Wednesday, September 9, 2015

So Groovy!

Today's Mofo prompt is Most Retro Recipe. I had to spend some time researching retro foods. It was very , let's say interesting. There are some foods that just should never exist, and certainly don't need to be veganised! I was feeling somewhat pressured because of my shoestring budget, but also because whatever I made, I was going to have to also eat. I was reading about Swanson's microwave dinners, and how popular they became in the 50's. I went to various retro forums(yes, they exist) and it seemed from the 50's and up processed food was a common theme, and every decade mentions some type of T.V. dinner. I had some stuff on hand to make a somewhat healthier T.V. dinner.
I read many people declare their love for microwave dinners that involve macaroni and cheese, and fish sticks. So, I decided to make some delicious vegan mac and cheese, and some Gardein Fishless filets. This dinner was supposed to include a vegetable, with green peas seeming to be the go to veg, but alas my peas were lost in the power outage, and I haven't restocked yet. I attempted to make corn on the cob but the ears had gone bad. It wasn't a good night for vegetables. I would like to say that the macaroni and cheese was the best I've made so far. really creamy and rich. I made an almond milk sauce with nutritional yeast, S&P, smoked paprika, and some cornstarch for thickening. What took it over the top was the addition of three slices of Chao creamy original. This makes the best vegan mac and cheese ever. Chao is thicker that daiya, and it melts and makes the sauce so thick and cheesey. This is the macaroni and cheese to serve to people who cry that they can't give up cheese! I also made a quick tartar sauce with some Just Mayo and sweet relish. Truth be told, I don't really care for tartar sauce all that much. I think I prefer malt vinegar for my fishless filets. Anyway, I do feel like this would look more retro with the little spoonful of green peas, but what can you do!
Chunk!

I thought I would leave you with this cute picture Chunk, loving life without a cone around his neck!
















9 comments:

  1. Great take on this prompt! I, too, am trying to stretch my pantry, cupboards, frozen foods, and canned foods as much as I can. I know I will have to break down and buy something soon but so far so good!

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    1. That's what I'm doing. I feel like tomorrow or Thursday I will have to buy some stuff, but I am definitely stretching as much as possible! Tomorrows prompt should be interesting!

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  2. I have yet to try the Chao in any melted recipes. Your mac-cheese and fish stick combo hits the spot. I love tartar sauce and mac-cheese with tartar, even better.

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  3. I love Chao cold too! I eat most of it right out of the package! But it does melt beautifully, and it just makes the best mac and cheese ever!

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  4. Were microwaves around in the 50's? Anyway, I love retro, aka comfort, food. A TV dinner was a clever idea.

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  5. I don't know. In the 50's they were called T.V. dinners, so I think microwaves came later. It's weird how much T.V. dinners are so much a part of our food culture.

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  6. We've just had an amazing tv series in England called Back in Time for Dinner. It followed a real life family as they lived for a week in different decades of the 20th Century. They had to wear the clothes, their living room and kitchen were kitted out in the decor of each decade and most of all they had to cook and eat the food of that time. It was a fascinating history lesson and really showed how women's lives in particular had changed.

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  7. Just seen the episodes are actually on You Tube if you're interested in that kind of thing. I might have to watch it again myself!
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oLtMeBafJAE

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  8. Thanks! I love that kind of stuff! I will definitely check it out!

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