The retro food revival continues

Below are are some ideas and tweaks to bring your “retro food” up-to-date, focusing on popular dishes from the 70s, 80s, and 90s:

1970s

1.     Prawn Cocktail

·       Modern Twist: Replace traditional Marie Rose sauce with a spicy Sriracha mayo. Serve in avocado halves for a contemporary presentation.

2.     Quiche Lorraine

·       Modern Twist: Use a gluten-free crust and add caramelised onions and spinach for extra flavour and nutrition.

3.     Black Forest Gateau

·       Modern Twist: Create a deconstructed version in a jar, layering chocolate sponge, cherry compote, and whipped cream.

1980s

1.     Vol-au-Vents

·       Modern Twist: Fill with wild mushrooms and truffle oil, or a pulled pork and apple cider reduction.

2.     Duck à l'Orange

·       Modern Twist: Serve as duck breast fillets with a tangy blood orange glaze, alongside a quinoa and roasted vegetable salad.

3.     Viennetta

·       Modern Twist: Make individual Viennetta parfaits with layers of homemade chocolate, vanilla ice cream, and a crispy almond tuile.

1990s

1.     Potato Waffles

·       Modern Twist: Serve as a base for smoked salmon, crème fraîche, and dill, turning it into a gourmet canapé.

2.     Spaghetti Bolognese

·       Modern Twist: Use zucchini noodles (zoodles) for a lighter option and add a rich, slow-cooked beef and red wine ragu.

3.     Arctic Roll

·       Modern Twist: Create mini Arctic Rolls with different flavoured ice creams (e.g., matcha, raspberry ripple) wrapped in homemade sponge cake.

Don’t ever forget pineapple sticks that can be reimagined using artisanal cheeses, exotic fruit, and gourmet skewers for a stylish presentation!

These ideas combine nostalgic elements with modern flavour with retro foods not only bringing back fond memories but are also being reinvented with a modern twist and hopefully to cater for both older and younger taste buds!

Enjoy!