retro feast

Have you been watching AMC's latest and greatest, Mad Men? If not, you should. It's a show about a group of Advertising Executives working on Madison Avenue in the 1960's. They called themselves the "Mad Men." The producers make every effort to capture and re-create the essence of the sixties, from the music to the products to the fashion (oh, the fashion!), right down to what these folks order in restaurants (Oysters Rockefeller. Gin Martinis. Ceaser salad. Steak Tartar.). Last night, I was inspired to create a little retro feast while we watched our favorite show. On the menu? Meatloaf and gravy, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and red wine. Mad Men airs on AMC at 10 p.m. EST on Sundays.

Betty Draper's No Salt Meatloaf

Serves: 6

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 55 minutes

You'll need:

1 onion

2 cloves garlic

1 green bell pepper

1 lb. gound beef

1 lb. ground veal

1 C. ketchup, divided (1/2 C. goes in the mix, the other 1/2 C. goes on top, later)

1/4 C. tomato paste

1 egg

1 C. bread crumbs

1 t. dried thyme

1 t. dried oregano

1 t. ground pepper

1 T. olive oil

First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Next, chop your garlic, onion and bell pepper in a fine dice, and sautee in olive oil for 20 minutes or until beginning to brown. While your vegetables are browning, measure the rest of your ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Mix your meat, breadcrumbs, herbs, egg, and tomato products until combined. Add the vegetables and stir to incorporate. Put in a loaf pan, top with remaining ketchup, and bake for 50-55 minutes.

You-don't-want-to-know-what's-in-these Mashed Potatoes

Serves: 6

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 40 minutes

You'll need:

2.5 lbs. potatoes (your favorite kind, I use white organic)

3 T. butter

1/2 to 1 C. whole milk

1 C. sour cream

3 oz. cream cheese

2 cloves garlic

1 T. salt

1 t. ground pepper

First, scrub your potatoes well. Chop them into quarters, then drop them into a large pot of cold water. Cover, and turn the pot on high heat. The potatoes should be fork tender in about 30 minutes. Drain the water from the potatoes, and crush two garlic cloves in with the hot potatoes. Cover, let stand for 5 minutes. Gradually add the other ingredients while smashing potatoes with a wooden spoon or a potato masher. Adjust seasoning and milk to taste.

Good Gravy

Prep time: N/A

Cook time: 10 minutes

You'll need:

2 C. beef stock

1 T. butter

1 T. flour

1 T. corn starch whisked with 1 T. water (slurry)

Plenty of cracked black pepper

First, melt butter. Next, whisk in flour. When paste turns golden, add beef stock, gradually, whisking to remove lumps. When you have added all your beef stock, let simmer over low heat until it begins to thicken. If not thick enough, gradually add some cornstarch slurry, whisking well to ensure it's smooth. Crack plenty of black pepper, whisk to combine, and serve over meatloaf.

Green-with-envy Asparagus

Serves: 6

Prep time: 2 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

You'll need:
1-2 bunches fresh asparagus
2 T. olive oil
Salt & Pepper

First, spend a couple minutes rinsing your asparagus in cold water, and snapping off the woody ends. Next, lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet with edges, and drizzle 2 T. olive oil over the stalks. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roll them around a bit to ensure even oil coverage. Pop the stalks in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. Serve hot, on the side.

Don't forget your favorite bottle of red wine. I'm not sure, but I get the feeling that Betty Draper is a Pinot Noir kind of girl.