1980s APPETIZER IDEAS - You won't believe these EASY party snacks!

[@cooking_the_books]

The first 1,000 people to click the link will get a full year of Premium membership to Craftsy for only $1.49: go.craftsy.com/cookingthebooks2/

[@mitomom4947]

Thank you, Ánna❤

[@ireneedwards5019]

Signed up. Thank you!

[@ljrigsbee]

Vienetta and General Foods International Coffees in the metal tin, the height of sophistication!

[@cooking_the_books]

Absolutely! 😂

[@kellyharris4639]

The International Coffee- posh

[@cindytrayer4279]

I still buy the French Vanilla International Coffee. I literally just had a cup while watching this video! Wish they would bring back the Mocha Mint flavor.

[@OZARKMOON1960]

Oh, I miss so many of the flavours from the 80s and 90s of those!

[@Anwelei]

We didn’t buy either of those when I was a kid. I finally bought one in my 30s on a whim. I felt SO FANCY lol.

[@rw8873]

"I don't need your negativity here!" A life motto to carry into 2025! Thank you for giving all of us a great year of recipes, cooking, chatting and books. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas season! 🎄❣

[@DanielleAlissa-mm2bt]

You forgot about the Polaner All fruit and Grey Poupon mustard! Lol those fancy things from our childhood that the commercials made us think only rich people had!

[@e.urbach7780]

When I was growing up, if my friends & I happened to be driving with our parents, and our cars pulled up next to each other, we always rolled down the car windows and re-enacted the Grey Poupon commercial: "Pardon me, do you happen to have any Grey Poupon?" "But of course!"

[@animula6908]

In my childhood mostly rich people had those. We had French’s mustard and black urn’s jelly. It was all good anyway. Hardly living in want. 😂

[@dubyredburndarling6334]

Our son Tony grew up in the 80s. He asked me what I was watching and when I told him he was asking about the little pizza rolls I used to make for him and his friends. He was jazzed that I'll be making them for Christmas Eve because of you. Thank you so much for bringing back a great memory 🎄🎀

[@kellyharris4639]

I love those little pizza rolls! A friend makes them with a skim of pizza sauce on them with the fillings

[@erikal11]

"I don't need your negativity here!" LOL love it #dessertfirst

[@njw340]

When I was a kid, I became the family cook after taking my first home ec class. I remember getting "free cookbooks" like that. You either sent in labels to get it for free and pay a small shipping cost or you just sent in a few dollars to get a mini cookbook. I still have 3 mini Hershey's cookbooks from the 80's/90's. Although I like the convenience of just looking up a recipe online, I kind of miss getting those mini cookbooks in the mail. I know as a kid it was kind of like waiting for a little gift in the mail.

[@jamiesalg3977]

Not a feta girl personally, but i feel like they'd also be delicious filled with spinach artichoke dip!

[@cindytrayer4279]

I’m also not a feta fan and I thought it would be good using Swiss cheese and a pinch of nutmeg

[@Susanfuzz]

I think red pepper jelly would make a delicious filling for the cheesecakes too…

[@cooking_the_books]

Sounds perfect! 😋

[@kims.9752]

I agree! I do a savory appetizer cheesecake that is topped with pepper jelly.

[@karinberonius8799]

Reading the comments to Anna's videos always makes me look up different foods I've never heard of. Red pepper jelly sounds interesting!

[@Azarko212]

I was talking with my sister about how I was talking with my boyfriend earlier (lol) about how Christmas seems a little lame this year and I’m playing devils advocate thinking maybe my mom and his grandmother are tired of hosting (idk if that’s the case but that’s all I can think of) anyway it seems like no one cares this year. So my bf, my sister, and I have all agreed amongst each other that next year we’re gonna host both holidays And I told my sister we can start planning Christmas in July Then I saw this video and messaged her back like “jk I’m starting now I’m watching a holiday appetizer video lmao” Just a little life tidbit from the past 20 minutes lol I love your content! You’re like my modern day Ina Garten with how gentle your videos are

[@Jen-Chapin]

My faaaaaave crescent roll recipe is the cold veggie pizza. Elite. ❤

[@cooking_the_books]

THE BEST. 😊

[@littleblackcar]

We used to make spanakopita-ish in the college dining hall (filled with spinach, eggs, cottage cheese, and Monterey Jack, because it was the 1990s and they were on a budget). I was cook’s help and spent more time than you’d expect squeezing water out of thawed spinach. We put it in a perforated pan and nested another pan inside, then pressed hard.

[@littleblackcar]

Also, for a sloppy Joe type filling look up picadillo!

[@CarinaPiersay]

Oh boy!! Just starting the video. I have crescents in the fridge and I love appetizers! You can make a meal out of them!

[@Cyndimrktorres]

My fav commercials were the hamburger helper one’s especially the fried rice I always begged my mom to get that one but she said no lol it was always stroganoff or beef pasta lol

[@pen5532]

Wow, the lemon ones look great.I can imagine doing them with pumpkin.Or even with kind of like a pecan pie filling or cream cheese with a cinnamon topping.There are so many great possible variations.

[@sdb9884]

I loved Viennetta! The mint version was amazing.

[@Ets638]

At 70 yrs old I remember all those appetizer’s . Who doesn’t love crescent rolls. I love how much of a Dolly fan you are. The first time I saw her on tv was in 1975 with Porter Waggoner . I was amazed at how she looked. I had never heard of her and was not a country music fan. You must try and find one of those shows. Check it out.

[@gfc_in_the_oh9067]

I see the Life on Svalbard book. Aren’t the photos in there absolutley beautiful? I love the book.

[@cpoehls7785]

You’ve brought such joy and inspiration to my life over this past year (that’s when I found your channel), and I thank you for that. I have a question for you: do you have a wish list of cook books you don’t have, but would love to add to your collection?

[@EXOmakemeHorololo]

Those recipes sound awesome! I need to try. Always love your 80s recipes 😊guess we're all nostalgic for childhood. I miss it... I feel it was more common to get together and cook for guests.

[@CrunchyScott]

Just saw the title and I’m already excited!!! Hello 1980s!!!! 😎

[@adamcooley9928]

Love the Life on Svalbard book on the shelf! Celia's channel makes me feel warm by comparison when Detroit winter hits.

[@e.urbach7780]

Vienetta and Grey Poupon! 😂😂😂 I will never forget the Grey Poupon mustard commercial; of course, when I was growing up, we called it "grey poop on mustard"! And I think I had Vienetta only once, and was shocked to see how little product there was in that fancy box; each person got, like, a 1-inch thick slice, when the commercial showed each person getting much more!

[@OZARKMOON1960]

Even an 'appetizer party' is not complete without something sweet. I am now all about doing some kind of cheesecake with different flavors. The lemon sounds really good.

[@macsarcule]

Hooray! I forget how fun and good these things are. Those pizza pinwheels! Yum! All of these look great! I’d love to see a little of your Xmas decorations similar to some past holiday videos, even for just a bit, it’s always so Christmasy! ✨ Thank you for all your work and all the things you share, Anna! Wishing you a very peaceful and good holiday time! 🎄✨

[@cooking_the_books]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. 🎄

[@kurt11110]

with each tube you bashed open, i saw your confidence grow, anna. confronting your adversary forthwith will always overcome the fear. 😅. and yes, vienetta seemed like the dessert of kings back in the day ❤

[@utopicconfections5257]

When I was growing up, the Christmas cookie tray was the appetizer tray. Each of my aunts would try to out-do each other. Of course, test tasting them all was mandatory. Your cheese cake appetizer is definitely okay for an appetizer tray.

[@jtamsmom5]

Who hates Cresent rolls? Looks delicious. All look great

[@colleenunvarnished]

I don't hate them, but you can have mine.

[@robylove9190]

Mushrooms would be great in the spinach appetizer.

[@cooking_the_books]

Sounds delicious to me! 😋

[@hollyaliyev6503]

I love opening the biscuits, cinnamon rolls, crescent rolls 😂

[@mollysmith6055]

Another fun video with great recipe ideas, thank you Anna. Besides a big quality downgrade there has also been significant shrinkflation in tube dough products in recent years. I make a homemade crescent dough when I want to make some of those vintage recipes...it tastes so much better than the current dough. Loved your suggestions on all those recipes, especially the extra seasoning. That cheesecake dessert makes me want to make them in mini muffin size and reduce the sugar in the cheese then top them with pepper jelly as savory appetizers. Also, it was neat to see your vintage appetizer tray...my mom had one and it was only ever used for 'fancy' special occasions. My favorite crescent roll appetizer is where you make pinwheels of them like your pizza bites and arrange them in a Christmas tree pattern then top with a cream cheese/seasoning mixture and raw veggies. Very artsy! It was in our newspaper sometime back in the 90's and was probably originally from Pillsbury. Edit: Yes, it is a Pillsbury recipe and is available on their website. Thank you for making the holidays festive!

[@Sheltiemama55]

Love the video! Will be buying some pillsbury crescent rolls tomorrow! I totally forgot about how much I loved them! I’m 57 and have done the veggie pizza many times. I’m totally inspired as appetizers are my fave!❤

[@cvgsunset5844]

Your channel inspired me to look through the shelves of cookbooks at my local thrift store- I found so many fun things! I’m actually from SW Ohio and there were some local annual newspaper booklets with “Hometown Recipes” from the early 90s (50¢ each so I grabbed those); a book called “A Year of Diet Desserts” from the late 80s (mostly got it for the lolz and to see if there is anything interesting/fun to try 😂 if nothing else, it’s 365 dessert ideas!); and a book of recipes from the Lazarus (yes, the defunct department store that got absorbed into Macy’s!) cafe from the late 80s/early 90s (I need to double check the year). They had TONs of cookbooks and they weren’t organized at all, so I could have spent a lot longer looking and flipping through. I’ll definitely be adding that to my “sections to browse” when I go to that thrift store in the future. 😊 Thank you for making this channel and sharing all of these lovely recipes and books with us! 💖💖

[@DunderMiflinScranton]

Used to dread Sunday evenings because it means the weekend is over and it’s back to work tomorrow but since I found your channel I look forward to Sunday night to see what vintage recipes you are whipping up. My husband and I always do a nice quiet New Years Eve, just the two of us, and I make a variety of little appetizers for us. Those Italian rollups are definitely going on the buffet this year. Happy Holidays!

[@EdensApple80]

Same! We thought only rich people are Vienetta.

[@kims.9752]

As someone else said - definitely add some nutmeg to the spinach one. Spanakopita traditionally has it. I have this booklet - one of dozens I’ve gotten at grocery store checkouts! All three recipes sound great. I have some lemon curd in the freezer, so the cheesecake ones are definitely happening! Thanks, Anna!

[@beth.marie.1]

Greek olives in the spinach pies. Yum!

[@Rhaenspots]

Awww yes we know an appetizer episode is gonna be amazing 😊

[@Rhaenspots]

The way I sighed with relief when the fridge dough didn’t explode 😭

[@brandonarkell5357]

Oh my gosh, you have Life on Svalbard! So do I! Cecilia is amazing.

[@leanneekman5497]

Anna, if you have a Potato Ricer, you can use it to squeeze the moisture out of the Spinach. Your videos are always inspiring. 🥰

[@carolynchristy]

Crescent roll anything is good lol!

[@jenniferwang3489]

I'm interested in this one! I have a LOT of crescent rolls hanging out in the fridge and I think it will be great for our Christmas day meal. I go all out for Thanksgiving, but I liek to be all snacky for Christmas becasue we are very laid back...

[@numberblockslogosandmore2794]

That sounds amazing, we always do a huge meal on Christmas Day but many times do appetizers only for Christmas Eve

[@allisonlorene5056]

LMAO 😂 I TOLD YOU the counter bang helps!! ❤

[@ijazmailbox7082]

I love watching your videos because you are so calm and gentle. For me personally I won’t eat canned bread stuffs cuz I cut highly processed foods from my life last year, and the canned crescent rolls are the highest of the highly processed foods lol! But oh man they are tasty. I do sometimes miss them

[@marischmaltz]

I find most recipes of the 50's thru 90's could use a boost of spices ... seems we were not as adventuresome or the availability of spices wasn't there quite yet.

[@cookingwithsherry]

Yum I’m for the cherry crescent ones! I’m making a crescent appetizer tomorrow night

[@AnnaLong-f5u]

I love the Pillsbury commercials from the past too remember them very clearly I might add

[@PeterLeonard-md2on]

Always a delight!! Thanks....

[@cooking_the_books]

I'm so glad you liked it! 😄

[@dreamweaver3406]

yummy ! I think I'll make those pizza ones for a party I'm going to this week. Thanks and Happy Holidays to you

[@tanvav]

TY for sharing! The spinach pie ones look great. I add dill, mint, & extra feta cheese. Your cheesecake filling is awesome & it's ok to substitute for different fillings. I substitute recipes all the time. Happy Holidays ❤💕 🎄 ⛄️

[@Tina-oq3di]

Another great video. I love your apron too. For the spinach pies i would add some dill too. It adds a beautiful flavour.

[@barbaraphilipp8313]

Love love love your videos. Thank you.

[@cooking_the_books]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video. 😊

[@skokian1able]

All three recipes looked so delicious, and I agree that they are springboards for equally delicious variations. Thank you for this homey & comforting channel ❤️!

[@SheilaTurner-u5r]

Cute apron!!!

[@jenn4youtube]

Loves these they look so good and you are right you can def do a savory version and it would be amazing 💕💕 you did so great opening the rolls! So brave!

[@linda7726]

Anna..you know what they say “life is too short, eat dessert first!!!!” 🥰

[@bridgetmarden7224]

❤ love you, your channel, and ideas from the past that most have forgotten or never heard of.

[@susanmccoy1992]

I think I may have had that little cookbook back in ‘87!

[@mirandamom1346]

I usually use puff pastry to make recipes similar to these, but it sounds like crescent roll dough reheats better than puff pastry. I think I may have to give crescent roll dough a go.

[@ireneedwards5019]

Thanks for doing these videos. You, and the recipes, are inspiring!

[@cooking_the_books]

I’m so glad you like them! 😄

[@melissalambert7615]

Spinach and Feta - yum. Tip from Pasta Grannies: when sealing using a fork, use the side of the fork not the tines. They all looked great! Like you this time of year I usually have a package in the fridge. Lasts for a while.

[@missperfect8424]

Pizza rolls! ❤❤❤❤

[@deborahwilliams-rowley4281]

Good Evening Ann, watching you do the sweet, I'm thinking use a mini muffin pan that way they would be appetizer size

[@walterco7701]

My favorite crescent rolls recipe is vegetable pizza - classic midwest potluck dish from childhood. You just press the crescent dough into a 9x13 pan, bake. When cool top with cream cheese/mayo/greek yogurt/ranchy spices, then a tiny bit of cheese (optional) and a bunch of chopped veg -- broccoli, cauliflower, carrot is what I stick to because people can be fussy, but there's so much room to play. ETA: LOL, you covered it!

[@cooking_the_books]

So good!! 😊

[@pamking8137]

I just love you and your channel!

[@andreaa547]

You can buy crescent roll dough sheets to avoid the perforations

[@cooking_the_books]

Yep! I mention that in the video.

[@andreaa547]

@ I probably haven’t gotten there yet…😵‍💫

[@Jen-Chapin]

@@andreaa547 I love that stuff but it’s super hard to find in my area!

[@amyspeers8012]

There was a restaurant in my grandpa’s town that made great pie. When you would order your lunch, you would get a meat, two sides, a drink and a slice of pie. They would bring your drink and pie right after your order. My grandpa would eat the pie before his lunch came and say”Life is too short-eat dessert first!” He lived to be 91!

[@KitNCatCleo]

The cheesecake ones would be great with cranberry topping too

[@michellestone1261]

Hey Anna maybe some strawberry topping ontop on that last recipe you made with the lemon butter that sounds great

[@katefoss3268]

Most Spanakopitas (Spinach Pie) that I’ve had have both Ricotta and feta. You should try adding equal amounts of feta and spinach. I think you would like it. Fresh dill is great added as well. It’s one of my favorites. By the way, as an avid cook, I really enjoy your videos. Merry Christmas!🎄

[@maureensigler6271]

Love this episode!! Thanks

[@jackiehoward7300]

I thought that those big boxes of Whitman’s and Russell Stover Chocolates were “rich” people food.

[@dorisbeale4940]

Thanks so much for sharing this ❤

[@annettefournier9655]

The mushroom pinwheels use canned mushrooms. I make them every holiday year round. Filling: cream cheese, worstershire , mushrooms. ❤

[@cooking_the_books]

Sounds delicious! 😋

[@schastain3232]

I saw your Svalbard book❤️

[@nicoledamato4741]

Lemon cheesecakes are bomb❤❤❤

[@jill8542]

I’m trying the spinach one with added cheddar and maybe some cream cheese and nutmeg. I make a spinach “pie” like a quiche usually but I’m going to try to stuff it in a crescent roll! Thanks for the idea

[@abunchahooey]

Oohhh… those sound like good add ins!

[@katchmeifyoucan1131]

Taco seasoned beef with cheddar or mexican cheese make great "Taco Puffs" You could use the crescents or canned biscuits (Just roll out and fold over if you use the biscuit dough}

[@shawnward-m8f]

Very delish !!!! Great ideas.🤤😃😆

[@cooking_the_books]

I'm so glad you liked them! 😄

[@jeannesaalfrank9416]

I did these years and years ago from Pillsbury book. It seems that I pressed the triangles together to form a large rectangle then applied the cooked spinach and onion etc. Then rolled the dough and baked. I don't remember if I cut them into rounds or not but they were delicious both hot and at room temperature. Yummy - Thanks for reminding me about these!

[@thehapagirl92]

Ooh I’ve never had spinach pies

[@Notable2Nikki]

I would sub Boursin for the feta. I love Boursin!

[@cooking_the_books]

Great idea! I love it too. 😋

[@swearenginlawanda]

Jerry Clover said. "Whop it" biscuts. Cresent rolls apply

[@JulianneRemley-l2q]

Look delicious

[@heleneminger]

Once a year we used to take our now grown children to the theme park and it became a tradition that we'd have dessert for dinner, I mean what the heck we're already breaking all of our normal routine anyway. You only live once, have a dessert for dinner.

[@lcray06]

I was looking for a classic tuna noodle casserole and I can to your channel to see if you had one. You should post one, I’m sure there’s a great recipe in one of your books! Also I am watching this video too and it’s great as always!

[@Kahtini]

Pillsbury makes a crescent dough sheet, ie no perforations. If one can found that, might make the spinach pies as wee bit easier to make.

[@cooking_the_books]

Yep! I mention that in the video.

[@Kahtini]

@@cooking_the_books The video hadn't gotten to that part when I commented. 😊

[@abunchahooey]

2nd comment here today, but you all are going to think I’m a heathen because to open the dough tube I fearlessly press both thumbs at the seam. I think it’s fun! 😂

[@dianaarmitage512]

Yikes!!! That sounds terrifying! 😧😧😳😳😬😬 Lol!

[@redrooster1908]

Puff pastry has no fear factor if the popping Cresent roll tube frightened anyone.😊

[@joantrotter3005]

Why would having a low startle response make anyone think you are a specific religion?

[@HeidisHereAndThere]

​@@joantrotter3005 I think they mean a rebel. 😂

[@abunchahooey]

@@joantrotter3005 hey Joan. Since you’re into Googling words, look up “colloquialism” or “regional expression” 😀

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

My mother always said life is too short not to eat dessert first... must be an Ohio thing!

[@dorothyrushforth888]

Oooo I like that! 😊

[@sharonhutchinson9604]

Also afraid of opening crescent dough😂

[@cooking_the_books]

We should really start a support group. 😂

[@The3GMom]

Sifted powdered sugar on the cheesecakes would look pretty.

[@debracoulter1250]

You bought Cecilia’s book! I’m curious if you have purchased Christofer’s ecookbooks also!

[@janemartin229]

They sell the crescent dough in sheets now that aren't perforated into triangles. That would be helpful here.

[@cooking_the_books]

Yes, I mention that in the video.

[@dianaarmitage512]

OMG, opening tubes of dough TERRIFY me too! If there's anyone else in the house I beg them to do it 😂 I also am scared of popping balloons 🎈 There must be a medical name for this fear. Great episode Anna!

[@cindytrayer4279]

LOL! I have those same fears. I hate anything that pops!

[@JillMorgan-b7y]

I press it with a big spoon instead of cracking it on the counter. All the recipes looks great. Good Job!

[@ggreg2258]

Was thinking that with the crescent dough, you could use canned pie filling and they would be turnovers---top with a bit of raw sugar??

[@Susanfuzz]

I’m scared of tube dough too! I love your tip to whack the dough and do it all the time. Spoons are for suckers :) I’m making those spinach pockets this week - I have everything in my fridge. these will be a lovely soup bribe (my family balks at soup for dinner unless an elaborate bread is also offered) 🖤 ETA: they used to make unperforated sheets of crescent dough… I haven’t seen it recently, but that product is easier to use than attaching the triangles to each other.

[@cooking_the_books]

You're gonna love those spinach pockets! 😊

[@yvonnebruce6178]

I would like to know where I can find a hand mixer like yours.

[@cooking_the_books]

Hi there! It's the Breville Handy Mix: amzn.to/4g2UWWB I've had mine for a couple of years now, and it is by far the best hand mixer I've ever used.

[@catherinehope6641]

I would love to be your neighbor. We would have a good time!

[@kickinkaren478]

Is wonky squares a technical term 😊.

[@cooking_the_books]

it absolutely is. 😂

[@Toad-In-A-Puddle]

It's also a term used frequently in quilting. 🙂

[@guestguest2030]

Would a tomato-based dipping sauce work for the crescent spinach pies?