Appetizers: ’80s-style!
You know those crazy ’80s parties steeped in nostalgia? Where everybody dresses up, drinks sunset-colored martinis and goes home with a Rubik’s cube or an arm full of plastic jewelry? We’ve hosted one of those! Today’s featured ’80s-themed gathering is a little different… I recently threw an ’80s Christmas luncheon for family to ring in the holidays. The focus: ’80s glamour and decadent food! In fact, in the 1980s, food was displayed in a “big” way! At the finest restaurants, each plate was a canvas that used tools such as ground pepper, chives, nuts and other “garnishes” to make a culinary statement. Read on for more ’80s foodie fun…
An ’80s Christmas table setting
Let’s start by talking decor! You may recognize the crystal swan and silver flourishes (shown below) from our recent post on ’80s Christmas decor. In fact, many chic holiday decorations from the decade of decadence celebrated metallic hues. Check out this post featuring modern Christmas decor from the 1987 movie Less Than Zero, and you’ll see what we mean! Above, green geometric napkins and silver and white dishware dress up each table setting.
An ’80s-style Christmas table
Now let’s talk food! At the top of the post, we see a plate of appetizers. Below is a close-up of this easy-to-prepare selection. Choose crispy crackers and cover them with a layer of fresh goat cheese. Add a sliced grape to each, as well as a roasted pistachio, then arrange these bite-sized treats on a plate. Top it all off with freshly ground pepper. Remember to get creative in the middle of the plate–add a few grapes and pistachios to form the design of your choice! Super easy and super tasty, folks!
Appetizers as art
When it was time to move on to the main meal, we began with a salad of mixed greens, plum, chives, feta cheese and toasted walnuts. Again, the fun is in the composition. Arrange the salad on a platter, and make sure that fruit, nuts and cheese are evenly dispersed. Use the chives to add even more textural interest. No plums at the store? No problem! Substitute with a fruit of your choice.
Mixed greens salad with plum, feta and walnuts
A holiday poinsettia in a metal planter
Before we introduce the rest of the meal, let’s take a look at one more decor highlight: a Christmas poinsettia in a metallic planter. This is one of my favorite ’80s-style Christmas decorations. Why? Because it will make your home look like a hotel lobby circa 1982. And you probably won’t see too many other homes taking this approach!
Which brings me to my next point… With time spent on making decor decade-specific for this gathering, give yourself a break when it comes to the food. Seriously. There are plenty of great ways to give your guests a delicious meal, and nobody is going to throw a crystal swan through the window if you don’t prepare everything from scratch.
I went with a gourmet soup from my favorite market–a chickpea curry creation. I topped it all off with a dollop of yogurt and some ground paprika. It got rave reviews. And yes, I was honest about the soup’s store-bought origins. Once again, there’s no shame in taking the easy way out!!!
In the ’80s, food was all about the presentation
For dessert, I served dutch chocolate and mint chocolate chip ice cream (I put the scoop of mint chocolate chip on top), then added fresh peppermint and a straw-shaped cookie. For an extra ’80s touch, try topping it off with sprinkles. Why are afterthoughts always the best ideas?…
Mint chocolate chip ice cream to top off the meal
Here’s hoping your holiday is filled with ’80s style and tasty treats! Read more about ’80s Christmas decor here. And have a Happy Monday!
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