Grease

Are you ready for some Grease Lightning? Well let’s see, are you looking for a movie about a group of high school student’s Senior Year? Are you hoping for some romance along the way? Or what about a teenage pregnancy scare? Dropouts? Fast cars? How about a lot of singing & dancing to accompany all of this? If you said yes to any or all of these things, then you are totally ready for some ‘Grease’. The 1978 musical that takes place in the 1950’s and has all the charm of what we think the 50’s were, with none of the wholesomeness. Awesome!

Sandy & Danny, a couple almost as famous as Romeo & Juliet, but luckily their romance isn’t as complicated. The sweet Australian girl & the rebel without a cause meet & fall in love over the summer. Then it’s back to school, the end of their “summer lovin’ & time to go there separate ways forever. But this is a movie, & a musical at that! So good writing & fate step in and Sandy ends up at a high school in America…Danny’s school. Sandy befriends Frenchie a sweet teen whose a part of the Pink Ladies; aka the bad ass girls club. Through them she discovers Danny not only goes to school there, he’s also in the leather jacket wearing, gang type T-Birds, aka the no good jerks club. She is not impressed. Though Danny has a ‘tough guy’ image to maintain for his buddies, he still loves Sandy & wants to win her back. ’There are worse things he could do.’ A-ha, good times ensue, with some hand jiving! Will Danny convince Sandy he’s still a good guy? Will Frenchie succeed in beauty school? Will Rizzo & Kenickie have a baby? Well you’re not really suppose to know about that, but ’good news travels fast.’ With a great cast of characters & music that you can’t help but sing along with, it’s no wonder this classic stands the test of time & is enjoyed by new audiences & age groups alike. I mean ‘Grease is the word, have you heard?’

So while we follow the adventures of the T-Birds & Pink Ladies let’s stop in at the Frosty Palace & have some Burgers, Fries & Shakes. Because really, what other menu can you have with this film? ’They go together.’ We’re going to start with some homemade French fries double fried & topped with a sweet surprise. Then a very complex mushroom burger, that’s actually pretty easy to do…well easier than wiring a flying car. Then two different shakes to choose from, the T-Birds Chocolate Malt or The Pink Ladies Strawberry. Both are made with a raw egg for authenticity, just like they use to make them back in the 50’s. These classic diner dishes are so easy to make & super delicious, you’ll never make burgers & fries any other way.



I love this movie! It makes me happy every time I see it. It’s one of those movies where I watch it on DVD regularly, but also whenever it’s on TV no matter what spot in the movie it’s on I stop flipping channels & immediately get sucked into the rest of it. Then I always want a burger…and to ‘go back to high school.’ This really is a great take on high school life in a decade I at some point in my life (and I’m sure you did as well) wish I lived in. It’s sweet, fun, & shows that the tough guys always have a soft side for the girls they love. And that the nice girls…well aren’t so nice. Ok, let’s buckle up, & head on to the menu that will leave your friends ‘hopelessly devoted to you.’ Ok, I’ll stop & start cooking.




Frenchie Fries:
3 Russet Potatoes
2 Liters Vegetable Oil
¼ cup salt
1 ½ Tbsp Cinnamon

Peel & cut potatoes in ¼ inch strips. Place in a large bowl & leave to soak for an hour or until the starch is off. Drain & dry completely. Heat oil to a medium heat (about 250 degrees) & drop dried fries in batches for 4-5 minutes each batch. Place on a paper towel covered cookie sheet. (Fries will still be very pale) Mix salt & cinnamon together. Right before serving heat the oil up to 350 degrees and refry fries in batches for another 3-4 minutes or until light golden brown & crisp. Straight from the fryer place fries in a large bowl & sprinkle with as much salt & cinnamon mixture as desired. (This step should be done in batches also. Toss & serve with Zuko Burgers.

Zuko Burgers:
3 ½ pounds Ground Chuck
½ tsp. Italian Seasoning
1Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
½ cup fine diced Portabella Mushrooms
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Pepper
½ Onion (julienned)
1 tsp. Olive Oil
1 Tomato (sliced)
Iceberg Lettuce
Mustard
Ketchup
Garlic Mayo (¼ cup mayo to ½ tsp. garlic powder)
4 Slices Baby Swiss Cheese
4 Large Sesame Seed Buns

Combine meat, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire, mushrooms, & salt and pepper in large bowl. Form into 4 equal sized patties. Leave covered in fridge for about 1 hour. Heat large skillet or grill to medium high heat. Cook for 9-10 minutes on each side. Right before removing from heat add swiss cheese and remain over heat until melted. In a small sauté pan add olive oil and warm up pan. Add onions & sauté until soft & caramelized. Spread garlic mayo on top bun, add mustard & ketchup. On bottom bun place patty, than lettuce, tomato slice, and some caramelized onions. Place top bun on & enjoy!








T-Bird Chocolate Malt Shakes:
8 Scoops Plain Chocolate Ice Cream
1 ½ Cups Milk
1 Egg
3 Tbsp Malt Powder

Add all ingredients in a blender & let ‘er rip until well blended. Pour in glasses, throw in a straw & enjoy!

Pink Lady Strawberry Shakes:
8 Scoops Strawberry Ice Cream (A brand that has nice chunks of Strawberries throughout the Ice Cream)
1 ½ Cups Milk
2 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar
1 Egg
2 Drops Red Food Coloring (To make it very nice & pink)

Follow the same steps for the T-Bird Shake.





Grease: 1978. Starring John Travolta, Olivia-Newton John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway. Directed by Randal Kleiser. Written by Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey, Bronte Woodard, Allan Carr. Nominated for Academy Award for Best Original Song “Hopelessly Devoted to You” in1979 along with 5 Golden Globes. Genre; Musical, Romance, Comedy.

*Photos by Marc A. Richardson

Follow the Fleet

It’s official, spring time is here! Spring is my favorite season: the warmth, sunshine, & fresh veggies make me feel so good. So naturally for this next entry I wanted to choose the perfect movie that makes me feel like ‘spring time’ whenever I watch it. My choice, a 1936 classic that is one of my favorite movies, “Follow the Fleet’ starring the amazingly talented duo Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. This is the 5th of the 10 movies they made together, with a delightful score by Irving Berlin, & dance numbers galore Fred & Ginger give us something a little different in this movie. Fred plays “Bake” Baker, a former hoofer-turned -Navy Sailor looking for his former dance partner Sherry Martin (Ginger); whom he finds in a cheap night club now twirling around with sailors for 10 cents a dance. They instantly reconnect & Bake is determined to get Sherry a more suitable gig, & maybe make her fall in love with him along the way. Too bad his fleet has to take sail the same night he looses Sherry’s current job. Now this couple has some things to work out, but they’re not even the main romantic story line in this movie. That would be Randolph Scott & Harriet Hilliard as Bilge Smith & Connie Martin. Bilge is Bakes’ ship mate, & Connie is Sherry’s sister. Bilge & Connie meet, he’s not interested, she gets a makeover, & he’s immediately smitten. They have a lot in common despite all their initial differences. She has a ship of her own left to her by her father, & she wants Bilge to Captain her ship. That sounds great to Bilge, until she starts talking about husbands & what not. Then just like a man Bilge gets scared off & on his way back to the ship falls right into the arms of a wealthy, already married woman.


‘I don't often try to apologize 'cause I seldom make any mistakes.’ -Bake Baker

At this point only two things are certain in the movie, two sisters are in love with two ship mates, & their boys will be back in the Spring. So as the sisters prepare for the boys return, I want to prepare a meal that says ‘the sea’ & ‘springtime‘. First, Blackened tuna steaks cooked rare served on a bed of brown rice with diced tomatoes, & alongside fresh spring asparagus & portabella mushrooms. Then it's time to cool off with some dessert, a ‘Chocolate Sundae with Whipped Cream, & Plenty of It’ straight from the film.



Movies inspire me to do all kinds of things, like the basis of this blog here, but this movie made me want to join the navy, become a hoofer, by a boat, & oddly drink bicarbonate of soda. I did none of those things, thank heavens for the latter, but I was inspired to come up with all of these dishes. I wanted a seafood meal that was spicy like the characters in the movie. And it’s all just as easy to make as the classic is to watch. So yell out ‘all hands on deck!” & get your friends together to see some of Fred & Gingers best numbers & enjoy some great food. Also with appearances from Lucille Ball, & Betty Grable, Ginger in a solo tap number & the memorable “Let’s Face the Music & Dance” where the duo actually step out of character this is definitely a feel good movie that will have you longing for the sea. Luckily, you won’t have to go very far to get it. Just to your local supermarket.


‘It isn’t really that gentlemen prefer blondes, it’s just that we look dumber.’ -Sherry Martin

Brown Rice with Diced Tomatoes:
1 ½ cups water
1 cup Vegetable Stock
1 cup Brown rice
Half of a 14.5 oz can of Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Garlic
1 tsp Salt

Heat salted water & vegetable stock in a saucepan until boiling. Stir in rice, cover & reduce heat to low. Simmer for 45 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed & the rice is tender. (Hint: Don't touch the rice while it's cooking! Just walk away for all that time & let the rice do its thing.) With heat still on pour in can tomatoes & just heat slightly.

Blackened Tuna Steaks: (Recipe for two, then yield accordingly)

2 12 oz Tuna Steaks
1/ 4 cup Blackened Seasoning
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Cooking Spray

Pour blackened seasoning into a shallow bowl. Coat steaks with cooking spray & dredge tuna in seasoning. Put oil in a pan. Add tuna once the pan is piping hot. Cook on each side for a minute & a half for rare, 2 on each side for medium, & 3-4 minutes on each side for well-done. Plate tuna over rice. (Hint: The seasoning produces a lot of smoke, so you may want to open a window or the smoke detectors will be going off. I speak from experience.)

Sautéed Asparagus & Portabella Mushrooms:
1 Bunch Fresh Asparagus, washed with the light ends cut off
8 oz Portabella Mushrooms, sliced
½ Tbsp Shallots, diced small
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
S & P to taste

Heat oil in a large sauté pan, add shallots & sauté for just a minute, then add asparagus & desired salt & pepper & cook for 2-3 minutes or until slightly tender. Add mushrooms & cook another 2-3 minutes. Serve hot!

Chocolate Sundae with Whipped Cream & Plenty of It (Recipe for four):
2 Snickers bars, chilled
¼ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
Chocolate Ice cream
Hot Fudge
Whipped Cream from a Spray Can
4 Maraschino Cherries


‘Sherry tells me you're leaving. Well, that's probably the wisest thing to do. Run away! All this stuff about fighting for your man and all that makes things so complicated. Now, if all girls would just give up and run back to Bellport, then we'd definitely see the end of family life, little Junior would remain just an idea, and every man would burn his own toast. I thank you!’ -Bake Baker

Heat heavy cream in a small sauce pan. Chop up Snickers bar & add to cream & melt continually stirring. The sauce may be a little lumpy. (Reserve some pieces of candy bar for garnish at the end) Heat hot fudge jar in microwave. In a long glass that you can layer in, place some hot fudge at the bottom of the glass. Then a scoop of ice cream. Next Snickers sauce, ice cream again, & pour on the whipped cream. Add a cherry & some snickers pieces for garnish.


‘I’m putting all my eggs in one basket, I’m betting everything I’ve got on you. I’m giving all my love to one baby. Heaven help me if my baby don’t come thru.’ -Irving Berlin


‘Follow the Fleet‘: Released by RKO Radio Pictures in February 1936. Starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Randolph Scott, Harriet Hilliard, Astrid Allwyn Betty Grable, & Lucille Ball. Directed by Mark Sandrich. Based on a play by Hubert Osborne, Screenplay by Allan Scott. Score by Irving Berlin. Genre: Musical, Comedy, Romance.

*Photos by Jared Thomas Payne

Alice in Wonderland Menu

This week’s blog is dedicated to a few versions of one book; the infamous ‘Alice in Wonderland’ buy Lewis Carroll. I chose this movie because you can use this menu for any version of the film you’d like. There’s the rather awkward 1903silent version (which is roughly 8 minutes & 20 seconds long & can be seen almost anywhere on the internet), the live action 1933 version which was the first talkie take with huge stars such as Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, W.C. Fields and so on, which tcm.com so awesomely has on sale right now, or even my personal favorite the 1951 Disney cartoon version. But these three are not the only ones, just IMDB it & you will find other silent versions & even more recent live action adaptations. Ginger Rogers even voiced a book on record edition of this Carroll classic. But this timing is no coincidence; I coincided to put it out the week of the latest telling of Alice discovering this strange world with Tim Burton’s take which just came out the 5th. Also, I’ll be preparing this menu to go along with my mom’s birthday ‘tea party’, which is the 6th of this month. Oh yes, perfect timing!

'Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction.' - The Doorknob

The book was published in 1865 & is a story that can be told in so many ways & so many times over. However, if you’ve been living in a rabbit hole for the past 145 years I’ll give you a quick synopsis. A young girl (well depending which version you’re watching) discovers a talking White Rabbit & follows him down a rabbit hole. Here she falls into a world she thought only existed in fairy tales. She meets an array of strange characters. But none other have been more popular in time than the Mad Hatter. Some accounts of the movie have had only certain characters from the book, but only the Mad Hatter has been depicted in every single version. So, what better way to have an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ viewing party than with a tea party menu? Now I refuse to tell anymore of this tale until you pick a version & see what happens for yourself. Because trust me, every single one is completely different from the last.

Now here we go, it’s time for a very, very unbirthday (or in my case actual birthday) tea party menu that is so good, you’ll celebrate every unbirthday you have during the year. First up, a super easy, sweet & savory Pineapple & Mandarin orange pasta salad. Then serve up this amazing Butternut Squash & Macintosh Apple Soup. Next, delicious & easy Chicken Salad Croissant sandwiches that will make you ‘mad’. And finally, chocolate chip scones with an almond whipped topping spread, that would make the Queen of Hearts herself scream out “Off with their heads! Wait, maybe not…” So make sure there’s a stove behind your Garden door & get ready to prepare these mouth watering treats that will have the White Rabbit & his friends chasing after you.

Pineapple & Mandarin Orange Pasta Salad:
One box Tri-Color Pasta
1 12 oz Jar Maries Ranch Dressing
1 15 oz Can Mandarin Oranges

1 8 oz Can Diced Pineapple
1 16 oz Bag Frozen Peas
1 8 oz Bag Cubed Mild Cheddar & Monterey Jack Cheese
S& P to taste
Cook pasta according to directions on box. Drain well. Mix the Remainder of ingredients together in a large bowl with warm pasta. Refrigerate for up to 4 hours & serve.

'What is the use of a book, without pictures or conversations?' -Alice



Chicken Salad Croissants:
About 6-8 Large store bought Croissants (Check for fresh ones from your local bakery)
4-5 Boneless Chicken Breasts
1 Cup Sweet Red seedless Grapes cut into halves
5 Celery Stalks, diced very small
1 ½ cups Mayonnaise
1 Tbsp Salt
1 Tbsp Pepper

Boil chicken for about 25 minutes or until white all the way through. Drain & allow to cool. Dice chicken into about one inch cubes & mix with remaining ingredients in large bowl. Allow to sit & absorb flavors for about 2 hours. Cut croissants in half & spread a heaping full of chicken salad one side of croissant, then place the top back on for the sandwich & serve.

Butternut Squash & Macintosh Apple Soup:
3 Butternut Squashes Peeled & Chopped
4 Macintosh Apples Peeled & Chopped
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Yellow Onions Julienned
24 oz Chicken Broth
1 Tbsp. Salt
1 Tbsp. Pepper


Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a cookie sheet toss squash, apples, & onions with olive oil & salt & pepper. Roast butternut squash & apples for 40 minutes or until tender. Take roasted ingredients & blend in a blender or food processor until creamy. Stream in chicken broth and you will see the consistency turn soupier but still thick. (You can add more or less broth depending on the consistency that you prefer.) Add more salt & pepper to taste if desired. Serve warm.

'We're all mad here.' - Chessire Cat



Chocolate Chip Scones:
3 cups All Purpose Flour
1 Tbsp. Baking Powder
1 Cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
3 Large Eggs, Room Temp
1/3 Cup Buttermilk
½ Cup Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour & baking powder. In a separate large bowl beat butter until creamy. Then add the sugar & beat until fluffy. Then add the eggs one at a time while still mixing on medium, and then gradually add the flour mixture in stages, followed by the buttermilk. Next, add the chocolate chips & fold into dough. Spray mini muffin tins with baking spray & place dough in each slot about ¾ of the way full. Bake for 12 minutes. Allow to cool.

Almond Whipped Topping Spread:
1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
3 tbsp. Granulated Sugar
1 Tbsp. Almond Extract
Mix all ingredients together until stiff peak. Serve with scones.
(Tip: You can find ‘Lemon Curd’ jarred in any grocery store it is amazing served alongside the scones & cream also.)

'Tut, tut, child! Everything's got a moral, if only you can find it.' The Duchess


How to Guide for great tea:
Boil water & pour into tea pot over 2-3 bags of your favorite tea. Steep for 4-5 minutes and remove bags to keep the leaves from getting bitter. Stir.
For Sweet Iced Tea:
Boil 8 cups of water. Once boiling remove from heat & add 5 tea bags. Steep bags for 30 minutes. Remove bags & pour tea over 2 cups of sugar. Top of tea picture with cold water until picture is full. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Serve over ice.

'If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?' -Alice



‘Alice In Wonderland’. Pick a year & a country & have at it! Genre: Fantasy…Sometimes Musical..Sometimes Silent…Sometimes Comedy…Sometimes Drama. Based on a novel by Lewis Carroll. Nominated for Oscar in 1951 for Best Score. Nominated for 5 Emmy’s in 1986, Won 4 Emmy’s in 1999. Alice’s Include: May Clark, Viola Savoy, Kathryn Beaumont, Kate Dorning, Tina Mojornio, Mia Wasikowska.

*Photos by Mary Leanne Payne

A very special UNbirthday cake!

Cabin in the Sky

This week for Films & Foodies I'm on the road! I'm spending some time in 'Big Orange Country' with my parents. The grand ole' city of Knoxville Tennessee. Therefore I chose a movie that is so much fun to watch that I had to create a menu that was equally as much fun to make. As some may know my biggest culinary inspiration is my mom, & my dad is just as much fun to cook for. All week we’ve been watching movies, and coming up with some great ideas. We chose to watch this classic together, & she helped co-author all of these delicious recipes. Movie choice: “Cabin in the Sky”. Synopsis: God & Satan battle for the soul of a falling gambler. Sounds like some pretty heavy stuff, but really it’s a light hearted musical that will have you singing praises to the Lord! And this menu will have your friends singing your praises too.

Little Joe is a gambling man whose married to the ever so sweet Petunia. And though Joe wants to be saved, he can’t help but go back to his old ways the night he’s suppose to be giving his soul to God. Well he gets into some trouble and gets himself shot, causing Petunia to pray the most powerful prayer Heaven or Hell has ever heard. So God gives Little Joe 6 months more to change his ways, and reform himself or he won’t make it into heaven. Easy, right? Not really, because Lucifer Jr. is there every step of the way taunting Little Joe to fall again, with the help of Satan’s favorite child Georgia Brown. Ooh but don’t worry, the General (God’s solider) and the lovely Petunia work just has hard to keep Little Joe on track. So what happens? Well you just have to see the movie to find out for yourself. This classic has some great music, & an all star cast including Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Ethel Waters, Eddie Anderson, & a special appearance by the Duke Ellington Band.

To start off this meal we decided to create a dish that symbolized what this movie is; the heavy with the light, the good with the evil, the sweet with the sour. So we’re having ‘Lucifer’s Lemon Pepper Pork’ paired with ‘Petunia’s Sweet Potato Soufflé’, and on the same plate, ‘The General’s Roasted Brussels Sprouts’. We chose these dishes because the plate will be the people, & spirits influencing Little Joe. They’ll be influencing your taste buds for sure. The heaviness and spice of the fried lemon pork with the sweet potatoes you just might think they’re on the same team. And all with the very good for you Brussels sprouts, because what better authority is there than the General. Then for dessert an original McGee recipe called ‘Cabin in the Sky’; a bed of pineapple flavored whipped cream with chocolate ganache dipped angel food cake and toasted coconut. This decadent yet light dessert not only looks like a cabin in the sky, but tastes just as heavenly. So grab your trumpets & your Bibles and let’s dance (and cook) our way to that great ‘Cabin in the Sky’.


The General’s Brussels Sprouts:
One 14 oz bag of frozen Brussels Sprouts-thawed & drained
1 large yellow sweet onion- julienned thick
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. On a cookie sheet place Brussels Sprouts & julienned onion, then coat with extra virgin olive oil, & salt & pepper to taste. (The more, the better here.) Roast for about 25-35 minutes, until nice & tender.



Lucifer’s Lemon Pepper Pork:
4 boneless Pork Loins
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Garlic Powder
1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (For marinade) & ( 4 tbsp for searing)
Salt & Pepper
Rub down pork loins with salt, pepper, lemon pepper, & garlic powder. Then place in a zip lock bag with olive oil. Let marinate for at least 4 hours. Then, in a pan, heat the remaining olive oil. Add pork loins, turn heat down to medium, & brown on each side for 6- 8 minutes a side depending on how well you like them done.

‘Oh, Lord! Please forgive me for backsliding, but sometimes when you fight the Devil you've got to jab him with his own pitchfork!’ –Petunia Jackson

Petunia’s Sweet Potato Souflee:
4 Sweet Potaotes
2 eggs
1/3 cup of Evaportaed milk
½ cup Sugar
¼ cup honey
2 tsp orange zest
Juice of 1 whole orange
For Topping:
2 tbs melted butter
1 cup pecans
1 cup brown sugar
Peel & cut sweet potatoes into cubes. Place in salted boiling water, & boil until fork tender. Drain. Then in a large mixing bowl add potatoes, eggs, milk, sugar, honey, orange zest, & juice. Mix until fully incorporated & sweet potatoes are puréed. Then place in a greased 9x9 baking dish. Mix all ingredients for topping together & sprinkle over soufflé. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until set but still airy. (Tip: for presentation, scoop soufflé with an ice cream scoop.)

Cabin in the Sky:
You’ll need a store bought angel food cake cut into 1 inch squares, & toast some coconut. Also, 1 pineapple, half for the glaze & the other half sliced for garnish. Then follow the steps below:
Pineapple Glaze:
1 half pineapple diced
Enough water to cover pineapple in sauce pot
3 cups sugar
Bring all ingredients to a boil for 20 minutes. Strain out pineapple (keep the liquid!). Bring water back to the stove over medium heat and reduce liquid to half until a nice thick glaze. Remove from heat & allow cooling before use.
Pineapple Whipped Topping:
1 pint heavy whipping cream
3 tbsp sugar
Pineapple glaze
Whip together cream & sugar until a soft peak forms. Then, while still mixing, slowly drizzle in some of the cooled pineapple glaze. Continue to whip until stiff peak, but not so much that u end up with pineapple butter! You’ll want to use enough of the glaze that you can taste the pineapple in the whipped cream (it’ll be about ¼ to half a cup). ‘There may be a cabin in the sky, Lady, yet I am a boy who's headed for joy below’ –Little Joe Jackson
Chocolate Ganache:
1 regular size bag semi sweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp cold butter
½ cup heavy cream
½ tbsp corn syrup
In a double broiler melt the butter in the cream. Then add chocolate chips, & continue to stir until fully melted. Take the cut angel food cake & dip the pieces into the ganache until coated & place on a lined cookie sheet. Then place the sheet in the cooler for about 20 minutes until chocolate has set. In a nice clear dish, add the pineapple whipped topping (the sky) then add the set angel food cake (about 3-4 pieces or as many as can nicely fit (the cabin), then some toasted coconut for garnish. Then add a pineapple slice (for the sun). And there you have it, a sweet & heavenly ‘Cabin in the Sky’. Enjoy!





P.S. Make sure you top off this meal with a cup of "Little Joe"!



‘Cabin in the Sky’ produced by MGM. Released in 1943. Starring Ethel Waters (Reprising her role from Broadway), Eddie Anderson, Lena Horne, Rex Ingram, Kenneth Spencer, & Butterfly McQueen. Directed by Vincent Minnelli, Based on the Broadway Musical of the same name by Lynn Root. Screenplay by Joseph Schrank. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song ‘Happiness is a Thing Called Joe’ written by Harold Arlen & E.Y. Harburg. Genre: Musical, Fantasy.

*Fun fact! During filming Ethel Waters disliked Lena Horne…& made sure everyone knew it.*

*Photos taken by Rev. Billy Thomas McGee. All recipes co-authored by Barbara Jean McGee

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Lately I’ve been feeling the love for breakfast. So let’s combine my love of breakfast with a movie I love called “Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. The simple yet elegant recipes I created to go along with this classic film pair so perfectly together that Holly Golightly herself would approve.


“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is a movie about a New York socialite who befriends a struggling writer in her building. By night she’s the ultimate flirty, sophisticated party girl, and by day she becomes a vulnerable, confused mess. So as Paul Varjack begins to unpeel the layers of Holly, and get to know Cat, he falls for the person she really is, & who she never knew she was.

The title of the film comes from Holly’s tradition of eating breakfast in front of Tiffany’s every morning after a long night of partying. In the opening scene she’s eating a powdered pastry, but for my list of recipes I have some things you can enjoy sitting down with a knife & fork. First some chocolate hazelnut strawberry crepes topped with powdered sugar and homemade whipped cream. With it, have a slice of some shrimp, cheese & chive frittata. Then wash it all down with easy mimosas that compliment this high class meal.

One things for sure, that this movie will get you asking a lot of questions about the characters, & the meaning behind it all, which makes it the perfect film to watch with friends & great food.


Chocolaty-Hazelnut Strawberry Crepes
Crepe batter:
2 cups all purpose flour
4 beaten eggs
2 ½ cups milk
Pinch salt
1 tbsp vanilla
2 tbsp melted butter

In a mixing bowl sift flour & salt. Then combine the vanillia & eggs, & make a well in the flour mmixture & add the egg mix in the middle. Fold together. Once very lumpy slowly wisk in milk in streams. Then add the butter. Next spray a small non-stick pan with cooking spray & add a small amount of batter. Swirl batter to cover bottom of pan. pan. (Remember crepes are like very thin pancakes, so don’t go overboard on the batter.) Cook until the bottom is golden brown & the top feels rubbery. Flip and cook other side until golden brown.. Stack crepes on a plate until all are prepared. (Remember, crepes are very thin pancakes, so make sure they are not thick at all.)



For Filling
1 jar Nutella hazelnut spread
About 20 or more strawberries, sliced

Spread a thin layer of hazelnut spread on each crepe then top with sliced strawberries. Fold crepe in half like a taco.

Whip Cream
1 pint heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp almond extract

Whip ingredients until stiff peak…not to much whipping or you’ll end up with butter. Place a heaping full on filled crepes and dust powdered sugar & cocoa powder also for a beautiful finish.


‘I'm like cat here, a no-name slob. We belong to nobody, and nobody belongs to us. We don't even belong to each other.’
-Holly Golightly

Shrimp & Chive Frittata
8 eggs beaten
12 de-veined & peeled uncooked shrimp (cut into bite size pieces)
1 bunch of chives (sliced)
3.5 oz package of crumbled basil & tomato feta
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
Salt & Pepper
2 tbsp butter>


Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large sauté pan melt butter and add chives. Sauté for a minute or two, then add shrimp pieces. Sauté another 2-3 minutes more. In a bowl beat eggs and add salt and pepper to taste. Add eggs to pan with shrimp and chives. Place heat on low & add package of feta. Cook for 2 minutes in pan. Then in a 9 x 9 baking dish spray with non-stick spray & pour the egg mixture in. bake for 15- 20 minutes. Towards the end of baking add the sharp cheddar on top of the frittata and allow to melt in oven.




Mimosas
Orange juice
One bottle of non dry sparkling wine or Champagne

In a Champagne flute add one part orange juice to one part Champagne. Easy & delicious!



‘Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's, then - then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!’
-Holly Golightly




“Breakfast at Tiffany’s”: Directed by Blake Edwards, Based on the novel by Truman Capote, Screenplay by George Axelrod, Released October 1961, Oscar wins for Best Original Song ’Moon River’ & best Original Score, Nominated for Best Leading Actress, Best Art Direction, & Best Adapted Screenplay. Starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, & Mickey Rooney. Released by Paramount Pictures. Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance.

*Photos by Patrick D. Angus

Jailhouse Rock

So for this weeks blog I decided to honor a man who would have just turned 75, had he not passed away 33 years ago. The man is known as 'The King’ and he is Elvis Presley. I chose one of my favorite Elvis movies that everyone should see in their life time, because he is doing all of the things he does best. The movie is called “Jailhouse Rock’ and it’s a classic from the grand ole year of 1957. In this movie Elvis plays a young man whose put up in the big house for one year for manslaughter (uh-huh). In jail his fellow inmate is a country singer who encourages young Vince Everett to get in to the music career, which he does, swinging his hips & curling his lip all the way. Of course more drama ensues, along with self discovery, but as always, this blog isn’t about spoiling fun and surprises.

Now, in honor of his legacy I give you a meal fit for a king…or really just for the ‘King of Rock n Roll’. My take on some of Mr. Presley’s infamous favorite dishes can be enjoyed with any Elvis film. To start, we’re going to fry up some dill pickles, which can be enjoyed dipped in ranch dressing. Of course we’re going to follow them with a surprisingly delicious and super easy fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. And to top it all off, more bananas with a classic, southern banana pudding. So grab your warden and get ready for a party at the county jail!

Fried Dill Pickles
1 16 oz. jar of dill pickles (drained, but keep 2/3 cup pickle juice)
1 large egg, beaten
1 tbsp all purpose flour
1 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
Another 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Vegetable Oil for frying
Salt and pepper

First preheat oil for frying to 375 degrees. Then drain pickles (make sure to save that 2/3 cup!) and pat pickles very dry. Then combine egg, the 1tbsp of flour, hot sauce, and pickle juice in one bowl. In a separate bowl blend the 1 ½ cups flour with garlic powder and salt & pepper. Once oil is heated dip pickles into egg mixture, then into the flour mixture and into the oil until golden brown. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle with a little more salt as soon as the pickles are removed from the fryer. *Helpful hint: don’t over crowed fryer so you gain even cooking.*


Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich (Recipe for one sandwich, add accordingly!)
2 slices white bread
Peanut Butter (creamy or crunchy)
1 very ripe banana
1tbsp butter

Spread as much peanut butter as desired onto one side of both slices of white bread. Take a sweet banana and slice in half lengthwise, and then cut into 4ths widthwise. Lay over one side of bread over peanut butter. Place the other slice of bread on top. Melt butter in pan and fry one side until golden brown, and then flip and fry on other side. (Make sure each side of the sandwich is coated with the butter for proper frying.)

“It’s hard to explain rock and roll music. If you feel it, you can’t help but move to it. That’s what happens to me. I can’t help it.”
-Elvis Presley

Banana Pudding (See a pattern here?)
1 packet of instant vanilla pudding (4 serving size
2 cups cold milk
1 cup sweet condensed milk
1 regular size whipped topping container (Cool Whip)
4 bananas sliced ¼ inch thick
One box Vanilla wafer cookie

In large bowl mix instant pudding with both milks. Refrigerate until firm. Then fold in half of whipped topping. On the bottom of a trifle dish add some pudding, then 2 of the sliced bananas, then some vanilla wafers. Next add another layer of pudding, the remaining bananas, and more wafers until top is covered neatly with cookies. Add the remaining whipped topping on top and a few banana slices and wafers for garnish. Refrigerate for a few hours and serve! (Be creative, arrange layers how you’d like, and if you don’t have a trifle dish, any deep bowl will do! Add more bananas if you like, or more whipped topping, or substitute vanilla pudding for banana flavored, or even chocolate!)

‘Jailhouse Rock’ released by MGM in November 1957. Starring Elvis Presley, Judy Tyler, & Mickey Shaughnessy. Recognized in 1991 by the ASCAP and again in 2004 by the National Film Registry. Written by Nedrick Young and Guy Trosper. Directed by Richard Thorpe. Genre: Musical, Crime, Romance. Now available on DVD!

Sabrina Menu

For my first blog, I’ve decided to start with a movie that really influenced me & my life. ’Sabrina” starring Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, & William Holden is the story about a chauffer’s daughter who is sent to study cooking in Paris, France, because that’s the life that is chosen for her. But, she’s in love with her employing family’s playboy son. She leaves and young minded silly girl in love, & comes back a sophisticated, culinary genius. Of course there is an exciting love triangle between the two rich brothers & herself that keep this story interesting. But this blog isn’t about ruining happy endings for you.

While in Paris, the young Sabrina had her ‘difficulties’ with her lessons. I know I sure did when I was studying in culinary school. It was very disheartening, but you learn to over come & grow from your mistakes. So I was inspired to make some easy yet rich French dishes based on hers (& a little of my own) culinary obstacles.

First, a delicious appetizer of brie en croute. A creamy brie cheese topped with nuts and raspberry jam and baked until golden brown in puff pastry, used to spread on toast French baguettes, or just eat alone! The for the entrée a French classic & the easiest & most delicious coq au vin recipe you’ve ever tried. And to top it all off, how could I do a menu based on ‘Sabrina’ without her classic chocolate soufflé which she so mistakenly forgets to turn on the oven to bake it in class. These recipes are sure to please and get your friends asking if you went to a fancy French culinary school.

All recipes serve four.

Brie en Croute
One 8oz Brie wheel
One sheet puff pastry (thawed for 15 -20 minutes)
¼ cup chopped pecans (or even walnuts, whatever u prefer!)
½ cup raspberry jam
1 tbs. butter
2 eggs beaten
Optional : Caramelize fresh apricots & apples in a 425 degree oven for 15-20 minutes on an ungreased baking pan.

Once your puff pastry sheet is thaws preheat oven to 375 degrees, and roll out dough sheet with a rolling pen about 2 inches longer on each side. Brush rolled out sheet with egg wash on both sides, then place brie wheel right in the center of the sheet. Then melt the butter in a saucepan & sauté nuts until golden brown, anywhere from 4-6 minutes. Place nuts over brie wheel, then spread the jam over the nuts. (If using apricots and apples put them on the brie wheel first, then the nuts, followed by the jam.) Next, wrap the brie with the pastry by bringing 2 corners over the topped wheel and slightly under it. Follow with remaining corners and make sure to make it slightly tight around the brie, so you have a nice shape and can see the roundness of the wheel around, and the indentions of what’s on top. Bake for 20- 25minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with the sliced baguettes or even fine crackers.

Coq au vin
One whole chicken that has been cut into 8 portions (bone in) *Optional-marinate in red wine over night for a seriously rich flavor)
One chopped onion
2 chopped carrots
One sliced garlic clove
10 fresh sprigs of thyme
1 tbs fresh parsley
4 oz diced uncooked bacon
¼ cup Cognac (or good brandy)
1 cup chicken stock
½ bottle of dry red wine (French Burgundy is a great choice)
1 ½ tbs all purpose flour
½ pound cremini mushrooms (remove stems and slice thickly)
Salt and pepper
2tbs butter

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Heat some olive oil in a large sauté pan and fry the bacon pieces until golden brown. Set bacon aside but leave fat in the pan. Pat chicken dry and salt and pepper both sides. Don’t be shy with the s&p. Place skin side down first in to the same sauté pan. Brown for about 4- 5 minutes on each side until a nice even brown. (Do this step in batches with to chicken so all of the chicken browns evenly.) Set chicken pieces with the bacon. Once all of the chicken has been browned and set aside, add the carrots and onion with a little more salt and pepper and sauté until light brown. Add the garlic for only one minute so it’s not burned. Take off of the heat and add the Cognac (it will flame up if not) Next, add all of these finished ingredients to a large oven safe pot (or do all of the previous steps in a dutch oven, which at this point you would add the bacon and chicken back in). Add the wine, chicken stock, and thyme and bring to a simmer. Cook with a tight fitting lid for 35-40 minutes (or until chicken is no linger pink inside) remove from the oven and put right back on the stove. Mash together 1tbs of butter with flour and add to the stew, this will help thicken it very nicely. Then with 1 more tbs . of butter melt in a small sauté pan and cook the mushrooms for 5- 7 minutes. Add them to the stew and simmer for about 10 more minutes. Check for seasoning to your liking and top it off with the parsley for garnish and serve with white rice.

Chocolate Soufflé
Non-stick cooking spray
4 egg whites
4 oz good semi-sweet chocolate
½ cup whipping cream
2 tbs sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease the inside of four 6 oz ramekins with the non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle the insides with sugar and set on a baking sheet. Combine the semi-sweet chocolate with the cream in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 and ½ minutes. Stir until smooth. Divide the chocolate evenly among 2 bowls and let cool. With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until foamy, and then add the sugar. Continue beating until soft peaks form. Now very gently fold in one half of the melted chocolate and evenly pour mixture among ramekins. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Once removed from oven, take a spoon and take out some of the soufflé from the center, so the other half of the chocolate can be spooned into the centers. Serve immediately! With this easy recipe, as long as you turn on your oven, your soufflé will rise without a problem!

Don’t like any of these recipes, just take the ideas and find ones that fit you better for your “Sabrina” themed meal. Enjoy!



Sabrina. 1954 Directed by Billy Wilder. Starring Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, & William Holden. Won Oscar for Best Costume Design, Edith Head. Nominated for Best Leading Actress, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, & Best Writing. Genre: Comedy, Romance.