Yes, I had a blogging hiatus. It was an unintentional hiatus because I got unexpectedly preoccupied with other things and this little blog just got shoved to the back burner. You know how that goes. But, I am back for now although I don't know for how long. Hopefully, I'll be back to a somewhat regular blogging schedule again but we shall see.
Anyway, on to today's post. I am so excited to be posting about a Mad Men recipe. I am a huge Mad Men fan and having my beloved show back for Season 5 just feels sensational. Although I don't have the premium channel package from my service provider, I was able to watch it on Amazon with a season TV pass. You can check out Amazon's Mad Men Season 5 instant video channel here. Last night's two-hour season premiere is not to be missed!
(Update: AMC has just announced that it will be streaming the season premiere on their website for free for a limited time. You can watch it now!)
Sardi's Hearts of Palm Salad was a dish ordered by Don Draper in Season 2, episode 5 called A Little Kiss. He was called to Sardi's (a real life restaurant in the heart of New York's theater district) by the seductive Bobbi Barrett, one of several women whom he's sleeping with that season. Bobbi is a strong minded woman who's into business just like one of the boys. She asks Don to order for her and he picks exactly what she wants -- steak tartare. A brilliant food metaphor, no? For himself, he orders the Hearts of Palm salad.
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| "Hearts of palm salad.....steak tartare." |
I've never had hearts of palm before so I was curious to try it. When I saw the recipe floating around online and that it is an excerpt from the new Mad Men cookbook, I thought it would be a perfect time to try it; a personal welcome to Season 5.
The verdict? I love hearts of palm, well, canned ones anyway. They have a sour taste to them since citric acid is added to the brine but I quite enjoy that about them. Their texture reminds me of bamboo shoots. The salad itself is salty and tangy and packs quite a punch, much like Don Draper's good looks. ;)
Sardi's Hearts of Palm Salad
Original recipe shown below taken from foodchannel.com. I subbed a few ingredients due to preference so they're noted below too. This salad serves 2.
SALAD:
6 lettuce leaves
6 whole pieces canned hearts of palm, drained (about 21 ounces)
6 thin slices pimiento
6 sprigs watercress (subbed with arugula/rocket)
4 tablespoons Vinaigrette Dressing (see recipe below)
VINAIGRETTE DRESSING:
1/2 dill pickle, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon capers, finely chopped (subbed with pimiento stuffed green olives)
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon finely chopped pimiento
1 teaspoon finely chopped hard-boiled egg white
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
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| Canned hearts of palm which I had picked up from Fresh and Easy. |
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| You get about 5 or 6 in a can. |
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| Drain and slice into 1/2 inch rounds. |
SALAD:
Place lettuce flat on dish. Arrange hearts of palm in a row. Arrange pimiento slices across lettuce and decorate at side with watercress. Serve with Vinaigrette Dressing.
YIELD: 2 SERVINGS
VINAIGRETTE DRESSING:
Place the finely chopped ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle with salt and add olive oil. Stir thoroughly while adding vinegar. Keep in refrigerator. Always stir before using.
YIELD: 3/4 CUP
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| Sardi's Hearts of Palm Salad - up close. |
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