Easter at Grandma’s House brings back memories of aunts and uncles chatting over champagne cocktails, cousins playing hide and seek, and the smell of home cooking wafting through every room. Each dish was made from scratch, and mealtime brought everyone to the dining room where Grandma had set her good china everywhere but the “kids’ table,” a card table set up on the side for the 5 – 10 year olds.
Why not recreate a little of that nostalgia this year? Following is a typical crowd pleasing mid century Easter menu.
Mid Century Easter Dinner Menu
Classic mid century deviled eggs
At virtually every gathering in the 1970s, you were guaranteed to find deviled eggs among the selection of appetizers and finger foods. That’s because they were easy to make and economical, too. In 1972, the average cost of a dozen eggs was only 52 cents! In addition to that, only a few common pantry items are required. They’re still economical now, although the price of eggs is considerably higher!
Click here for the recipe.
Champagne Cocktail
This cocktail more than any other is associated with parties, holidays and special occasions. It was a popular mid century cocktail because it embodied the optimistic, affluent lifestyle of tail fins and luxury. The dashing Victor Laszlo ordered one while sitting at the bar of Rick’s Café Americain in Casablanca.
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Vintage Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad originated in the Southern United States in the late 19th Century, and became a popular staple on the mid century table. Served as either a side salad or dessert, this colorful dish generally always includes mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, miniature marshmallows, and coconut in a whipped cream base. There are many variations, but this recipe is what you would have found on the dinner table in the 1950s.
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Spiral Sliced Ham with Pineapple
Is anything prettier (or more delicious) than a spiral sliced ham decorated with pineapples, cherries, and cloves? What a gorgeous presentation for a mid century Easter dinner!
You may not think of spiral sliced hams as a mid century item, but the spiral slicer was invented in the 1920’s by Harry Hoenselaar, who went on to found the Honey Baked Ham Co. in 1958. Spiral sliced hams can be found in your local grocery store, and nothing is easier to serve than a pre-sliced ham!
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Cheesy Potato Casserole with Fresh Potatoes
When you need to feed a hungry group, this crunchy, creamy, cheesy potato casserole is crowd-pleasing comfort food at its best!
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Fresh Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus was a staple on the mid century dinner table. In the 1970s, there was a field across the street from our house in suburban Chicago where asparagus grew wild. Moms would send their kids over there after school to pick some for dinner.
Click here for the recipe. And click here for the Rich and Creamy Hollandaise Sauce recipe to garnish the asparagus!
Southern Sweet Creamed Corn in a Skillet
This Southern sweet creamed corn is buttery, creamy, sweet, and crunchy. It’s an irresistible fast and easy side dish that everybody loves!
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Coconut Whipped Cream Cake
Tropical coconut flavor combined with the luscious whipped cream make this beautiful cake a dessert lover’s dream! Adding jelly beans on top make it a perfect centerpiece for your Easter table.
Click here for the recipe!
Check out Flourchild.com for more mid century recipes for your mid century Easter dinner menu and beyond! For more mid century Easter dinner menu ideas, check out Retro Jell-O Recipes that Actually Taste Good. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours, and ideas!
