Recipes to remember - the nation's top 15 favourite nostalgic meals

Quiche, casseroles and carrot cake are our favourite nostalgic meals.

A poll of 2,000 adults found a third often eat foods specifically to remind them of years gone by, with 52% associating particular foodstuffs with past times in their lives.

With chicken Kiev, prawn cocktail and Battenberg cake also among the meals linked to yesteryears. 

It also emerged only 35% still use old family recipes that have been handed down through the generations.

In response to these findings, care home provider, Care UK, has created a collection of nostalgic recipes dating back from the 1950s through to today with the help of its residents in care homes across the country.

Andrew Mussett, hotel services manager, said: “Nostalgia is a powerful force that connects us to our past, and what better way to relive those cherished moments than through the comforting embrace of familiar foods served up in family favourite recipes passed down through the generations? 

“Whether it's the aroma of a family recipe or the first bite of a childhood treat, nostalgic foods have the power to evoke happy memories and emotions and are a wonderful way to encourage reminiscence in older people, especially for those living with dementia. 

“A home-cooked meal using a recipe enjoyed in the past creates an opportunity to remember the past and reflect on the people and places which inspired the dish.”

Of those who cook nostalgia-fuelled meals, 28% will do so when family come over, 26% when a birthday rolls around, and 22% when they just need cheering up.

But some traditional foods may be on the verge of extinction, as beef topped a list of ingredients people buy less of now than they did five years ago.

Pork is also dropping in popularity, along with seafoods including cod, haddock and prawns.

On the other hand, Brits are buying more chicken, eggs and fruit to maximise their protein and vitamin intakes.

The poll found that in the last 12 months, 70% of respondents have tucked into a classic Sunday roast, and 58% have enjoyed a Shepherd’s or Cottage Pie – proving not all recipes first enjoyed in the 70s are going out of flavour. 

Other dishes to have passed the nation’s lips in the last year include ham, egg and chips (28%) and toad in the hole (29%).

Nearly half (49%) have enjoyed a classic 1970s staple – a quiche – while 32% have enjoyed the garlicky goodness of a chicken Kiev.

And when it comes to popular foods from the 1990s, 43% have laid into some macaroni and cheese, while 36% have snacked on a Pot Noodle.

As a result, 57% express little or no concern that classic or traditional meals are at risk of dying out completely.

Although 34% do fear this may come to pass, according to the OnePoll.com figures.

Of those who are parents, 46% cook meals for their children they enjoyed in their own youth, at least sometimes.

But 62% believe their eating habits have changed as they have aged, with 65% of these trying to eat more healthily and 45% looking to be more adventurous.

Andrew Mussett, added:  “There's a certain joy in rediscovering the flavours of our childhood or the meals shared with loved ones. 

“Nostalgic foods offer a unique blend of taste and emotion, creating a culinary journey that resonates with the essence of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the people with whom we’ve enjoyed meals with throughout our lives. 

“And while tastes may change or evolve with time, it looks like lots of British classics are here to stay – which is why we’ve created our ‘Recipes to Remember’ book.

“From food enjoyed during World War Two to quirky desserts from the 70s, it includes residents’ favourite foods, alongside recipes tailored to older people by some of our award-winning chefs.” 

Top 15 favourite nostalgic meals:

1. Quiche
2. Casseroles
3. Carrot cake
4. Chicken Kiev
5. Prawn cocktail
6. Crepes
7. Battenberg cake
8. Black forest gateau
9. Angel delight
10. Tinned pudding
11. Vol-au-vent
12. Pineapple chicken
13. Fondue
14. Devilled eggs
15. Pasta primavera