Category — Products

Rod Sterling's Martini

So happy to have been asked to participate in the virtual dinner party for Judy Gelmans “The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook.” More than just a companion book for a television show (check out my AP story on those), the cookbook is a fantastic work of culinary anthropology. Judy not only tracked down the history on dishes like “California Dip” — aka: Lipton onion soup and sour cream — but she also excavated original recipes from Sardis, the Grand Central Oyster Bar and other places that Don Draper and his mad mad men hang out.

I made three items for the party: Rod Sterling’s signature Martini (which I’m sipping right now, thank you very much), California Dip (who doesn’t need chips with a drink?), and Trudy’s Roast Chicken.

I confess I haven’t been a devoted Mad Men fan, but when I did catch an episode it usually involved Trudy and Pete and their struggle to have a baby. My husband and I also went though this, and we DID wind up adopting – from the very same town in India where my husband was born (shopping the memoir, Mango Season, even as we speak.) And even though things got really rough a few times, he never threw a chicken. Maybe a pen or a few harsh words. But never food. Then again, if this one isn’t cooked properly….

Trudy's Roast Chicken

I made the California dip because I actually REMEMBER it from my childhood. My mom is an inveterate snacker, and potato chips with onion dip is her vice. It was always in the house (note: my husband is lactose intolerant, so I subbed greek yogurt for sour cream. Worked like a charm.) But UTZ chips — the famed account of the ad agency — those I didn’t discover until I moved to DC.

California Dip+ UTZ chips!

I made the martini because…I don’t know. It’s Sunday? And I love martinis.

Going to go eat the whole shabang now! Come catch me and many other bloggers on Twitter at 8pm, hashtag #PartyLikeAMadMan

Whether you’ve got a meatball fiend, an armchair traveler, a rock n’ roll groupie or a plain old celebrity chef stalker on your gift list, cookbook publishers have provided. Please check out my story for some ideas about what to get the cook on your list.

New flavored quinoa from Roland Foods

A new line of flavored quinoa takes the ancient Andean grain to the next level, that is: easy weeknight meal with cultural cred. Flavors like Roasted Garlic, Garden Vegetable, Black Bean, Toasted Sesame Ginger and Mediterranean come from natural sources like carrots, tomatoes and aromatics. My favorite suggestion? Roasted garlic quinoa with wilted greens and a fried egg. Yum.