Yesterday, the official Season 5 key art for Mad Men was revealed – James Hibbard of Entertainment Weekly declared it “cryptic, artsy and just a tad… pretentious, perhaps? You be the judge.” A New York Times article quotes creator Matthew Weiner, “This is a dreamlike image,” he said, “By the end of the season… I guarantee you’ll know what it is about.”
Delayed for 7-8 months, fans, and I count myself as one, are ecstatic that the 2-hour season premiere of the highly anticipated season 5 has a firm date – Sunday, March 25th 9/8 c, giving Mad Men fans time to stock the bar and plan a suitable menu! AND, to add to the excitement created by the 5 teaser videos and this provocative ad, for die-hard retro buffs, cooks, cocktail aficionados, and party planners who desire to delve into every detail of the period, there’s The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook, by Judy Gelman and Peter Zheutlin.
Now you can dine like Don Draper and drink like Roger Sterling with more than 70 recipes from the kitchens, bars, and restaurants seen on episodes of Mad Men! Want to learn how to mix an Old Fashioned just the way Don Draper likes it, or prepare Oysters Rockefeller and a martini the way they did fifty years ago at one of Roger’s favorite haunts, the Grand Central Oyster Bar? Packed with period detail, The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook provides invaluable historical and cultural context for the food and drink featured on the show, tips on throwing a successful 60’s cocktail party, and even a guide to favored Mad Men hangouts.
To ensure an authentic Mad Men experience, every recipe is introduced through a specific scene in the show. I found this to be a wonderful way to refresh my memory and recapture moments from Seasons 1 through 4. Oscar night was the perfect opportunity to prepare one of the recipes from the book – on a recent trip to New York, we spent several nights at the legendary Waldorf Astoria Hotel, so it was a toss up between the Waldorf Salad and the Blini and Caviar. Both were appropriately elegant; as you can see I went with the caviar because, to me, it screams 60’s panache!
Blini and Caviar
1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons sour cream, plus additional for topping blini
1 egg
Butter for frying
Caviar* for topping
1. In a large bowl, sift the flour and baking powder together. Add the milk, sugar, and sour create. Beat the egg until frothy, add to the batter, and stir well. Let batter stand for 20 minutes.
2. Melt butter on a griddle or large skillet. Fry small (2-3 inch) pancakes in very hot butter. Drain on paper towels. Top each blini with additional sour cream and caviar before serving.
* I used salmon caviar – less expensive than sturgeon caviar
Yield: approximately 16-20 blini
From The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook and adapted from The Best of Russian Cooking
But wait – there’s more! Through the Dine Like a Mad Men Sweepstakes, to launch The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook, fans can enter to WIN a meal at one of New York’s finest restaurants featured on Mad Men including Barbetta, Keens Steakhouse, Algonquin, Pierre Hotel, and the Russian Tea Room through April 2.
Liz
February 28 at 3:42 pmI think it would take a life time of training for me to be able to drink like Roger Sterling 😉 Love your retro blini…so beautiful and delicious!
Lisa
February 29 at 2:53 amAlthough I don’t watch Mad Men, I will most certainly take a plate of that Blini and Caviar! Again, your photos are gorgeous!
Jen @ Juanita's Cocina
February 29 at 3:44 amI love Mad Men!
I can’t wait to try these.
And NOW I absolutely need the cookbook!
Carolyn
February 29 at 8:35 amWe just started watching Season 1 of Mad Men…and I am hooked. Glad it’s got so many seasons under its belt, we can continue to enjoy it for a long time.
5 Star Foodie
February 29 at 11:22 amI am a huge Mad Men fan, and cannot wait till season 5 finally begins! Great to know that there’s a cookbook, thanks!
Elizabeth @Mango_Queen
March 1 at 6:45 amOh I love this post! Love the caviar and the thought that Don Draper will be back soon in my “living room”! Thanks for sharing this recipe & the telecast reminder. Can’t wait for Mad Men! Cheers!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cookin
March 1 at 1:09 pmWhaaaa!?!? Mad men cookbook! I need this in my life. I was just talking to my friend yesterday about hosting a Mad Men themed premiere party. Now I will know the perfect things to make!
[email protected]'s Recipes
March 1 at 9:18 pmGorgeous pancakes with caviar! Simply irresistible!
Magic of Spice
March 3 at 7:41 pmThis would be delightful anytime! I have so many friends that are a fan of the show, but I have not really checked it out yet, will give it a peak 🙂
RavieNomNoms
March 14 at 11:29 amSuch lovely photos!! They are so bright and vibrant. So nice to see all those colors when it is almost Springtime!
Victoria
March 18 at 12:55 pmAbsolutely beautiful, Priscilla! I generally prefer black sturgeon caviar to salmon roe, but the color is so vibrant here! Great photos. So glad to see you also participated in the Virtual Dinner Party 🙂
30A EATS
March 18 at 5:20 pmWonderful post and love blini and caviar! Glad to meet you at the “party!” 🙂
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb
March 19 at 3:01 amNever heard of the “Mad man”before, I ll check it out later.
Now your blini look mesermizing with the caviar on top, so very pretty!
Patty
April 4 at 8:41 pmLove the color of your caviar and as a topping on those blini-oh my!!! Enjoy the new season of Mad Men 😉
sippitysup
February 21 at 4:05 pmGreat post. I’d have more to say but I want to rush off and see those videos. Here’s a pic with me and Harry Crane “together”. GREG
http://www.sippitysup.com/santa-barbara-urban-wine-trail/
Priscilla
February 21 at 4:49 pmHi Greg – Here’s the link to trailers for Season 7 – the final season of Mad Men 🙁 –> http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/don-draper-groovy-mad-men-season-7-trailer-article-1.2122044