Food for Thought
A foodie's cold weather survival guide: A bird & the best food movies of alltime in hand
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I stocked up before the Great Winter Storm of 2011 with a couple of cold weatherfood staples: a rotisserie chicken...Photo via CDN.com -
...and a can of Hot Wolf Brand Chili (no beans!). -
And for entertainment there were nonstop movies, one of which was "Big Night." -
I watched "Julie & Julia" because it’s fun and Meryl Streep made an amazingJulia Child. -
And, of course, "Ratatouille," because anyone can cook! Even a rat! Bestanimated food film ever.
Well that was a fun weekend, wasn’t it?
Icy roads and cold temps.
While some brave folks managed to make it out to restaurants and farmers markets I decided to just stay holed up at home. With a full pack of smokes, a half bottle of bourbon and the phone number to a Tex-Mex place that delivers on speed dial.
No, seriously, I stocked up before the Great Winter Storm of 2011 with a couple of cold weather food staples: A can of Hot Wolf Brand Chili (no beans!) and a rotisserie chicken.
The store bought rotisserie chicken is a wonderful thing. The first meal I had after moving to Houston, while still unpacking, was a rotisserie chicken and twice baked potatoes a friend brought over. We ate them with our hands right out of the containers.
Here’s what you do with a rotisseries chicken. After eating about half the delicious skin off the bird while it’s still hot, take the remainder of meat and make chicken tacos with the chili. Then make a chicken sandwich with lots of artisanal cheese, mayo and mustard. Then, add some chicken to penne pasta with vodka sauce and finally you make spicy chicken biscuits for breakfast with the bird remains, some Pillsbury biscuits and Frank’s Hot Sauce.
You can live for days off of one bird, or at least until the weather warms up.
So, I had everything I needed to weather the weekend (pun intended).
And for entertainment there were nonstop movies. One of which was Big Night, the 1996 classic on sumptuous Italian food, picky chefs and the pitfalls of running a restaurant. It’s a great film and a must see for food fans. (“Sometimes the spaghetti likes to be alone.”)
Which led me to compile this list of some of my favorite foodie flicks, because if you’re stuck indoors there’s nothing better than eating well and watching others eat well. This list is in no particular order and please fell free to chime in with you favorites. Because I’m sure some of you will anyway.
Babette's Feast (1987)
I saw this in the theater when it first came out and was dazzled by the cinematography that juxtaposed the bleak landscape with the sumptuous food shots as Babette prepares a feast of epic proportions. I particularly recall drooling over the Caille en Sarcophage avec Sauce Perigourdine (quail in puff pastry shell with foie gras and truffle sauce). This film was probably responsible for making me the foodie I am today.
Julie & Julia (2009)
Because it’s fun and Meryl Streep made an amazing Julia Child. Oh, and Stanley Tucci is one of the best actors of our time. Hmmm, is it a coincidence he stars in both Julie & Julia and Big Night?
Eat, Pray, Love (2010)
I know, I know. It’s not as good as the book. But seriously, if you can watch this movie and not be hungry for pizza and pasta there is something seriously wrong with you. And an honorable mention to Julia Roberts for starring in Eat, Pray, Love and Mystic Pizza. Girl loves her carbs.
Chocolat (2000)
It’s a good story and certainly sweet lovers will get off on the chocolate love. And Johnny Depp is sinfully delicious in this candy-coated film.
Ratatouille (2007)
Because Anyone Can Cook! Even a rat! Best animated food film ever. And Peter O’Toole as a cartoon critic named Anton Ego? Priceless.
Woman on Top (2000)
Penelope Cruz makes for a sultry Brazilian chef in this romantic comedy/magical movie as she embarks on a TV career. Why don’t we ever see chefs like this on the reality cooking shows?
Simply Irresistible (1999)
OK,, I know I’m going to take some flack for this one, and yes, I am a Buffy The Vampire Slayer fan, but more than starring Sarah Michelle Gellar I just really like this lightweight comedy where food is magical. So sue me.
Waitress (2007)
Who doesn’t love pie? And this film features some loving pie pictures, plus some comical recipes like the I Don’t Want Earl’s Baby pie.
Eat, Drink, Man, Woman (1994)
This Chinese food and family film has such a good plot it was remade as an African- American film (1997’s Soul Food) and as a Mexican American one (2001’s Tortilla Soup). All three versions are worth watching.
The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover (1989)
There truly are some beautiful food scenes in the restaurant, although you certainly wouldn’t want to eat there after what the chef does with a dead body.
OK, maybe that last one doesn’t belong on this list. I think a great food film should have food as central plot line, have fabulous food photography and leave leave you hungry. But while having Sunday brunch at my usual spot I asked my favorite restaurant worker — Bryan Forrester, who also happens to be an artist, filmmaker and horror fan — what his fave foodie films were and he came up with Soylent Green (“It’s people!”) and the 1980 Motel Hell (“It takes all kinds of critters ...to make Farmer Vincent’s fritters”).
“Oh, my god, I remember that! Great B horror flick,” I said. “Starred that '50s western star. What was his name? Rory something?”
Bryan: “Look on IMDB.”
I whip out my iPhone but before I even hit the app Dad says, “Rory Calhoun.”
Proving that once again, a dad is better than an iPhone app.
