Mad Men Season 6 - Sixties-Inspired Party Bites

Season 5 Spoiler Alert! 

We left Don Draper in a familiar place at the close of season 5 of Mad Men - sidled up to the bar, deep in thought, with beautiful strangers buzzing around nearby. When one of the women propositions him on behalf of her friend, Nancy Sinatra's ominous rendition of "You Only Live Twice," swells even louder.

Then the screen goes black. 

Photo Courtesy of AMCTV.com

So we begin the penultimate season of our most favorite show with great anticipation. Will he or won't he? The suspense has been killing us for a year. 

Whether or not Don will return to his skirt-chasing ways, we are surely back to our old tricks with yet another Mad Men Premiere Party Menu. The success of last year's (check it out HERE) made us even more excited to create the spread that we'll feature today. 

Yet again, we set out to remake some mid-century classics, but this time, we are focusing on retro-inspired finger foods that are party-ready and easily adaptable to feed a crowd. Naturally, cocktails will also be involved. If you're waiting to watch Season 6 on tivo and looking for some easy to make nibbles, you're in luck: 

Coconut Shrimp, Photo: NK

Mad Men Menu for 4

Cocktail - Moscow Mule 


Baked Coconut Shrimp Served in a Pineapple


Steak Satay "Diane"


Dessert - New Ambrosia Fruit Dip 

COCKTAIL:

The Moscow Mule originated several decades before the Mad Men days, but it does make our list of cocktails that our favorite ad execs would have enjoyed. A party-ready drink that can be assembled right in the glass, the Mule is, as classic cocktails go, somewhat under appreciated. We chose it for its refreshing character. A healthy squeeze of Lime pairs with a clean Vodka base while slightly sweet and refreshing Ginger Beer (we prefer Gosling's brand) rounds out the drink. Toss in a sprig of Mint for color. 

Want other ideas? Check out AMC's Official Mad Men Cocktail Guide: HERE.

Moscow Mule

Recipe from AMC's Mad Men Cocktail Guide

Makes 1 Drink

Ingredients:

1 1/4 Oz Vodka

3 Oz Ginger Beer

1 teaspoon Simple Syrup

1/4 Oz Lime Juice

1 Sprig of Mint

1 Slice of Lime

Method:

Pour Vodka over Ice in a short glass or copper mug. 

Add Lime Juice and Simple Syrup

Top with Ginger Beer and stir.

Garnish with a Mint Sprig and a slice of Lime. 

Enjoy! 

Moscow Mule, Photo: NK

PARTY BITE # 1:

Our first shareable dish is Baked Coconut Shrimp served in a Pineapple. A nod to the fact that all things Polynesian often dominated Sixties cocktail parties, the presentation and some of the ingredients of this dish are also inspired of my grandma, Dolly. One of her standard party classics, she would coat the Shrimp in a little Bisquick and Egg batter before rolling them in Sweetened Coconut Flakes and deep frying them. Grandma was always focused on smashing presentation,  so she'd serve these crowd-pleasers in a hollowed out Pineapple. While we won't be deep frying our Shrimp, we will use her serving method and will also adapt her standard Duck Sauce accompaniment to add a bit of spice and a bit more tanginess. She liked to use Saucy Susan brand Duck Sauce. I hope you enjoy! 

Lighter Baked Coconut Shrimp Served in a Pineapple with Lime Jalapeno Duck Sauce

Adapted From The Girl Who Ate Everything and My Grandma, Dolly

Approx 24 Shrimp - Serves 8 as a Cocktail Nibble, 4 as an Appetizer 

Ingredients:

1 Lb Large Shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail on 

1/2 a whole Pineapple, hollowed out (flesh reserved for other use - like our dessert!)

2 Egg Whites

2 Tablespoons Cornstarch

2 Cups Sweetened Coconut Flakes

1/2 Cup Duck Sauce

1.5 Tablespoon Lime Juice

1.5 Tablespoon Jalapeno, chopped finely 

1/8 teaspoon Salt

Method: 

For the dipping sauce - combine Lime Juice, Jalapeño, Duck Sauce and Salt. Stir and set Aside.

Preheat oven to 400 and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. 

Spread Coconut Flakes and Cornstarch on two different plates.

Place Egg Whites in a bowl and whisk vigorously until frothy.

Holding Shrimp by the tail, dredge in Cornstarch, dip in Egg Whites, and finally, roll in the Coconut Flakes. When finished, sprinkle all the Shrimp very lightly with a pinch of Salt. 

Place Shrimp on cookie sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes until they become golden. Make sure to turn in the middle of the cooking process, at around 8 minutes in.

Place Shrimp in the hollowed out Pineapple with the dipping sauce on the side. 

Serve and enjoy!  

Baked Coconut Shrimp in a Pineapple with Lime and Jalapeño Duck Sauce Dip, Photo: NK

PARTY BITE # 2:

Our second shareable party bite is derived from an uber popular Sixties dinner party dish - Steak Diane. The earliest mention of Sauce Diane comes from French culinary master, Escoffier, around the turn of the century, but in the Sixties, Steak Diane was de rigueur for any elegant soiree. How do you translate this sit down dish for a crowd?  I decided to make it handheld by putting it on a stick just like you would Beef Satay. Steak Diane's typical cream sauce laced with flambeed Cognac and Beef Broth can be drizzled over the Satay or served in a small bowl. Either way, the dish that was once the hallmark of haute cuisine (and fittingly for Mad Men, is said to have originated in New York) deserves a remix. 

Steak Satay "Diane"

Adapted from Saveur and Epicurious 

*Cooks note - start marinating the steak at least 2 hours ahead 

Serves 8 as a Cocktail Nibble, 4 as a Light Entree

Marinade Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon Low Sodium Soy Sauce

2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 Cup of Vegetable Oil 

Tablespoon of Chopped Chives

Tablespoon of Chopped Parsley

1 teaspoon Dry Mustard

Ingredients for the Skewers:

1 Lb Flank Steak 

Salt

At least 25 Long Wooden Skewers 

Sauce Diane Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups Beef Stock

2 Tablespoons Salted Butter

3 Cloves Garlic, finely minced

1 Large Shallot, minced 

Black Pepper

4 Oz Cremini Mushrooms, roughly chopped

1/4 Cup Cognac

1/4 Cup Half and Half

1/4 teaspoon Tabasco Sauce

1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard 

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

3 Tablespoons minced Chives plus extra for garnish

1 Tablespoon chopped Parsley

Method: 

Several hours before, whisk the marinade ingredients together in a bowl. Put Steak in a large ziploc and pour Marinade over Steak.  Let it sit refrigerated for at least two hours or overnight.

Soak wood skewers in a bowl for at least a half hour. 

When ready to cook or an hour before, slice Steak against the grain into centimeter wide strips. Thread a strip of Steak onto each wooden skewer and when done, sprinkle them all with a pinch of Salt. 

Put Beef Broth in a medium sauce pan. Over medium high heat, cook for 15 minutes until reduced to about a 1/2 to 3/4 cup. Remove broth to a bowl and set aside.

Reheat the Saucepan and melt 2 Tablespoons of Butter in it. Next add Garlic and minced Shallot and cook for another 2 minutes until softened. Add the Mushrooms and cook, stirring, another 4 minutes until tender. Add Cognac to the sauce pan.

Carefully light the Cognac aflame using a long match. Allow to flambée until the flame dies down naturally. Next, stir in your Beef Stock, Cream, Mustard, Worcestershire and Hot Sauce. Cook another 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens a bit. Finish with a sprinkle of Black Pepper. Turn flame to the lowest heat to keep warm. 

Heat up a grill or grill pan over high flame. Cook each skewer about 2 minutes per side until medium rare or done to your liking. Stir Parsley and Chives into the Sauce Diane and remove it to a small bowl. Serve with Skewers around the sauce and garnish with extra Chives and Parsley.

Enjoy!

Steak Satay "Diane," Photo: NK

DESSERT:

Since everything old is new again, I figured why not revamp another Sixties' holdover: Ambrosia Salad. Ambrosia is said the be the nectar of the gods, but this questionable creamy Fruit Salad with Coconut and Mini Marshmallows appears to be anything but. Still very popular in the southern states, there's no doubt that Ambrosia can indeed be incredibly delicious, but I think we can agree that the standard presentation leaves much to be desired. If you fancy traditional Ambrosia, I really love the following recipe and post from a blog called The Country Cook HERE. To modernize this dish and make it more visually appealing, we took all the creamy, marshmallowy goodness of it and turned it into a more palatable fruit dip. This recipe is easily adaptable to any fruit that suit your tastes, and bonus - our version is deliberately lighter in calories and fat. A sprinkle of toasted Coconut enhances both the taste and visual appeal. We hope you take a dip!

New Ambrosia Fruit Dip 

Adapted from Taste of Home

Serves 4 to 6 

Ingredients: 

2 Cups Strawberries

1/2 a Pineapple, cut into bit size wedges

3 Fresh Mandarin Oranges, peeled and sectioned

Fruit Dip and Topping

1/4 Cup Sweetened Coconut flakes, lightly toasted for 2 min in the toaster oven* 

4 Oz Fat Free Cream Cheese, softened

3 Oz Fat Free Greek Yogurt (we like Fage brand)

4 Oz Cool Whip Free

4 Oz Marshmallow Fluff

1 Heaping Tablespoon Confectioners Sugar

Method:

*When toasting Coconut, keep an eye on it as it burns and smokes easily. Once golden brown flakes begin to appear, it is done enough. 

In a large bowl, combine yogurt and cream cheese until well incorporated. Gently stir in Marshmallow Fluff, sprinkle on Powdered Sugar, and add Cool Whip. Stir to combine.

Add half of the Toasted Coconut to the mixture and stir again to incorporate. Serve Dip in a bowl surrounded by assorted fruits. Top the Dip with the remainder of the Toasted Coconut and sprinkle additional Coconut over Fruit as well. Refrigerate dip until ready to use. Enjoy!  

New Ambrosia Fruit Dip, Photo: NK

We hope you enjoyed our Mad Men Party Bites Menu. Until next season! And enjoy the show!

Down Mexico Way - Ancho Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema & Micheladas

Whenever I ask my husband if he's got any special requests for the next week's dinner lineup, he always responds (in a petulant child's voice he puts on for my amusement), "Tacos!!!" Really, I don't know why I even bother asking, as this is almost always his response. By now, it's a running joke in our house. One of the reasons Tacos are so universally loved is probably their amazing versatility. They really do offer something for everyone. We've surely explored the wonders of Tacos before on NK. As a refresher, check out our quickie version of Tacos al Pastor (my all time favorite Taco preparation, recipe HERE), and of course, my friend Marina's extremely delicious version Baja Fish Tacos - recipe HERE.

So I ask you, who doesn't love a good taco? 

This week's Taco inspiration comes from a recipe I adapted from Cooking Light. These spicy Mexican-style Chicken Tacos have a ton a flavor and not a lot of fat. Ancho Chile Powder provides a real kick, and cooling Avocado Crema adds richness. Best of all, these are incredibly easy to prepare. 

Ancho Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema, Photo: NK

Since nothing complements a Taco better than Beer, we'll also share our favorite recipe for an amazing, spicy Mexican Beer-based cocktail, the Michelada. 

Quick and Easy Ancho Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema and Cilantro Slaw 
Adapted from Cooking Light
Serves 4 (2 Tacos each)

Ingredients:
1 Lb Organic Chicken Breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite sized chunks
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil 
8 (6 inch) Corn Tortillas

Spice Rub, Photo: NK

For the Avocado Crema
1/4 Cup Light Sour Cream
1/2 Avocado, very ripe and cut into chunks
2 Tablespoons Lime Juice
1/4 teaspoon grated Lime Zest
1/8 teaspoon Salt 
2 Tablespoons Skim Milk

For the Spice Rub
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Ancho Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
1/4 teaspoon Salt 

For the Slaw

Preparing the Crema, Photo: NK

2 Cups Packaged Cole Slaw Mix
2 Tablespoons Lime Juice 
1/2 Cup Scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
1/4 teaspoon Salt

Method:
Prepare the Spice Rub by mixing all ingredients together. 

In a medium bowl, prepare the Slaw by mixing all ingredients together. Toss well and set aside. 

Slaw and Avocado Crema, Photo: NK

Prepare the Avocado Crema by mixing the Sour Cream, 2 Tablespoons of Lime Juice, 1/4 teaspoon Lime Zest, Salt and Skim Milk in a bowl. Next, add the Avocado chunks. Using a fork, stir vigorously mashing avocado as best you can into the bowl to break it down. When you have made the mixture as smooth as possible, it should be a pale green shade. 

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. 
Add 1 Tablespoon Canola oil. 
Toss Chicken pieces together with the Spice Rub until evenly coated. Add seasoned Chicken to skillet. Cook about 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate, cover lightly,and set aside. 

While Chicken is resting, heat Tortillas according to directions. (We usually wrap 4 at a time in a damp paper towel and put them in the microwave for 25 seconds.)

To Assemble: Portion some Chicken in the middle of the Tortilla, drizzle with about 1 Tablespoons Avocado Crema, and top with a 1/4 Cup of the Slaw. Optionally garnish with a think slice of Avocado. Add your favorite hot sauce and enjoy!

Plus ~ A Bonus Leftover Idea for 2:
If you've got extra Slaw and Avocado Crema, just mix them together and save overnight in the fridge. The next day, chop up half an Orange or other Citrus and mix into the Slaw, squeezing a bit of the juice on top. Pick up an an extra Avocado, cut in half, and season with Salt and Pepper. Stuff with Avocado Crema and Orange Slaw. Makes a great side dish!

 Avocado Stuffed with Orange, Slaw and Avocado Crema, Photo: NK

Now for the drink:

Salt Rimmed Glass, Photo: NK

House Michelada
Adapted from Aida Mollenkamp
Makes 2 drinks

Ingredients:
4 Tablespoons Kosher Salt
1/4 teaspoon Ancho Chile Powder
1/4 Cup Bottled Lime Juice 
1 whole Lime, quartered
1 teaspoon Tabasco
+
1 teaspoon Cholula - (or instead of Tabasco and Cholula, two teaspoons hot sauce of your choice - less if you are spice averse)
1.5 Cups light Mexican Beer, we use Modelo Especial
2 teaspoons Low Sodium Soy Sauce (or 1 tsp Regular Soy)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
6 Ice Cubes

Method:
Put Kosher Salt on a plate and sprinkle the Ancho Chile Powder over it. 
Rub a fresh Lime quarter around the rims of each glass and place it rim down into the Salt and Chile Mixture until evenly coated. 

In a separate pitcher or large glass, mix Beer, Lime Juice, 2 teaspoons of Hot Sauce (or less if you prefer), Soy Sauce, and Worcestershire. Mix well. Place 3 ice cubes in each glass and pour Beer Mixture over. Garnish with a Lime Wedge. Cheers! 

Michelada, Photo: NK

Ingredient Spotlight: Fennel - Savory Fennel Creme Tart

Market Fresh Fennel, Photo:NK

The clocks have moved forward, the days are longer, and the first day of Spring is upon us. 

Not a moment too soon. Overcome with warm weather anticipation, I set out yesterday to create a beautiful spring-ready appetizer that celebrates the bounty of seasonal produce that lies ahead.  

Our Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring dish uses a versatile veggie that bridges the gap. It also happens to be a personal favorite of mine - Fennel.  

Fennel is an amazing vegetable that hits its peak in mid Winter but is available from Fall all the way to early Spring. Another fun fact- Fennel is edible from top to bottom. The fronds, or delicate leafy greens atop the stalks, are lovely and herbaceous. They also make a beautiful garnish. Fennel's large white Bulbs, with the exception of their hard inner core, offer a mild licorice flavor and pleasant crunch when consumed raw. 

Once cooked, the Bulbs sweeten considerably and offer a subtle flavor that works with a wide variety of pairings. 

Cooked Fennel tastes, at least to me, like spring feels - warm, sweet, mellow. Ahhhhhh. 

I hope you like today's incredibly easy yet impressive Savory Fennel Creme Tart as much as we did. It's perfect warm or at room temperature and makes for a great make-ahead party offering or holiday appetizer. It may even pop up at our Easter celebration.
Enjoy!

Finished Fennel Creme Tart, Photo: NK

 

Fennel, Photo: NK 

Fennel Creme Fraiche Tart
Serves 3-4 as an Appetizer

1/3 Cup Creme Fraiche
2 Tablespoons Half and Half
1 Tablespoon minced Fennel Fronds
1/8 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper 
1 Egg, well beaten

Oil or Butter for greasing your baking sheet

1 Large Fennel with Stalk attached - Fronds (leafy tops) pinched off and minced (1 Tablespoon worth) and Bulb cut away (any bruised skin shaved off and discarded). Save some additional Fronds for garnish.

1/4 Cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano Cheese

1 Sheet Frozen Puff Pastry, fully defrosted. (Puff Pastry usually comes two sheets to a package so if you like, you can easily double this recipe) *Be sure to cover with saran while defrosting to prevent drying.

Flour for dusting the Dough

Method:

Scoring and Folding the Puff Pastry Dough, Photo: NK

Defrost Puff Pastry for about 30 to 40 minutes. 
It should be room temperature. 

Preheat the oven to 390.

Boil a large pot of salted water. Cut off the Fennel Stalk and set aside. Add the Fennel Bulb to the boiling water and continue to cook for 15 minutes.

When Fennel is done, remove it and rinse with cold water. Dry the outside thoroughly and slice horizontally as thinly as possible. The slices will look roughly like rings. Discard the circles of hard inner core that you find. Take the remaining slices of fennel and pat dry with paper towel. Set aside.

Pinch in corners well and press into tart base, Photo: NK

Lightly grease a baking sheet with sides with butter or a tiny bit of Oil. 

Prepare Creme Filling by mixing the first six ingredients. 

To Prepare the Puff Pastry Dough, Flour a surface lightly and lay the Dough down. 

Arrange the Sliced Fennel, Photo: NK

Sprinkle the top of the Dough with some more flour. 

Cut the top third of the Dough off to form a rectangular shape (though you can also create any shape you choose).

Roll the Dough Lightly with a rolling pin until it is about 1/8 inch thick.

Move the Dough to the baking sheet and trim the edges of the Dough with a knife to make the rectangle more even. 

Add the cream. Don't overfill to prevent spillage, NK

Next, score the Dough all around the rectangle about a centimeter in from the edge.

Fold the scored edges in at a 90 degree angle to form a crust. 

Pinch the corners really well so they stay fused, also pressing the insides of the  corners into the base of the tart. 

Arrange Fennel all over the Tart (as pictured). Next, carefully pour in as much of the Creme as it takes to the cover the Tart (don't overfill). There will likely be some Creme leftover. 

Next, sprinkle Pecorino Romano Cheese 
all over the Tart.

Finish with an additional dash of Black Pepper.

Bake 40 minutes until crust is crispy and golden.

Cool a bit, clean up the Tart edges with a knife if any of the Creme spilled over (*see cook's note below), and garnish with additional Fennel Fronds. Slice, serve, and enjoy! 

The Finished Product - ready to slice! Photo: NK

*Important Cook's Note:  
You may use this same filling with puff pastry fitted in a tart pan or even in a prepared pie crust (though cooking time may change). Because I like to keep this tart nice and thin and prefer to prepare it without the use of a tart pan, there is a chance that some of the filling will flow over the sides of the crust as the tart bakes. This is absolutely ok! If any overflow occurs, simply allow the tart to cool a bit and trace around it with a knife to clean up the edges. It will come out looking just perfect so don't fret!    

Savory Fennel Creme Tart, Photo: NK

Lunch is Served - Buffalo Chicken & Maytag Blue Cheese Melts

Star of the Show: Farm Fresh Maytag Blue Cheese, NK 

Today's hearty lunch recipe is an excellent example of how just one very special ingredient can really amp up a dish. In this case, a modest portion of fresh Maytag Blue Cheese takes the ubiquitous Buffalo Chicken Sandwich to new heights. 

Our easy Pulled Chicken Sandwich offers all the tangy Buffalo Sauce flavor you crave, and makes for a great casual lunch or even dinner option. Homemade Buffalo Sauce allows you to adjust the flavor to your taste.  

I prefer to use Boneless Chicken Thighs for this recipe because they are moister than breast meat, but if you are more into white meat, you can use boneless breasts that have been sliced in half. 

Open-Faced Pulled Buffalo Chicken and Maytag Blue Melts, Photo: NK

Here's how to do it: 

Open-Faced Pulled Buffalo Chicken and Maytag Blue Melts 

Serves 3 - 4

Ingredients:

4 Brioche Buns or large, sturdy Hotdog Buns split down the middle

3 Stalks of Celery, sliced into 1/8 inch pieces

1/2 teaspoon Olive Oil

Pepper to taste

1/4 Pound good quality Maytag Blue Cheese, chopped or crumbled 

1 Pound Boneless Chicken Thighs

1/2 an Onion - (Optional) for boiling the Chicken

Photo: NK

Buffalo Sauce Ingredients

3 Tablespoons Frank's Red Hot Sauce

3 Tablespoons Melted Butter 

1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 teaspoon Red Wine or Cider Vinegar

Method:

Boil a large pot of water over medium high heat with the Onion (if using).

Lightly Scoop out the middle of the buns if using Brioche. 

Preheat the broiler

Shredded Chicken with Buffalo Sauce, Photo: NK

Combine the sliced Celery, Olive Oil, and a pinch of Pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.

Once pot comes to a boil, add the Chicken Thighs. Cook for 5 minutes and then turn the flame down to medium heat and continue to cook another 15 minutes. Check for doneness. Juices should run clear and the Chicken should be fully opaque. 

Remove the Chicken to a surface for shredding. 

While the Chicken is cooking, prepare the Buffalo Sauce by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl. Feel free to adjust flavor by adding more Hot Sauce or additional spices.

Ready to Broil, Photo: NK 

Once Chicken is cooked, shred it as best you can using two forks, pulling it apart into strings. 

Pour the Buffalo Sauce over the Shredded Chicken. Place Buns in a broiler pan and stuff with ample amounts of Chicken. Top each sandwich with some crumbles of the Maytag Blue Cheese and broil for 2 minutes. 

Top with the Chopped Celery and serve hot.

Enjoy!

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