Dinner and a Movie

It’s Just A “Pleasant” Dinner

My movie pick this week is none other than Pleasantville, a corky film about twins David and Jennifer played by Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon, who could not be more different. Jennifer focuses mainly on her appearance and popularity and David spends much of his spare time on the couch watching reruns of Pleasantville, a black-and-white 1950s sitcom mirroring such "ideal family" shows such as Leave It To Beaver or Father Knows Best .

Breaking the TV remote during an argument, a strange television man shows up. He hands David a special remote with only a few buttons that teleports them into the world of Pleasantville. When they are pulled into the show they are expected to assume the characters of Bud and Mary Sue Parker. They now live in the black and white world that lacks knowledge and craves similarity and conformity. It just gets interesting from there! It has a great supporting cast, William H. Macy, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen and Jane Kaczmarek to name a few.

So while watching this now classic ( in my books), I decided why not go for an All American Menu; so many ideas some to mind…like meatloaf, fried chicken, potato salad, mac and cheese, green beans, hamburgers, hot dogs, apple pie.

Here are some old time favorites from my childhood, just now with my “goddess” style.

Paper Bag Fried Chicken!

I like dark meat, so when I prepare for my friends and family I only use things or leg quarters, and yes, I leave the skin on!

4 to 6 chicken leg quarters
2 C Buttermilk (or enough to cover the chicken)
Let the chicken soak in the buttermilk overnight or at least 4 to 6 hours

2 C Flour in paper bag, now place the following in the paper bag with the flour
1 tsp cayenne
2 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp fresh cracked pepper

Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and shake off excess, do not wipe off and place in the paper bag, once all the pieces are in the bag roll the top closed and shake the bag making sure all pieces are covered well.

Remove the chicken and place in heated vegetable oil, (I usually fill a fry pan ½ way up) the oil should be heated to 350-375, some people say 350 and other say 375, so I just try to go somewhere in between. Gently place the place the well coated chicken in fry pan, I only like to do two pieces at a time, too many and it will crowd the pan and cool the oil. Now leave the chicken for 12/15 minutes on one side and then turn for 12/15 minutes ensuring the pieces are completely done – a nice juicy golden brown. To keep warm while completing the other pieces place in warmed oven heated between 170 and 190.

Gourmet IT UP! Drizzle honey over the chicken, I even like drizzling cilantro honey to take the taste beyond…heat 1 cup honey over LOW heat and add ¼ c finely chopped cilantro in the heated honey and allow to steep for 5 minutes and place in bowl, let the flavors develop for at least 1 hour.

Garlic Almond Green Beans
1lb green beans, washed and trimmed
3 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 C, chopped and cleaned leaks
¼ C toasted slivered almonds
2 tbsp olive oil, separated
1 tsp lemon juice
In a sauce pan sauté the leeks in 1 tbsp of olive oil for about 7 minutes over med to high heat, now add the green beans and garlic and toss with the remaining olive oil and sauté for another 5 to 6 minutes, now add the almonds and lemon juice and place in preheated over (350) for 15 minutes, give a nice toss when removing from oven serve.

Gourmet IT UP! When removing from oven top with grated parmesan cheese

I am not a big dessert fan but I do like this…

Baked Apple “Pie”

4 large baking apples
3/4 C brown sugar, firmly packed
½ C quick cooked oatmeal (uncooked)
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp butter (or more !)

Wash and core apples, place in a 2-quart shallow baking dish.
Preheat oven to 350. Combine brown sugar, oatmeal, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl; fill the center of each apple and dot with a bit of the butter. Add just enough water to baking dish to cover the bottom of the dish; bake, uncovered about 30 minutes, or until apples are tender. Baste with juices occasionally. Serve warm with ice cream.

Gourmet IT UP! Top with toasted pecans.