It might not have been an organic Charlie Bigham fish pie, but the 1970s were no stranger to a heat-to-eat frozen meal. Far from a modern invention, the 70s saw our freezers filled with ready-made meals that changed dinner time as we know it. Often covered in aluminium foil with the food served in separate compartments, TV dinners were a product of their time.
And while it's something a modern child might well turn their nose up at, the frozen TV dinner was a 70s teatime classic. So, from Morton's Three-Course Dinner to Swanson's Hungry-Man meal, how many of these frozen TV dinners do you remember?
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesLibbyland Adventure Dinners
Long before cheese strings, windable fruit and yoghurt-coated raisings, the children of the 70s were brought up on Libbyland Adventure Dinners. The frozen tv meal was specifically designed for children, with each dinner featuring games and colourful packaging. The Pirate Picnic was particularly popular, and came with a hotdog, chips and chocolate pudding.
Morton's Three Course Dinner
If fine dining with a side of 70s sitcoms was more up your street, then perhaps you might remember Morton's three-course frozen dinners. Its Three-Course Chicken N' Dumplings dinner offered chicken and dumplings in gravy, peas, mashed potato, and even a brownie for dessert.
Swanson's Salisbury Steak dinner
If you were never quite satisfied by their German-style or steak dinner, then perhaps you were a fan of the Hungry-Man; Swanson's dinner for those with a larger appetite. The frozen dinner promised to "satisfy your craving," with the box containing three pieces of fried chicken, mashed potato, and sweetcorn.
© Getty ImagesBirds Eye Roast Dinner in a Box
Birds Eye today is best known for its fish fingers and sweetcorn, but the 70s saw it rule over Sunday roasts in the UK. Its roast dinner boxes featured roast pork, roast chicken, and roast beef options, each served with stuffing and gravy. This 'roast dinner shortcut' is actually still sold today!
© PA Images via Getty ImagesRoss "Master Menu" Dinners
Ross "Master Menu" might be the 70s equivalent to a premium gourmet ready-meal. A level up from your traditional frozen TV dinner, these boxes swapped sausage and chips for chicken in a mushroom or white wine sauce with croquette potatoes.
Findus Beef Curry
Findus offered households of the 70s the option of an 'easy-to-serve' chicken or beef curry. The frozen meals came with separate compartments for the rice and curry, making them simple to heat and serve.
