Hoop skirts with stilettos and fitted cardigans, horn rimmed glasses with plaid pants and bow ties: these iconic fashion staples of the 1950s and 1960s were the inspiration for this lineup of recipes for our Classic Retro Fall Dinner. Break out the turquoise or lemongrass Fiesta dinnerware or, perhaps, grandma’s classic bone china, if you have it. Hang an assortment of LED paper globe lights (available on line and at party stores) around the living and dining rooms (or backyard dining area) or fill spaces with varying sizes of candlesticks with white, unscented taper and column candles to further set the mood. Sprinkle in some classic Rat Pack or Bossa Nova tunes, and Daddy O, you’re ready to go!

HEDGEHOG CHEESEBALL

Approximately 20 appetizer servings

Photography by Harmony Lynn Goodson

INGREDIENTS:
16 oz whipped cream cheese 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp finely chopped green onion
1 Tspn Worcestershire sauce 1 Tspn hot sauce
1 Tspn dried parsley
1/2 Tspn garlic powder
1/2 Tspn oregano
1/2 cup halved pecans Raisins for decoration

DIRECTIONS:

  • In a medium bowl, add all the ingredients and mix with your hands or a spatula to combine. (It’s easy to do this using disposable gloves which you can slightly grease with cooking spray to avoid sticking.)
  • Loosely form a ball with the mixture and place on a serving dish.
  • Using your fingers, shape a triangular face, and smooth out your hedgehog body shape.
  • Starting with just behind the face, arrange the pecans in rows, allowing short equal space between rows to create the quills, and finish with 3 raisins for the eyes and nose.
  • Serve with snappy vegetables, such as carrots, sliced peppers or celery and crackers, pretzels, or pita bread.

STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKES

4 servings

INGREDIENTS:
16 oz (1 pound) strawberries 2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 Cup whole milk
1 Pint vanilla ice cream

Optional:
Whipped Cream & Cherries for topping

DIRECTIONS:

  • Wash, dry, destem, and chop the strawberries.
  • In a small bowl, combine the strawberries and sugar.
  • Set aside for 30 minutes.
  • In a large blend-er, combine the sugared strawberries, milk, and ice cream.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Pour into glasses, top with whipped cream and cherries, if desired. Serve immediately.
Photography by Harmony Lynn Goodson

GELATIN FRUIT CAKE

Photography by Harmony Lynn Goodson

10-12 servings

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup unflavored gelatin (I like Knox) I cup cold water
7 cups cranberry Juice
1/2 cup pitted cherries
1 cup sliced strawberries 1/2 cup whole raspberries
Tools:
Cooking Spray
Gelatin mold or Bundt pan

DIRECTIONS:

  • In a small bowl, slowly sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water while whisking to combine and soften, set aside.
  • In a large pot, heat the cranberry juice. Remove from heat. Add the softened gelatin to the hot cranberry juice and stir until all the gelatin dissolves.
  • Spray the bottom and sides of your mold with cooking spray. Arrange the fresh fruit so it covers the bottom of the pan. Pour enough warm cranberry liquid over the fruit to just cover the fruit layer at the bottom. Refrigerate the fruit layer for 2 hours to set.
  • Once set, add the remaining liquid to the bundt and refrigerate overnight.
  • To remove from the mold: Gently heat the bottom and sides of the pan in a large bowl of hot water for 5 seconds. Jiggle the sides, place the serving dish on top and flip over. Give the pan some taps and wait until you hear a plop. Serve immediately.

FALL TURKEY MEATLOAF

6 servings

Photography by Harmony Lynn Goodson

INGREDIENTS:
16 oz whipped cream cheese 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp finely chopped green onion
1 Tspn Worcestershire sauce 1 Tspn hot sauce
1 Tspn dried parsley
1/2 Tspn garlic powder
1/2 Tspn oregano
1/2 cup halved pecans Raisins for decoration

DIRECTIONS:

  • In a medium bowl, add all the ingredients and mix with your hands or a spatula to combine. (It’s easy to do this using disposable gloves which you can slightly grease with cooking spray to avoid sticking.)
  • Loosely form a ball with the mixture and place on a serving dish.
  • Using your fingers, shape a triangular face, and smooth out your hedgehog body shape.
  • Starting with just behind the face, arrange the pecans in rows, allowing short equal space between rows to create the quills, and finish with 3 raisins for the eyes and nose.
  • Serve with snappy vegetables, such as carrots, sliced peppers or celery and crackers, pretzels, or pita bread.

Harmony Lynn Goodson

Harmony Lynn Goodson is an editorial stylist, content creator, and contributor for lifestyle and entertaining publications. She is a photographer for local restaurants and magazines via her business, Harmony Lynn Photography. Harmony also aims to inspire people who entertain to create lavish parties with her DIY tips and tricks which she enjoys sharing on her personal blog and social media accounts.