Yummy is a new song and video in which the shape-shifting Justin Bieber is seen cavorting with various 50s-inspired dishes and Jello molds. And my Yelp friend Eric T has alerted me to a Buzzfeed compendium called “21 Truly Upsetting Vintage Recipes” which features such gems as Ham and Bananas Hollandaise, recipe here. Where are these creepy foods coming from?
It seems the 50s are back, with Tuna and Jello Pie taking its place alongside such icons/memes as the iron lung and Our Friend The Atom. But why? To the observer, it seems like many of these dishes represented a conspiracy among home economists and food stylists to foist bizarre foods onto the American household which even the most ambitious homemaker would never come up with on her own. Often they featured sponsoring products, like Hellman’s Mayonnaise or Jello, and not a few highlight variety meats that were very cheap at the time. Some of us have spent a lifetime putting those memories behind us and it’s upsetting to see a new generation bringing them back, ironically or not.
But wait. What if some of these dishes are actually good? A visitor to the Highland Park Cafeteria will be greeted by any number of delightful aspics, jiggling and gleaming like a beached jellyfish in the sun. My grandmother’s recipe for Carrot Pineapple Jello is both easy and tasty. And let us not forget Amish Pickled Tripe in Aspic. If a new generation discovers the delights of congeals, maybe that’s okay.
Eric also pointed me to Mid-Century Menu, a site that does taste testing on vintage recipes by serving them to a pliable husband. It’s a treasure trove of old newspaper clippings, Jello art through the ages and whatnot and you should definitely check it out, especially this creepy video for Frosty the Slaw Man.
Perfection Salad. Yummy!
Meanwhile, here’s a recipe for “Perfection Salad” which reads just fine and only becomes repulsive when you view the Great American Recipes* photo which looks like shards of random vegetables were dumped into a knight’s helmet which was then filled with Jello, chilled, and tossed into the shrubbery. Why not put a toe in the water, and try it tonight?
Perfection Salad
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 can (12 oz) apple juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 cup shredded carrot
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup finely shredded cabbage
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 can (4 oz) chopped pimiento
Method: Combine gelatin, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan and mix well. Add 1 cup water. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar and gelatine are dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in apple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, and 1/4 cup cold water. Pour into medium bowl. Refrigerate 1 hour, or until mixture is consistency of unbeaten egg white.
Add carrot, celery, cabbage, green pepper, and pimiento; stir until well combined. Turn into decorative, 1 1/2-quart mold. Refrigerate 4 hours,or until firm.To unmold: Run small spatula around edge of mold; invert onto serving plate. Place hot dishcloth over mold; shake gently to release. Repeat, if necessary. Lift off mold. refrigerate until ready to serve.
Makes 8 servings.
*In another life, your correspondent was responsible for the writing in the “control” direct mailing to sign up customers for this recipe card continuity program, meaning many thousands of people bought in as a result of our efforts. Yummy!
