Cheese twists; Cheese bites; East Indian Spread & Watermelon: "MadMen" Cocktail Party Nibbles.... Recipes circa 1960's

Here is part 4 of my trend of MadMen Cocktail Party Nibbles....now moving on 10 years to the Swinging 60's


Cream Cheese Pastry..this is  a mainstay for many small tarts, crackers and puffs, as the pastry may be reworked many times and remains tender when baked

1 cup softened butter
1 x 8ozs softened cream cheese (do not use light that contains water)
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 cups all purpose flour ( if using 50:50 wholewheat and all purpose..may need to add another 1tbsp butter)

Using an electric mixer...beat the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, then "cut in" the flour., to form a smooth dough.
Wrap in wax paper and chill for 2 hours+..can be wrapped in foil and chilled for several days too.

Cheese Twists..makes about 24
1/2 of the above recipe for Cream cheese pastry
3/4 - 1 cup  finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 egg yolks beaten with 4tsp cream


Divide the dough in half and roll each into a rectangle 1/4 inch thick.
Sprinkle heavily with the cheese and using a rolling pin, press in lightly.
Fold the dough over itself in thirds and roll out again to 1/4 inch thick rectangle.
Sprinkle with more grated cheese and again lightly roll with a rolling pin...then fold the dough over itself again.
Allow it to rest for 20 mins.
Then re- roll  each piece out into a  18 x 4 x 1/4 inch rectangle.
Brush with the egg yolk and cream mix and sprinkle with more cheese.
Cut into strips 4 inches by 3/4 inch.
Twist the strips in spirals and place on an un greased cookie sheet and brush the end with egg mix.
Rest/chill for 1 hour..in cold place
Preheat oven 350F middle shelf
Bake for 15-20 mins or until crisp and golden...remove from oven and carefully remove from tray with a spatula..cool on wire racks.

CHEESE BITES makes 36-48

1 cup coarsely shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese at room temp.
1/2 cup butter softened
1 cup crisp rice cereal
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp sea salt
hot sauce to taste(optional)
 2 tsp paprika
PREHEAT OVEN 350F MIDDLE SHELF

 Put everything in a large mixing bowl and mix well.
pinch off marble sized  pieces and roll..place on lightly greased cookie sheet.
BAKE 10-15 mins in batches..do not overload the tray nor oven..or until lightly browned .
Cool on wire racks and serve warm.
Store in airtight containers

East Indian Spread and watermelon

Makes about 2 cups
Serve at room temp. with watermelon bite sized wedges

1 x 8ozs cream cheese at room temp.
1/2 cup blue cheese or feta, crumbled
1/4 cup finely chopped dates or dried apricots
1/4 cup finely chopped green mango chutney
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
 wooden tooth picks

Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy then stir in the crumbled cheese, dried fruit, chutney and lemon juice and half the nuts. ..put in serving bowls and top with remaining chopped nuts.
Serve on platters surrounded by bite sized melon wedges and picks.
This may also be chilled for several hours before serving.