Waitress Roundup

-
Months back, when I knew I wanted to choose this film as December's selection, I couldn't have imagined how much I'd come to have in common with it. When I found out this November I was expecting my first child, it didn't take very long for me to connect back to the film I selected for Food 'n Flix and reflect to myself about how life really can surprise you when you least expect it, and direct you towards change you when you most need it. Though some may say 'Waitress" is just a chick flick, I believe the beauty of this film is that it speaks to the heart of all of us that has ever stumbled upon a way out of what was and into what should be in the places we were least likely to find who we were meant to be.

To begin with I, Ree of Milk, Sugar, Musings & Love, wondered if the combination of green and apples and cranberries would be too tart for a pie. I was won over before it was done baking when my kitchen was transformed into a quintissential New England home during the holidays; Dancing medley of cinnamon, orange, cranberry and warmed, sweetened green apple wafting through the air. Much to my surprise, This Green Apple and Cranberry Pie, served with homemade vanilla ice cream and a dallop of fresh whip cream became and instant favorite!


Inspired by Jenna's ability to turn her emotions into something delectable and creative, Heather of Girlichef('s) The Holidays Are Making Me NUTS Pie speaks for itself. After one look of the mixed salted nuts baked in between a layer of sweet, gooey goodness, I think we'd all gladly go nuts if it meant we were indulging in a piece of this delicious creation.


Rather than changing the title of her blog to "...cooking, eating and living (occasionally) healthy in Paradise!" Deb in Hawaii turned to 'The Good Neighbor' cookbook for a way out of the overindulged-over-the-holiday-blues and made something green. Her charming individual tarts "Too Much Indulging is Making Me Green" Crustless Spinach Quiche is sure to please anyone with a craving for something lighter that doesn't sacrifice one bit of the satisfaction you're sure to taste in every bite.



Tina from Life in the Slow Lane at Squirrel Head Manor also went savory with a mouthwatering Beef & Guinness Pie and since her home life is not even close to being miserable like Jenna's, she "made a comforting pie. For dinner, not dessert. My life is good..."  I have to agree, Tina.  Mine would be a little bit better if only I could get a bite of this pie!

Though there were only a few entries this month, I think we managed to round up a pie for every taste...and any mood. Thank you for your submissions, Ladies!

*If we missed anybody, please let us know right away and we'll add you...ahem...holiday madness sometimes causes things to get lost in the shuffle.*
4

January Flick: Woman on Top

-
I don't know about you...but I'm in the mood for a little heat...something to shake off the winter chill and add a little spice in the kitchen.
Woman on Top is the story of Isabella.
"All her life, Isabella has suffered from motion sickness. Because of her illness she couldn't play much with other children. She stayed at home and learned how to cook, becoming a renowned chef as an adult. She fell in love with Toninho and they opened a restaurant together, with Isabella stuck in the kitchen and Toninho out front taking the credit."*  Isabella has an infectious spirit that draws men to her...
...and people to each other, and the place where she truly comes alive is in the kitchen!  This is a story dripping with food and sensuality...
So, how 'bout it?  Are you ready to steam up a few windows in the kitchen!?
Buy it.  Rent it.  Borrow it.  Do what you have to do to spend a little time watching Woman on Top!  Then head into the kitchen and draw on inspiration from the film to cook up something and write a post about it at your place.  Once you've done that, come back and leave a comment letting us know you've brought some extra spice into your kitchen!    Please add a link back to this post...use of our button is optional.  You can either email me with your submissions girlichef (at) yahoo (dot) com once they're up...or you can leave the permalink in the comment section of this post.  Deadline for entry is Friday February 25, 2011.  Please do one or the other, because we don't want to miss your post...roundup will be posted at the end of February!

*source: Wikipedia

8

The Ramen Girl Round-up!

-



Do you believe in the redemptive powers of noodles?  Do you have faith that a flavorful broth tended to with heart and emotions, as well as skill...can transform your mood?  How about finding your calling in a place previously foreign to you? The Ramen girl is a story that will make you hungry and eager to travel...and eat magical bowls of Ramen all at the same time.  Far-fetched?  Perhaps.  But isn't that the fun in it?  Being taken out of your skin for a couple hours and landing in Japan...ready to cast off your needy, sorry self and become confident and renewed?  A foodie chick-flick at its finest. 

Let's see what inspiration everybody drew from our November (turned December) flick... The Ramen girl.



Deb from Kahakai Kitchen says that "a girl needs a good chick flick now and then..." and I totally agree!  I remember Deb doing her first review of The Ramen Girl, and she is just so awesome that she made a variation on her first dish and joined us this month!  Deb made an Asian Pesto Udon that was  "A little smoky--I used "smokehouse" almonds, a little kick of ginger and creaminess from the almonds and the coconut milk, this is a unique sauce that tastes great on the thick noodles. I tried it both hot and cold and I am not sure which way I like it best--texturally I preferred it warm, but some of the flavors like the ginger seem to come out more when it is cold. I liked this a lot, it is different but really good.

Tina from Life in the slow lane at Squirrel Head Manor is battling a nasty cold that foiled her plans, so she combined two unlikely friends...chicken soup and ramen...okay, not that unlikely...to come up with a comforting bowl of Chicken Ramen Noodles this month!

Kim from Stirring the Pot went a different route...she didn't make soup...but she did spend 15 hours on her labor of love Italian Braised Beef w/ Root Veg...and ate it over some fat noodles!  Kim says "In the movie The Ramen Girl, the broth for the ramen noodle soup was the heart of the recipe. In Symon's Italian Braised Beef, the sauce is the heart of the recipe. Full of complex and robust flavors, which have cooked and simmered for hours upon hours, it is what makes this recipe so good." .

I (Heather from girlichef) watched this movie a few times...and always find myself wanting to lessons from a Ramen Master!!  I'm so easily allured by food, learning, history, and new cultures.  What can I say?  I wanted a flavorful broth filled with fat noodles and tasty goodies and think I accomplished that with my Noodle Soup w/ Pork, Beans Sprouts, and Spinach!

 Let's not forget Ree from Milk, Sugar, Musings & Love...my partner in crime over here...she was "excited to step outside of my culinary comfort zone to make something with a Japanese flare inspired by the film. This recipe was simple, quick and delicious. I loved the shrimp especially!" She cooked up some mouthwatering Ginger Glazed Mahi & Shrimp.  Looks pretty comfortable to me.
 Our roundup was short...but oh-so-tasty this month!  Thanks to everybody who participated...my mouth is watering. Completely! 

Watch for Ree's Waitress roundup coming soon...and the announcement post for our next chosen Flick!
4