1920s Dinner Party Ideas

ditsykitchen

Hi all It's not really a thrift topic, but I know a lot of people on OS know their food so I thought I might be able to get some good ideas going here. On the 26th we dh and I are throwing a roaring 20s themed dinner party for a few friends - including fancy dress . My dinner parties are often considered 'fancy' by friends because of the number of courses (usually about ten with palate cleansers and appetisers included) and cooking techniques, but they're actually very thrifty, as is most everything I cook. I thought some of you might enjoy helping me come up with some ideas for dishes to suit the theme but which don't involve expensive ingredients :money: I don't know much about 20s food - I should really have a flip through Gatsby and see what's mentioned...

PS. We are (and most of our guests are) veggie and don't really like faux meat.

FairyPrincessk

There was an episode of the Supersizers go devoted to 1920s cuisine. I believe you can watch portions of it on youtube. If I remember correctly, there was some aspic involved:huh:

Sorry, it was Supersizers Eat..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpl4b0pHNDo
hth. Please let us know what you cook, it sounds like fun!

ditsykitchen

FairyPrincessk wrote: »

There was an episode of the Supersizers go devoted to 1920s cuisine. I believe you can watch portions of it on youtube. If I remember correctly, there was some aspic involved:huh:

Sorry, it was Supersizers Eat..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpl4b0pHNDo
hth. Please let us know what you cook, it sounds like fun!

Ah! I completely forgot about that programme! Will have a watch thanks

lucystardust

I'd go for something classic, e.g. beef, potatoes and veg.

I think the key thing would be cocktails though! That would really give it a 20s twist. You could do a cocktail themed dessert maybe?

kittycat204

http://www.brytontaylor.com/gluten_free/2013/05/throwing-a-1920s-great-gatsby-party-the-menu-from-the-book-plus-inspiration.html
http://www.dinnerandamurder.com/themes/1920s.htm
http://styleoverstress.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/planning-a-menu-for-a-1920s-inspired-dinner-party/
Few really good looking websites here. Seems you will be fine with it being veggie too. Wardorf salad coming up lots. Nut loaf, stuffed eggs, stuffed mushrooms, cabbage rolls.
Hope this helps.

ditsykitchen

lucystardust wrote: »

I'd go for something classic, e.g. beef, potatoes and veg.

I think the key thing would be cocktails though! That would really give it a 20s twist. You could do a cocktail themed dessert maybe?

Sorry but no beef for us veggies :rotfl:

I agree, I think cocktails of the era will be good. I went to a friend's recently and she had made a gin and tonic sorbet which was delicious and slightly lethal Might try something like that. Any particular cocktails you think might be good?

ditsykitchen

kittycat204 wrote: »

http://www.brytontaylor.com/gluten_free/2013/05/throwing-a-1920s-great-gatsby-party-the-menu-from-the-book-plus-inspiration.html
http://www.dinnerandamurder.com/themes/1920s.htm
http://styleoverstress.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/planning-a-menu-for-a-1920s-inspired-dinner-party/
Few really good looking websites here. Seems you will be fine with it being veggie too. Wardorf salad coming up lots. Nut loaf, stuffed eggs, stuffed mushrooms, cabbage rolls.
Hope this helps.

Thanks I'll have a look through those too

ditsykitchen

I have drawn two ideas on how to be a 'bright young thing' from the supersizers program:
-be drunk
-be fabulous
:rotfl:

nuatha

Walnuts were added to Waldorf salad in the 20s.
First published in 1919 The Italian Cookbook might offer some ideas (link is to a pdf of the book). Italian food became quite popular due to an association with speakeasys.
The Food Timeline has several suggestions for menus and further reading.
Chocolate truffles became popular in the '20s.

HTH

ditsykitchen

nuatha wrote: »

Walnuts were added to Waldorf salad in the 20s.
First published in 1919 The Italian Cookbook might offer some ideas (link is to a pdf of the book). Italian food became quite popular due to an association with speakeasys.
The Food Timeline has several suggestions for menus and further reading.
Chocolate truffles became popular in the '20s.

HTH

Thanks I'll have look at the cookbook. That timeline seems really good, will come in handy in future too as we are thinking of doing more of these themed evenings.

Seakay

Gatsby cocktails:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/10056693/Great-Gatsby-cocktail-recipes-drink-like-its-the-1920s.html

ices were gaining in popularity at around this time - all sorts of iced food were made as ice and refrigeration became more accessible
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/1211/chilled-tomato-soup-with-parmesan-ice-cream.aspx


other food ideas

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/oh-what-a-lovely-prewar-1920s-and-1930s-food-was-about-more-than-stodge-and-luncheon-meat-8320568.html