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Because I Said So
Showing posts with label Because I Said So. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Because I Said So. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Because I Said So ROUNDUP {food 'n flix}

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Because I Said So ROUNDUP {food 'n flix}

I had a great time hosting Food 'n Flix this month with my choice of foodie flick - the fun, fluffy, quirky chick-flick, Because I Said So!  Now, as expected, some people didn't enjoy this movie quite as much as I do.   I cherish time to sit down with a screen dripping with eye candy (love you, Gabriel Macht) and tasty food and a sappy love story.  Add in Diane Keaton acting the fool and a crazy band of sisters and I'm good to go for an hour and a half or so.  Fortunately I wasn't the only one who likes a little fluff now and then.  But whether or not they enjoyed this flick, everybody who participated in Food 'n Flix this month headed into the kitchen like a trooper and came out with some fantastically-inspired food for this round!  Let's take a look at what everybody created...

Elizabeth from The Law Student's Cookbook was inspired to make these Funfetti Cake Batter Milkshakes by not only Milly and Daphne's catering business (they make fun, funky cakes), but also by one of my favorite lines in the movie.  I love that when I breathe you in, you smell like cake batter.  Sigh.

And I was thinking along the same lines...the cakes...favorite line in the flick...and also the crazy mother-daughter dynamic throughout when I made these Cake Batter Martinis.  Come on.  Sprinkles are just fun.

Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla may not have enjoyed this movie...and she may not have Milly's uncanny ability to "just know" when her souffle is done...but armed with a bit of inspiration and a timer, she makes a mean Crab & Tarragon Souffle.

Drawing inspiration from over-bearing mom Daphne, Deb from Kahakai Kitchen recognizes and appreciates that while her mom still worries over things like her health, finances, and choice of a vegan diet...she doesn't have to deal with "crazy" like Milly does.  She updated a regular menu item from her childhood and proved that daughter's can know best with her Cheezy Tomato Pasta Bake (A Vegan Hamburger Casserole).

Watching the film for her first (and second) time, Glennis of Can't Believe We Ate was (of course) inspired to make a multi-tiered Polka Dot Cake!  And then she came to her senses and decided to make something equally decadent, yet ultimately quicker, less time-consuming, and perhaps even more perfect for a girl's night in with this flick, The Pioneer Woman's Baked Fudge.

Also not convinced of the magic of this flick thanks to the "Daphne-factor", Debra from Eliot's Eats drew inspiration from another one of my favorite scenes - the popsicle or ice cream truck scene - and continued her pepper kick with these tempting Watermelon-Pepper-Margarita Pops.  I don't need any convincing - hand one over!

Tina from Squirrel Head Manor wasn't able to locate a copy of this flick locally, so she scoured the internet and watched bits and pieces of it as she found them.  She pieced it all together and went the route of pasta...inspired by Daphne and Milly's pasta meals-for-one and by Milly's Tuna Pasta Toss...with a tasty meal of Pasta Salad w/ Ranch.

And back to that perfectly dreamy scene where Milly and Johnny meet for the first time over static-cling and the ice cream man, Miranda from Mangoes and Chutney made these Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes that are perfectly inspiring in their own rite.  No green wrapper with Japanese writing on it required!

And last but definitely not least, Heather from Malice in Dunderland brings us her Mango Cheesecake (Biscocho de Queso y Mango) in honor of Milly's love for them and all things familiar and comforting.  I'm sure that after one bite, she would be hooked!

See?  I told you this was an inspired round!  I really enjoyed hearing everybody's thoughts on the film and why it inspired them to make what they made.  Thanks for joining me this month, ladies!  It's always a pleasure.

Now, when I was talking to Deb last week, she pointed out that this was the 21st round of Food 'n Flix.  Twenty-one foodie films watched and cooked or baked from already.  I can't believe it! Where does the time go?  And might I just mention that Deb has been there and posted right alongside me for ALL 21 FLIX - amazing!

But don't worry - there's are still PLENTY of foodie flix out there just waiting to be watched.  To inspire.  And there will always be new ones coming out.  Speaking of other foodie flix - next month's host, Glennis from Can't Believe We Ate has chosen The Help as our flick for August.  Head on over tomorrow to check out the details - we'd love it if you'd join us!  Hosting spots are full through the end of 2012, but if you'd like to host sometime in 2013, just drop me a line and I'll add your name to the hosting schedule!
Food‘nFlix


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Cake Batter Martini ...inspired by Because I Said So {food 'n flix}

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Cake Batter Martini ...inspired by Because I Said So {food 'n flix}

You might not know this about me, but I'm a movie buff.  It's true.  I watch a lot of movies.  Sure, a lot of people boast about how they have no time to watch movies.  They'd rather enjoy the sunshine.  They don't watch movies and tv because they rot your mind.  Well, okay.  If that's what they believe, I'm not gonna knock it.  But I don't feel that way.  I make time to watch movies.  I also enjoy the sunshine, but a couple of hours in a cool theater during a super-hot day is a welcome reprieve for me.  Besides, the majority of movies I watch happen during the hours when the sunshine isn't even in the sky.  And I don't think it rots my brain.  I think it gives it a reprieve from the madness.

So there.

And I'm not just a one-trick pony.  Er...ahhh...maybe that's not the right way to put it (brain rot?).  But you know what I mean, right?  I don't stick to one genre.  I like movies as a whole.  The type I watch depends on my mood.  Give me a good shoot-em-up action flick.  Or a scared-shitless horror film that makes me not want to turn off the tube for another hour, just so I can get my mind on something else (...although I could do without the "scary" movies that are all gore and boobies).  Sci-Fi?  YES!  I am a Sci-Fi geek.  Foreign films suit my fancy just fine.  I love me some Kung-Fu.  And comedy from hold-my-sides hilarious to deliciously cheesy is also  my bag.  Even family-style, feel-good films and animated films are fair game.  Mysteries, Thrillers, Musicals, Westerns, Romance, Crime,Fantasty...heck, I even enjoy a good Documentary.
And don't even get me started on the benefits of taking the time to watch a good Chick-Flick.  They soothe my soul.  They make me laugh.  They bring tears to my eyes.  They make remember the frivolty (and the intensity) of young love and the joys of being married to a wonderful man.  Plus, you can pretty much guarantee that EYE CANDY will be involved.   Always a plus.

Even better?  When there is FOOD involved.  I mean, food in any genre brings a movie up a notches in my book (was there ever any doubt?), but a foodie chick-flick can lighten my spirits like none other.  Some make me want to hit pause to run into the kitchen and make myself a cup of tea.  More often I want to grab a bottle of wine.  So whether I'm taking a couple hours of "me time" or breaking out the cocktails with the girls, foodie chick-flicks are essential to my being.

That may be why, as this month's host, I choose Because I Said So as this month's Food 'n Flix pick.  Okay, it is why.  Because I Said So didn't win any Oscars.  Nor is it critically acclaimed.  But it's jam-packed with foodie chick-flick goodness.  Zany characters that resemble real life - and yet don't resemble real life at all.  What?  That doesn't make sense?   Beautiful cakes with fresh tangerines in the frosting to chocolate souffles to herbal wedding charms to Creamsicles to Lady Baltimore Cake to Tuna Pasta Toss.  Wine.  Delicious eye candy.  Relationships from mother-daughter to sisters to guy-girl.  Music that makes me sing along.  And of course a happy ending.

Yes, it is good for my soul to watch a good chick-flick once in a while.
I bobbled back and forth on what this flick inspired me to make.  I fought myself on the popsicle since I promised I wouldn't do another popsicle for this one.  But that scene where Milly and Johnny first meet and her wants to get her "her favorite" thing from the ice cream man almost forced me to make a homemade Creamsicle.  And then there was the thought that I should definitely make a chocolate souffle in honor of Millie's uncanny ability to "just know" when her chocolate souffles are ready.  I tossed around an idea of a simple meal for one paired with a good bottle of wine inspired by both Milly and Daphne's kitchen forays.   But cake seemed to be the deciding factor.  

However, being so incredibly STEAMY around here this month, I nixed the cake-in-the-oven idea and when for liquid sustenance.  Still fun.  Still cake (sort of).  I think it would make a perfect round of cocktails for one of the "mom and daughters" scenes with Daphne, Milly, Maggie, and Mae.  But mostly, it was inspired by what was probably my favorite (cheesy, yet dreamy) line from the movie.

Johnny says to Milly:  I love that when I breathe you in you smell like cake batter. And I love that you have this insane way of talking in circles that makes perfect sense.  

Yup, it's like that.  Cake Batter Martini anyone?

Cake Batter Martini

by Heather Schmitt-González
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Cook Time: n/a
Keywords: beverage alcohol birthday

Ingredients (1 large martini or 3 tiny ones)
    for rimming the glass:
    • Heavy Cream
    • Sprinkles
    for cocktail:
    • 3 oz. Cake Vodka
    • 3 oz. Creme de Cacao (white)
    • 2 oz. Amaretto
    • 2 oz. Heavy Cream
    • 1 oz. White Chocolate Liqueur (optional)
    • ice
    Instructions
    Start by rimming your martini glass: Pour a little heavy cream in a saucer. Pour some sprinkles in another saucer. Up-end your glass and dip the rim in the heavy cream. Now dip it in the sprinkles. Turn it right-side-up and shake up your cocktail.

    Add some ice to a cocktail shaker. Add all of the ingredients for the martini. Put on the lid and shake for 30 seconds or until cold.

    Pour into your waiting glass and enjoy!

    notes:
    I listed the White Chocolate Liqueur as optional because it's pretty expensive. If you don't already have some hanging around - or can't see yourself buying any, the cocktail will still be tasty. But if you've got it, use it!

    Although I think Cake Vodka is the best choice for getting that "cake batter" flavor, if you can't find any, you could substitute Vanilla Vodka or Whipped (Cream) Vodka.

    Multiply this recipe and mix up a big batch for a "Girl's Night" party. Keep refrigerated and pour chilled into rimmed glasses.

    To achieve the "rainbow effect" (streaks), simply make sure that when you add the cocktail to the glass, it touches the sprinkles on the rim. The longer it sits, the more the sprinkles will "melt" and streak down the inside of the glass.

    adapted from The Novice Chef, How Sweet it Is, & Grin and Bake It
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    If you want to join in the Food 'n Flix fun this month, there's still time.  Give youself a couple of hours of "me" time and sit down with Because I Said So.  Get inspired!  Then head into the kitchen and whip something up.  I am hosting this month (details HERE) and will be accepting submissions through the end of the day on Monday, January 30!
    Food‘nFlix

    I am also sharing this post with:
    FOTMC: Summer Beverages
    FOTM at La Cocina de Leslie Tasty Tuesdays 33 shades of green tasty-tuesday-larger-logo1 hearthnsoul150

    Sunday, July 1, 2012

    event announcement: Because I Said So {food 'n flix}

    Sunday, July 1, 2012

    event announcement: Because I Said So {food 'n flix}


    I am excited to be hosting this round of Food 'n Flix.  We've had some fabulous picks so far this year that have brought us and our kitchens to the likes of Italy, California Wine Country, and Greece.  We've gotten mystical.  We've traveled the world.  This month, we're hanging out with a quirky band of sisters and their mother in the flick Because I Said So.

    I admit, I tend to choose chic-flicks with foodie tendencies.  But hey, we all need a little getaway...some escape time...some me time.  And I'm perfectly fine spending time with a family who loves their wine, their cakes, and their catered events.  Not to mention I have a little Gabriel Macht crush.  Little.  I don't mind laying eyes on him for 90 minutes.

    And I swear, I picked this flick months ago...waaaaay before I knew I was going to declare this The Summer of the Popsicle.  So the little popsicle moment in the film is really just a happy coincidence.  I'm going to try not to make popsicles for this one.  I may not succeed, but...

    So, do you want to watch this flick with us this month and then cook or bake something inspired by it?  I hope you do!  If so, here's the skinny:


    How to participate in Food 'n Flix:

       1. Watch the chosen film (Because I Said So).  Taking inspiration from the film, head into the kitchen and cook or bake or make something.

        2. Post about it on your blog with a link back to THIS post and a link to Food 'n Flix.  Use of the logo is optional.

        3. You must post must be current (during month of film). And of course we don't mind if your post is linked to other events...the more the merrier.

       4. Have fun with it!

        5. Email your entries to me at: girilchef (at) yahoo (dot) com and include:

                         ~Your name
                         ~Your blog's name
                         ~The name of your dish and the permalink to the specific post you're submitting
                         ~Attach a photo of any size (or just give me permission to "pull" one from your post)
                         ~Indicate "Food 'n Flix Submission" in the subject line

        Deadline for submission is: Monday July 30th (11:59 pm Eastern)  
    *watch for the roundup to be posted on July 31st!
    Food‘nFlix