Hotdish (1930, Minnesota, USA)
Hotdish’s name was first coined in a 1930 cookbook by the Grace Lutheran Ladies Aid. While the originating cookbook was Minnesotan, Hotdish is popular throughout… Read More »Hotdish (1930, Minnesota, USA)
Welcome to Across the Calendar, where we take a culinary trip through time. This category is all about revisiting iconic recipes that have stood the test of history, reigning in popularity for decades—and in some cases, even centuries. Each dish reflects the flavors of its era, and we’ll look highlight the time period it was invented or reached household status.
Every era has its signature dishes, and we’re here to celebrate them. In this category, you’ll find timeless recipes like French Onion Soup, which first gained fame in the 18th century but solidified its place in kitchens during the 1960s. This rich, savory soup, topped with melted cheese and crusty bread, embodies French comfort food at its finest.
On the other hand, you’ve got humble classics like Tuna Salad, which rose to prominence in the 1950s. During this time, convenience foods like canned tuna became household staples, and this quick, versatile recipe found its way into lunchboxes across the country.
Some dishes may not be as well-known today, but they defined their time. Take Porcupine Meatballs, a quirky, flavorful dish from the 1930s. The rice-studded meatballs, which resemble little porcupines as they cook, are a Depression-era favorite that’s worth rediscovering. The simplicity and heartiness of this dish made it a go-to during tough economic times, and today, it offers a nostalgic taste of the past.
By grouping these recipes by their most important decade, Across the Calendar gives you a better sense of the flavors that shaped each period. You’ll not only enjoy delicious meals but also learn a bit about the history behind them.
Each recipe in Across the Calendar takes you on a journey through time. From Victorian-era cakes to mid-century casseroles, these dishes tell the story of how our eating habits evolved. Whether you’re recreating a dish your grandparents loved or trying something new from a different decade, this category offers something for every history-loving foodie.
Join us on this culinary adventure and discover the flavors that have shaped generations of cooking. Across the Calendar brings history back to life, one recipe at a time.
Hotdish’s name was first coined in a 1930 cookbook by the Grace Lutheran Ladies Aid. While the originating cookbook was Minnesotan, Hotdish is popular throughout… Read More »Hotdish (1930, Minnesota, USA)
The first published mention of a tomato sandwich comes from a man’s description of his lunch in a 1911 Virginia Chronicle article. So they have… Read More »Tomato Sandwich (1910s, Southern USA)
Check out The Food Timeline or The Nibble for more history on this classic sandwich. We also have a recipe for an “enhanced” version of… Read More »BLT Sandwich (1940s)
Johnny Marzetti is a casserole created by Teressa Marzetti, an Italian immigrant to the United States. The dish was named after her brother-in-law, Johnny, and… Read More »Johnny Marzetti (1910s, Columbus, OH, USA)
This salad that isn’t really a salad also has nothing to do with the Watergate Scandal (though it is surrounded by nearly as much mystery).… Read More »Watergate Salad (1970s)
Porcupine meatballs remind me a lot of the Oklahoma Onion Burger, which was another product of the Great Depression. Since meat was so expensive, and… Read More »Porcupine Meatballs (1930s)