With Valentine’s Day approaching, we’re all in search of ways to impress the ones we love – even if it is ourselves. Preparing a home-cooked meal is one of the best ways to show someone you care. Stay in this holiday and enjoy dinner and a movie. Want to make the day personal and unique? Prepare a meal inspired by that special someone’s favourite movies.
Beverages
As with all good parties, you should start with a beverage. There are virtually limitless options for cinematic inspirations. The Big Lebowski popularized, and dare I say, masculinized the White Russian. Two parts vodka, one part coffee liqueur and one part cream; pour over ice and bottoms up. To make a virgin White Russian, use strong coffee, a touch of chocolate sauce, simple syrup and cream. The Dude will approve.
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then you’re familiar with butterbeer. It’s the fizzy, foamy, butterscotch beverage only the wizarding world (and a few of us muggles) knows about. Whip up your own by mixing butterscotch ice cream topping, vanilla ice cream and cream soda (not the pink kind). Witch, wizard or muggle, butterbeer will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Appetizers
After drinks have been served (shaken not stirred), it’s always a good idea to offer up an appetizer; something to whet the appetite and hold you over until the main course is ready.
Forrest Gump offers simple life anecdotes and plenty of shrimp inspiration, including Forrest’s good friend Bubba rattling off the seemingly endless ways to prepare shrimp. You can barbecue it, or make shrimp-kabobs. There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp and coconut shrimp, yet Bubba neglects to mention my favourite way: mixing it with cream cheese to make a warm and satisfying shrimp dip.
Sometimes memorable food moments can be attributed to great failure. In Bridget Jones’s Diary, Bridge demonstrates a lack in skill when attempting a classic French potato and leek soup, which turns blue thanks to the twine she used to tie the leeks and celery together. Make this dish a success by sautéing chopped celery, leeks and potatoes until they begin to soften. Add chicken stock and simmer until potatoes are fork tender. Puree and add cream or milk; season with salt and pepper. You can make Bridget’s version by using blue potatoes – just puree them with the soup or add at the end as garnish. The soup is also fabulous topped with cheese and bacon. But then again, isn’t everything?
Entrees
No Reservations – a romantic-comedy with its fair share of hot kitchen scenes – begins with a romanticized description of quail and how to perfectly prepare it, which can easily translate to the humble chicken. The sous chef wows the kitchen staff, and his love interest, with spaghetti and tomato sauce, which is very Lady and the Tramp if you ask me. Instead, I suggest using truffle olive oil, garlic and a good quality parmesan to dress the pasta.
In The Hundred Foot Journey, food and Michelin stars take yet another supporting role. The film showcases classic French and Indian cuisine separately and ultimately portrays the fusion of the two. Julie and Julia really put boeuf bourguignon on the map, but this film offers a spicy alternative. Adding Indian flavours like cumin and ginger can really transform this French classic. Watch this movie for other fusion ideas, such as ways to incorporate spices such as cardamom and tumeric into everyday dishes.
Dessert
Just as no film is complete without a proper ending, neither is your gourmet meal. Who knew The Godfather could provide such inspiration? One of the film’s most famous quotes is: “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” And you should never leave a good cannoli behind. This Sicilian dessert consists of a crunchy cookie shell filled with creamy ricotta, cinnamon, chocolate and a hint of citrus. While traditional shells require special forms, you can easily cheat by using wonton wrappers or phyllo. Wrap a strip of aluminum foil tightly around two fingers to create a cannoli form and spray generously with cooking spray. Lightly coat two pieces of phyllo with melted butter and lay one on top of the other. Cut into strips and lightly wrap the phyllo around the aluminum foil form. Bake until crispy, remove the foil and fill with cannoli filling. It’s a quick, easy and elegant dessert.
Memorable food moments make appearances in all movie genres. The next time you watch your favourite movie, TV show or even food documentary, look for new meal ideas or ways to use ingredients. It makes the perfect gift for the love in your life.