Movie-Inspired Holiday Treats

Bella Breakdown

It’s my favorite time of year! Heart warming movies, lots of yummy food and time spent with loved ones. This year, gather your friends and family for an evening of food and fun, with these dishes inspired by your favorite Christmas movies. Throw a classic up on the screen and let the indulging begin!

The Nutcracker: Sugar Plum Cake

2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
2 cups self-rising flour
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 jar (6 ounces) plums with apples baby food
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Confectioners’ sugar, optional

In a large bowl, combine sugar and oil. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until well blended. Combine flour and cinnamon; add to egg mixture. Beat in baby food; stir in nuts. Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan.
Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners’ sugar if desired.

The Grinch: Roast Beast

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 beef eye round roast (about 2-1/2 pounds)
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
1 cup brewed coffee
3/4 cup water

GRAVY:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cold water

In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat; brown roast on all sides. Remove from pan. Mix garlic and seasonings; sprinkle over roast.

Add onion to same pan; cook and stir over medium heat until tender; stir in bouillon, coffee and 3/4 cup water. Add roast; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until meat is tender, about 2-1/2 hours.

Remove roast from pan, reserving cooking juices. Tent with foil; let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Mix flour and cold water until smooth; stir into cooking juices. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Serve with roast.

Elf: Spaghetti and Meatballs

1 pound spaghetti
Salt, for pasta water

MEATBALLS:
1 1/4 pounds ground sirloin
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper

SAUCE:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup beef stock, available on soup aisle in market in small paper boxes
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
A handful chopped flat-leaf parsley
10 leaves fresh basil leaves, torn or thinly sliced
Grated cheese, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, for passing at table
Crusty bread or garlic bread, for passing at the table

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti. When it boils, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente.
Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake balls 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink.

Heat a deep skillet or medium pot over moderate heat. Add oil, crushed pepper, garlic and finely chopped onion. Saute 5 to 7 minutes, until onion bits are soft. Add beef stock, crushed tomatoes, and herbs. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.

Toss hot, drained pasta with a few ladles of the sauce and grated cheese. Turn meatballs in remaining sauce. Place pasta on dinner plates and top with meatballs and sauce and extra grated cheese. Serve with bread or garlic bread.

It’s a Wonderful Life: Mulled Wine

4 cups apple cider
1 (750-ml) bottle red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
1/4 cup honey
2 cinnamon sticks
1 orange, zested and juiced
4 whole cloves
3 star anise
4 oranges, peeled, for garnish

Combine the cider, wine, honey, cinnamon sticks, zest, juice, cloves and star anise in a large saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Pour into mugs, add an orange peel to each and serve.

Author: Lucie O’Leary

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