The 80s were the boon of experimental food, convenience cooking, and flashy presentation. There were numerous food items that were more about the new than the nutritious or the balanced. Although these meals were in fashion during that period, evolving preferences and increased awareness of food have changed the perception of people towards them.
TV Dinners
Once, frozen TV dinners were considered a convenient and modern thing. They are now, however, generally criticised because of their dull taste, excessive sodium, and poor texture. Much less processed or fresh foods are preferred by people nowadays. TV dinners do not match the demands of quality food today.
Jell-O Salads
The 80s were characterised by sweet gelatin into which fruit, vegetables, or even mayonnaise would be poured. Such mixes are now disturbing and dislikable. Contemporary preferences give way to natural textures and definitive flavour profiles. Jell-O salads are no longer mostly present on dinner tables.
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes were known because of their simplicity and hot taste. Nevertheless, the sugariness and sloppiness of the food is too much nowadays. It is now common to find better, healthier varieties of sandwiches. The processed meat and the heavy sauce make it less attractive.
Cheese Fondue Parties
Fondue used to be a trendy meal. It seems to be too fatty and too weighty to dip bread into melted cheese. Health-conscious patrons do not indulge in excessive usage of cheese. Fondue is more of an exception than an ordinary food.
Salisbury Steak
Salisbury steak, which is usually accompanied by gravy, was one of the common comfort foods. Its refined texture and dense sauce do not suit the contemporary taste any longer. Newly cooked meats, which are seasoned lightly, are now in preference to this heavy and salamitous fare.
Canned Fruit Cocktails
Dessert Fruits Cans Fruits cocktails were put in cans as a favourite dessert item. They have been kept in syrup, which makes them appear to be too sweet and devoid of freshness. Canned fruit has been substituted with fresh varieties as people are increasingly conscious of natural flavours and diet.
Liver and Onions
Previously, the liver was appreciated in terms of nutrition. Its unpleasant taste and texture do not suit many people very well today. The popularity of this food has been decreasing greatly due to a change in cooking habits and accessibility to other sources of protein.
Stuffed Bell Peppers Washer Full
Stuffed peppers made of rice, meat, and heavy sauces were common. The 80s versions were heavy and usually devoid of flavour, though they were still ready nowadays. Older recipes are not as popular as modern dishes, which use lighter fillings and have superior seasoning.
Quiche Lorraine
Quiche was regarded as an elegant food. The combination of heavy cream, cheese, and pastry now seems excessive. Egg-based meals are light, and they are preferred by health-conscious customers. Quiche has lost its menu regularity.
Creamed Spinach
One of the popular side dishes was creamed spinach. The creamy texture was usually thick and suppressed the natural taste of the vegetable. Nowadays, it is the greens that are lightly cooked or even raw. Heavy cream-based sides are obsolete.
Microwave Mug Meals
Microwave cooking at the early stages resulted in irregular textures and flavour. Mug meals were easy to carry around, yet hardly satisfying. These dishes are a compromise as compared to a solution due to the availability of better ways of cooking.
Overloaded Nachos
Processed cheese and toppings were traditionally applied to 80s nachos. The outcome was oily and clammy. Newer versions today are centred on freshness and moderation. Elderly fashions are too heavy-handed and crude.
