Back in the day, food was all about form and very little function. That is to say, it might not have tasted great, but it sure looked spectacular! Check out any vintage cook book from the 1950s or 1960s and you’ll be sure to read words like, LOAF! MOLD! LOG! RING! TOWER! CREAMED! And let us not forget ASPIC! (basically a savory version of gelatin—imagine clear jello with meat or vegetables inside. EEK!). Every year our fabulous friend Karen throws a Midcentury Supper Club party…a fun and festive potluck where the challenge is to select a recipe from a vintage cook book and bring it for all to enjoy. You know, stuff like this:
I had great plans to make a snowman cake, but uh….well. It just didn’t quite go as planned (the whole cake stuck to my sheet pan. Argh.) Instead, I brought a bottle of champagne. Alway festive in any decade!
Greg had a show that night so Wolfie was my official “date”. He agreed to get dressed up, and I pulled out a vintage shirt I had bought for him ages ago (when he was super little) and thought it just might fit him now. He put it on and was indignant, flapping his arms around, “Mama! These sleeves are awful! They are WAY too long!!!” I looked closer and realized they were french cuffs!! (who knew they made ’em that little??) So Wolfie got to wear his first pair of cuff links—and was feelin’ mighty cool about it.
But enough about us. Let’s get on with the show. I have to say it was a SPECTACULAR evening! {Wolfie was unimpressed by all the “weird” food and hung out in the kid’s room with his pals.} OK, so without further ado, may I present….the midcentury supper club, 2012 edition! Savory, sweet….there was something for ALL!
image: Fred Eagle
image: Fred Eagle
image: Fred Eagle
Yes, that’s my friend Doe with her edible PINK FLOCKED TREES on a brownie lot. LOVE!
The Studio 54 Gingerbread House (with real flashing floor) was another party favorite!
Dottie was there too, of course, although she couldn’t stay long because she & her fam had a 6am flight the next morning for Florida. I was impressed she made it AND looked so dang cute!
The sandwich loaf was surprisingly tasty! Layers of egg salad, ham and cucumber, all tucked in under a savory cream cheese “frosting”.
And finally……the most terrifying, er, I mean INTERESTING dish….the Santa Meatloaf. WOW.
Have you ever made anything from a vintage cookbook?? I recommend the cakes and the sandwich loaf. The jury is still out on the meaty santa….
I really enjoyed this post because my friend and I have talked a few times about hosting a party where everyone brings food ideas found in mid century era cookbooks! This was really inspiring…although I think I may be a bit too scared to try that Santa loaf!
The Santa Loaf scared me too! I was also laughing so hard I was crying (those little onion teeth!!!!) You should definitely try a party like this. Karen has been doing it, like 7 years now so it’s at a whole other level. You could just do a smaller version to start! Let us know if you do it!
Faboooo.
It really was, alice!
How fun! Thanks for taking us to dinner with you.
And thanks for coming along! So glad you enjoyed it!
this is my absolute favorite thing. you know it’s my past time to read these vintage cook books, they are like time capsules!!
SO over the top! Looks so fun, and a little gross too, but that’s part of the fun! Happy New Year, Alix and Dottie!
It was gross and glam all rolled into one! Happy New Year Tiffanie!
my biggest regret of 2012 was missing this party! waaaaah!
We sure missed you too!
Wish they had soirees like this where I live! So jealous!
You should throw one!
i make so much stuff from vintage cookbooks – my poor husband! I’d say about 33% of them come out edible. : ) I can never get over how far people go to make creations for Karen’s MCM parties. I’m pretty sure that most of my friends here locally would just bring a bag of chips and call it a day.
Yes I seem to recall you making THE SAMMIE LOAF too!!!!!!!! You have to come out here!
GORGEOUS!
A wonderful recap of one of the best parties ever! And Wolfie looked so sharp is his cuff links and cardigan. I can’t wait for next year!
Hurray Mrs. Moe! Meeting you this year was a highlight for SURE!!! xoxo
WOW! That savory gingerbread house is impressive, as is everything. What a fab idea!
It was even more impressive in person!!!! Glad you liked. 😉
Alix! My friend Jennye was there in the other Polka dot christmas dress. She has told me about this party before. LOVE! Looks like a great time had by ALL.
oh that’s great! she looked amazing! we’ll have to all meet up someday!
How I wish I had a group of friends in Dallas that would commit to this fun!!! Alas most actors only like vintage garb(and grub) onstage !! Sooooooo fabulous!
that party is amazing! wish i had such fun friends to do utter kookiness with
I’m having the best time playing catch up here!!!
OK SO THIS POST?! attending a holiday party like zeese? bucket list. looks like you all had a grande time and I swear tah Pete, that picture of you and Meatloaf Santa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxo
also… guy in the ski sweater is giving doe the crazy eye!!!!!! HAHAHAHAH! love this party. love it so dang much!
Oh no! Too bad about the snowman cake fail!! I soooo wanted to see that one made! But the rest of the food looks like it was tons of fun.
Every Christmas I host a mcm party complete with cocktails and food. I only cook recipes from vintage cookbooks. I want to make the savory gingerbread house so bad now. Love all the pics. So much fun