Some Kind of Wonderful: Dinner Club gone Retro

Recently I hosted our dinner club group for a super fun meal. The couple that hosts gets to pick the theme and is responsible for assigning the remaining couples a dish to bring. Usually we are given a category like salad, vegetable or dessert and we may pick any recipe we like. I thought I would shake things up a bit and have a throw-back soiree!

Daddy-o and I elected the theme "Kitschtastic Awesomeness" with the main course being Thai Tiki Turkey Meatloaf. The 4 other couples were each assigned one of the following: appetizer, gelatin, vegetable and dessert. They were then instructed to visit Mid Century Menu or The Charles Phoenix Test Kitchen and pick a recipe from one of the sites that fell into their respective categories. Of course, all of the guests were made aware that any dish could be a gelatin dish even if they were not expressly assigned gelatin. The more Jello the merrier, right?!

When all was said and done we ended up with BBQ meatballs, celery with pimento cheese spread, an astro-weenie pineapple, meatloaf, potato salad jello, pineapple carrot jello ring, green bean casserole and pistachio pudding crisp dessert. It was, well...kitschtastic awesomeness at it's best! Even if it felt a bit like a church social.

Guests were also instructed to dress in vintage, tropical or Bradyesque attire. I'm so happy to report that everyone complied and looked great! We had a fantastic evening that included tiki drinks mixed by Daddy-o. I love my friends and am eternally thankful to them for humoring me!

Thai Turkey Tiki Meatloaf

(adapted from Weight Watchers Hawaiian Turkey Loaf)

3 Tbsp Orange Juice

5 Tbsp Fish Sauce

2 tsp Red Curry Paste

1 tsp chopped Garlic

1 Red Pepper, chopped

1/2 Onion, chopped

6 slices fresh Ginger (quarter sized)

38 ounces ground Turkey

1 cup breadcrumbs

2 eggs

Pineapple Chutney

8 ounces crushed Pineapple

2 Tbsp Sugar

2 Tbsp White Vinegar

2 Tbsp chopped Onions

2 Tbsp Red Pepper, chopped

1 Tbsp minced Ginger

1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

1 Tbsp Cilantro

Directions: Preheat oven to 350F. In a food processor or blender, combine juice, fish sauce, curry paste, garlic, red pepper, onions and ginger. Process until it is a fine puree. Pour puree into a large bowl and add turkey, breadcrumbs and egg. Blend everything well with your hands, put into a loaf pan that has been coated with non-stick spray. Now get creative and make the finest looking tiki head you can. Br sure to make spaces for cherry eyes! Bake for 45-60 min using a meat thermometer until the center reaches 164F. Remove from oven and don't panic...there will be a collection of oogoo in the eye sockets and mouth of your tiki. Simply use a spoon to skim this off. Let the meatloaf stand for 5-10 minutes before removing from pan. After placing on platter, add cherries and pineapple to give your tiki some pizazz.

For the pineapple topping: (while meatloaf is cooking)

In a microwave safe bowl, combine pineapple, sugar, vinegar, onions, red pepper, ginger and pepper flakes. Microwave on high 3-5 minutes. Let stand in microwave for another minute or two. Add cilantro and serve over top or alongside the meatloaf.