I am super excited to be bringing you a new series to add some serious fun and bonding into family movie night! Let’s take the fun up a notch with a meal you can cook together inspired by a movie you can watch together. I will share with you a three-course dinner menu complete with recipes and a shopping list that is perfect to go with a classic family movie as well as some more fun to tie the night together.
First up the 1987 classic…The Princess Bride (rated pg)! Believe it or not this was the first film I ever saw in a theater. I can still remember the smell of the popcorn and the thrill of seeing a movie with your family and a theater full of people. There are a few scary (by 1980’s standards) parts and a couple PG moments, but it’s pretty much a family movie full of adventure, love, and laughter.
Start your night off right by preparing the perfect Princess Bride menu together!
Menu:
BLTs
Ingredients:
Bacon or Turkey Bacon
Lettuce or Leafy Greens
Firm Tomatoes
Favorite Hearty Bread (thick cut)
Mayo
Pesto, optional
Olive or Coconut Oil
This recipe is inspired but Billy Crystal’s character Miracle Max when he says there is nothing better than true love except maybe a MLT (mutton, lettuce & tomato). Have your kiddos help wash the tomatoes (and lettuce if needed). You can also have your kids help slice the tomatoes – we like THESE kid chef knives for young kids or THESE for older kids. Prepare the bacon in the microwave or oven till reached desired crispiness. Brush the bread with olive oil and toast in a pan quickly (a few minutes on each side). Now it’s time to build – kids are fantastic at this. Spread mayo and pesto on two slices of bread. Add bacon, tomato and lettuce to complete each sandwich. The great thing about this recipe is it’s easy for each family member to make it how they like. You can make it vegetarian by swapping bacon for avocado or you can add cheese or other favorite sandwich ingredients.
Fire Swamp Fries
Ingredients:
2 Large Sweet Potatoes
2 Large Russet Potatoes
Olive or Coconut Oil
Sea Salt
Italian Seasoning
Paprika
Chili Powder
Cayenne, optional
Dip
Tomato Sauce or Ketchup
Sriracha
Sea Salt
Plain Greek Yogurt
Inspired by the fire swamp, these fries are hot and spicy. Feel free to scale down or up the heat a bit to your family’s desired heat level! Preheat oven to 375 F (convection if you have it). Wash and peel the potatoes (this is a great way to to let the kids help, remind them the peeler is sharp). Cut into wedges, a great task for older kids. Toss in oil and seasonings till coated. Lay out on in a single layer on parchment lined pans. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes (bake time will vary depending on the size of the fries). Meanwhile whisk up dip ingredients for a sauce with a little kick! When you’re done eating dinner be sure to say, “we just survived the fire swamp…fries”!
Chocolate Coated Miracle Truffles
Ingredients:
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup oats
¼ cup cocoa powder
¼ cup chocolate chips
2 cups Dates, pitted
2 tbsp. coconut oil
Chocolate Drizzle
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1 tsp coconut oil
Topping
Freeze-Dried fruit
coconut
This recipe is inspired by the chocolate coated miracle pill that revives Wesley. In a food processor combine the ingredients and pulse till well combined. Roll dough into balls set on parchment paper and refrigerate. Melt the chocolate drizzle ingredients (for 30 seconds at a time) in the microwave or on the stove at low heat, whisk till smooth. Drizzle chocolate over truffles or dip truffles in to chocolate and sprinkle with toppings. Chill for 10 minutes before serving. (Makes about 10 truffles)
Grab the printable shopping list HERE!!
Questions and Activities:
Here are some fun and thought provoking questions to ask your family members after watching the movie to stir up some good conversations. (There are no right answers.)
- Do you think the grandfather/ grandson part of the movie was important? Did it make it feel more like you were being told a story?
- Why do you think Wesley didn’t tell her who he was right away instead of letting her believe he was only the pirate?
- What was your favorite part of the movie and why?
- Inigo and Fezzik have a strong friendship, can you think of some other friendship themes in the movie?
- In the beginning the grandson asks the grandfather to skip the “kissing” parts but in the end he says he doesn’t mind anymore, why do you think it is?
Hope you have a wonderful movie night with your family! Look for our next dinner and a movie in October!!
