this post was submitted on 07 May 2026
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I'm still convinced that those were used as gag gifts at the time and that nobody actually prepared those ridiculous things, even in the US.
Bill Bryson in his biography of growing up in Iowa tells how his grandmother in rural Iowa used to serve these dishes. He concedes that they all vere regular dishes with copious amounts of the food the advertisers sold. He also called Jello the state fruit of Iowa
The power of US marketing never ceases to amaze me (not in a good way, mind).
I've heard some gnarly things about Midwestern "cuisine"
If only that were true.
The 70s were interesting times.. My mom made so many odd dishes from good housekeeping magazine. The jello salads are probably more normal. Have you ever had 'bbq' chicken that was cooked in a pot of coke and ketchup? You just cook it until the liquid reduces away.
My mom was a great cook by the way. She made those dishes primarily for budgetary reasons.