Who knew that "You've Got Mail" starring Tom Hanks was actually based on this adorable little 1940 gem: "The Shop Around The Corner"? Ok, so maybe some of you knew it, but Barb and I had no idea! Basically, in almost the exact same plot line, Alfred Kralik (Jimmy Stewart) and Klara Novak (Margaret Sullivan) find themselves working at the same retail shop (and incessantly bickering of course) not knowing that all the while they were falling in love with each other through anonymous love letters. I would highly recommend adding this movie to your Christmas Movie list if only to change up the same old selection. It was a great little story then as it was in "You've Got Mail" (Only I have to say, that the ending in the Tom Hanks version where he meets her in the park with the dog sent my heart a little more aflutter than the ending in this 1940's version).
Movie Rating:
Plot: 4.5 stars
Cinematography: 3.5 stars
Acting: 3.5 stars
Average: 3.83 stars
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 pounds boneless pork butt or shoulder trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1/2" pieces
Salt, Pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil, more as needed
1 pound Polish sausage or kielbasa, cut into 1/2" pieces
1 large onion, chopped
3 cups slices button mushrooms
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds 1 1/2 quarts chicken broth, divided
1 cup flour
3/4 cup water
1 bunch parsley, chopped
2 baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces
DIRECTIONS:
Place the pork pieces in a large bowl and season with 1 teaspoon salt and one-fourth teaspoon pepper, tossing the pork so that it is evenly coated.
In a 4-quart, heavy-bottom pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the pork and sauté, stirring frequently, until all the pieces are browned on all sides, about 15 minutes. This may need to be done in batches. Remove the pork to a bowl and set aside.
Add the sausage to the pot ans sauté until the pieces are lightly browned on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes. Strain and set aside with the sauteéd pork.
Add the onions and mushrooms to the pot, along with a little extra oil if needed. Sauté the vegetables until the onions are lightly colored, stirring frequently. Stir in the garlic, caraway seeds and paprika and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic and spices become fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste, coating the vegetables evenly, and cook for a minute or two until the paste begins to darken in color.
Stir in 2 cups of broth and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring the contents of the pot and scraping any flavorings from the bottom of the pot, until the mixture coms to a good simmer. Add the pork and sausage back into the pot, along with the rest of the stock.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour and water to form a slurry, making sure there are no lumps. Whisk the slurry into the pot, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a strong simmer and cook until the meat is tender and the pork almost falls apart, about 30 minutes. Stir frequently, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot so the flour does not burn.
This goulash was mighty tasty! and sticks right to the ribs for a great winter meal. The only thing I would suggest would be to reduce the slurry by half as well as substituting the kielbasa for bacon or pork belly!
Dinner Rating:
Movie Relevance: 4 stars
Taste: 3 stars
Average: 3.5 stars