, rebcoola said: You guys are making me really glad I missed the 70's Both the fashion and the food were atrocious. Edited May 27, 2023 by Sneezyone 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knitgrl Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 2 minutes ago, Sneezyone said: Both the fashion and the food was atrocious. True, but pantsuits paved the way for women to wear pants in public. My father was a high school teacher in the 70s, and he says that around '72, a girl got sent home for wearing a pantsuit instead of a skirt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popmom Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 (edited) Ambrosia. lol I hated that stuff, but one of my grandmothers made it often. And any congealed salad would qualify. Also, they weren't "wide flares" in the 70s. They were "bell bottoms"!! Or maybe that was just in the south! 😜 Edited May 28, 2023 by popmom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saraha Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 How about some Betty Crocker recipes from 1971? Salmon shortcakes anyone? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saraha Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 Or how about these delicious ideas?!? Did people really eat this stuff?!? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 2 hours ago, knitgrl said: True, but pantsuits paved the way for women to wear pants in public. My father was a high school teacher in the 70s, and he says that around '72, a girl got sent home for wearing a pantsuit instead of a skirt. Exactly this! I graduated in 1973. School dress code didn’t allow girls to wear pants until my 9th grade year, and then it was “no jeans”, dress pants only. . My senior year the dress code changed and jeans were allowed. I worked for a Doctor right out of Highschool. I was told by the other staff, my uniform was a dress only. Since I did all the filing and spent a considerable amount of time over filing cabinet drawers… I approached the Dr and asked if I could wear a smock and pants. He said yes..and the other gals thanked me profusely! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 I have a Better Crocker cookbook dated 1969…it was a wedding gift. I quote, “ Canned soups , of course, are a more immediate blessing. You can serve them as is, but by adding in a can of this and a little of that, you may invent your own special soup.” some things I remember making as a newly wed… Tater tot hot dish Watergate salad - pistachio pudding, cool whip, canned pineapple and mini marshmallows The above mentioned chicken and rice casserole was quite popular 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 1 hour ago, popmom said: Ambrosia. lol I hated that stuff, but one of my grandmothers made it often. And any congealed salad would qualify. Also, they weren't "wide flares" in the 70s. They were "bell bottoms"!! Or maybe that was just in the south! 😜 Yes, we wore them in the north, along with a Nehru jacket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozarkskye Posted August 11 Share Posted August 11 I made a beef stir fry in the late 70's that used pimentoes. I forgot how to make it and I cannot find the recipe. Does anyone know the recipe? It might have had worchsstershire sauce but I am unsure. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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