Food is a time machine that will transport you back to your childhood. For Generation X, who grew up during the 1970s-90s, food became a convenience with a mix of traditional home-cooked meals. Have you ever missed that familiar casserole that your mom used to make? Today, we’re taking you down memory lane to the 10 most nostalgic meals you probably miss.
10. Swanson TV Dinners
Starting with the iconic Swanson TV Dinner, which are those aluminum trays filled with home-cooked-like meals. Remember when you used to choose between turkey and stuffing or fried chicken and mashed potatoes? It captured the spirit of the time when families enjoyed a hot meal while gathered around the television.
9. Tang Orange Drink
Speaking of convenience, there was Tang, who emerged in the age of the Space Race. This powdered orange drink mix became a breakfast staple of many Gen X kids who drank it because astronauts did. It’s not actually as healthy as your freshly squeezed orange juice, but it’s nice to look back over your space obsession back then.
8. Watergate Salad
Who remembers this sweet dessert served at potlucks? The Watergate Salad is a mix of pistachio pudding, canned pineapple, marshmallows, and whipped topping. They’re typically served during the holiday season with the entire family from the 70s to the 80s. It was a time when desserts used to be colorful and artificial!
7. Tuna Noodle Casserole
Tuna noodle casserole may be a food that you still taste deep in your taste buds. They used to be served in family dinners, made with a can of cream of mushroom soup. It was budget-friendly and easy to make, as it fills everyone up. Other ingredients include a combination of egg noodles, tuna, and creamy sauce. They’re also topped with crushed potato chips for a crunchy finish.
6. Liver and Onions
You either love or hate liver and onions. For some, it’s a weekly dinner they dread, but for others, it’s a comforting meal. Well, liver and onions used to be a common dish in many households during the 70s and the 80s. You may remember it for its strong flavor and aroma.
5. Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes were one messy but kid-friendly meal that became a hit among Gen X. They feature a sweet ground beef mix that can be eaten on a hamburger bun. The canned variations are a popular grocery item, but some families opt to make them on their own. It’s an affordable weeknight dinner that you probably haven’t eaten in ages.
4. Jell-O Salads
Another popular dessert creation is Jell-O salads. They were these colorful and jiggly gelatin that can be a sweet dessert or a savory one. By savory, we meant those recipes with veggies inside. Well, it was a time when cooks were a little experimental. But still, they were the stars of holiday potlucks because of their colorful look.
3. Fondue
Fondue is a communal pot filled with melted cheese or chocolate. Remember when everyone used to dip bread, meat, or fruit in it during dinner parties from the 70s? Yup, people used to surround the fondue to talk with one another while awaiting the main course for dinner.
2. Chicken Kiev
In a generation of casseroles and convenience foods, Chicken Kiev stood out as the fancy one. It’s a dish made of breaded chicken breast that’s stuffed with herbed butter. It was the definition of 70s and 80s fine dining that home cooks used to attempt. However, they’re only a special occasion meal.
1. Ambrosia
Who here remembers the Ambrosia? It’s the fruit salad of many Gen X. It features a creamy concoction of canned fruit, marshmallows, and whipped cream that’s served in potlucks or holiday gatherings. Yup, they’ll choose between the Watergate Salad or this sweet treat.