HONOLULU (KHON2) — Tired of the same old foods party after party, year after year? It’s hard to find something unique and interesting that not everyone else is already bringing to that party.
So, KHON2.com dug deeply and found a forgotten food trend from the mid-20th century that may be the trend of the future.
Molded foods, particularly gelatin-based dishes, became a culinary trend in the mid-20th century. The concept of using molds to shape food has ancient origins that date back to the height of the Roman Empire when gelatin was used in savory dishes.
However, the popularity of molded foods in the 20th century is largely attributed to the rise of mass-produced gelatin, especially after the invention of Jell-O in the 1890s by Pearle Bixby Wait.
Jell-O became a household staple due to its convenience, vibrant colors and ability to be molded into various shapes.
The 1960s and 1970s saw an explosion of molded foods in American kitchens that was driven by the era’s fascination with convenience and novelty.
Homemakers embraced these easy-to-make, visually striking dishes and often incorporated gelatin into savory salads, meats and even vegetables. The molded shape was seen as a fun and sophisticated way to present food, fitting the postwar demand for convenience and presentation.
However, by the 1980s, molded foods fell out of favor due to changing tastes and the need to feel more modern.
Here are 10 iconic molded food recipes from that era:
1. Lime Jell-O Salad Mold
- Ingredients: Lime gelatin, cottage cheese, crushed pineapple, whipped cream and chopped walnuts.
- Instructions: Dissolve lime gelatin in hot water, then mix in cottage cheese, drained pineapple and chopped walnuts. Pour into a mold and refrigerate until set. Top with whipped cream before serving. Click here for a recipe.
2. Chicken and Aspic Mold
- Ingredients: Cooked chicken breast, gelatin, chicken broth, mayonnaise, celery and olives.
- Instructions: Dissolve gelatin in chicken broth and let it cool. Mix the gelatin with chopped chicken, mayonnaise, celery and olives. Pour the mixture into a mold and refrigerate until firm. Serve with additional mayonnaise or sauce. Click here for a recipe.
3. Melon Jell-O Mold
- Ingredients: Cantaloupe or honeydew melon, lime gelatin, water, sugar and whipped cream.
- Instructions: Start by pureeing the melon in a blender until smooth. Dissolve the lime gelatin in hot water, then mix in the melon puree and sugar. Pour the mixture into a mold and refrigerate until set. Once firm, top with whipped cream for a light, refreshing touch. This colorful, fruity gelatin mold makes a perfect summer side or dessert for gatherings. Click here for a recipe.
4. Salmon Mousse Mold
- Ingredients: Poached or smoked salmon, gelatin, lemon juice, mayonnaise and chopped parsley.
- Instructions: Dissolve gelatin in lemon juice, then blend with canned salmon and mayonnaise. Add chopped parsley, pour into a mold and chill until set. Click here for a recipe.
5. Mango-Lime Gelatin Mold
- Ingredients: Mango puree, lime gelatin, lime juice and whipped cream.
- Instructions: Dissolve lime gelatin in hot water, then stir in mango puree and lime juice. Pour into a mold and refrigerate until set. Serve with whipped cream. Click here for a recipe.
6. Cranberry Sauce Mold
- Ingredients: Cranberry sauce, gelatin, chopped apples and walnuts.
- Instructions: Dissolve gelatin in water and mix with cranberry sauce, diced apples and chopped walnuts. Pour into a mold and refrigerate until set. A popular dish for Thanksgiving and holiday meals. Click here for a recipe.
7. Shrimp and Avocado Mold
- Ingredients: Shrimp, avocado, gelatin, mayonnaise, lemon juice and dill.
- Instructions: Dissolve gelatin in lemon juice, then mix with mayonnaise and diced shrimp. Add mashed avocado and chill in a mold. Garnish with fresh dill before serving. Click here for a recipe.
8. Tomato Aspic
- Ingredients: Tomato juice, gelatin, celery, green onions and Worcestershire sauce.
- Instructions: Dissolve gelatin in tomato juice and mix with chopped celery, green onions and Worcestershire sauce. Pour into a mold and refrigerate until set. This savory mold was often served with shrimp or as a salad accompaniment. Click here for a recipe.
9. Ambrosia Salad Mold
- Ingredients: Mandarin oranges, coconut, maraschino cherries, marshmallows, whipped cream and pineapple.
- Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a bowl, fold in whipped cream and chill in a mold. Ambrosia is a sweet, fruity salad that was a favorite at potlucks and holiday gatherings. Click here for a recipe.
10. Jell-O Mold with Fruit and Cottage Cheese
- Ingredients: Any flavor of Jell-O, cottage cheese, fruit cocktail and crushed pineapple.
- Instructions: Prepare Jell-O as instructed on the package, then stir in cottage cheese, fruit cocktail and crushed pineapple. Pour into a mold and chill until set. Click here for a recipe.
These molded dishes were often served at gatherings, potlucks and holiday meals and reflect the era’s fascination with gelatin-based recipes, as well as the rise of processed foods.
So, evoke a wee bit of nostalgia for the unique culinary trends of the mid-20th century this season. Happy Holidays!