{Holiday Gift Guide 2012} The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook Review + Giveaway {U.S.}

The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook: Inside the Kitchens, Bars, and Restaurants of Mad Men brings you into the culinary world of Mad Men-era New York, just in time for the holiday season. This book, by veteran cookbook author Judy Gelman and writer Peter Zheutlin, includes more than 70 recipes for food and drink that were featured in episodes of Mad Men. You will find historical pictures of New York, as well as period details, commentary, and full color photos.

Some of the recipes are from famous New York hotels, bars, and restaurants like Sardi, Barbetta, and The Pierre Hotel and include full ingredient lists and preparation instructions. This cookbook is great for history buffs, Mad Men fans, and those interested in 1960s wining and dining. Although I need to catch up on my Mad Men viewing, I am so excited to have had the chance to review a copy of this cookbook.

The table of contents separates this cookbook into five sections, including cocktails, appetizers, salads, main courses and desserts. It reads more like a novel, rather than a cookbook. I can appreciate that fact because it enthralled me and I didn’t want to put the book down. I initially learned about different cocktail glasses, how to properly mix a cocktail and advice about ice.

Fittingly, the first recipe in the cookbook is from the first episode of Mad Men. You will find a synopsis of the opening scene, where Don Draper is in a smoky bar jotting down his ideas to promote Lucky Strike cigarettes. A bartender comes to ask if he’d like another drink and he replies “Yeah, do this again. Old Fashioned, please.” The Old Fashioned Martini is a popular Mad Men cocktail, and I’m excited to try it myself. Before you find out about the recipe, you’ll get to discover when and where this drink originated from. It’s incredibly interesting and is a great opening to the book.

I pay a lot of attention to design and I love the retro, clean look of this cookbook. It’s pleasing the eye, and easy to follow.

The full color pictures bring this cookbook back to modern day and keeps it relevant and diverse. There are many 1960s advertisements throughout the book which I find fascinating to look at as well.

I decided to try out one of the recipes, probably the most simple one in the book, but man it is delicious. Pete’s California Dip was featured in season one of Mad Men, episode seven to be exact. Here’s an excerpt:

“The essential ingredient was nothing more, or less, than a package of dried onion soup mix. Combined thoroughly with sour cream and chilled, it made for a delicious accompaniment to chips, crackers, or toast. The challenge was to find chips or crackers study enough to stand up to a swipe through a bowl of this thick and creamy delight. Ridged potato chips were a perfect solution, and we recommend Utz brand potato chips (ridged or regular), a staple in the Draper household and a major account at Sterling Cooper, for an authentic Mad Men experience.”

All this dip takes is a packet of dry onion soup mix and a 16 oz. container of sour cream. Mix them together and you have an absolutely amazing dip. I used chips as well as veggies to dunk in this creamy deliciousness.

This cookbook would make an awesome gift this Christmas for anyone into history, Mad Men, or the culinary arts. Learn more about the book here. You can also get three free recipes by becoming a Facebook fan. Purchase the cookbook at bookstores and online {currently $11.32 on Amazon}.

One lucky reader will have the chance to own the Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will end on 11/3. Please enter on the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

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Disclosure: Kara’s Deals and Steals received a free Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook in exchange for a review. I was not compensated monetarily for this publication. All opinion are 100% my own. This blog complies with FTC guidelines. Kara’s Deals and Steals is not responsible for prize delivery.