I am going to a "Party like it's 1955'. I am looking for suggestions on a dish to bring. No jello salad or tuna noodle casserole.

mainesoul
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12 Comments

WileyP June 22, 2015
Martinis and Manhattans...by the pitcher. And I'll need an invitation! ;-]
 
Sam1148 June 21, 2015
Well.. These are getting harder to find.

http://www.retroplanet.com/PROD/26066?gclid=CM-u5_OVoMYCFc0lgQod_5oHtQ

Ceramic TV dinner trays.
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=webhp&source=hp&q=ceramic+tv+dinner+trays&oq=ceramic+tv+dinner+trays&gs_l=hp.3..0.2229.9428.0.9599.38.20.8.9.9.0.123.1469.19j1.20.0....0...1c.1.64.hp..7.31.1224.0.akvkVAYtU-s

I have 4 of those for small parties.
I usually plate a meatloaf and mashed potatoes in the main section. Buttered peas in one top section..and corn off the cob fried in the other..and a brownie for the desert section.

But this is more for movie night with Sci Fi movies and popcorn.

 
Sam1148 June 21, 2015
Meatloaf.
Rice Crispy Treats
Fried Chicken
Pork Chops and Apple Sauce
-----

1955 Was also a start of American fascination with TIKI. (Although that really starts full steam 1959).

But 1955 was also the time Chinese Food was exotic and becoming popular in middle America and accessible.

So soy glazed ribs, egg rolls, crab ragoon, Asain Chicken Wings. And Polynesian Food "TIKI PARTY"


1955 was also the start of American Tiki culture .WIth Hawaii becoming a Thing.
(Tho...Hawaii and Alaksa didn't get State Hood until 1959---a baked Alaska could be an Assembly on site thing).

Also...although it doesn't scream 1955. Pizza and Italian Food. (thus the pasta dishes).
It was just a few years after WWII and servicemen were introduced to Italian Food in the war, yeah...NYC..etc..had Pizza..etc. But middle America didn't catch fire for Italian and Pizza until Dean Martin and Sinatra sang the praises of Italian Food. But no one really associates Pizza with 50's as being a decade type food---so that's a hard sell.


 
Nancy June 20, 2015
from dinner parties or restaurant meals: duck a l'orange, foie gras, standing rib roast, salmon in pastry crust, poached artichokes with melted butter dipping sauce
from cocktail parties: bacon wrapped water chestnuts, liver pate, pig in a blanket, including this recent revival
http://www.wsj.com/articles/two-recipes-for-pigs-in-a-blanketone-easy-one-elevated-1434573080
cocktails - gimlet, side car, brandy alexander, singapore sling, sloe gin fizz, tiki bars and mai tai drinks, manhattans
fast food - burger & fries drive-in restaurants, end of the soda shop
desserts as PieceofLayerCake reminds us
 
Pegeen June 20, 2015
How complicated do you want to get? Is this party all appetizers or do you need to bring an entree?
 
pierino June 20, 2015
Beef Wellington (bouef en croute),
 
inpatskitchen June 20, 2015
Pigs in a blanket, Swedish meatballs, Blue cheese and cream cheese stuffed celery sticks, cottage cheese topped with fruit cocktail or canned peaches, the infamous Thanksgiving green bean casserole....or for that matter, any casserole that has canned soup in it (maybe you can work your way around the canned soup)
 
PieceOfLayerCake June 20, 2015
On the dessert front: pineapple upside down cake (all retro with the maraschino cherries), grasshopper pie, lemon chiffon cake or pie, old fashioned layer cakes (carrot, coconut, hummingbird, Lady Baltimore etc.), banana pudding, "Coca cola cake", tomato soup cake (quite delicious actually), brightly colored layered desserts like trifle and puddings with super retro garnishes, baked Alaska, Russian tea balls, zabaglione in retro glasses with fruit.

For a couple savories: meatloaf, cheese ball and crackers, salisbury steak.

I love this idea, keep us updated!
 
sexyLAMBCHOPx June 20, 2015
I love post like this. It gives me an excuse to visit this site that tells you what was in during a specific year. http://www.foodtimeline.org/fooddecades.html#1950s
 
sexyLAMBCHOPx June 20, 2015
I love post like this. It gives me an excuse to visit this site that tells you what was in during a specific year. http://www.foodtimeline.org/fooddecades.html#1950s
 
jilhil June 20, 2015
Deviled eggs?
 
Susan W. June 20, 2015
How about a macaroni salad? I grew up on the beach in San Diego and growing up, my mom always made this for beach BBQs. It was more in the sixties, but I'm sure it was around in the fifties. I just made it recently. So good. Elbow macaroni, mayo, green onions, pimentos, sliced black olives, salt and pepper. Here's a photo.
 
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