Do you remember TV dinners? Did you buy/eat them? I don't remember that I ever did buy any . If I did it must have been unremarkable since I've forgotten all about it. Here's a bit of history that I got off the internet.
Who invented TV dinners and why?
According to the most widely accepted account, a Swanson salesman named Gerry Thomas
conceived the company's frozen dinners in late 1953 when he saw that
the company had 260 tons of frozen turkey left over after Thanksgiving,
sitting in ten refrigerated railroad cars.
The TV dinner included turkey, cornbread stuffing, peas, and sweet potatoes. Later the meal varied and fried chicken and even dessert was included.
I hope I haven't bored you to death. I wanted to post but couldn't think of much to say on this very quiet, wet Monday.
Granny Marigold
I never liked 'em. The dessert was what I ate.
ReplyDeleteDessert is the best part of any meal.
DeleteI used to eat TV dinners lots of times when I was a kid. I always liked the turkey dinners.
ReplyDeleteI have eaten them. I don't remember when but it most have been quite some time ago.
ReplyDeleteI do remember eating TV dinners 60 years ago. Perish the thought!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was very interesting. I think my mother bought TV dinners just once and no one liked them so she never bought them again. I've never purchased one. But when our children were smaller, we would occasionally have dinner while watching a movie and they called those "TV dinners".
ReplyDeleteI still keep a few on hand...I like the Salisbury steak ones. They were a life saver when I broke my leg in 2018
ReplyDeleteOh, I know that they fill a need. My poor nephew that lost his wife a few months after me loosing Steve told me that he eats them every night. I'm sure they are better for you than driving through the fast food line for a burger and fries every night. At least they consider all the food groups. It's hard cooking for one, but sometimes I cook a big meal, then eat it a couple of nights and then freeze the rest for later. Then sometimes I eat it every night until it's gone, LOL.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I never had TV dinners until I was in my teens and wasn't impressed. I do, however, buy a few gourmet frozen dinners for one, once in awhile. Especially while Dennis was traveling for work and it was just me. Much easier than cooking an entire meal for one.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
What fascinating history. When I first met my future (then) mother-in-law, she used to freeze her own "TV meals" - I was dished up a few but was never that impressed!!
ReplyDeleteI bought the Turkey TV dinners for hubby and myself for our Christmas meal in Dec. 2020 - our first "Covid" Christmas when we were restricted from having the children & grandchildren over. I can't say I want to repeat that lonely Christmas OR the TV dinner ever again.
ReplyDeleteEllabie
You see, dear Granny Marigold, that many friends of you are inspired by this important post, full of history! I know, that you only have a natural kitchen with love and fantasy to make all your family-members happy!
ReplyDeleteMy mom never served TV dinners when we were growing up but my mother in law did. My husband told me that he would be very happy to never seen another one ever again, so I've never served them either.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember ever buying a TV dinner but do remember seeing someone in the family eating one and complaining that the peas and carrots were not cooked enough. The dinners never looked good to me. Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteBored? Oh heavens no! Great post! I was just a little when TV dinners became a “thing”. I remember going to the store with my mother and when they came out we had to try them — my mother was always on the cutting edge of anything new that would make life easier, in her mind. I remember the turkey ones — the dressing was strange but tasty — and I loved the little desserts even though they were never big enough. Our frozen food experience progressed from that first turkey dinner to include lots of things — one favorite were chicken pot pies! I still like those! And during my adult dieting adventures I often turned to frozen meal options like Weight Watchers. I no longer do that but I do buy lots of frozen veg and fruit of the organic variety and I am thankful to have it — that means when I cant find it at the store I can probably find it in my freezer!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first moved out on my own, I bought them once or twice, just because it was NOT something we ever had at home! Rebellion! - Sheila :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I see those tv dinners in the foil containers I am instantly transported to the rare times my parents would go out and leave them for the babysitter to heat up for our dinner. It seemed so exciting then as it was so different from our daily home cooked dinners. The desserts were definitely the most exciting thing about them.
ReplyDeleteI can never remember growing up having a TV Dinner. I have bought a few over the years when I was in a pinch for time but they have never been something I really cared for. I honestly think the only one I sorta liked was the Salisbury steak one. But you know GM with the cost of food supplies now and the time spent in kitchens I can very well see how a TV dinner might be cost efficient especially if there are only two people at home. I am sure they are MUCH cheaper than fast food and probably 10 times healthier than fast food. Happy May sweet lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteWe occasionally eat TV dinners. I have to have gluten free though. They are okay once in awhile. Nancy
ReplyDelete