Ethan & Martha: Nostalgia Menu

Our mum and dad thought it would be fun to feed us the sort of stuff they had when they were kids. Here is what they bought.

 

And here is what we thought.

Golden Nuggets. They were probably one of the nicest things that we ate. 9/10

Salt & Shake Crisps. We tried some without the salt first. They were good with or without. 9/10

Crab Paste. Ethan: I took one mouthful of a crab paste sandwich and couldn't manage any more. Martha: I didn't have any after Ethan told me how horrible it was. 0/10

Sandwich Spread. Ethan: I was the only one to try this, it was quite nice actually, even though it looks like someone has thrown up in a jar. 7/10

Spam. Martha: Ethan wasn't very keen but I thought it was OK. 4/10

Wagon Wheels. Two biscuits stick together with marshmallow and covered in chocolate. Yum. 9/10

Nesquick. Lovely strong strawberry flavour. 9/10

Fray Bentos Steak & Kidney Pie. More kidney than steak. 4/10

Findus Crispy Pancakes. Truly revolting, do not try these at home. 1/10

Angel Delight. We've had this before. Very good. 9/10

Arctic Roll. We both loved this. 10/10

We really enjoyed the day. Some of the food was horrible though. Remember, we did this so that you don't have to.

Comments

[Fran]

Wagon Wheels were my favourite when I was a teenager. They were much bigger then, I swear.

[Cate]

"So big, you gotta grin to get it in" - they don't write ditties like that anymore. You are brave and good children.

[Lauren Ace]

I love you two, but you gave Findus Crispy Pancakes 1/10?! Your parents have spoilt your taste buds with too many home made cakes and delightful, fresh farmer's market goodies. That said, I am referring to the cheese ones. I've never tried whatever that brown goo is they put in the 'meat' ones, so maybe you have a point?

[Richard Whittle]

As Fran says, Wagon Wheels were much bigger. The biscuits were thicker and the chocolate was so thick you couldn't see through it like you can now. Crab paste always seemed to have crunchy bits in it. And as for the sandwich spread, I'm not sure I ever want any more, not now (not that I've had any for years). We used to have Angel Delight for pud almost every day. Spam is good if you go camping miles from anywhere and don't want to starve!

[jem]

I think you are really brave to try some of these, but please that you enjoyed the Arctic Roll - there's nothing quite like it! I love the observation - 'more kidney than steak' - it sounds like the story of my life!

[Jackie (Farm Lane Books)]

LOL! I remember sandwich spread and it does look as though someone has thrown up in a jar!

I remembered crispy pancakes as being delicious. I tried one last month and was shocked by how disgusting they were. I'd stick to the wagon wheels!

[Michael Malone]

What a cool way to trip down memory lane. Next blogs - things I ate as a student? Things my parents made me eat and drink at parties in the 70s?

[Tara Bradford]

Looks like you had fun experimenting! Having grown up in America, our list is a bit different, but I have had my daughter try many of the foods I ate as a child. She dislikes most of them, except wagon pinwheels, which are big chocolate-covered marshmallow cookies. I remember spam - not very appetising, which is why some clever techie gave unwanted email that name.

[Sonia]

How can anyone not like Findus Crispy Pancakes?? they were a treat when I was a nipper. i used to love them. i may have to go out and buy some this week and force my daughter to eat them (have to be the minced beef ones though)

[Richard Whittle]

I am cooking dinner. I have just discovered a jar of SANDWICH SPREAD in the cupboard! Arghhhhh!

[Susie]

Brave eaters, of the 1960s,here's something sweeter than delicious chocolate Angel Delight:
Cut a chocolate swiss roll into 12 sections, place on base of long dish. Pour over a jug of hot chocolate blancmange/or similar. Chill in fridge, blob with cream (1960s) or goat's yoghurt (2010), and maybe some raspberry jam. Sit in front of telly and watch The Prisoner.
Happy eating, historically or otherwise, Ethan and Martha.

[Lucy Coats]

You two have now induced an unstoppable craving for strawberry nesquik. Off to shops right now. But not for Spam--not since school made me sit in front of a plate of spam fat for a whole afternoon because I wouldn't eat it. Waste not Want not in those days! And I agree about the crispy pancakes. Yeurrrch!

Lucy Coats @ http://www.scribblecitycentral.blogspot.com

[Maria]

Hilarious!

[Dave Bartlett]

I remember Wagon Wheels being as big as dustbin lids, with chocolate on them so thick it made them difficult to get in your mouth. (honestly - ask your dad!)

Your dad gave you Spam, but did he risk giving you in it's most unhealthy and most delicious form? - sliced, dipped in batter and deep fried - Spam fritters - absolutely delicious.

Tara - don't misinform the kiddies - unwanted mail isn't called spam because of it not being very appetising - the term originates from the Monty Python 'Vikings in the transport cafe' sketch, where EVERYTHING came with Spam.

A shame you can't get some of the sweets we had in the 60s/70s - I'm sure you'd love Pink Panther bars - Just like a Nestle milky bar, only strawberry flavoured. (I think I vaguely remember a banana flavoured varient, that had Rupert Bear on the wrapper for some reason!)