By Patty Curtes
Hartland, Wisconsin
Not long ago, several dear friends were reminiscing about aprons, remembering how our mothers wore them while we were growing up in the 1950s. Each of us had stashed away at least one apron. We decided to resurrect them and have an old-fashioned ’50s potluck party.
My apron was the one my mother used to wear for bridge club. Mother would wear a full “utilitarian” apron with bib as she prepared the meal. But when guests arrived, and it was time to serve the food, she would don one of her “fancy” aprons. I regarded those as pure glamour.
With “Favorites from the ’50s” as the theme, every couple was asked to bring a dish they remember their mom serving during that era. The ladies wore vintage aprons, many holding wonderful memories. Reminiscing began over highballs served in tall glasses with orange wedges and maraschino cherries skewered on tiny paper umbrellas. Appetizers included deviled eggs, miniature pigs-in-a-blanket and Lipton California onion dip with chips.
Our potluck buffet included bacon-wrapped meat loaf, macaroni and cheese, hot chicken salad and even a side of Spam (not the kind that clogs up email boxes)! Of course, no ’50s potluck would be complete without a Jell-O mold! Desserts were classics like blitz torte and pineapple upside-down cake.
No one updated or put a modern twist anything. We wanted the food to taste the way we remembered. Instead of turning to the web or Food Network, we all researched our best sources—the worn, dog-eared, stained cookbooks proudly passed down from our mothers.
The food had a natural way of prompting memories, and we chuckled over many lively stories from our childhoods. The men joined right in, recalling what they ate as kids, schoolboy pranks, their first cars and such. It was a great evening—one we’re still talking about!
Perhaps you too remember family dinners and get-togethers with comfort food like Bacon Water Chestnut Wraps, Savory Pot Roast, French Dressing with Tomatoes, Mother’s Rolls or Sour Cream Chocolate Cake. Invite your friends, tie on an apron, and have fun.
