35 Baffling Vintage Recipes From Old Cookbooks That Shouldn’t Have Been Published
There was a time when serving a molded gelatin salad with suspended vegetables and mayonnaise was considered peak entertaining.
Your grandmother probably had a recipe for “aspic” or “savory mousse” that involved unflavored gelatin, canned goods, and ingredients that had no business being combined. These weren’t mistakes. These were intentional, published recipes that people made for parties and served to guests with pride.
Vintage cookbooks are a goldmine of culinary crimes. The 1950s through the 1970s were wild times for food, and we have the evidence to prove it. These are real recipes from real cookbooks that made real people say, “Yes, this is what we’re serving at the dinner party.” Sometimes looking back is horrifying, and that’s okay.
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1. Hollandaise Sauce On Asparagus, Raisin Brandy Sauce On Ham From “Sanyo Microwave Cooking”, 1985
2. Spicy Shrimp Luncheon Mold And Quick-Bread Cheese Loaf From “Hunt’s Complete Tomato Sauce Cookbook”, 1976
3. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966
4. Chicken Loaves: Hot With Curry Sauce, Cold And Jellied From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966
5. Tuna And Salmon Mold From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 10”, 1966
6. Main Dish Noodle Pudding From “Southern Living – The Meats Cookbook”, 1975
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8. “Choo Choo” Birthday Train From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966
9. A Whale Of A Melon From “How To Garnish”, 1994
10. Strawberry Cream Puff Cake From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 11”, 1972
11. Gift-Wrapped Cake From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966
12. Veal-Roast Confetti, Duchess Brioche From “Good Housekeeping’s Suppertime Cookbook”, 1967
13. Chicken Breasts Supreme From “Better Homes And Gardens Meat Cook Book”, 1970
14. Onion Tart From “My Way To A Man’s Heart”, 1973
15. Hoosier Peanut Bars From “Pillsbury’s Best Butter Cookie Cookbook”, 1960
16. Oven-Barbecued Ribs From “Better Homes And Gardens Make-Ahead Cook Book”, 1971
17. Swedish Meatballs And Brown Beans From “Better Homes And Gardens Meals With A Foreign Flair”, 1963
18. Chocolate Sodas From “Betty Crocker’s Family Dinners In A Hurry”, 1970
19. Vermont Turkey Festooned With Sausages From “Ladies’ Home Journal Cookbook”, 1960
20. Sunday Supper Ring From “Southern Living Cookbook Library – The Low Cost Cookbook”, 1972
21. Prune-Pineapple Dessert, California Prunes In Claret, And Prune Whip From “Women’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cooking Vol. 9”, 1966
22. Mocha Cheesecake Saronno From “Cook With Love”, 1979
23. Fudgy Caramel Apples From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966
24. Ham-Asparagus Shortcake, Baked Chicken Puff, Party-Going Pork Chops From “Cooking With Condensed Soups”, 1950s
25. Deep-Dish Cherry Pie With Shortcake Crust From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966
26. Upside-Down Ham-Yam Loaf From “Southern Living Cookbook Library – The Low Cost Cookbook”, 1972
27. Ginger Pear Pie From “American Woman All-Time Favorites Cookbook”, 1978
28. Crummy From “Tasty Treasures”, 1972
29. Bittersweet Chocolate Frosting For A White Layer Cake From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966
30. Eggplant Parmigiana From “Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking, Vol. 3”, 1972
31. Flower Tarts From “Good Housekeeping’s Ten P.m. Cook Book”, 1958
32. Peppermint Wafers From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966
33. Cherry Tarts From “Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Vol. 3”, 1966
34. Ice Cream Squares From From “Betty Crocker’s Cake And Frosting Mix Cookbook”, 1966
35. Irish Stew From “Sanyo Microwave Cooking”, 1985
