These vintage appetizers, transcribed from cherished handwritten cards, reflect a time when cold spreads and flavorful dips graced every party platter. The Shrimp Spread features cooked shrimp seasoned with lemon, onion, and curry powder—likely a mid-century innovation combining seafood and spices. The Appetizer Special and Cheese Spread blend ingredients like ham, cottage cheese, and horseradish for hearty, savory bites perfect for crackers or toast. Popular in the 1950s–70s, these nostalgic recipes offer a glimpse into communal gatherings of yesteryear.
Ingredients
Shrimp Spread:
- 2 lbs shrimp (washed, may be canned or fresh)
- 1 lemon (sliced)
- 1 stalk celery (chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ lemon (Juice of)
- 1 onion (grated)
- 1 tsp curry powder
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
Ham Spread:
- 1 lb cooked ham (ground)
- 4 tbsp mustard (prepared)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp horseradish
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Small dash Tabasco sauce
Cheese Spread:
- 1½ lbs cottage cheese
- 1 tsp sage
- 2 tbsp onion (grated )
- ¾ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp parsley (chopped )
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Shrimp Spread
- Cook shrimp with lemon slices, chopped celery, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Drain and cool.
- Add juice of ½ lemon, grated onion, curry powder, and mayonnaise.
- Mix thoroughly and chill before serving.
Step 2: Prepare Ham Spread
- Grind cooked ham.
- Add mustard, mayonnaise, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of Tabasco.
- Blend well until smooth and creamy. Chill before serving.
Step 3: Prepare Cheese Spread
- Combine cottage cheese, sage, grated onion, salt, and chopped parsley.
- Mix thoroughly and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise for a lighter version.
- Add diced pickles or relish to the ham spread for extra tang.
- Use pre-cooked or canned shrimp for convenience.
- Serve spreads with crackers, celery sticks, or crusty bread.
- Add paprika or chives on top for color and flavor.
Transcription of the Original Recipe
Read or copy the transcription
Shrimp Spread - 2 lbs. washed shrimp May be canned or frozen if fresh is not available Cook with lemon slices, celery leaves, Chopped onion, Salt & pepper. Peel shrimp & clean - Grind or chop fine - Add juice of 1 lemon 1 onion (grated) 1 tsp curry powder - ¾ cup Mayonnaise Salt & pepper These may be molded in ring, chilled & garnished Appetizer Spreads Ham spread - 1 lb. cooked ham - ground (3 cups) 4 tbsp mustard (prepared) 1/3 cup Mayonnaise 2 tsp horseradish 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce Small dash Tabasco sauce Cheese spread - 1½ lbs. cottage cheese 1 tsp sage 1 tbsp. grated onion ¾ tsp. salt 2 tbsp chopped Parsley Salvaged Recipes
From Transcription to Instructions
Hi there, we're glad you found this little recipe. The original directions are a terse, old-school note that tells you to cook shrimp with lemon slices and celery, then "peel, grind or chop fine" and add the juice of 1 lemon, curry and mayo. Our instructions walk you through cooking, draining and cooling the shrimp, then adding grated onion, curry and ½ lemon juice with the mayo, so the order is clearer. One thing to notice: the original explicitly says to grind or chop the shrimp, while the instructions leave that step unstated, so we've pointed out that discrepancy so you won't miss it as you cook.
Nutrition
Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 14gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 480mgPotassium: 150mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg
