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.

southern comfort

Do you ever just want to curl up after a long, rainy day, with some meatloaf and your own personal vat of mac & cheese, and watch three hours of network TV? No? ...I am shamleless. Nonetheless - these recipes (adapted from the latest and greatest addition to the Food Network Family - the Neelys!) are sure to satisfy you on a glum day. Sometimes comfort food is the only cure...

BBQ Turkey Meatloaf

Serves: 4, at least

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

You'll need:

• 1.3 lbs. lean ground turkey


• 1 C. chopped red onion


• 1 red bell pepper, chopped


• 1 T. olive oil


• 3 T. soy sauce
  1 T. worcestershire sauce


• 1 egg


• 1 C. bread crumbs


• 1 1/2 C. BBQ sauce


• 1 t. paprika


• 1 t. Old Bay Seasoning
  

1) Chop the onion and bell pepper. Add to skillet with 1 T. olive oil, and sautee until tender and starting to brown.

2) Combine the turkey with the egg, bread crumbs, 1 C. BBQ sauce, Old Bay, paprika, soy sauce, and worcestershire sauce.

3) When the peppers and onions have cooked, combine them with the meat mixture.

4) Bake in a 350 oven for 30 minutes, then top with remaning 1/2 C. BBQ sauce, and return to oven for another 20-30 minutes.

Classic Mac & Cheese

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

You'll need:

• 2 C. dry elbow pasta


• 3 T. salt (to cook pasta in)


• 2 C. whole milk


• 2 T. butter


• 1.5 T flour


• 1 t. dry mustard


• 1/2 t. cayenne pepper


• 2 C. cheese, shredded (your favorite kind)


• 1/2 C. breadcrumbs or crushed chips or crushed crackers (topping, the best part)


• Paprika (for garnish)


• 4 oven-safe, individual-sized bowls

1) Boil water for pasta. Salt the water with 3 T. salt. When you drop in the pasta, begin to make the roux...

2) Melt butter in small saucepan. Whisk in flour, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper. Gradually add the 2 C. milk, whisking well so there are no lumps. Gradually add the cheese, whisking well, and reserving about 1/4 C. of the cheese to put directly on top of the macaroni.

3) Drain your macaroni when it has cooked, and combine with the cheese sauce. Stir for 1 minute, until completely combined. Taste, and adjust seasonings as necessary (salt, pepper, etc).

4) Ladle the macaroni and cheese into 4 individual oven-safe bowls. Top with remaining shredded cheese, and crumb topping.

5) Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, then sprinkle paprika over the top just before serving.

And, finally, something green:

Garlicky Lemony Beans

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

You'll need:

A bag full of fresh green beans

1 lemon

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 T. olive oil

Salt

Pepper

1) Trim the ends from the green beans, then blanche them briefly in a pot of boiling water. (2 minutes).

2) Drain the green beans, and add 1 T. olive oil to bottom of pan. Over medium heat, add the garlic, and then add the green beans back in.

3) Add the juice of one lemon, as well as the zest from 1 lemon, to the bean pot. Stir well.

4) Turn off heat, and salt and pepper the beans.

Enjoy with a hearty dose of 30 Rock, Lost, and The Office. :o)