Whether you were a child of the decade or just a fan of the time, you can’t deny – the 80s were fun!
Many a children’s party featured jelly and ice-cream, sausage rolls and gigantic cans of Coke with those really sharp ring pulls, remember them!? Meanwhile, your parents were entertaining friends in the ‘front room’ filling the air with ‘Rothmans’ fumes and swigging back Le Piat D’or.
A fan of nostalgia, I take a trip down memory lane to bring you eight treats from the eighties!
Fray Bentos – steak and kidney pie
Go ahead and laugh, but back in nineteen-eighty-something, Fray Bentos was the epitome of pie-pioneering! In one swift move, you could serve up a juicy steak pie in a gravy sauce, with a light puff pastry top. It all sounds good until you realise it’s encapsulated in a tin! Last seen in Poundland, you may be better off trying out Greggs’ ‘steak bake’ as a close second.
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Cherry Cola
Deliciously sweet, there was no better childhood treat than Cherry Coke served up in an ice-cold bottle. Looking back, the advert still makes me yearn for a sugary hit!
So, I was overjoyed to discover a homage to the drink in a cocktail format at Aluna bar and restaurant in Bristol. Their signature ‘Cherry Cola’ hits all the right notes. Far more refreshing (and alcoholic) than I remembered. The best trip down memory lane a girl could ask for!
Prawn Cocktail
One of the few dishes that has stood the test of time. The humble prawn lying on a bed of lettuce. Drizzled with Thousand Island dressing was the sort of thing your Mum would serve to guests. Today this starter is still popular but has been replaced by a smoked salmon carpaccio as the new cool.
80s Cider Ice Lollies
When the ice-cream van pulled in, you’d run along with all your pennies hoping they hadn’t sold out of cider ice-lollies. Since it’s hard to find anywhere that pays homage to the cider lolly today, you may prefer to rustle up a version at home.
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80s Boxes of wine
You were really winning in the eighties if you were one of the lucky families with wine in a box. I’m glad it has made a comeback, available in Marks and Spencer for £13 a box, bargain!
80s Waffles
80s Waffles were the quintessential quick breakfast or snack during that iconic decade, celebrated in commercials for their “waffily versatility.” These waffles weren’t just a morning meal, they could be dressed up with syrup and butter for a comforting breakfast, topped with ice cream and chocolate sauce for a decadent dessert, or even savored with fried chicken for a savory treat.
The simplicity and convenience of popping them in the toaster made them a hit among families, especially those with busy, on the go lifestyles. Today, they remain a beloved item in many households, readily available in the frozen section of most supermarkets, continuing to offer a taste of nostalgia along with a satisfying crunch. Whether enjoyed plain or adorned with your favourite toppings, 80s waffles are a testament to the enduring appeal of simple, delicious foods.
80s Battenberg Cake
80s Battenberg Cake evokes nostalgic memories of afternoon tea at Grandma’s house, where a slice of this distinctive cake often accompanied a warm cup of tea.
The Battenberg Cake, with its unique checkered pattern of pink and yellow squares enveloped in a layer of marzipan, has been a symbol of comfort and tradition for many. Although it may not feature as prominently in today’s culinary trends, its charm endures. While it’s no longer in vogue, I can safely say it is readily available in Tesco!
80s Vol au vents
For those of you unaware of this delight, the frozen pastry shells were baked before stuffing with a choice of culinary delights. These often included egg mayo or ham and cheese. Sophisticated stuff! I’m pleased to tell you that Vol au vents are alive and well, once again found in the aisles of Tesco!
Conclusion
As we wrap up this nostalgic journey through the culinary delights of the 1980s, it’s clear that while some of these treats may feel a bit dated, their charm and the memories they evoke are timeless. From Fray Bentos pies to Cherry Cola and the unmistakable prawn cocktail, each item offers a unique glimpse into the flavours that defined a decade.
Whether you’re revisiting these classics or experiencing them for the first time, they serve as a sweet reminder of simpler times when food was not just sustenance but also an adventure. So, dust off that old cookbook, or perhaps take a trip to your local supermarket or specialty bar to relive the taste of the ’80s a time when food was fun, fabulously kitsch, and unapologetically bold.
