9 Recipes from the ’70s That We Still Love Today

5) Watergate Salad

The name of this distinctly ’70s dessert has been hard to trace. Watergate salad was rumored to have been created by the sous chef at the Watergate Hotel, but the original creators claim to be Kraft Foods, who came up with the recipe after they released their pistachio pudding mix in 1975. Another rumor has it that the name was invented by a sly editor to cash in on the Watergate scandal with Nixon. However it got its name, this dessert was always crowd-pleaser. Creamy and fruity, with a texture like ambrosia, there was always someone bringing this dish to a potluck or party. In case you need a reminder, click here for the recipe.

4) Cheese Fondue

Dating all the way to 1875 in French-speaking Switzerland, the craze for fondue began in ’60s and hit big during the ’70s. This yummy appetizer is still a winner at many parties and vintage fondue sets are still quite a desirable item in many shops. One dip and you are transported back in time! A great recipe can be found here.

3) Quiche

Since the ’70s was the time to show off your cooking skills with something less predictable than meatloaf, it makes perfect sense that quiche began its rise to brunch stardom at this time. If you can make a pie then you can make a quiche. Now found in nearly any U.S. coffee shop that serves food, this French dish is common these days. If you don’t already have a surefire quiche recipe, then click here.

2) Chicken à la King

With a history going back to the late 19th century, this creamy dish hit its pinnacle of popularity in the ’70s. You hardly ever hear about this main dish these days, but back then it was considered very sophisticated. Cream, sherry, mushrooms, and chicken make this one unique for the era. There was a time when most people had tasted this wonderful dish, but it rarely found in restaurants or at dinner parties these days.

This recipe calls for the traditional vol au vent base.

1) Tunnel of Fudge Cake

Cast aluminum bundt pans were invented in 1950, but they did not immediately catch on. It took a stellar recipe, created by Ella Rita Helfrich in 1966 at a Houston bake-off before women all across America were baking ring cakes. Helfrich’s tunnel of fudge cake has that raw or gooey type of chocolate center that just makes you go, “mmm.” This wonderful treat was a classic in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Here’s the recipe.

These great recipes may no longer be creating a buzz, but they are still delicious. There’s just nothing at all like chicken à la King or a yummy homemade twice-baked potato! For more great vintage recipes click here.