20 Foods We Ate Growing Up—Kids Today Can’t Believe It
There’s a certain charm in foods that once filled lunchboxes and dinner plates, even if they seem unusual today. The surprise comes when you realize kids now have never tried them.
These dishes carry a mix of nostalgia and curiosity. They show how everyday meals from our past had a way of sticking in memory long after the plate was cleared.
Creamy Old Fashioned Southern Butter Beans
Tender and creamy old-fashioned butter beans are a classic Southern comfort dish served as the main attraction or side dish. Making beans from scratch, starting with large lima beans, is easier than you think!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Old Fashioned Southern Butter Beans.
Church Window Cookies
A classic American cookie that’s a no-bake favorite! These pretty-as-a-picture church window cookies only take 15 minutes to prepare and require zero baking time! They are loaded with fudgy chocolate, crunchy, earthy walnuts, and fruity little marshmallows. The chocolate is smooth, rich, and dense, and the texture is incredible, with the crunchy walnuts, coconut flakes, and soft, squishy marshmallows. Honestly, these make the prettiest little cookies that everyone goes crazy for. Most grocery stores stock the ingredients, so these old-fashioned treats are easily accessible.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Cookies.
Rabbit Curry With Coconut
Rabbit Curry with Coconut is a flavorful stew perfect for any night of the week. It is adaptable for wild or domestic rabbits and can be made in a crockpot or on the stovetop.
Get the recipe: Rabbit Curry with Coconut.
Stained Glass Jello Salad
Make this fun, colorful Stained Glass Jello Salad in a fraction of the time with my shortcuts than it traditionally takes! Also called Broken Glass Jello Dessert, this small batch recipe can be made with sweetened condensed milk or even dairy-free with coconut milk.
Get the Recipe: Stained Glass Jello Salad (with Shortcuts).
Old Fashioned Rhubarb Pie
When rhubarb is at its peak of freshness, seize the opportunity to make this old-fashioned rhubarb pie. It offers a flavorful burst of summer that can be enjoyed any time of the year. This classic pie captures the essence of rhubarb’s tangy taste, wrapped in a flaky, buttery crust.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Rhubarb Pie.
Old Fashioned 4 Bean Salad
This old-fashioned four-bean salad recipe is a bright & fresh side, with chickpeas, kidney beans, green beans, and yellow beans in an easy vinaigrette dressing. Ready in about 20 minutes, this simple salad can be made with pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients. A fantastic salad to entertain with or bring to a potluck or cookout. This bean salad is loaded with crunch in each bite, easy to make, vegetarian, and high in plant-based protein.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned 4 Bean Salad Recipe.
Vegetable Stock From Scraps
Vegetable Stock can easily be made in your crockpot, stovetop, or Instant Pot with your leftover kitchen scraps. This broth is so flavorful and healthy. It’s perfect for adding to all of your recipe. You can freeze the broth or can it in a pressure canning pot. What a great way to reduce your food waste and eat more sustainably!
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Broth.
Easy Stacked Enchiladas
Check out this vintage recipe for easily stacked enchiladas, a timeless, simple, and oh-so-delicious classic. With layers of corn tortillas, flavorful filling, and melted cheese, these enchiladas are a lovely treat that never goes out of style.
Get the recipe: Easy Stacked Enchiladas – Vintage Recipe.
Old Fashioned Glazed Ham Loaf with Pineapple and Brown Sugar
This old-fashioned Glazed Ham Loaf is similar to a traditional meatloaf except made with ground ham and pork and topped off with a pineapple brown sugar glaze.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Glazed Ham Loaf with Pineapple and Brown Sugar.
Grandma’s Old Fashioned Chicken Soup
Our Grandma’s Old Fashioned Chicken Soup is made with a whole chicken and root vegetables. It’s a light, healthy dish that’s full of comfort and flavor. There’s nothing like a warm bowl of grandma’s chicken soup to fight off a cold or take the chill out of the air.
Get The Recipe: Grandma’s Old Fashioned Chicken Soup.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower
This recipe combines the warm, caramelized flavors of oven-roasted cauliflower with a creamy, tangy yogurt lemon sauce that’s both refreshing and vibrant. Topped with sweet pomegranate arils and crispy pine nuts, each bite is a delicious blend of textures and tastes.
Get the Recipe: Whole Roasted Cauliflower.
Mock Apple Green Tomato Pie
If you have never heard of, much less tried, Green Tomato Pie, it tastes so similar to apple pie that you might not even know the difference! It’s a great way to use up all those garden tomatoes so none of them go to waste!
Get the Recipe:Mock Apple Green Tomato Pie
Venison Stroganoff
Embrace the robust flavors of the forest with this venison stroganoff, a hearty twist on the classic that promises to delight your palate.
Get the Recipe: Venison Stroganoff.
Lace Cookies
Delight in the exquisite charm of lace cookies, a tantalizing treat that perfectly balances delicate crispness with rich, golden sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Lace Cookies.
Old Fashioned Georgia Brunswick Stew
Get ready for a taste of Southern comfort with our Brunswick stew recipe. This hearty, soul-warming dish is a true delight, packed with a medley of tender chicken, smoky pulled pork, and an abundance of vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Georgia Brunswick Stew.
Flower Cookies
These four-ingredient flower cookies are surprisingly simple to make! They’re rich, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth, with a simple shortbread base. Adding edible flowers to the cookies was inspired by Sophie’s collection of 1970s cookbooks, where it’s featured many times.
Get the Recipe: Flower Cookies.
Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions
This creamy, bubbly Green Bean Casserole is made with buttery béchamel and sour cream, and topped with crispy onions. Way better than with a can of soup!
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions.
Rainbow Cake, Light And Fruity Jello Cake
Rainbow Cake is a cherished vintage recipe that has been a family favorite for generations. Known for its bright, cheerful layers of Jello, this cake is light and refreshing—a perfect choice for hot summer parties. It’s not heavy, making it an ideal dessert that everyone can enjoy even on the warmest days.
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Cake, Light And Fruity Jello Cake.
Honeynut Squash Recipe
This Honeynut Squash Recipe is a delicious fall vegetable dish, perfect for busy weeknights or holiday meals. Ready in just 30 minutes, it offers a naturally sweet flavor and tender texture, making it an ideal choice for any occasion. Enjoy this nutritious and flavorful dish with minimal effort and maximum taste.
Get the Recipe: Honeynut Squash Recipe.
Veal Liver
Learn how to cook veal liver with onions—my new obsession! This delicious calf liver recipe is easy to make and packed with nutrients.
Get the Recipe: Veal Liver.
