Seafood Newberg

Mark here... I originally saw this recipe on an episode of Food Network's show Party Line with the Hearty Boys.  After watching the Mad Men episode where Betty Draper orders it, I thought it would be appropriate.  Laurel doesn't eat shellfish (though I think some day I may be able to get her to try scallops) so I tried to find a firmer fish to substitute.  In this case I used Sea Bass and Halibut.  I also made more than enough and was able to give leftovers to friends.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 lbs of fish (Sea Bass and Halibut in this case)
Salt
10 Black Peppercorns
2 Bay Leaves
1 Large Shallot, chopped
4 tablespoons of flour
butter
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon curry powder
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of cayenne
2 cups milk
1/2 cup cream
tomato paste
dry sherry
parsley

asparagus
salt
pepper
olive oil
white rice


First poach the fish in boiling water with about a teaspoon of salt, the bay leaves and the peppercorns, for about 2 minutes.

In a separate pan, heat the milk, cream and add a tablespoon of tomato paste.  Do not let it boil, but bring to a simmer.

In a large sauce pan, sauté the shallot in 4 tablespoons butter for a few minutes, until shallot softens but doesn't brown.  Then add the flour.  Let the flour cook about a minute then add the spices (paprika, curry, nutmeg and cayenne).  Add 1/4 cup of the sherry, and let the alcohol cook off.  Slowly add the milk and cream mixture to this. Finally, cube and add the fish.

Serve over white rice with a side of roasted asparagus (I just tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper and roasted on a sheet pan for about 15 min).  Top with chopped parsley.

Marriage of Figaro

Mark here...Laurel and I are sitting down to watch the next episode of "Mad Men", this one titled, "Marriage of Figaro". For the occasion I made us Seafood Newberg, which Betty talked about in the last episode.  I didn't spring for Lobster this time, mainly because Laurel is not a fan.

This episode was very interesting in terms of its depiction of the times.  I know its a semi-exagerated portrayal  but its still interesting.  The episode starts with Pete coming back from his honeymoon in Niagara Falls and promptly disappointing Peggy, who he had a fling with prior to.  The office surprises him by having an "oriental family" in his office, who they refer to as "chinamen"....offensive on many levels but yet rings true for the times. We then see Don sweet talk his female client after the team totally bombs a meeting with her, only to bomb himself when she finds out he's married.  The rest of the episode shows Don at home for his daughter's birthday party with the family.  Everyone smokes and drinks to excess, including the pregnant lady.  But we see signs that all is not what it seems in this perfect suburban homestead.   Betty still has the shakes in her hands from anxiety, Don is dismayed at the behavior of everyone around him and ditches the party midway through, ostensibly to pick up a birthday cake.  However he doesn't come home til everyone has left...with a new dog, so it's all ok!  Not so much with Betty...

Laurel here..I noticed a few things this episode.  We are starting to uncover than Don has a past...He runs into someone on the train who calls him Richard, and makes references to their time in the army together.  The next time we see him get on the train he sits in a seat that's upholstery is becoming tattered, in close up.   If I were in film school (which I was 20 years ago) I would be writing a whole paper on how the tattered upholstery of the seat he chooses to sit in is a metaphor for his secret former life which is beginning to unravel before our eyes.  just sayin'.

I also find it interesting that he makes a move on his client, the owner of "menkin's" department store, which we learn during the episode is akin to a bindel's or something like this.  She is not just the heiress to the department store, she actually runs the business and makes the day to day decisions.  I think the fact that Don is so attracted to a woman like this (he ends up kissing her at a business meeting at her store) goes to show that maybe he is looking for more in a romantic parter than just someone who is young and blond and will have dinner ready when he gets home.

The other men at the firm continue to show that they are complete immature unaware assholes this episode, which makes Don look all the better.  He actually knows how to show restraint and to not act on his boyish impulses in public, which the other ad men frequently do.  Not that he is any better than them he just keeps his boyish impulses under wraps.