Saturday, January 2, 2016

Year 5 Day 31 (January Food n Flix)

This month's Food n Flix selection is Failure to Launch, and is being hosted by Amy's Cooking Adventures.

The One Movie A Day Challenge part-
Movie: Failure to Launch
starring: Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker
genre: Comedy
year: 2006
format: Netflix Canada

 
plot: A 30something man still living at home with his parents, finds himself in the one relationship that might just get him to grow up.

Dude...I've dated guys like that. This movie is unfortunately a mirror of the men in my generation. There are times when a guy that age still living at home is okay (health issues, buying/inheriting the house, saving for his own house, job where he travels 11months a year) and there are times when it's just not. This movie exploits the bad for a reason. Too bad it's desired effect didn't work on half the male population.
You're suppose to hate the main character, which was easy to do.

And for the SATC fans, you'll note this makes a reunion for Parker/McConaughey/Cooper.   McConaughey played his creepy self in season 3 (Escape from New York episode 13 for the season, episode 43 of the series)  and Bradly Cooper played a one night stand in season 2 (They Shoot Single People Don't They? episode 4 of the season, episode 16 of the series)

What did I think I learned? Still can not stomach McConaughey. I just want to take every McConaughey movie and burn them.


And the Food n'Flix part - Once again, I watched this movie on Netflix Canada, so you will notice a lack of dvd cover in the photos.

Food Notes- wine, cake, rolls, steak, carrots, "tea for two",  nacho chips, apples, juice, cereal, pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, coffee, potatoes, melon, bananas, tacos, hot sauce, salad, guacamole, BBQ, corn, iced tea, cookies, popcorn, asparagus, "power bars", peanuts, sushi, Japanese food, seafood, "gumballs and baby food" (paint ball scene) beer, chilies, jam, peanut butter, broccoli, coleslaw, baked potato, hot dogs, trail mix, croissant, pastries, slurpee, whip cream, pop, garlic, peppers, tomato, artichoke, green onions, gravy, roast beef, pizza, milk

Normally, I watch the film write the food list and come up with a couple of ideas. Because of  how bad the ice is here still, I had one opportunity to get out for groceries. The movie was the farthest thing from my mind.  I got home and realized, I had nothing planned. I hadn't picked a theme for a recipe and wasn't sure when I'd physically be able to get back out for groceries.(one of these days I'll take a photo of the 6 inch scar on my knee.)

I did however have nacho chips and lettuce. My mind swerved back to a couple of scenes in the beginning of the movie, where the lead character gets out of bed stepping on the bag of nacho chips, and the scene where he's talking to his buddies over lunch and they are having tacos. As well as the two dinners they have with the parents and there is salad.  The result taco salad.


Seasoning

1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon coriander
ground black pepper (to taste)
salt (to taste)
chili powder (to taste)
2 tablespoons corn starch



The recipe I had called for onion powder and garlic powder, but because I don't have that, I used the minced garlic, and I knew I was going to be chopping onions for it later so I wasn't worried about it.

Mix to a powder.




I decided to use lentils for the "meat". Just boiled a cup of the dried lentils as package instructions, then added a can of tomato paste to give it just a bit of "stick", then the freshly made seasoning.






Crumble some nacho/tortilla chips on a plate
add some lettuce
add the seasoned lentil mixture
chopped onion
chopped green pepper
chopped tomato
shredded or cubed cheese
diced jalapeno (to your taste)
sour cream
dried chives



12 comments:

  1. So tell us how you really feel about MM... ;) ha ha ha. My husband met him a few years ago when he was in town. I have a soft spot for him since he's in a movie near and dear to my heart (Dazed and Confused). Anyhoo...I love a taco salad and I love the roundabout inspiration that inspired this one. I'll have to try mine with lentils next time, too.

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    1. I don't know what it is about him, but he makes my skin crawl.
      I've been using lentils more and more the last while. It looked so much more colourful in real life but the photo came out a bit...white.

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  2. Creative inspiration! Sometimes the inspiration has to fit the pantry! And I loooove taco salad!

    Also - Matthew McConaughey can totally give the creeper vibe sometimes - at least we get to see him beat up by wild animals in this one!

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    1. True, and true. I don't care for Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise either so...

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  3. I love that you substituted lentils for the meat in this salad. Great for vegetarians or for a Meatless Monday meal. Sorry you hated the movie.

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    1. Thanks. I use lentils for chili and sloppy joes all the time.

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  4. haha, this is such a funny scene to be inspired by! Your salad looks delicious and I like how you made do with what you had in the house.

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    1. Thanks. yeah, sometimes you just don't have a choice in the matter.

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  5. I think it is perfect for the film and I love the use of lentils--makes my non-meat eating heart sing. ;-) I go back and forth on McConaughey creep-factor depending on the film or occasion (and whether he looks recently showered!)

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    1. Haha! The only thing I can't seem to get to work proper are lentil burgers, they fall apart on me no matter the recipe.

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  6. Ha ha so you are not a fan of him? I agree that many guys are like the character too. Commit-what? But great on the fly salad with what you had.

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    Replies
    1. Not at all. Yes, many guys are and they all seem to live in my city.
      Thanks.

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