Spotted Dick w/ Boozy Custard Sauce inspired by Logan | #XMenu

*light spoilers*

This film takes place in 2029, and we see that Logan is deteriorating, both inside and out, and is pretty dependent on alcohol. He and Caliban are taking care of Dr. Xavier in a deserted building in Texas, while Logan saves money to buy a Sunseeker, so that they can sail away from everything.

Homemade Peppermint Mini Marshmallows | Krampus #FoodnFlix

It's December, and that means it's time for a Christmas edition of Food 'n Flix, where, along with a talented group of bloggers, I create a recipe inspired by a chosen film. Since I'm hosting this month, I created the challenge, asking everybody to create a recipe inspired by the 2015 horror-comedy, Krampus!

While the original legend is definitely pee-your-pants scary, I didn't personally think this PG-13 movie was scary at all. A bit dark and creepy in parts, but not scary. I actually own a copy and have seen it several times, the most recent time my 12 and 14 year olds watched it with me. While I did see my youngest jump once, they both agreed that while they'd never want to be face to face with the Krampus of lore, the movie  itself was just creepy. But hey, my kids grew up with Orcs and Dementors, so...

Creamed Pearl Onions w/ Bacon & Brandy | The Witches of Eastwick #FoodnFlix

We are heading back to the 80's and into the kitchen with The Witches of Eastwick for this month's edition of Food 'n Flix! Based on the John Updike novel of the same name (which I have not read), the movie is about three friends living in the town of Eastwick, Rhode Island who are dissatisfied with the state of their lives.

Alex (Cher) is a widowed artist and mother of one (at least I think she had 1 child). Sukie (Michelle Pfeiffer) is a divorced mother of 6 little girls who works as a reporter for the local newspaper and still manages to garden. Jane (Susan Sarandon) is a recently divorced cellist and music teacher who is unable to have children. They get together on Thursday nights to drink martinis and discuss life.

Apricot Riesling Mustard

I have a wee addiction to condiments. My collection of homemade, gifted, and storebought jars and bottles always get to a point where they've taken over both the pantry and refrigerator shelves. I know something's got to give when I can't find a space to put any actual food (aka, food that isn't a condiment), yet there doesn't seem to be anything to eat beyond a mustard and jam sandwich. But it would be a sensational Spicy Mango Mustard and Vanilla Moscato Peach Jam sandwich!

Now is one of those times. This amazing batch of homemade mustard was the tipping point—the absolute last jar I could squeeze into the fridge. But it was worth it. Yellow mustard seeds plump overnight in a sweet Riesling wine before they get a blitz in the food processor. The crazy heat of the mustard is mellowed by the addition of some good apricot jam.

Champagne Jelly inspired by Failure to Launch | #FoodnFlix

Kit: Hey...Paula...good news. It's Champagne Thursday.

Paula: It's Friday.

Kit: Uh, yeah. Thursday came twice this week.

So I'm totally giving my inspiration away early this month...but really that's only part of it (the main part, but still). If you're familiar with Champagne Thursday, that means you're familiar with Failure to Launch, our Food 'n Flix pick to kick of 2016. I couldn't think of a better way to kick off a new year since Champagne (or a least sparkling wine) and new year's celebrations go hand in hand.

I'd seen Failure to Launch a few times already, once when it first came out on dvd and again in bits and parts when it's been on tv. But I don't remember ever noticing just how much food is actually in this flick, starting with the opening sequence when our lead male Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) staggers out of bed and onto the Santitas Tortilla Chip bag on his bedroom floor. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

In case you haven't actually seen this one, in a nutshell, it is a rom-com about 30-something Tripp who still lives at home with his parents, who, in a push to regain a little "them" time again, hire Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker), who makes a living of covertly enticing grown men to move out of their parents homes, to help them.

(Almost) Nigella's Mini Cranberry Mince Pies | #FridayPieDay

We're having pie for Christmas—it's #FridayPieDay! Can I tell you something? I've never tried a traditional mincemeat pie. I don't know why. It wasn't something I grew up on, and apparently it's just another thing I've been "saving for later" for the twenty-plus years since I started making my own pie. I figured since it's a very traditional Christmas offering (um, in the UK), now would be the perfect time to give it a go.

Although I admit that I didn't go very traditional. I didn't use the really old-school variety that actually contained lamb or beef and I didn't make the traditional dark, currant-filled mince, either. Instead, I tried Nigella's cranberry mince—because cranberries!

But first, a little glimpse into the history of mincemeat. I mentioned that it was originally made with meat, but according to Why Christmas? it was also oval-shaped to represent the manger that Jesus slept in, the top crust representing his swaddling clothes.

Cranberry Port Ring (Jellied Cranberry Sauce)

I've mentioned my fear of the jiggly cylinder that had a prime spot on the Thanksgiving tables of my youth before, but recently I decided to look at it in a new light. I know some pretty diehard fans of jellied cranberry sauce. Like my grandma, they have special serving dishes made specifically to fit that "can" shape when laid down on its side. They slice it ever just so, stacking a disk or two lovingly on their plate.

I decided that it was time to reevaluate my position on the stuff. After all, I didn't think that I liked cranberries at all as a kid unless they were in the form of juice or chewy dried bits, but it turns out that I actually can't get enough of them. For the past 20 years, that bowl of glistening ruby goodness that is whole-berry cranberry sauce is one of my favorite things on the table. And yet, I've seen the faces on some of my older family members when they realize that, once again, there is no can-shaped sauce to be found.

Fresh Peach and Whiskey Ice Cream

I've got a double-whammy to share with you today—Eat a Peach Day and this month's round of she made, ella hace with my friend Leslie from La Cocina de Leslie! Two reasons for one delicious post. Well, I guess it's actually two since both Leslie and I are sharing a recipe. Hmmm, so maybe it's a triple-whammy. Or would that make it a quadruple-whammy? I'll let you ponder that (or not) while I turn my attention to PEACHES!

My kids went back to school this past week, but we still have another month of summer to go—that means tons of fresh produce is still rolling in. My kitchen looks a little ridiculous right now. My counters and table are overrun by tomatoes, chiles, zucchini and yellow squash, corn on the cob, and green beans. I'm not even the one with a garden, my neighbors are. Not that I'm complaining (much), but I find myself without any space in my teeny-tiny kitchen to prepare or put it all up!

So what do I do? Hit up the market and roadside stands for deep ruby plums and fuzzy peaches. You know, so I can fill in the tiny gaps and form teetering pyramids. The fruit disappears in a flash, though, so I had to snag a couple of those peaches to make this ice cream. Yeah, I'm still in full-on ice cream mode, too.

Whiskey Caramel Apple Pie inspired by August: Osage County | #FoodnFlix

"My last refuge, my books: simple pleasures, like finding wild onions by the side of the road, or requited love."

August: Osage County is one of those movies I only really wanted to watch once in my life, but wound up watching twice. I saw it when it was first released on DVD. A tragic and heart-wrenching story with moments of humor that soon turned to disgust. The one character that I would have liked to see more of was the one that departed the screen early. I did think that the whole cast was pretty amazing and they played their parts to a T.

In simplest terms, August: Osage County is a drama that hints at dark comedy that is based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. The story takes place in Oklahoma and centers around the Weston family—the main characters being:

• Violet - mother, wife, pill addict with cancer who runs over with piss, vinegar, and a venomous tongue
• Barbara, Karen, and Ivy - the adult daughters, each with their own distinct personalities, paths, and problems
• Beverly - father, husband, poet, and alcoholic whose death brings them all back together