Holiday Movie Snack-a-Thon: Scrooged

Night 3 featured a holiday classic I'd never seen before: Scrooged. But at friends' insistance, I added it to the list. Plus, it was highly praised as one of the best holiday movies of all time by the Great Pop Culture Debate (you can listen to the whole episode here), and I trust their judgement when it comes to iconic (take a drink) pop culture-y things. Definitely a little weird and dark at times, but Bill Murray makes the movie both heartwarming and hilarious.

The menu was a little trickier to come up with, but we managed to eat pretty well. I kept things simple since I was putting everything together after working at the office all day.

Appetizer: Scrooged Pretzel Cigars & Hummus

Between the movie poster, and chain-smoking taxi driver, we decided "cigars" was a good way to go. I used pretzel rods and dipped them in roasted red pepper hummus. Yum!

Main: Chinese Takeout

Took the easy way out on this one too -- Claire asks Frank if he wants to go get some Chinese food. We did and ordered from our favorite place around the corner -- lo mein and egg rolls.

Dessert: Payday Popcorn

Had to get a little creative on this one. I microwaved some popcorn, then topped it with chopped up Payday bars. It didn't combine as well as I would have liked, but the flavor was good - buttery, salty and sweet. Who can resist that combination?

Drink: Scrooged Sparkler

Pour 1 oz apple brandy in a champagne glass, then top with champagne (we used Proseco). A little sweet, but still tasty.

Tonight's film is a classic -- "It's a Wonderful Life." It was my mom's favorite growing up, so we watched it every year. 

 

Holiday Movie Snack-a-Thon: Home Alone & Home Alone 2

Home Alone was a classic holiday movie I grew up watching -- specifically a recorded copy on VHS, which included a now-vintage Dominos commercial urging people to "Avoid the Noid!" As a kid, there was nothing funnier than slapstick humor of the two bumbling burglars getting beat up by a kid. The sequel, though it definitely has its darker moments, is also thoroughly enjoyable and has become a staple each year. We don't speak of the other ill-fated ... um ... sequels? (Can they be called that since they don't star Macaulay Calkin?) Anyways, there are lots of food opportunities with this one -- here's what we did:

(Most of) the spread for our evening.

Appetizer: Shrimp Cocktail

It was a little hard to find an appetizer, but Uncle Frank (yes, THAT Uncle Frank), runs around the hotel in Paris offering the kids shrimp cocktail, only to be scolded by his wife "those are for later!"

We used frozen shrimp and made our own cocktail sauce with ketchup and horseradish.

Mains: A lovely cheese pizza, just for me & microwave macaroni and cheese

Kevin's dinners may not be overly nutritious, but they are tasty, and super easy to make. We made frozen pizza (alas, Little Nero's doesn't exist... or at least they don't deliver to us). Unlike Buzz and Kevin, we shared this one.

We had to serve our "nutritious" microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner with a glass of milk -- served in a wine goblet of course. Thank you Stouffer's for making this one super easy.

 

Desserts: Kevin's Ice Cream Sundae, Tic Tacs, & Chocolate Tarantulas

The first two on this list are pretty self explanatory (go nuts on that sundae!), but making the chocolate tarantulas took a little trial and error.

Ingredients

• Chocolate Turtles
• Pretzel Sticks*
• Chocolate Candy Melts (or chocolate chips) 

Directions

1.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set out your chocolate turtles.
2. 
   Microwave chocolate candy melts for 30 second intervals on 50% power until just melted. Stir every 30 seconds. Do not overcook!
3. Stick pretzel sticks into the chocolate turtles (this may take a bit of finesse). Alternatively, I used leftover Chinese noodles (the dried/fried kind) and stuck them to the top of the chocolate turtles with a bit of melted chocolate.
4. Drizzle melted chocolate to cover pretzel sticks. 

Drinks: Pepsi, Champagne & Filthy Animal Cocktail

Again, the first two are pretty self-explanatory, and go back to quotes in the movies from Uncle Frank (he's big on food and drink, apparently): "Go easy on the Pepsi, Fuller!" and "Champagne. It's free, isn't it?"

Filthy Animal Cocktail: 2 oz Kahlua, 2 oz Bailey's Salted Caramel, Splash of Milk 

Tonight's movie is one I haven't seen before, but which came highly recommended (including by the Great Pop Culture Debate's Best Holiday Movie Podcast): "Scrooged." I'm a Bill Murray fan, so how could I resist? 

Holiday Movie Snack-a-Thon: The Grinch

These little (ok, maybe not-so-little) movie marathon/snack-a-thons are starting to be my "thing" and honestly, I'm having a lot (maybe too much) fun putting them together. I'm learning from mistakes as I go and amassing new recipes to use year-round. Plus, I get to watch some favorite movies and new movies at the same time.

In keeping with the learning bit, I'll get right to the recipes from night 1 of my 12 Days of Holiday Movies Snack-a-Thon, featuring "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (the 1966 original -- don't @ me). 

The spread!

Appetizer: Grinch Guacamole

I just used store-bought guacamole (I only have so much time), but Alton Brown's is my go-to recipe for homemade guac. I tried to draw a Grinch face on the container, but FAILED miserably (I am no artist). Still tasty.

Main: Rare Who Roast 'Beast' Sliders

Ingredients

• Hawaiian Buttered Dinner Rolls (not the sweet ones)
• 1/2-3/4 lb Sliced Beef
• Horseradish
• Caraway seeds & course kosher salt
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 2-3 cups beef broth 
• Bread & butter pickles (optional) 

Directions

1. Slice Hawaiian rolls in half and place on a baking sheet. Put in the oven, cut side up under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. Watch closely so they don't burn. 
2. In a sauce pan, heat beef broth over medium high heat. Once hot, place slices of beef in the broth for 20-30 seconds.
3. Remove beef using tongs and place onto bottom half of rolls.
4. Spread thin layer of horseradish on inside of top halves of buns.
5. Melt butter in microwave. Then spread onto tops of the top half of rolls. Sprinkle with salt and caraway seeds.
6. Assemble sandwiches, serve with pickles and enjoy.  

Side Dish: Pepper & Potato Who Hash

Ingredients

• 2 medium potatoes
• 2 bell peppers (I used one green, one red)
• 1 medium onion
• Salt, pepper & garlic powder to taste

Directions 

1. Dice potatoes, peppers and onion. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet over high heat.
   
2. Sautee peppers & onions for 2-3 minutes, seasoning with salt & pepper, and any other seasonings you like (I used garlic powder).
3. Add potatoes to mix and cover to help steam the potatoes through. Add 1-2 tbsp water as needed to continue steaming the potatoes. Cook until potatoes are tender on the inside, and golden brown on the outside, about 5-7 minutes.

 

Dessert: Grinch Mint Brownies

Ingredients

• Brownie Mix
• Vegetable Oil
• Eggs
• 1/4 tsp Peppermint extract
• Mint Oreos
• Vanilla frosting (I used green food coloring to make it more "Grinchy")
• Heart sprinkles

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Mix brownie batter according to package instructions. Stir in 1/4 tsp
   peppermint extract.
2. In a greased pan, add half of the brownie mix. Top with a layer of mint Oreos, then top with remaining brownie batter.
3. Once cooled, remove from pan and frost. Add 3 heart sprinkles atop each brownie and enjoy.

Drinks

Grinch Punch - equal parts green Hawaiian punch & sprite + 1 scoop lime sherbet

Cindy Lou Who Spritzer - 1 part orange juice, 3 parts raspberry ginger ale, a dash of grenadine (for color), topped with whipped cream & a cherry

Next up, a double feature of Home Alone & Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Lots of great food opportunities in this one. Stay tuned!

 

 

 

 

I Got A Rock

Re-watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" this year I kept thinking how little of it I actually remember from my childhood. Like the entire Red Baron sequence? I somehow erased it from my mind entirely. The reoccurring joke about Charlie Brown getting a rock instead of candy? The humor was lost on me as a kid, but grown-up me found it hilarious. 

The menu was simple, but tasty and pretty easy to put together: Great Pumpkin Deviled Eggs, Jack-o-Lantern Quesadillas, Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip & a Pumpkin Spritzer (called an audible on that last one since my bananas went bad before I could us them!)

Great Pumpkin Deviled Eggs (modified from this Delish.com recipe)

Ingredients 

6 Eggs

1/4 cup mayo

Juice from 1/2 a lemon

1 tbsp paprika

Salt & pepper to taste

Fresh chives 

 

Directions

1. First, make hard boiled eggs. Put 1 inch of water in a pan big enough to fit all the eggs in a single layer. Make sure pot has a tight-fitting lid.
2. Bring water to a boil, then gently place eggs on the bottom of the pan using a slotted spoon. Keep water at a rolling boil throughout cooking process -- 10-11 minutes.
3. Remove eggs from water and put into an egg container. Leave at room temp to cool -- I promise, this will make it SO easy to peel them later. Once at room temp, these can be stored in the fridge.
4. Mix together mayo, lemon juice, paprika, salt and pepper in a bowl.
5. Slice eggs in half and put cooked yolks into a separate bowl and mash.
6. Combine both mixtures until smooth. Then place in a piping bag and pipe into the egg white halves.
7. Cut small pieces of chives and use as garnish for the "pumpkin stem" and enjoy! 

 

Jack-o-Lantern Quesadillas

Ingredients

Flour Tortillas

Shredded Mexican Cheese

Chicken (or other protein of your choice -- optional)

Chipotle Ranch Dressing (optional)

Salsa, Sour Cream & Guacamole for serving

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut out face of Jack-o-Lantern on one of the flour tortillas and set aside.
3. On another tortilla, place your fillings: cheese, chicken and chipotle ranch (if using).
4. Top with the Jack-o-Lantern faced tortilla. Brush top lightly with oil.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and exterior is crispy and golden brown.
6. Serve with salsa, sour cream and guacamole and enjoy! 

 

Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip (inspired by this recipe from the Salty Marshmallow)

Ingredients

1 8oz package of cream cheese (softened)

1 15oz can of pumpkin puree

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Ginger snaps (for serving) 

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, beat together cream cheese, brown and granulated sugars until fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Fold in pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin puree until smooth.
3. Serve with ginger snaps, graham crackers or whatever else you'd like to dip in and enjoy! 

Pumpkin Spritzer (modified from this recipe)

Ingredients

1 can ginger ale

3 tbsp pumpkin puree

1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Directions

1. Mix together pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice in bottom of a glass.
2. Top with ginger ale and stir. Enjoy!

Here's the final spread:

Pumpkin Deviled Eggs: 7/10

Jack-o-Lantern Quesadillas: 8/10

Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip: 8/10

Pumpkin Spritzer: 7/10

Next up, a more "adult" film: "Shaun of the Dead." I know I said I didn't like gore, but this one is funny enough that it doesn't matter.

Heads Will Roll

So I'll be honest, Saturday's movie and menu did not go at all how I planned. Partially disrupted by an emergency Saturday trip to the pediatrician (little one is ok, I promise). But by the time I got home from that, figured out meds and took care of the kiddo, I was pretty fried. But I was still determined to at least attempt my recipes.

On the menu: "Devil on Horseback" (bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed dates); 'Bird in a Cage' roast chicken and pumpkin hand pies. I had to forgo the cookies and mulled wine for time purposes.

Devils on Horseback - from Martha Stewart

Ingredients

12 dates

4 slices bacon

Goat cheese

Toothpicks 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put aluminum foil or parchment paper on baking sheet, then top with wire rack.
2. Soak 12 toothpicks in water for 5-10 minutes.
3. Cut a slit in dates, but don't cut all the way through. Stuff with cheese. Martha's recipe called for Stilton, I used goat cheese and it was delicious! You could use any kind of cheese you like, but I'd recommend something with some tangy-ness or funk to it to off-set the sweetness of the date.
   
4. Cut bacon strips into thirds. Wrap each date and secure with toothpicks. I found 1/3 of a slice was enough for each date, but depending on the size of your dates and bacon, you may have to use 1/2 a strip or a full strip.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is crispy and enjoy. These came out really good!

 

Bird in a Cage Roast Chicken

Ingredients

4 Chicken Thighs (I used boneless, skinless, but if I did it again, I'd use skin-on)

4 carrots, peeled

1/2 lb baby potatoes, cut in half (I used a mix of red, white and purple)

1/2 an onion, diced

Salt, pepper, rosemary and garlic powder (to taste)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray with cooking spray.
2. Prep veggies and coat with oil (olive, canola or vegetable are fine). Season liberally with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
3. Brush chicken with oil and season with salt, pepper and rosemary.
4. Place chicken and veggies on sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
5. Using a paring knife, cut carrots into thin strips. Drape over chicken to create the "cage."

 

Pumpkin Hand Pies: I used Little Debbie Pumpkin Delights because I just did not have the energy to bake cookies. They were surprisingly tasty.

Here's the final spread (probably my least impressive so far): 

Devils on Horseback: 9/10

Bird in a Cage: 4/10

Pumpkin Hand Pies: 5/10

Not my most successful night. Maybe I'll try again next year. Next up on the list, a Halloween classic: "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!"

Puttin' on the Ritz!

Tonight I watched a fun-filled Halloween comedy classic: "Young Frankenstein." I try to watch this one every year and it always makes me laugh. Gene Wilder is a genius, Madeline Kahn is perfection and Mel Brooks' comedy is spot-on.

On the menu: 'Puttin' on the Ritz' Char-boo-terie Board, Franken-guac + Chips, Monster Sandwich Spinach Wraps, Frankenstein's Monster Dessert Cups, and a Monster Mocktail.

Puttin' on the Ritz Char-boo-terie Board

Ingredients

Ritz Crackers

Cheese (I used cheddar and Colby Jack cracker cuts) 

Pepperoni (you could also use salami or prosciutto)

Marcona Almonds (or any other kind of nuts you might like)

Dried Fruit (I like figs or apricots) 

Directions: Assemble cheese, crackers, nuts and fruit on a platter and enjoy! 

  

Franken-Guac + Chips

Ingredients

Guacamole (you can make your own if you like)

Blue Corn Chips

Sour Cream

Directions

1. Pour guacamole onto platter and shape it into a square.  
2. Arrange chips along the top to create a "hairline" and "hair."
3. Break a couple chips and arrange to make a "mouth." 
4. Dollop 2 blobs of sour cream for "eyes." I ended up using leftover mozzarella pearls instead.
5. Use chips to make the black part of the eye. 

 

Monster Sandwich Spinach Wraps

Ingredients

Spinach Wraps

Lunch Meat of your choice

Cheese

Condiments

Large Toothpicks or cocktail skewers 

Directions: Assemble your sandwich to your liking. Roll and stab with cocktail skewers. 

  

Monster Dessert Cups

Directions: Using a Sharpie, draw Frankenstein's monster's hair and face on a plastic cup. Make lime Jell-O according to package instructions and fill cups. Let set, then enjoy!

Monster Mocktail

Ingredients

3 oz Green Berry Rush Hawaiian Punch

1 oz Lemonade

1 oz Grenadine

Maraschino Cherries (for garnish)

Directions: Pour Hawaiian Punch and Lemonade into cocktail shaker with ice, shake and strain into glass. Then add grenadine (it will sink to the bottom to create a layered look). Garnish with Maraschino cherries and enjoy!

Here's the spread:

Char-Boo-Terie: 7/10

Fraken-Guac: 7/10

Spinach Wraps: 6/10

Monster Mocktail: 7/10

Next up: Sleepy Hollow. This is probably the only "horror" film on the list and it's about where my limits are with that genre (I'm not big on jump scares and gore). 

They're Creepy and They're Kooky...

It was a busy double-feature night Thursday, as I revisited a new favorite from last year -- The Addams Family (1991) -- and added its sequel to the mix -- Addams Family Values (1993). I can't believe I slept on these films for so long. The cast is perfection. Anjelica Huston as Morticia in particular, but also Christina Ricci as Wednesday, Raul Julia as Gomez and Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester. Just iconic (drink!)

The menu was a little more involved, and actually started in the morning when I popped the chicken into the crockpot before leaving for work. It was worth it though because it came out so tasty in the end!

Gomez's Caprese Skewers

Ingredients

1 pint Cherry Tomatoes

8 oz Pearl-Sized Mozzarella Balls

1 cup (roughly) Fresh Basil

1 cup Balsamic Vinegar 

Cocktail skewers 

 

Directions

1. Pour balsamic vinegar into saucepan and heat over medium heat until it simmers. Reduce heat to medium-low or low and reduce by half. Remove from heat and allow to cool. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
2. Slice cherry tomatoes in half (or quarter if they are large)
3. Assemble skewers alternating tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves. I used partly dried basil since that's what was substituted in my grocery pick up. I just sprinkled it on top.
4. Drizzle with balsamic reduction and serve. 

 

Chicken Pot Pie with "Thing" Hand Pie

Ingredients

1/2 package Frozen Puff Pastry

1 egg (beaten)

1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter

1 1/2 tbsp flour

1/2 onion (chopped)

2 cloves garlic (minced) 

1 1/2 cups chicken stock (low sodium)

1 package frozen vegetables (I used carrots and peas)

1 1/2 cups cooked chicken 

salt, pepper, rosemary + sage to taste (roughly 1/2 - 1 tsp each)

Directions 

1. Cook chicken breasts. I put mine in my slow cooker with salt, pepper, garlic + onion powder and 4 cups chicken broth, and cooked for 6 hours on low. Then I shredded it. Alternatively, you could buy a rotisserie chicken and use meat from that.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Unroll and roll out puff pastry. **Make sure you thaw out your puff pastry the night before, or use the microwave (follow package instructions). Cut hand prints out. I printed a template off the internet and traced it with a knife.
3. Brush handprints with egg wash and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
4. While those bake, melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Sautee onion 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in flour, coating the onions, then slowly whisk in chicken stock. Bring to a simmer an cook until mixture thickens.
6. Add frozen vegetables and cook through, about 4-5 minutes.
7. Stir in shredded chicken until warmed through. Season with additional salt, pepper and poultry seasoning to taste.
8. Portion into serving dishes and top with 'hand pies.' 

 

Graveyard Dessert Cups

Ingredients

Chocolate Pudding

Oreos

Gummy Worms

Pumpkin Candy Corn (optional)

Milano Cookies

Directions

1. Place pudding into cups (I bought pre-made because it was just easier, but you can always make your own if you like!)
2. Place 6-8 Oreos in a Ziplock bag and crush. This is a great activity for kids to help with or to just get out your own aggression.
3. Sprinkle Oreo crumbs on top of each pudding cup.
4. Stick a Milano cookie about 1/3 into each cup.
5. Decorate with gummy worms and pumpkin candy corn.

Morticia's Morbid Martini

Ingredients

4 oz vodka

1 oz dry vermouth

Food coloring

Edible glitter (optional)

Maraschino cherry (for garnish)

Directions: Shake vodka and vermouth over ice. Stir in blue, green and red food coloring to make cocktail appear black. Pour into glass and stir in edible glitter (if using). Garnish with a cherry. 

 

Uncle Fester's Electric Shock 

Ingredients 

3 oz Mountain Dew

3 oz Green Berry Hawaiian Punch 

Pink Pop Rocks

Lime Wedge

Directions: Mix Mountain Dew and Hawaiian Punch in cocktail shaker and pour into glass. Garnish with lime wedge and Pop Rocks. You can also add vodka or melon liquor to make a cocktail. 

 

Here's our final spread:

Caprese Skewers: 9 / 10

Chicken Pot Pie: 8 / 10

Graveyard Cups: 9 / 10

Morticia's Martini: 7 / 10

Uncle Fester's Electric Shock: 7 / 10

Tomorrow I'll be teaming up with my friend Jake, who has been doing his own month-long Halloween movie marathon and we'll be watching a comedy classic: Young Frankenstein!