37 Retro Christmas Recipes Mom Learned in the ’70s
37 Retro Christmas Recipes Mom Learned in the ’70s
Read Time: 16 mins
37 Retro Christmas Recipes Mom Learned in the ’70s
fat (7g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 314mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 45g protein. 3/37 7-Layer Gelatin Salad 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s an eye-catching salad that my mother makes for Christmas dinner each year. You can choose different flavors to make other color combinations for specific holidays or other gatherings. —Jan Hemness, Stockton, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 163 calories, 3g fat (3g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 4/37 Creamy
These savory crepes feel so elegant for the holidays
Scallop Crepes 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These savory crepes feel so elegant for the holidays. I like to add 1/4 teaspoon of fresh dill weed to the crepe batter before refrigerating. —Doreen Kelly, Hatboro, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 2 crepes: 331 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 641mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 fat. 5/37 Bacon-Wrapped Spam Bites 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings 32
Bet you can’t stop at just one!
pieces Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These sweet and savory bites use Spam—a favorite ingredient in Hawaii—in a fun new way. Bet you can’t stop at just one! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 60 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 211mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 6/37 Brandy Old-Fashioned Sweet 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The concept of an old-fashioned dates back to the early 1800s and includes whiskey, bitters, cherry
juice, sugar and water
juice, sugar and water. This version, which is extremely popular in Wisconsin, uses brandy in place of whiskey and lemon-lime soda instead of water for a milder cocktail. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 277 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 18mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 7/37 Homemade Alfredo Sauce 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I found out I had celiac disease and couldn’t have fettuccine Alfredo, I was determined to figure
out a way to re-create it
out a way to re-create it. I mix this homemade alfredo sauce with gluten-free multigrain pasta, but you can use any style of pasta. —Jackie Charlesworth Stiff, Frederick, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 732 calories, 50g fat (31g saturated fat), 153mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. 8/37 Overnight Layered Lettuce Salad 39 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This classic is a family favorite from a church cookbook I’ve had for 40 years. The bacon adds a fabulous crunch.
It’s a crowd-pleaser
—Mary Brehm, Cape Coral, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 206 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 250mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. 9/37 Cheese Lover’s Fondue 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheese Lover’s Fondue Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: French bread cubes and apples are the perfect dippers for this classic fondue made with white wine and Swiss and Gruyere cheeses. It’s a crowd-pleaser. —Linda Vogel, Elgin, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 196 calories, 12g fat (8g saturated fat),
These cute stacks really stand out in a holiday appetizer buffet
42mg cholesterol, 127mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 12g protein. 10/37 Shrimp and Cucumber Canapes 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These cute stacks really stand out in a holiday appetizer buffet. Tasty, cool and crunchy, they come together in a snap. —Ashley Nochlin, Port St. Lucie, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 canape: 50 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 218mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 11/37 Mini Cheese Balls 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time
30 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These mini cheese balls are the perfect quick appetizer for any party. Roll them in toasted sesame seeds, fresh rosemary and/or paprika to add even more flavor. —J. Spivey, Ennice, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 cheese ball: 47 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 61mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 12/37 Cassoulet for Today 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Traditionally cooked for hours,
this cassoulet recipe offers the same homey taste in less time
this cassoulet recipe offers the same homey taste in less time. It’s easy on the wallet, too. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 394 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 736mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 8g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat. 13/37 Swiss Potato Puffs 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Encourage guests to mingle by serving these cute little morsels. They’re transportable, mess-free and easy to eat in a few bites. —Myra Innes,
—Vivi Taylor, Middleburg, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1
Auburn, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 potato puff: 37 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 53mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 14/37 Bacon-Wrapped Blue Cheese Shrimp Test Kitchen Approved Bacon-Wrapped Blue Cheese Shrimp Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 16 appetizers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Blue cheese, bacon and basil pack big flavor into a couple of bites. To save time, you can assemble the skewers the night before and then serve them hot from the broiler on the day. —Vivi Taylor, Middleburg, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1
—Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah Nutrition Facts: 3/4
appetizer: 88 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 230mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein. 15/37 French Onion Soup 63 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Classic French Onion Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 20 min Servings 12 servings (2-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does: I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl, complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah Nutrition Facts: 3/4
The blend of smoked
cup soup with 2 pieces bread and 1 tablespoon cheese: 195 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 765mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. 16/37 Oyster Cheese Appetizer Log 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 32 servings (2 logs) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When you say “holiday tradition” around our house, this appetizer comes to mind immediately. Every winter, I make lots of cheese logs and freeze them for when I’m expecting company or need to take food to someone’s home. The blend of smoked
oysters, chili powder, nuts and cream cheese tastes good-even people who don’t like oysters may enjoy this interesting appetizer. —William Tracy, Jerseyville, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 117 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 62mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 17/37 Cioppino 30 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cioppino Recipe Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 40 min Servings 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re looking for a great seafood recipe for your slow cooker, this classic fish stew is just
the ticket
the ticket. It’s brimming with clams, crab, fish and shrimp, and it is fancy enough to be an elegant meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 205 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable. 18/37 Broccoli Casserole 80 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Even people who don’t like broccoli beg me to make this comforting broccoli
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Garlic-Herb Mini Quiches 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 45 mini quiches Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a wonderful way to impress guests?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Hawaiian Pork Chops 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hawaiian Pork Chops Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a great last-minute meal when friends drop in?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Lime Gelatin Salad 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Simple Lime Gelatin Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a festive dish to light up the buffet?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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