Molded asparagus salad, anyone?
When writer Wendy McClure stumbled upon a set of 1970s diet cards, she couldn't stop laughing.
Wendy explained: “When I found the card for the “Rosy Perfection Salad” I Iaughed so hard I started coughing. I waved the card at my mom, who just rolled her eyes. “Can I please have these?” I begged. “What do you want them for?” she asked. “To cook?” “No,” I said.”
Wendy McClure
Instead of cooking the recipes (and why would she? Why would anyone?), she made them into a book.
Wendy said: “These cards mystify me. None of them have calorie information of any kind, and in some instances it's hard to tell what's dietetic about the recipes at all, except that they're unspeakably grim. And yet also, completely insane.”
Here are 21 of the 'best' diet cards from her collection.
Wendy McClure / Via amazon.co.uk
Molded Asparagus Salad.
“In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup tomato juice. Stir over low heat until gelatin dissolves. Stir in remaining tomato juice, vinegar, sweetener, salt and hot sauce. Chill until syrupy. Fold in asparagus.” Mmm, syrupy asparagus jelly.
Wendy McClure
Chilled Celery Log.
This recipe for a stuffed, chilled celery 'log' invites you to mash a cauliflower, stir in some chopped green pepper, insert the mixture into some celery and then refrigerate for 45 minutes before slicing. Delicious.
Wendy McClure
My Crowded Head 