13 Long-Lost Foods from the ’70s That Will Stoke Your Nostalgia

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By Ghuman

Introduction

The 1970s was a time of great change and progress in the culinary world. From the introduction of fast food to the rise of health food, the decade saw a variety of new and exciting foods. But there were also some foods that have since been forgotten. In this article, we’ll take a look at 13 long-lost foods from the ’70s that will stoke your nostalgia. From classic snacks to forgotten desserts, these foods will take you back in time and remind you of the flavors of the past. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore these long-lost foods from the ’70s.

13 Long-Lost Foods from the ’70s That Will Stoke Your Nostalgia

The 1970s were a time of great change and progress, and the food industry was no exception. From the introduction of the microwave oven to the rise of fast food chains, the decade saw a huge shift in the way Americans ate. But while some of the foods that were popular in the ’70s have stood the test of time, others have been lost to the annals of history. Here are 13 long-lost foods from the ’70s that will stoke your nostalgia.

1. Tang

Tang was a powdered orange drink mix that was popular in the ’70s. It was invented by General Foods in 1957 and was marketed as a healthy alternative to sugary sodas. While Tang is still available today, it’s not nearly as popular as it was in the ’70s.

2. Space Food Sticks

Space Food Sticks were a type of candy bar that was popular in the ’70s. They were made of chocolate and filled with a variety of flavors, including peanut butter, caramel, and coconut. They were marketed as a healthy snack for astronauts, but they were also popular with kids on Earth.

3. Pop Rocks

Pop Rocks were a type of candy that was popular in the ’70s. They were made of sugar and carbon dioxide, and when they were eaten, they would crackle and pop in your mouth. They were a huge hit with kids, but they were eventually discontinued due to safety concerns.

4. TV Dinners

TV dinners were a type of frozen meal that was popular in the ’70s. They were pre-packaged meals that could be heated up in the oven or microwave. They were a convenient way to get a hot meal without having to cook, and they were a staple of the ’70s.

5. Jell-O Pudding Pops

Jell-O Pudding Pops were a type of frozen dessert that was popular in the ’70s. They were made of Jell-O pudding and were available in a variety of flavors. They were a hit with kids, but they were eventually discontinued due to health concerns.

6. Fondue

Fondue was a popular dish in the ’70s. It was a type of melted cheese that was served with bread or vegetables for dipping. It was a popular party food, and it was often served with a variety of sauces for added flavor.

7. Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs were a popular appetizer in the ’70s. They were hard-boiled eggs that were cut in half and filled with a mixture of mayonnaise, mustard, and other seasonings. They were a popular party food, and they were often served with a variety of sauces for added flavor.

8. Ambrosia Salad

Ambrosia salad was a popular dessert in the ’70s. It was a mixture of fruit, marshmallows, and coconut that was often served with a sweetened cream or yogurt. It was a popular party food, and it was often served with a variety of sauces for added flavor.

9. Frito Pie

Frito Pie was a popular dish in the ’70s. It was a type of casserole that was made with Fritos, chili, cheese, and other ingredients. It was a popular party food, and it was often served with a variety of sauces for added flavor.

10. Cheese Fondue

Cheese fondue was a popular dish in the ’70s. It was a type of melted cheese that was served with bread or vegetables for dipping. It was a popular party food, and it was often served with a variety of sauces for added flavor.

11. Watergate Salad

Watergate salad was a popular dessert in the ’70s. It was a mixture of pineapple, marshmallows, and whipped cream that was often served with a sweetened cream or yogurt. It was a popular party food, and it was often served with a variety of sauces for added flavor.

12. Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna noodle casserole was a popular dish in the ’70s. It was a type of casserole that was made with tuna, noodles, and a variety of other ingredients. It was a popular party food, and it was often served with a variety of sauces for added flavor.

13. Jell-O Mold

Jell-O mold was a popular dessert in the ’70s. It was a type of gelatin that was often molded into a variety of shapes and served with a variety of sauces for added flavor. It was a popular party food, and it was often served with a variety of sauces for added flavor.

In a yearbook consisting entirely of food, the 1970s would be a colorful entry. It was a decade marked by health consciousness, packaged goods, French cuisine, and global awareness: With a green goddess dressing in one hand and marshmallow-laden Jell-O “salads” in the other, with plates of lo mein and quiche waiting on deck. Step into our time machine and revisit these culinary gems from the ’70s. Plus, don’t miss 15 Old-Fashioned Cooking Tips You Should Never Use, Say Experts.

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beef bourguignon
Shutterstock

Long before we had Meryl and Amy in Julie & Julia, we had the actual Julia Child and her beloved TV show The French Chef. Over the course of its 10 delightful seasons, viewers fell in love with the ebullient host—and with the beefy red wine dish she’s so well known for. Boeuf Bourguignon was the first episode of the first season, suggesting its importance in the culinary canon, and was reprised in an episode in 1971. Get more Vintage Recipes That Still Taste Great.

Get a great recipe for Boeuf Bourguignon from Food.com.

black forest cake
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This German-born dessert is an exercise in seeing how many ways you can infuse one cake with cherry flavor. It’s composed of layers of chocolate cake that have been thoroughly soaked with kirsch (a clear cherry spirit) and topped with maraschino cherries, while some versions even have sour cherries stuffed between the layers. Though it was first invented in 1915, its popularity soared stateside in the 1970s.

Try this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction.

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pineapple cheese hedgehog
Sarah Kirton/ Twitter

Before we even had Pinterest, we had this comically adorable party food, which is exactly what it sounds like: skewers of cheese cubes and cut-up pineapple stuck into a base in order to form an edible hedgehog. Don’t forget the olive eyes.

Try this recipe from BBC Good Food.

cheese straws
Con Poulos/ Eat This, Not That!

Whoever first decided to combine cheese and crackers into one single entity deserves a gold medal. If you were at a party anytime in the 1970s, you were bound to find a bowl of crunchy baked cheese straws to help counter the effects of one too many Harvey Wallbangers.

Get our recipe for the Ultimate Cheese Straws.

fondue
Shutterstock

Cooking your own food right in the middle of the table was all the rage in the ’70s. And while cheese fondue was a big part of it, options extended into cooking beef in a pot of oil, or other ingredients in a pot of broth (what we would now call a hot pot). While these cooking methods are still around today (and existed before the ’70s), you were definitely fielding more invites to fondue parties back then than you are today. Here’s How 40 Famous Dishes Got Their Famous Names.

Here are 10 delicious fondue recipes to try from The Spruce Eats

Watergate salad
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This pistachio-flavored “salad” is a shining example of how to turn a political scandal into a delicious dessert—”salad” is a loose term here, because the ingredients are pudding, canned pineapple, whipped cream, pecans, and marshmallows. Like so many other ’70s creations, this one relied on instant pudding. Kraft Foods had just released pistachio-flavored instant pudding, using it in a recipe they called Pistachio Pineapple Delight before the creation got co-opted by a more culturally relevant name.

Get a recipe for a Watergate Salad from Mommy on Timeout.

country captain chicken
Shutterstock

Many home cooks had their noses buried in the 1975 edition of Irma S. Rombauer’s Joy of Cooking, one of the most famous and enduring cookbooks in the country. And while the cookbook contains scores of chicken recipes and Country Captain itself dates way back, it was a dish often served at dinner parties. With good reason, too—the curried chicken with green peppers, currants, and many other flavors is one you definitely need to try.

Try this recipe from Saveur

RELATED:  Best Healthy Chicken Recipes.

crepes suzette
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The French gave us a hand with many culinary delights of the 20th century, but few are as cherished (and pyrotechnical) as Crêpes Suzette. Not only is the orange-flavored dessert full of delicious things like butter, orange juice, and Grand Marnier, but it’s not complete without the impressive tableside flambé. Make the perfect crepe with our guide.

Try this recipe from Mon Petit Four.

wacky cake
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This cake got its name from the “wacky” method of pouring wet ingredients into small wells in the dry ingredients, then mixing everything together right in the cake pan. It’s reminiscent of Depression-era and wartime cake recipes that make it work without expensive (or scarce) ingredients like eggs and butter, but this iteration calls for vinegar. That key ingredient reacts with the baking powder to help the cake rise.

Try this recipe from Brown Eyed Baker.

RELATED: Depression-Era Foods You Won’t Believe Are Making a Comeback.

hamburger helper
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Home cooks around the country will forever be grateful for the day that Hamburger Helper hit the scene in 1971. It came with pasta and seasoning packets, so all you had to do was combine the separate pieces with water and ground beef to make a complete (and fast) meal. Check out 30 Comfort Foods From Your Childhood Everyone Loves.

gelatin salad
Shutterstock

The marketing team behind Jell-O was hard at work getting people to consume their product, and it shows—flavors include raspberry vanilla, 7-Up lime, and spiced cranberry. While we wouldn’t necessarily put these recipes hand in hand with a kale salad, they were definitely crowd-pleasers.

Try this recipe from Something Swanky.

keto pincho ranch cheese balls
Carlene Thomas/Eat This, Not That!

If you’re lucky enough to go to a party today where a cheese ball is present, you know just how fun it is to be faced with a massive amount of cheese rolled up and coated in nuts and herbs. It was a crucial staple to any party in the 1970s.

Get our recipe for the perfect cheese balls.

poke cake recipe
Courtesy Lil’ Luna

In a case of advertising schemes gone right, Jell-O created this striated treat to boost sales of its product. It’s a miracle of multiple boxed products uniting as one: You prepare white cake mix, poke holes in the finished cake, then pour in a Jell-O mix and refrigerate until it’s set up. Capitalism at its finest (and most delicious).

Get this recipe from Lil’ Luna.

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