Most of my favorite corners of Instagram aren’t aspirational at all. After a day of reviewing cookbooks and recipes from competent, contemporary cooks, I find myself scrolling toward something stranger: accounts that operate like a digital card catalog of retro culinary horror and delight.

On accounts like @70sdinnerparty, in washed-out Kodachrome, you’ll find “Greek Soup (Easy Version),” its broth suspiciously thickened with Lemon Jell-O pudding mix. You’ll find “vegetable casserole,” a swamp of canned onions, frozen peas and carrots, cream of celery soup and a splash of milk. You’ll find “planetary frankfurters” — hot dogs launched into orbit by a relish-cheese spread and something called liquid hot pepper seasoning.

Account after account, one common punchline makes its way into the co

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