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
