tropit

An old friend of my dau's is coming up to stay with her for a few days and I invited them up for lunch. I love this guy and have known him since they were both in Jr. High. He is now an assistant art director for the film industry. His job is to hunt down props and help create sets. He does a lot of nostalgic, historical stuff, so I thought that he'd like a "retro lunch, with a 21 century twist." I'd love some suggestions on the menu. I'm thinking that the main course should be vegan, Chili Mac. I'm at a loss as to what to serve with it. Suggestions please.

tallchick

Waldorf salad
Lemon icebox pie
A jello salad
Fresh loaf of bread
Shrimp cocktail
Crab Louis salad
Ambrosia salad
Deviled eggs
Sloppy joes
Apple spice cake

Tartan

You might look through some of the recipes from Whippoorwill holler as she was a cafeteria lunch lady.

Iceblossom

LOL my memories of retro lunch is Appian Way pizza from a box or Chef Boyardee Ravioli

But like tallchick, I can see a nice fancy Crab/Shrimp Louie or other salad in my super cool retro green class blow glass bowl thingies.

I was looking at my Sunset Magazine, "The Dinner Party Cookbook" dated 1962. Not much to go with things like chili much less vegan, but lots of basic green salads. For their mole "Mexican Christmas Eve Party" menu they had a dessert of Baked Pineapple with Natillas (sort of a custard) where they baked/served in the pineapple shell for that bit of wow factor.

My first thought for fun and retro is fondue -- maybe chocolate fondue for dessert instead of a meat/oil or cheese version.

I also love to do a crowd size gelatin mold but a couple of problems, first not vegan, but after that you really need to make jello for 16 or so people to do it justice. I can't make a reasonable family size, only potluck and shower and neighborhood picnic sized.

toverly

Iceblossom, you reminded me of all the fondue pots in garage sales years ago. What a hoot. I love fondue.

Quiltwoman44

Wait, let me get out my high school recipes out! I seriously have two metal boxes of them. Wish my granddtr wanted them, but she doesn't.
All listed sound good!!!

tropit

Thanks you guys! Lots of good ideas here. I forgot to mention that I have to go to town that morning, so everything has to be made ahead of time.

tropit

Geesh! What a treasure. She'll regret turning those down later.

tropit

Geesh! What a treasure! She should rethink that decision. She'll regret it later if she doesn't take them.

tropit

Oops...sorry for the double entry. I don't know how that happened.

So, I'm still thinking of the Chili Mac as the main dish, but I'm also considering vegan Swedish Meatballs with noodles. Also, for one side, Coleslaw with blue cheese. For dessert, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, which I can make today and freeze. Wadda ya think?