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I’m a foodie at heart whose job is to entertain the internet, which means I’m constantly fascinated by food trends. Like, the way people are so excited about cookies and Dubai chocolate right now makes my head spin. And what’s even MORE interesting than that? All the historical food trends that people may not remember anymore.
So let’s talk about some of those! Not too long ago on Reddit, people have been answering the question: “What do you think are the most underrated ‘forgotten’ dishes/recipes?” Here’s what people said…
1.
“Swiss steak. I still make it often, it used to be really popular. No one ever makes it anymore. McCormick used to even have a seasoning packet for it.”
–ebbiibbe
“My mom used to make Swiss steak in her avocado green electric skillet.”
–TNmountaineer
“Why are cube steaks so difficult to find? They were truly a staple of recipes back in the ’70s and ’80s when I was growing up. Salisbury steak, Swiss steak, and chicken fried steak (also called country fried steak) were all super popular and used cube steaks.”
–studyhall109
2.
“Many, many cakes. Lord Baltimore and Lady Baltimore cakes, chiffon cakes, butterscotch cake, and even German chocolate cake all deserve comebacks.”
–eejm
“Butterscotch is definitely a flavor that needs a comeback! I miss the Dairy Queen butterscotch dip shell thing.”
–Worldly-Grapefruit
3.
“Wilted spinach salad. It had bacon, chopped hard boiled eggs, apple cider vinegar and… I can’t think of what else. You boiled the eggs, fried the bacon to crispy and then poured a little of the hot bacon grease over the spinach to wilt it. It’s still my favorite way to eat spinach. (You only use a LITTLE grease. It isn’t as unhealthy as it sounds).”
–LightOtter
“My mom used to make this with lettuce instead of spinach and it was my absolute favorite thing.”
–JohnExcrement
4.
“Sloppy Joes don’t seem to ever be a thing anymore. I feel like you could upgrade them into something really yummy.”
–StealUr_Face
“I love these in the summer when the corn on the cob is fresh and cheap. It is such a yummy and wholesome meal.”
–iridescentnightshade
5.
“My parents have a yearly cheese fondue party around Christmas, but otherwise I never hear of anyone eating fondue anymore.”
–Vortika
6.
“Pineapple upside-down cake. They used to serve it in my college cafeteria 30+ years ago, and it was so good. I really should make it sometime.”
–Jscrappyfit
7.
“Prune whip or apricot whip. Sounds revolting, but it’s essentially a soufflé. You cook the dried fruit with sugar and blend it, then fold it into beaten egg whites, bake it in a water bath, and serve either with custard sauce or whipped cream. Incredibly tasty.”
–ofBlufftonTown
8.
“Spoonbread. The first dish I ever learned to cook (1970).”
–retired_in_ms
9.
“Beef stroganoff. I admit — the Lawry’s seasoning packet was the best, better than any recipe I’ve tried. Darn — it killed me when they discontinued it.”
–Luvtahoe
10.
“Just plain chocolate pudding. We used to love to eat it, warm. I still buy the Jello box, and make it on the stove. But NOT the instant one. I like cold pudding, but my kid laughs when my husband and I get excited when we make hot chocolate pudding.”
–INDISH-girl
11.
“Fried bologna and egg and cheese in a grilled sandwich. Breakfast of champions!”
–yblame
“Fried bologna! I know we had it when times were tight but it seemed like such a treat.”
–llamadander
12.
“My dad used to make something called ‘slippery pot pie,’ AKA ‘Pennsylvania Dutch chicken pot pie.’ It was a doughy kind of stew. They used to make it on the ship when he was overseas in the Navy. I gotta see if I can find it!”
–Nice_Rope_5049
13.
“Maybe an unpopular take, but: liver and onions. I LOVE liver and onions, and you never see it anymore! I used to work at a hospital that served it weekly in the cafeteria. Other than that, I think I’ve only seen it a handful of times in diners. I’m too nervous to attempt cooking it myself, but I know one of these days I’m going to get a hankering for it and I won’t be able to find it anywhere.”
–MoondogHaberdasher
14.
“Casseroles! You can put just about anything in them, and shove it in the oven for one to two hours. You can make potatoes or rice in the oven at the same time, or boil noodles. E.g. shipwreck casserole, lazy cabbage rolls, lazy perogies (layered like lasagne), Chinese Hekka.”
15.
“Lime jello with pineapple and cottage cheese.”
–mrj80
“We still make a version of this for Thanksgiving. It’s more a dessert than a ‘salad’ and we don’t make it in a mold. When the jello is wobbly but not quite set, you whip in the block of slightly softened cream cheese, then add the small can of drained pineapple. Then the roughly chopped pecans, then fold in the tub of Cool Whip and chill.
I’ve never met anyone yet who didn’t like it.”
–ajaxaromas
16.
“Hear me out; I know it usually counts as a ‘struggle meal’ but my mom makes a pretty good tuna noodle casserole. It’s one of the few dishes I don’t mind canned peas in, and she doesn’t add breadcrumbs or crackers or potato chips, just extra cheddar cheese that is browned on top.”
–pochoproud
17.
“Boiled chicken and rice. I know it sounds ridiculous — but it was my very favorite meal as a kid. I asked for it on every birthday and my mom would just shake her head…and put a chicken in the pot. 🥰”
“She boiled the chicken in a tall stockpot with carrots, onion, and celery in large chunks. Then she’d use some of that broth to make the rice. We’d get a large shallow bowl with a scoop of rice and whatever part of the chicken we wanted — it would be boiled forever, and falling apart. The ultimate comfort food for a big family with little money. 😋”
–hippytealady
18.
“Porcupine meatballs. So easy to make. Almost a one-pot meal. (I add a side of sautéed cabbage and carrots. It’s like cabbage rolls without all the labor.)”
–rusty0123
19.
“Honestly? Whipping up a little gravy on a weeknight after roasting some meat. Gravy doesn’t need to be only for Thanksgiving!”
–fungibitch
20.
“I never even knew the name of half of the cakes and squares the ladies would serve up after funerals and community dinners. The only one I can remember is my special favorite: matrimonial bar. No idea what it has to do with weddings!”
–LittleMsSavoirFaire
22.
“My mom says she misses her mom’s rouladen she used to make. I don’t think I want to attempt it, though. My grandmother was an incredible cook. Some of the most delicious food I have ever had in my life.”
–TourAlternative364
23.
“Varmints. People tend to think that it’s low-class to eat animals that you don’t regularly find in the butcher shops, grocery stores, or commonly hunted/angled/otherwise procured. I’m here to tell you that groundhog can be delicious. As tasty as lean beef, vegetarian diet, free-range, low carbon footprint; plus, every one I eat is one less in my vegetable garden.”
“I braise them frequently. One good-sized one can be enough to feed 4–6 people as a central dish.”
–Ok_Watercress_7801
25.
“German potato salad. My mom would make it from time to time. I miss it.”
–dwheeldeal
26.
“Tapioca pudding. Especially homemade with large tapioca pearls, which are difficult to find now.”
–studyhall109
27.
“I remember milk toast, and I liked it as a kid. I have never met anyone who knows what it is and how to make it.”
–Maleficent-Syrup9881
Now, tell me: What’s a “forgotten” food trend that would confuse the heck out of younger people today? Tell me in this anonymous form, or in the comments below!
And for more foodie content, check out BuzzFeed Canada on Instagram and TikTok!
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
