How to Throw a Mad Men Themed Party!

November 13, 2011

This weekend my husband and I hosted a “Mad Men” themed party. . .
It wasn’t just because we are big fans of the show, because we definitely are
But because we love this style of living.
From the clothes to the decor, its so up my alley and I love to enterain
I wish I was in my 20’s during this time.
I was so excited to research traditional drink and appetizer recipes and organize this night out with some great people we have met living in San Francisco.
Drink menu:
Old- Fashioned 
Gimlet
Greyhound
Scotch

Decor:

Vintage phones, perfume bottles, etc. that bring you back to 1962.

Having a bar with vintage cocktail recipes makes the night. I wrote the ingredients on a chalk board so people could “make their own”.. each glass went with a specific recipe.



Appetizers:

The Cheese Ball



 Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces, weight Cream Cheese
  • ¼ cups Sour Cream
  • 1 cup Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • ¼ cups Shredded Parmesan Cheese
  • ¼ cups Finely Chopped Onion
  • ½ teaspoons Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 pinch Cayenne Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
  • ¼ teaspoons Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • ⅓ cups Dried Cranberries, Optional
  • ½ cups Toasted Pecans, Chopped Coarse (optional)
  •  

Directions:

1) Place all ingredients except pecans in a large bowl. Beat with a hand mixer on medium-low speed until well combined.
2) Scrape the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Cover with the plastic wrap and shape into a ball or log. Put the cheese ball on a plate and place in the refrigerator to harden, about 30 minutes – 1 hour.
3) Roll the cheese ball in the chopped pecans and place on a serving plate. Serve with crackers.
Note: this cheese is best if allowed to sit for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to blend. The flavors are best if it is allowed to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Deviled Eggs:
Recipe found here!
Dont mind the chipped nail polish, ugh I hate it
 

Ingredients:

12 large eggs

3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon minced sweet pickle
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Hot red pepper sauce
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley , for garnish
Paprika , for garnish



Directions:


Place the eggs in a large saucepan just large enough to hold them in a single layer. Add enough cold water to cover by one inch. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain carefully and rinse under cold water. When cool enough to handle, but still warm, peel the eggs. Cool completely.

Cut each egg in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks and place in a medium bowl. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, pickle and Worcestershire sauce. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce.

Transfer the yolk mixture to a pastry bag with a half-inch wide opening. (If you wish, fit the bag with a half-inch star tip before filling.) Squeeze the yolk mixture into the hollows in the whites, and place on a serving platter. Sprinkle the filling with the parsley, and then the paprika. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least one hour and up to eight hours. Serve chilled.


Spinach Artichoke Dip


Recipe found here!

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained
  • 1/3 cup grated Romano cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
 

Directions: 


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a blender or food processor, place artichoke hearts, Romano cheese, Parmesan cheese and garlic . Pulse until chopped, but not ground. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together spinach, heavy cream, sour cream and mozzarella cheese. Stir in artichoke mixture. Spoon into prepared baking dish.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly




There is no 1960’s party without Shrimp Cocktail!!!

1960 Styled



Party People

Reed and Greenough
We took the party to a bar in the Marina that matched perfectly with our outfits. We were not the over dressed people… we fit in. 

xoxo!