Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Since our last posting, Halloween has come and gone, but naturally it was time for some scary/gory/thrilling movies!

"When there's no more room in Hell, the Dead will walk the Earth."

Eric suggested Dawn of the Dead and I am glad we watched it, especially for the special effects. The scenes where people are bitten into were really well done for the time and looked pretty real (minus the blood that looked a whole lot like red paint). Also, it's directed by George A. Romero, (his first sequel to Night of the Living Dead) AND it's filmed in Pennsylvania (more on this later).

Fun fact: Night of the Living Dead was filmed in black-and-white so Romero chose to paint the "things" in this full-color movie gray. Personally, I think it failed because they looked blue and would have been scarier if they weren't so drastically different looking from normal people.

I couldn't stop comparing the no-name actors to their celebrity dopplegangers either: The three main actors looked like B. J. Novak, Lawrence Fishburne, and James Van Der Beek to me!

(movie still found here)

Movie Review

Plot: 2.25

Cinematography: 3.25

Acting: 1.5

Average: 2.33

On to the food...

As I mentioned, the movie is set (and filmed) in Pennsylvania. The group flees Philadelphia and heads toward Pittsburgh via helicopter hoping to find safety. One of the most popular regional dishes in Pittsburgh (and much of Pennsylvania) is pierogies, so we made them from scratch! Not too shabby either--I'd say they were better than Mrs. T's, which surprised me since I seem to rarely have success with this type of labor-intensive dish. I'd suggest doubling or even tripling the pasta recipe if you have the time to make a lot of pierogies since they freeze well. We got four servings out of this batch and had an abundance of mashed potato filling left over. It was good for lunch, but would have been better tucked inside these little beauts.

Homemade Pittsburgh Pierogies with Sour Cream

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour, plus extra for kneading and rolling dough

1/2 tsp salt

1 large egg, beaten

1/2 cup sour cream, plus extra for serving

1/4 cup butter, softened and cut into small pieces

5 large red potatoes

2 large onions

6 TB butter, divided, for sautéing

4-8oz. grated cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

Pierogie Dough

Mix together the flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. With the mixer on low, add the beaten egg and then 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/4 cup of softened butter pieces. Mix until it comes together. (I had to scrape the sides down a few times and turn the mixer onto a higher setting to get it to form a doughy consistency.)

Potato, Cheese, and Onion Filling

Peel and boil the potatoes until soft. While the potatoes are boiling, finely chop 1 large onion and saute it in butter until soft and translucent. Mash the potatoes with the sautéed onions and the grated cheddar cheese, adding salt and pepper to taste. (We used the stand mixer and paddle attachment for this job.)

Preparing the Pierogies

Break the dough into small pieces and flatten to pass through a pasta roller. Roll to approx. 1/8" thick, then cut into circles about 3.5" in diameter. A drinking glass works well. Place a small ball of filling (less than 1 TB) on each dough round and fold the dough over, forming a semi-circle. Make sure the edges are pressed together well.

Boil the pierogies a few at a time in a large pot of boiling water. They are done when they float to the top, about 8-10 minutes. Rinse in cool water and let dry.

While the pierogies are boiling, sauté the remaining 1 sliced onion in butter in a large frying pan until soft.

Add the boiled pierogies and pan-fry until lightly crispy.

Serve warm, with a side of sour cream.

Dinner Rating

Movie Relevance: 2

Taste: 4.5

Average: 3.25

Hanna (2011)

Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) is a 16-year-old, genetically mutated, and trained killer who is raised by her father (an ex-CIA agent played by Eric Banna) in the woods of Finland and trained to be the perfect assassin. Instead of a sweet-sixteen party however, she is sent into the world to confront the woman who will try to murder her—CIA agent Marissa (Cate Blanchett). Outside of the Finnish woods, she finds herself longing for a regular life all the while being locked in the ultimate chic fight with Marissa. I have to give this movie props for its plot originality: Lets pit two ultimate warriors against each other (we all know this has been done before) but this time, lets make it a 16-year-old girl battling a badass Cate Blanchett.

movie stills found here 

Movie Rating: 

Plot: 4.5 stars

Cinematography: 4 stars

Acting: 4 stars 

Average: 4.167 stars

We made a GLORIOUS dinner to accompany this movie: Finnish Oven Baked Pancakes. 

I highly recommend that everyone try this recipe!!

INGREDIENTS:

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, cut into 3 or 4 pieces

4 large eggs

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup milk , preferably whole

1 pinch of salt

up to 4 tablespoons sugar, optional

splash of vanilla extract, optional

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. When the oven temperature reaches about 300 degrees, place an 8- or 9-inch cake pan or 10-inch pie plate in the oven with butter in it. The butter should melt, but not brown, while the oven finishes heating.

Place the eggs, flour, milk, salt, sugar, and vanilla (if using) in the carafe of a blender, Fix the cover in place and blend on high, stopping to scrape the sides, if necessary, until the mixture is smooth and even.

When the oven is fully heater, and the butter is melted, pull the oven rack out far enough to work safely and pour the batter into the hot pan. 

Push the rack back into the oven and bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the oven pancake has puffed quite high and is a deep golden brown. You can test the doneness by inserting a knife or toothpick–if it comes out clean, it is done. Remove the pan from the oven, cut immediately (it will deflate some, so dont worry!) and serve topped as desired.

Here are some topping ideas:

If you add the sugar and the vanilla:

Powdered sugar (We tried this-yum!)

A handful of fresh berries

A sprinkle of brown sugar and drizzle of maple syrup (we also tried the syrup-yum yum!)

A dollop of fruit jame (we used my favorit blueberry jam-yum yum yum!)

Apples sauteed in butter and caramel sauce

A dollop of sweetened whip cream

If you omit the sugar:

Sausage gravy and chopped green onions

Beef or Venison stew (Venison stew would be PERFECT for Hanna who kills and skins a Reindeer-ew)

Gravy

Other menu ideas for this movie: Any kind of woodland game-venison, reindeer, rabbit, etc.

Dinner Rating: 

Movie Relevance: 4 stars

Taste: 5 stars

Average: 4.5 stars

Win Win

movie still found here 

I was really hoping I would get to say this and I can!: Win Win was a win win! This was one of the best modern dramas I have seen in a while. The acting was superb, the plot original and identifiable, and the cinematography made everything that was stale about the characters lives seem fresh and hopeful. The movie tells the story of a lawyer struggling to make ends meet for his family whilst coaching the local high school wrestling team.  To alleviate his financial woes he finds a loophole with one of his clients and signs up to be his caretaker for the monthly stipend. Trying to juggle careers and families, his secret becomes harder to keep under wraps when the client's grandson comes into his life. Win Win is a poignant tale of love and morality.

Movie Rating: 

Plot: 5 stars

Cinematography: 4.5 stars

Acting: 5 stars 

Average: 4.83 stars

Power Foods: Sweet Potato with Kale and Ricotta

INGREDIENTS

4 medium sweet potatoes

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced crosswise

1 bunch kale (about 1.25 pounds) thick stems removed, leaves torn into large pieces and washed with water left clinging

coarse salt and ground pepper

1 to 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet and rub with 1 tablespoon oil. Bake until easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife (I always use a fork...), 45 minuted to an hour

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. 

Add as much kale as will fit in the skillet; season with salt and pepper. Continue to add kale as the leaves cook down. Cook, tossing frequently until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar and red-pepper flakes. 

Open each potato; add salt and pepper. Top with ricotta and kale. 

Dinner Rating: 

Movie Relevance: 3.75 stars

Taste: 4.5 stars

Average: 4.125 stars

Somewhere

Somewhere (2011, directed by Sofia Coppola) chronicles the life of Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff), who's a successful Hollywood actor with tons of money but not much else going on in his life. The exception is his 11-year old daughter, Cleo (Elle Fanning), who comes to stay with him unexpectedly for a couple of weeks.

(movie stills found here)

There are many slow, quiet scenes in the film that almost verge on boring, however, you see a lot of Hollywood/LA surroundings including Chateau Marmont, where Johnny lives. Eric's favorite parts were Johnny's Black Flag t-shirt and black Ferrari 360 Modena. Other actors making appearances: Chris Pontius of Jackass fame and Benicio Del Toro.

Movie Rating

Plot: 2.75 stars

Cinematography: 3.75 stars

Acting: 3.25 stars
Average: 3.25 stars

Our meal was taken straight from the movie, specifically a scene where Cleo calls room service for the ingredients to make macaroni and cheese rather than ordering the finished product. We used a slightly more grown-up recipe--including bacon and beer! Even our snack and dessert find tie-ins this week: we roasted chickpeas in a za'atar-like spice blend to mimic an item on Bar Marmont's actual appetizer menu. For dessert, we had tea and shortbread cookies (inspired by Cleo and Johnny's underwater tea party).

Crispy Chickpeas a la Bar Marmont

Slightly adapted from this recipe

Serves 4 as a snack

INGREDIENTS

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 TB olive oil

1 TB dried thyme

1 TB lemon pepper seasoning (check salt content)

1 TB sesame seeds

1 TB oregano

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 450.

Toast the sesame seeds lightly in a nonstick pan, then transfer to a blender along with the thyme, lemon pepper, and oregano. Blend until combined.

Spread the chickpeas out on a baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil to coat. Top with a thick coating of seasoning blend, adding salt if needed.

Roast at 450 for 20-30 minutes or until the chickpeas are crunchy and brown.

Cleo's Mac and Cheese (but with beer & bacon)

Serves 4–6

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups uncooked whole wheat pasta shells (or elbows)

2 TB butter

2 TB flour

1 cup milk

1 cup beer

8 oz. freshly grated cheddar cheese

4 oz. freshly grated parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp paprika

pinch of black pepper

pinch of nutmeg

1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/2 cup panko

10 large basil leaves, chopped for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Prepare water for pasta and boil according to directions, shaving 1–2 minutes off of cooking time since pasta will continue to cook in the oven. Return cooked noodles to the pot.

Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat and add butter. Once melted and sizzling, whisk in flour to create a roux and cook until bubbly and golden, about 2 minutes. Add milk and beer to saucepan and whisk constantly, then add cheeses and stir until melted. Turn heat down to medium and continue to stir, cooking for 5-6 minutes while the mixture thickens. Stir in pepper, paprika, and nutmeg.

Pour cheese sauce and bacon over cooked pasta, stir, and transfer to a casserole dish. Top with panko and additional cheese if desired. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.

Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes, then top with fresh basil and serve.

Dinner Rating

Movie Relevance: 5 stars

Taste: 3.5 stars
Average: 4.25 stars

There was a ton of other food in the movie--Cleo also makes eggs benedict, they eat gelato, french fries, there's a breakfast scene, and toward the end Johnny makes (way too much) spaghetti with marinara sauce. He drinks Corona throughout the movie and orange juice makes a few appearances as well.

Bridesmaids

As soon as I heard about Bridesmaids, I knew it would make for a great movie night.

(movie images found here)

I invited Janette so that my two local bridesmaids would be in attendance, and my mom even came down for the affair. Granted, my mom's visit was mostly to pick up the grand-dog so they could watch her while I spent a long weekend with Eric in Oklahoma for graduation and his winging ceremony (yay!!!).

Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph star as best friends Annie and Lillian (the bride), with a cameo by Tim Heidecker (who plays the groom), and a great new face--Chris O'Dowd--as Officer Nathan Rhodes. Jon Hamm is in it, but truthfully, he plays such a sucky character it's hard for me to remember he was in it. It's funny, it's touching, and it's over the top. We enjoyed it for sure. Who knows, maybe we'll all jam out to Annie Lennox/Walking on Broken Glass after our ceremony?!

Movie Rating

Plot: 4.75 stars

Cinematography: 4 stars

Acting: 4.875 stars

Average: 4.5+ stars

A Brazilian meal seemed most fitting since the scene showing the aftermath of the Brazilian meal in the movie is EPIC. Luckily our food didn't have the same effects!

I personally was less than pleased with the dish, mostly because I came across more than a few bones and practically nothing makes me more irritated while eating than finding fish bones in my food. It didn't help that hunting down the red snapper was a bit of a challenge in the first place and made the meal slightly pricey. I do, however, think it was the best fish for the stew as it held together really well and had a good texture and flavor.

Moqueca (Brazilian Fish Stew)

Slightly adapted from this recipe

Serves 6 to 8

INGREDIENTS

For the Piri Piri:

1 TB + 1/2 cup olive oil

5 cloves garlic, smashed

4 cayenne chile peppers, stemmed, ribs and seeds removed, roughly chopped

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/2 tsp salt

For the stew:

2 1/2 pounds red snapper, cut into 2-inch pieces (or sub with grouper, red fish, flounder, striped bass, escolar or any other white fleshed fish)

1 cup roughly chopped onion, plus 1 cup julienned onion

2 cups roughly chopped tomatoes, plus 2 tomatoes sliced into 1/4 inch rounds

2 cloves garlic, plus 1 TB minced garlic

5 TB chopped fresh cilantro leaves

3 TB fresh-squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup Piri Piri (recipe included)

1 (14.5 oz) can coconut milk

salt

steamed white rice (for serving)

DIRECTIONS

Start with the Piri Piri. Heat a small saute pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 TB of the olive oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and peppers to the pan. Saute, stirring often, until the edges of the garlic start to turn brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the lemon juice to the pan and remove from the heat.

Place the contents of the saute pan in a blender and add the salt. Puree the peppers and garlic in the blender until mostly smooth. Drizzle the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil through the feed tube of the lid of the blender. Let cool before using, and store unused portion in an airtight container in the fridge.

Next, make the marinade for the fish by blending together the chopped onion, chopped tomatoes, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 TB cilantro, 1 tsp salt, and lime juice. Put the fish in a large plastic Ziploc bag and pour the marinade over. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Once fish has marinated, heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil to the pan, and once hot, add the julienned onions to the pan and saute, stirring often until translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic to the pan and saute an additional 30 seconds. Pour the fish and marinade into the saute pan and add the remaining teaspoon of salt, the Piri Piri, and the coconut milk and stir to combine. Once the liquid comes to a boil, dot the top of the pan with the sliced tomatoes and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook until the flesh starts to flake, about 10 minutes.

Remove the cover from the pan and sprinkle the remaining 4 TB of cilantro over the fish. Serve accompanied by steamed white rice.

Dinner Rating

Movie Relevance: 4.625 stars

Taste: 3.875 stars

Average: 4.25 stars

Thanks to everyone for attending!