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1960's Dinner

Thu 16-Aug-12
5:06 pm

paperman

Saxmundham, Suffolk

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I have trouble with my mouth. Often in my life I have heard it spout forth on things about which it knows nothing.

In recent years I have managed to connect it partially to my brain and usually now I manage to inject some sense before it starts off again.

However, when I wasn't looking the other evening I heard it invite some friends for a 1960's dinner party, now I appreciate that most of you are far too young to remember those heady days before the tea bag and a few other things were common but maybe some ideas might spring to mind.

I am sort of thinking Prawn Cocktail to start (or Tomato Soup) and for sweet course Rum Baba (or Blackforest Gateaux) and for wine it has to be Mateus Rose but I am stuck for main course, coq-au-vin or boef bourginion come to mind or maybe mutton stew or rabbit caserole (we get loads of wild rabbit and it tastes absolutely knock-out) but I just wondered if someone had a knock-out idea - it needs to be seemingly crass to enter into the spirit of the thing and as they were also the days of Vesta Curries I had been thinking of doing a curry, buying a vesta packet from Asda and using it in some way as a table decoration disguising the fact that it would be one of my own curry dishes.

I will be cooking/preparing everything from scratch so please keep that in mind but helpful suggestions would be much appreciated

I have reached an age where my train of thought often leaves the station without me...

Thu 16-Aug-12
5:17 pm

Bulgaria

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Sorry sweetie...bit before my time. I came into it for spag. bol. with the necessary addition of a bottle of the red stuff.

Who lives long sees much : The diary of my life in Bulgaria

Thu 16-Aug-12
5:25 pm

danast

Argyll, Scotland

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wave Chris, I seem to remember that Chicken Kiev was a real favourite at some time in that decade. It always reminds me of one hotel in particular where it was always on the menu and very good it was too. They served it with potatoes, corn on the cob, pineapple fritters and of course peas.

Old teachers never die, they just lose their class

Thu 16-Aug-12
5:28 pm

Toffeeapple

North Bucks

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Surely Steak Diane for main course and Trifle for dessert?

I'll try that again!

Thu 16-Aug-12
5:47 pm

paperman

Saxmundham, Suffolk

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Danuta, thanks for suggestion but when I looked up CK in Wikipedia it was introduced to UK in 1976 and in fact it was M & S's first ready made meal.

TA I like the idea of Steak Diane, you obviously came from a good home!!

I have reached an age where my train of thought often leaves the station without me...

Thu 16-Aug-12
5:50 pm

Hattie

Bucks/Oxon Border

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Steak Tartare for starters

Duck with orange sauce for mains

Mocha/Chocolate Mousse, with brandy in it for dessert

I can remember eating this at dinner parties in the 60's, all the food was very rich, everyone tried to impress all their guests. Personally I used to cook from my Elizabeth David books. Oh You will need a hostess trolley to keep all your veg. hot & you must serve canapes with drinks before the meal. whistle

"The beautiful is as useful as the useful...perhaps more so."

from Les Miserables

Thu 16-Aug-12
5:50 pm

Hannah

Suffolk

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I can't remember when "chicken in the basket" was a very popular item it may have been the 60's or maybe early 70's

Are we having fun yet? I am!

Thu 16-Aug-12
5:54 pm

Toffeeapple

North Bucks

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paperman said:

TA I like the idea of Steak Diane, you obviously came from a good home!!

Yes, one that couldn't afford steak! But I knew people who could...

I'll try that again!

Thu 16-Aug-12
6:15 pm

danast

Argyll, Scotland

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paperman said:

Danuta, thanks for suggestion but when I looked up CK in Wikipedia it was introduced to UK in 1976 and in fact it was M & S's first ready made meal.

TA I like the idea of Steak Diane, you obviously came from a good home!!

wave I am not doing too well today am I???? I honestly did not think it was as late as that. sorry

Old teachers never die, they just lose their class

Thu 16-Aug-12
6:16 pm

Bulgaria

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I remember chicken in a basket when I was about eighteen...OK so it was late sixties but when you said sixties when did you mean Chris....surely Steak Diane was much later...I had it on HMS Hermes in 1968....along with grilled grapefruit....in the officer's mess no less....

Who lives long sees much : The diary of my life in Bulgaria

Thu 16-Aug-12
6:24 pm

Hattie

Bucks/Oxon Border

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No Steak Diane was definitely on the menu in the late sixties, as was Chicken in the basket (but the latter was more of a pub dish in my experience), I never had it at a dinner party. Chicken Kiev (home prepared) I had quite often.

"The beautiful is as useful as the useful...perhaps more so."

from Les Miserables

Thu 16-Aug-12
6:28 pm

Toffeeapple

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Steak Diane (Colony Restaurant) [1961] single serving

1 ten-ounce sirloin steak
1 1/2 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon cognac, heated
2 tablespoons sherry
1 tablespoon sweet butter
1 teaspoon chopped chives.

1. Trim the meat well and pound very thin with a mallet.
2. Heat one and one-half tablespoons butter in a chafing-dish platter. Add the steak and cook quickly, turning it once.
3. Add the cognac and flame. Add the sherry and the sweet butter creamed with chives.
4. Place the steak on a warm platter and pour the pan juices over it."

---The New York Times Cook Book, Craig Claiborne [Harper & Row: New York] 1961
(p. 91)

Matre d'h o tel also refers to a flavored butter or sauce made from butter, parsley, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Traditionally the seasonings and parsley are worked into cold butter, and then the lemon juice is added a little at a time. It is typically served on meat or fish.

Via Mr Google. Also said to have been first mentioned buy Escoffier.

I'll try that again!

Thu 16-Aug-12
6:51 pm

Hattie

Bucks/Oxon Border

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I have just remembered Baked Alaska was a popular desert. All home-made in those days. Avocados were popular too,usually with shrimp cocktail in them. Lots of pates with aspic round them, served with cornichons & capers & Melba toast.

Oh Chris you have bought back so many memories !! laugh