Mid-century Modern and Grasshopper Pie

Is American Graffiti one of your favorite movies?  Do you wax nostalgic for June, Ward, Wally and the Beav?  What about Donna Reed vacuuming with her pearls on?  If you answered yes to any of those questions you likely have affection for mid-century architecture as well. 

Popular in the post World War II era mid century modern homes like ranches were inexpensive to build and served the needs of returning service men and their families well.  The split-level versions were called California ranches. To see some primes examples of that architectural period take a drive through Arapahoe Acres (wwwarapahoeacres.org) in Englewood where you’ll get to see Sears Kit homes featured in Better Homes and Gardens in the 1960s and other iconic residences. Current homeowners have made great strides to preserve the architectural integrity of a time gone by.

Classic 1952 ranch by architect Edward Hawkins in Arapahoe Acres

But even if your home’s architecture isn’t true to that era, you can still have a kitchen reminiscent of the 1950s and 60s. Start by channeling your inner June and Ward and embrace the bold colors and unique designs of a time when the American dream was just emerging.

At kabi the sky's the limit when it comes to color combinations for your MOD kitchen design.

Accessories Galore

Decorating a MOD style kitchen is almost as much fun as designing one. The retro clock and spoon stool are both available at www.modlivin.com

Grasshopper Pie

Even if your MOD kitchen is percolating on the back burner for now, you can still introduce your friends and family to a mouth watering taste of nostalgia with this delightfully, delicious green grasshopper pie. And don’t skip the food dye; half the fun is eating something green.

Grasshopper Pie Recipe

INGREDIENTS

     20   Oreo cookies (40 halves), fillings discarded, cookies crushed

5 Tbsp butter, melted

           3/4 cup hot milk

    24 large marshmallows

    1/4 cup creme de menthe liqueur

    2 tablespoons white creme de cacao

    1 cup whipping cream, whipped

    Optional A drop or two of green food dye.

METHOD


1 Preheat oven to 425°F. In a bowl, mix crushed Oreo cookie halves and butter. Pat into bottom and sides of 10-inch pie dish. Bake in oven for 5 to 10 minutes; remove from oven and cool completely. Once cooled, place in freezer to chill.

2 In saucepan, melt marshmallows in milk over medium heat. Remove from heat and cool. Add creme de menthe and creme de cacao, and mix well. Add a drop or two of green food dye if desired. Fold in whipped cream. Pour into chilled pie shell. Freeze for 3 or 4 hours.

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.