Retro Food Fiascos: A Collection of Curious Concoctions

by Kathy Casey

Banana meatloaf, tuna Jell-O salad, and Spam smoothies—borderline tummy-turners to downright doubtful, RETRO FOOD FIASCOS is a showcase of culinary curiosities from some of America’s favorite magazines, cookbooks, and food companies. In the name of nutrition and creative cooking, the marketing and recipe writers of the 1950s cooked up some very suspicious combinations. Innovations in food processing and new products tempted everyone to play with their food—from the amateur cook to the professional chef. And the results? We’ll let you be the judge. The pages are filled with actual recipes and images of some of the most daring dishes to ever leave the kitchen. So get out your Jell-O mold, canned meat, and best casserole dish—it’s time to get funky and answer the question "What were they thinking?"

Genres: Food, History, Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never created any of the concoctions in this book, though I have eaten two: a Jell-O salad that includes cream cheese and a pretzel crust, and the Velveeta Cheese Fudge. I didn't know about the fudge; I took a bite, and my stepmother-in-law sidled up to me and said, "Guess what you're eating." And I was thinking, "I don't know. Horseshit? Cyanide?" It turns out that the Velveeta gives the fudge a waxy, salty, but not altogether unpleasant taste.

The Pepsi-Cola Cake with Broiled Peanut Butter Frosting appeals to me. Tuna Pizza does not; nor does the Yankee Doodle Pizza Pie, which involves refrigerator biscuits and (ugh) canned pork & beans.

A crown roast made of hot dogs is a fun idea. "We'll eat like them classy folks, even if we ain't got a dime!"

But I absolutely draw the line at a Spam Shake. Here's the recipe, so you can be horrified, too:

1 can Spam
1 tin anchovies
2 12-oz. cans of beer
4 oz. tomato juice
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1/4 cup scallions, chopped
dash of Tabasco
salt and pepper to taste

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve chilled with celery stick.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious!