First Blood

Wednesday, June 3, 2009 we watched First Blood (1982)—the first in the Rambo series and made Pho Bo (pronounced 'Fuh').

The Movie:
John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is a guy you just don't mess with. Unfortunately for Sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy) and the other cops of a small Oregon town, this was a lesson they would learn the hard way. An ex-Green Beret, Vietnam vet, and lost, lonely soul, Rambo hitchhikes into a small town and is shooed away by the town Sheriff. Assaulted by the cops and plagued by thoughts of his Vietnamese imprisonment, the unstable Rambo lashes out and starts an epic war of 1 versus 200 in the jungles of Oregon.

We learned some great survival techniques watching this movie:
1) A shirt fashioned out of a found piece of canvas always comes in handy when making torches (this garment is commonly referred to as a "Jesus unit."
2) When falling from a cliff it is always best to fall into a tree and not onto a rock.
3) Always carry a needle and thread (preferably in the handle of your 'Jimmy Lile-designed' knife)

Memorable Quotes:
"[Rambo] smells like an animal"
"We ain't huntin' him, he's huntin' us"
"Don't forget one thing: a good supply of body bags"
"It's a real war outside your front door"—lyrics from the song "It's A Long Road"

We loved the action scenes-the cliff hanger, the mine full of rats, and the small town showdown. In the end, the good guy 'wins' and inevitably (as Barb so aptly predicted), someone fell through the skylight that was so perfectly placed on the roof of the small town police station. 'Cause why else would they have a large skylight?

The dinner:

Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef and Noodle soup)

6 c. beef broth
1-1" piece of ginger sliced in half vertically
1/4 c. onions sliced into wedges
1 cinnamon stick, some coriander, cardamom, and cloves
1/2 lb. boneless beef sirloin, trimmed of fat, and sliced across the grain into very thin strips (freezing the meat for 15 minutes makes it easier to slice)
3 oz. dried flat rice noodles
1/4 c. Asian fish sauce
ground pepper
1 c. fresh bean sprouts
1/8 c. minced scallions
1/4 c. fresh cilantro
1 small thin fresh red or green Asian chili
1/2 c. fresh basil leaves
lime wedges for garnish

Place ginger and onions under the broiler until golden-set aside.

In a saucepan bring broth, ginger, onions, cinnamon, and spices to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

In a large bowl soak noodles in hot water for 15 minutes, or until soft.

While noodles are soaking, bring a saucepan of salted water to boil for the noodles. Drain noodles and then cook them in the boiling water for 45 seconds. Drain and set aside.

Strain the broth into saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in fish sauce, salt, and pepper. Add sirloin and sprouts-cook for 30-45 seconds, or until meat changes color.

To serve, divide noodles into bowls, ladle soup and sprinkle with scallions, cilantro, chilies, and basil. Serve with lime.

The dinner was pho-nominal!! we highly recommend this one.

In attendance: Barb and Lindsey

Ratings: Movie = 4.125, Dinner = 5!!