Retro Jell-O recipes (and other Mid Century Mod Foods) (ingredients, freezing, hungarian)

[momtothree]

I don't know if this was posted but I thought of this thread title when I came across this:

Shrimp Mold Recipe - Allrecipes.com

I was looking up shrimp recipes and saw this. On heck no.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Nanny Goat

When I grew up, someone was always making these Jello mold desserts/side dishes. They had added sour cream, I think, fruit and other stuff in them. They were soooo good. Good memories. I have none of these recipes--and my husband would put up his nose...

Actually in our church when we have any type of pot luck (which is rare) or small gatherings that are pot lucks, (more common) we still have jello salads show up. I guess when you consider we are on the fringe of Kansas/Mo line and some think of us as more mid west than south, plus a lot of our church members will soon be seeing God on a regular basis it makes sense we would have jello salad from time to time.

[Kaphawoman]

Originally Posted by momtothree

I don't know if this was posted but I thought of this thread title when I came across this:

Shrimp Mold Recipe - Allrecipes.com

I was looking up shrimp recipes and saw this. On heck no.

Am I weird for thinking this looks good? Shrimp is one of my favorite foods on the planet and this looks like a tasty shrimp pate. I was expecting it to look like shrimp pieces floating in a translucent mold, but it doesn't even look like it has gelatin in it. You could achieve this shape if you refrigerated it long enough.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by Kaphawoman

Am I weird for thinking this looks good? Shrimp is one of my favorite foods on the planet and this looks like a tasty shrimp pate. I was expecting it to look like shrimp pieces floating in a translucent mold, but it doesn't even look like it has gelatin in it. You could achieve this shape if you refrigerated it long enough.

Yes, you are. It looks like Thousand Island dressing.

[luv my dayton]

Years ago jello salads were often part of a meal. Had company one night and at end of meal the salad still there. I asked him if he didn't like it and he told me in Ireland it is considered a dessert. We had a laugh over that. A few years back was in New York state and was doing some day trips seeing many nice places. Went through a small town called Leroy and there was a Jello museum so we went in. One of the cutest places ever and took video. Was surprised with what they had and the history.

[Debsi]

Originally Posted by momtothree

I don't know if this was posted but I thought of this thread title when I came across this:

Shrimp Mold Recipe - Allrecipes.com

I was looking up shrimp recipes and saw this. On heck no.

An older lady at work about 10 years ago brought this in... also a green celery-flavored version.

I couldn't bring myself to try them..

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by nmnita

Actually in our church when we have any type of pot luck (which is rare) or small gatherings that are pot lucks, (more common) we still have jello salads show up. I guess when you consider we are on the fringe of Kansas/Mo line and some think of us as more mid west than south, plus a lot of our church members will soon be seeing God on a regular basis it makes sense we would have jello salad from time to time.

That's funny!

It isn't just the south. Here in Ohio, and back east, there was always at least one Jello mold at every function.

It's easy to take, and refreshing. I don't see many people avoiding the jello when it turns up at church.

The ones involving fish, shrimp, meat or savory vegetables are seldom made any longer. But the ones with fruit are not horrible.

I don't see 20 or 30 somethings saying "ewww" when they see jello shots...

[luv my dayton]

Originally Posted by TabulaRasa

Jell-O cake is still a staple a Lutheran church potlucks in the summer. It's good!

Pretty, too...

Picture of your cake is what I make and use different flavors. My family doesnt like icing on cake but do like whipped cream. My grandmother got me started on this recipe and so easy.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by Kaphawoman

Am I weird for thinking this looks good? Shrimp is one of my favorite foods on the planet and this looks like a tasty shrimp pate. I was expecting it to look like shrimp pieces floating in a translucent mold, but it doesn't even look like it has gelatin in it. You could achieve this shape if you refrigerated it long enough.

It looks good to me, too. And salmon mousse ... A really good salmon mousse, made with unflavored gelatin, is one of the yummiest things ever made.

Originally Posted by luv my dayton

A few years back was in New York state and was doing some day trips seeing many nice places. Went through a small town called Leroy and there was a Jello museum so we went in. One of the cutest places ever and took video. Was surprised with what they had and the history.

LeRoy, N.Y., is where Jell-O originated.

Originally Posted by sheena12

I don't see 20 or 30 somethings saying "ewww" when they see jello shots...

Good point! LOL

[sheena12]

I was born in the late 50s, and my first memories were Mid Century Modern. My dad's "57 Chevy convertible, lots of very sleek, teak Danish Modern furniture, men who wore thin ties and always had a hanky tucked in their pocket, women with slightly bouffant hairstyles, shirt waist dresses (think Donna Reed) or Capri slacks with ballet flats. (Laura Petrie)

Good times. Optimism, And innocence.

We ate differently then. Adults drank more, and after the rationing and restrictions of WWII, many cooks had money to spend and were more than willing to experiment with colorful casseroles and bright gelatin molds. Baking was easier than ever for the mid-mod cook - as was cooking in general. For better or for worse, we ate many prepared foods. And used them in cooking.

I STILL crave the foods of the 50, 60s and 70s. There were some that I really never stopped eating. Some I have tweaked for post modern tastes and sensibilities and others I have just left alone.

We have had a few Mid-Mod parties where people dress, the part, we play music of the era, and we eat and drink like it's 1959! They have been very well received.

How to Throw a Mid-Mod Dinner Party - the arugula files - For some ideas.

So, I will go first - My very favorite Mid Century Modern Foods - and in some ways - how I have revamped them.

1. Lime Jello Mold at Easter - I stopped making it for a while because I thought it was out of style - and Jello (it's contents) didn't jive with what I eat today. However, Gelatin molds can be fanciful, refreshing and fun! I also love my Aunt's Cranberry Jello Mold.

2. Salmon Loaf - no changes needed.

3. Holiday Green Bean Casserole with French fried onion rings. OK. I grew up on this. So did my husband and kids. I have an updated recipe that is suitable for vegans and a bit more fat and calorie conscious.
BUT - I have an ever richer version than the original - I use cream instead of milk.

3. Tater Tot Casserole.

4. Swedish Meatballs.

5. Sweet and Sour meat balls.

6. Pineapple upside down cake.

7. Tuna noodle casserole.

8. Chicken and rice casserole. (wild rice and sour cream make it best.

9. Meat loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy.

10. Bisquick "Impossible" Coconut cream pie.

These are MY MCM memories - I have recipes for "updated versions"

Please share yours! Now I am going to indulge in potato chips and French onion dip.