There are so many foods that are associated with the Kitchy cocktail parties of the 1970's that it is almost too big a subject for one little blog post, but I'll give it a "college try."
Peanut Butter or Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery
Chafing Dish Meatballs
Bundt Cake
Pouring something sweet over a block of cream cheese and serving it with Triscuits
Skooter Pies Or Moon Pies
Wedge Stuffed Tomatoes
Homemade Chex Mix
The Humble Breadstick
Bar Nuts
Ketchup Topped Meatloaf
Cocktail Finger Sandwiches
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Sweet And Sour Chicken
Ground Beef Stroganoff
Home Candied Apples--Sans Razor Blades Please!
The 1970's was well known for it's plethora of cocktail parties--as well as the Happy Hours in bars. I heard all about these, and figured, hey, they'll still be around when I'm old enough to drink....they weren't! Rat Bastards! Seriously, I understand why the Happy Hour at bars was discouraged on a daily basis...but an old fashioned cocktail party now and again couldn't really hurt....as long as the guests are from the neighborhood or have tee-totally drivers. The 70's gave rise to a whole slew of cocktails, but new and old favorites that were rediscovered with gustO! Here are a few:
The Shirley Temple--the quintessential non-alcoholic cocktail bar none!
Frozen Daiquiri
Screwdriver
The Gimlet: a personal favorite
Mai Tai
Planter's Punch
Manhattan
Pina Colada
An Old Fashioned
Pink Lady
No one my family was ever big on entertaining, so none of the aunts and uncles, or my parents for that matter ever threw cocktail parties, but when entertaining was unavoidable, such as various meetings, kids parties, holiday gatherings, etc. the quintessential finger sandwich was the order of the day. My mother had recipes for these things from way long before I came along--and they don't really bear much resemblance to the English Tea Sandwich, except for their size. First of all almost all the filling included cream cheese (such as cream cheese and olive), and all of them were spreads of some sort. Her personal claim to fame was her cucumber sandwich, which was dyed green! Well, at Christmas, if one was so inclined, the filling were green and/or red. Later on, long after these went out of style in most families, I insisted, as silly kids are likely to do, that they have a Halloween look--one "black"--meaning gray filling, one orange. Needless to say, they do not need to be colored at all and are actually quite tasty. I even included them (in their natural state) on the English Tea table in my house...one American Southerner insisting that one of our lowly foods, be properly "raised."
The recipe is really simple, and it actually a great substitute for traditional cucumber sandwiches, in which the fresh sliced cucumber must be salted, rinsed, drained and dried.
1/2 to 1 whole cucumber chopped (you can seed it if you like)
1 package soft, room temperature cream cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/2 tsp. celery salt (or to taste)
Pinch each of garlic salt and onion powder
Small pinch of sugar
Green or other food coloring (strictly optional)
1. Place the cucumber in a food processor and process to a complete puree.
2. In a separate bowl, mash the cream cheese, pour in the cucumber puree and mix well. Season, mix and taste. Add more of anything that you like. Add a few drops of the food coloring if you are using. Mix well. To make sandwiches, cut the crust of bread, spread with cuke mixture, top and cut into desired shape. Cover with a damp cloth to keep fresh.
VARIATIONS
Of course it really good on crackers, like the ever popular 70's Wheat Thins, Butter Crackers or Triscuits. As part of cheese board, you can place some in a bowl and serve it with other cheeses and toppings like chopped onion, etc.
As mentioned the color can be changed per holiday.
This also make a great dip with vegetables and good potato chips.
You can stuff into celery or cherry tomatoes.
If you like things tart, then drain the puree to get rid of excess water and replace it with a nice wine vinegar. The same can be done with lemon or lime juice.
You can use the base with seasonings for other vegetable purees.
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