Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Disco Party Food Ideas

Who said disco is dead? Just make sure your food fits your disco theme.


When you think of a disco party, some of the first things that come to mind are the lights, the energy and, of course, the groovy clothes. But a party isn't a party without great food that keeps to the theme. To get you started, here are a few ideas to throw a far-out party.


Fondue


Go retro with fondue.


Throwing a fondue party was popular in the 1970s. Party goers would cook meats and vegetables in fondue pots right at the dinner table. Breads were dipped in cheeses, and fruits and candies were dipped in melted chocolate.


Fondue parties are gaining popularity again---and are great for socializing. Using your imagination will give you the best variety of foods. A couple ideas: Half-inch cubed sirloin cooks well in fondue. In a saucepan, melt 1/2 lb. of butter and 3/4 cup olive oil. Pour the mixture into the fondue pot to heat some more. When the butter and oil start to bubble, lower a speared sirloin into the butter for approximately three minutes.


You can dip fruits---such as peaches, strawberries, grapes, clementines and pears---into a smooth chocolate for dessert. Melt about 8 oz. of quality chocolate in a double broiler. When the chocolate is melted, slowly stir in 1 cup of heavy cream until the mixture is smooth.


Waldorf Salad


Waldorf salad was common at disco parties in the '70s, and it will bring color, texture and freshness to your meal. Making Waldorf salad requires a little work, but the end result is worth it.


Mix 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup thin-sliced celery, 1/2 cup red seedless grapes and 1 cored and chopped sweet apple. For the dressing, combine 3 tbsp. mayonnaise, 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice and 1/4 tsp. salt and pepper. Serve on a bed of lettuce.


Hummingbird Cake


In the late 1970s, hummingbird cake---pecan, pineapple and banana cake covered in a rich pecan cream cheese frosting---made its hit debut in the February 1978 issue of "Southern Living." Many recipes and variations are available for this cake, but here's one to get you started:


Sift together 3 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 1 tsp. salt, 2 tsp. baking soda, and 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Add 3 eggs and 1 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and mix until moist. Stir in 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla, one 8-oz. can crushed pineapple, 2 cups chopped pecans and 2 cups mashed bananas. Pour mixture into three greased 9-inch pans, and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.


To make the frosting, combine two 8-oz. packages of cream cheese, 1 cup butter, two 16-oz. boxes of powdered sugar and 2 tsp vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to combine the ingredients until smooth.


Famous Amos


Still a favorite today, Famous Amos introduced its crunchy little chocolate chip cookie in 1975, and it became an instant hit. Many people who grew up the late '70s remember these cookies being available at parties, a friend's house or in their own kitchen cupboard. You won't go wrong having these at your disco party.

Tags: cream cheese, Famous Amos, mixture into, Pour mixture, Pour mixture into, were dipped