The decade that brought us disco and bell bottoms also inspires nostalgia when it comes to party snacks. Fondue pots and meatballs in gravy were just the beginning of what party-goers would experience in the 70s. It was a time when people weren’t hyper focused on food allergies and gut health. Don’t you want to remember the joy of good food at family gatherings?
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Cheese Fondue
- 2 2. Pineapple Cheese Ball
- 3 3. Swedish Meatballs
- 4 4. Deviled Ham Stuffed Celery
- 5 5. Cocktail Weenies in Grape Jelly
- 6 6. Watergate Salad
- 7 7. Stuffed Mushroom Caps
- 8 8. Lipton Onion Dip
- 9 9. Ham and Pickle Roll-Ups
- 10 10. Chex Party Mix
- 11 11. Pigs in a Blanket
- 12 12. Cheese and Pineapple Hedgehog
- 13 13. Spinach Dip in Bread Bowl
1. Cheese Fondue
When your friends threw a shindig, you always knew that there would be cheese fondue. The centerpiece of the gathering, everyone crowded together to dip bite-sized pieces of crusty bread into the cheese mixture. The cheese was always a mix of Swiss, white wine, and kirsch – irresistible and delicious.
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2. Pineapple Cheese Ball
Cream cheese, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans were also the go to for dessert. Just like the cheese fondue, it was served with crackers, and the combination was always a hit, sweet, crunchy and savory.
3. Swedish Meatballs
Another dish that often appeared at parties were meatballs in gravy. Guests would hit the dish time and time again. Every hostess claimed to have her own top secret recipe so the competition was always fierce. The gravy was made from cream of mushroom soup, and served from an electric chafing dish. Party-goers needed toothpicks to scoop the meatballs!
4. Deviled Ham Stuffed Celery
Mixing Underwood deviled ham with cream cheese and piping it into the grooves of celery stalks was an example of simple and elegant innovative cuisine. Sometimes sprinkled with a dash of paprika to add a splash of color, these creamy, crunchy, bite-sized creations were a staple for every respectable relish tray.
5. Cocktail Weenies in Grape Jelly
The combination of cocktail smokies, grape jelly, and chili sauce produced a sweet and savory treat that was impossible to resist. These little sausages cooked in a slow cooker disappeared at every get together. The sauce had a sticky consistency which made them perfect for grabbing with a toothpick.
6. Watergate Salad
The Fluffy Green Stuff was a dessert salad that had pistachios, instant pudding, crushed pineapple, marshmallows, and cool whip. Named after a political scandal, the iconic dish became the topic of conversation at every event. The dessert was particularly popular at summer gatherings.
7. Stuffed Mushroom Caps
Mushroom caps filled with a mixture of cream cheese, mushrooms, and breadcrumbs were the definition of class. The tiny appetizers made the party spread look exquisite. Many of the gourmet magazines published the recipe.
8. Lipton Onion Dip
At all the parties, the first thing to disappear was the onion dip from the sour cream and Lipton soup mix. The dip was surrounded by ruffled potato chips and displayed in a cut-crystal bowl. The addictive flavor and salty goodness had everyone coming back for more.
9. Ham and Pickle Roll-Ups
A party tray standard was sliced ham with cream cheese and dill pickle pinwheels. Guests could enjoy the creamy, salty, and tangy flavors of these make-ahead appetizers. Every hostess had them made and ready to go into the fridge to enjoy as soon as the guests arrived.
10. Chex Party Mix
A savory snack mix made with butter and Worcestershire sauce and seasoned to perfection was made for and filled many party bowls. The delightful smell of Chex cereal, nuts and pretzels bakes in the oven will let you know that a party is on the way.
11. Pigs in a Blanket
During parties, a hit were the fraudulent dogs. They were hot dogs wrapped in golden brown dough. To appeal to all ages simple appetizers are served with mustard for dipping. They gone from serving platters as soon as the out of the oven.
12. Cheese and Pineapple Hedgehog
A center peace for the event was a foil backed grapefruit with pineapple and a sharp cheese tub on the sticks. This retro design uses simple things changing them into a conversational piece. The combination of cheese and sweet paw was addictively good.
13. Spinach Dip in Bread Bowl
Delicious and practical was a stretchy bread bowl with creamy spinach and chestnut dip. The bowl could be eaten after the dip was gone and full of flavor. This dip, made with frozen spinach and water chestnuts, is perfect in a lot of ways.
