10 Retro School Dinner Recipes
Ah, the thrill of Arctic roll day in the school dining hall… those classic puddings and comforting dinners hold a fond place in (most of) our hearts. Our recipes are good nourishing fill-you-ups for hungry after-school evenings, too
1
FISH FINGER SANDWICHES
Friday fish fingers, with chips and peas: the highlight of the school week. Pop them in a sandwich with watercress and beetroot and you’ve a lunch fit for the most discerning grown-up.
1
Fish finger sandwiches
Friday fish fingers, with chips and peas: the highlight of the school week. Pop them in a sandwich with watercress and beetroot and you’ve a lunch fit for the most discerning grown-up.
2
Cheese and watercress quiche
A 1980s school dinner staple, cheese flan (also known as cheese pie) was usually served with baked beans. With its peppery watercress and goat’s cheese, ours is a little more grown-up, but no less moreish.
2
Pesto potato salad with beans
The homemade pesto in Chetna Makan’s recipe packs a real herby, garlicky punch, but use ready-made if you’re short of time
2
CHEESE AND WATERCRESS QUICHE
A 1980s school dinner staple, cheese flan (also known as cheese pie) was usually served with baked beans. With its peppery watercress and goat’s cheese, ours is a little more grown-up, but no less moreish.
3
CRAB MAC’N’CHEESE
The sort dolloped out by dinner ladies was always called macaroni cheese, but it’s the same comforting, rib-sticking dish of goodness. Our version uses crab: not school-dinner authentic, but utterly delicious.
3
Crab mac’n’cheese
The sort dolloped out by dinner ladies was always called macaroni cheese, but it’s the same comforting, rib-sticking dish of goodness. Our version uses crab: not school-dinner authentic, but utterly delicious.
4
‘Spam’ fritters with crushed peas and aioli
These fritters take inspiration from the well-remembered (and often unfairly derided) spam fritter. Meltingly soft ham hock is combined with tangy Cheddar, plus a little mustard for warmth. Extra nostalgia points for serving with chips.
4
‘Spam’ fritters with crushed peas and aioli
These fritters take inspiration from the well-remembered (and often unfairly derided) spam fritter. Meltingly soft ham hock is combined with tangy Cheddar, plus a little mustard for warmth. Extra nostalgia points for serving with chips.
4
FISH FINGER SANDWICHES
Friday fish fingers, with chips and peas: the highlight of the school week. Pop them in a sandwich with watercress and beetroot and you’ve a lunch fit for the most discerning grown-up.
5
CHEESY SHEPHERD’S PIE
Our version of this classic comfort food is made with pork as well as lamb, for extra flavour and succulence. It’s finished with plenty of Cheddar and Parmesan for maximum bubbling cheesy deliciousness.
5
Cheesy shepherd’s pie
Our version of this classic comfort food is made with pork as well as lamb, for extra flavour and succulence. It’s finished with plenty of Cheddar and Parmesan for maximum bubbling cheesy deliciousness.
6
Coconut and raspberry traybake with pink custard
A slightly more grown-up version of the traditional school pud, this looks the business and tastes it, too – especially when served in a pretty puddle of pink custard.
6
COCONUT AND RASPBERRY TRAYBAKE WITH PINK CUSTARD
A slightly more grown-up version of the traditional school pud, this looks the business and tastes it, too – especially when served in a pretty puddle of pink custard.
7
BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDINGS
This is a from-scratch tribute to an instant-pudding classic: Angel Delight. It’s easy to prepare ahead: just add a flourish of softly whipped cream before serving.
7
Butterscotch puddings
This is a from-scratch tribute to an instant-pudding classic: Angel Delight. It’s easy to prepare ahead: just add a flourish of softly whipped cream before serving.
8
Old school cake
The perfect retro bake: soft vanilla sponge, white icing and rainbow-coloured sprinkles. It’s the business for bake sales and kids’ parties.
8
OLD SCHOOL CAKE
The perfect retro bake: soft vanilla sponge, white icing and rainbow-coloured sprinkles. It’s the business for bake sales and kids’ parties.
9
MARTHA COLLISON’S CHERRY BAKEWELL STEAMED PUDDING
All the flavours of a Bakewell tart in a comforting, sticky steamed pudding. Serve with custard for maximum retro vibes (lumps optional).
9
Martha Collison’s cherry Bakewell steamed pudding
All the flavours of a Bakewell tart in a comforting, sticky steamed pudding. Serve with custard for maximum retro vibes (lumps optional).
10
Arctic roll
Everybody’s favourite Friday school pudding. This is the classic version, but you could mix it up with strawberry or chocolate ice cream and raspberry or cherry jam.
Watch our Waitrose Cookery School chef Becca Roberts make it
10
ARCTIC ROLL
Everybody’s favourite Friday school pudding. This is the classic version, but you could mix it up with strawberry or chocolate ice cream and raspberry or cherry jam.
Watch our Waitrose Cookery School chef Becca Roberts make it
