Dinner and a Movie - Father's Day

June 14, 2019

Introducing a new feature this month, Dinner and a Movie! I have partnered with guest writer, Casey Heaton, who is the author of Greatest Book of Movie Lists in the World…Allegedly. For this first installment, we are bringing you a Father’s Day suggestion of pairing the movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 with a special dinner of a toasted marshmallow milkshake and a chopped cheese sandwich.

Review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) by Casey Heaton
Looking for that perfect movie to watch with dad or even your kids? Well this year you can keep Father of the Bride and Mrs. Doubtfire on the shelf because I've got just what you need. This year while you are scarfing down that chopped cheese sandwich and sipping on your delicious toasted marshmallow milkshake, you can fire up The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 starring Chris Pratt and Kurt Russell.

Full disclosure here...I am a huge Kurt Russell fan so keep that in mind. Having said that, this is the perfect Father's Day movie! I mean the obvious connection is that Chris Pratt's father in the movie is Kurt Russell. There is so much more than that though, and I will tell you why (oh if you don't want this movie spoiled, go ahead and stop now, fire up the movie, then come back to finish reading). I won't take you step by step through the film, but I'll probably end up spoiling some stuff. This movie came out two years ago so if you haven't seen it...get your priorities straight.

Ok, back to why this is a great Father's Day movie. So a major part of the film involves the father/son relation between Pratt and Russell which is absolutely beautiful. Pratt's character has never known his father, so I totally get him wanting to fill that father role. And how awesome would it be to find out your dad all along was Kurt-freaking-Russell? A ruggedly, good-looking Kurt Russell mind you.

Everything starts off great for the reunited pair, it seems like Kurt really cares for his son and he is being super nice and welcoming. They even get a nice game of father/son catch in at one point. I should have known better, but again, I am a big Kurt homer so the twist with Kurt’s bad intentions really surprised me.

We also have the character Yandu, who has been the father figure for Chris Pratt and basically was responsible for his upbringing. I mean it wasn't the greatest upbringing being essentially a Space Pirate, but we find out Yandu really did care for Pratt. In fact, Yandu was hired by Kurt Russell to find Chris Pratt and bring him back to Kurt, but Yandu knew old Kurt was up to no good and lied and kept Pratt away. I loved the relationship Yandu and Pratt have and their emotional scene at the end hit me hard.

Another reason this is a great pick for Father's Day is a total selfish one, but when this movie came out my wife was about 8-months pregnant with my youngest son. Whenever I see this movie it instantly reminds me of my youngest and I love the movie for that. Just like the first Guardians film, the soundtrack is amazing but there is one song in particular that hits me in the feels. When I hear “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens it fills me with wonderful emotion. It reminds me that I get to be a dad but also that one day my kids will grow and they will be fine without me. Get ready to cry when you hear this song at the end of the movie - or any other time you hear this song. I mean, I didn't cry, but you might.

So if you haven't seen Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 but liked what you read, you really should watch this movie. There is so much more adventure and comedy in this film that I haven't even come close to touching. You also get a nice little Sly Stallone cameo, if you are in to that sort of thing. I think at the end of the day this is what I take away from the movie: Don’t be a bad dad! Love your kids and treat them right. Help them grow but don't force them into everything you like (like destroying the universe).

Oh, and Happy Father's Day to all those dads out there!

Godspeed,

Casey

Chopped Cheese Sandwich and Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake

I first learned about chopped cheese from a cooking show called The Chew. This sandwich originated in New York City bodegas in Harlem and the Bronx, and is full of flavor. Since the show canceled, I’ve thankfully found a recipe that was adapted from the original, so I am sharing that recipe with my own interpretation. In creating the menu for Father’s Day, I wanted something dads and kids could enjoy together. This led to pairing the sandwich with the Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake. This TRULY tastes like a toasted marshmallow. Smitten Kitchen author, Deb Perelman, suggests you take this milkshake as far as you would like. Booze it up (for the adults of course), add some chocolate sauce and graham crackers to make it a s’more shake…there are endless delicious possibilities. After watching Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 with the kids, this sandwich and milkshake together are sure to nudge dads towards their annual Father’s Day Nap.

Chopped Cheese Sandwich

Recipe by Carla Hall from The Chew

Serves 4

The original recipe includes equal amunts of chopped onions, pickles, and pickled jalapeño. I omitted regular pickles from mine, so feel free to adjust the ingredients as you like. If the jalapeños are too spicy for kids, feel free to omit them. I’ve also tried incorporating chopped mushrooms and highly recommend.

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound ground beef (75/25)

1 small onion, diced small

1/2 cup button mushrooms, roughly chopped

1/2 cup pickled jalapènos, roughly chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

8 slices American cheese

1/4 cup yellow mustard

4 potato or brioche rolls (toasted)

Heat a large cast iron skillet or griddle until very hot. Shape the ground beef into 3 or 4 patties, depending how many will fit in the skillet. Add the oil to the skillet, then the chopped onions and other toppings. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables soften, stirring occasionally.

Add the burger patties on top of the cooked vegetables, pressing down to sear. Let the patties cook, without moving, until a caramelization is established. Flip the burger and sear on the other side for a few minutes until caramelized. Using a sturdy, heat-safe spatula, begin chopping the meat into the vegetables. Continue chopping and stirring until the meat is cooked. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and/or black pepper. Shape the meat into mounds, cover each with 2 slices of cheese. Cover the skillet or griddle using a lid or foil until the cheese melts.

In the meantime, toast the buns, and spread with the yellow mustard. When the cheese is melted, scoop the meat onto the buns and serve.

Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake

Recipe by Smitten Kitchen

Makes 4 (8 ounce) shakes

I bookmarked this recipe long ago, wondering if blending toasted marshmallows and ice cream would really have the flavor the title promised. If you have the same doubts, I can assure you this recipe works! A nice bonus is how wonderfully your house will smell of toasted marshmallow.

1 (10-ounce, 283-gram) bag large marshmallows, divided

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups vanilla ice cream

2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (you can also use sour cream or crème fraîche)

1/4 cup heavy cream beaten to soft peaks with 1 teaspoon powdered sugar and a dash of vanilla extract for a whipped cream garnish (optional)

Place serving glasses in the freezer. Heat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat it lightly with a nonstick spray.

Set aside the number of marshmallows needed for garnishes (estimate 1 to 2 per shake) and spread the rest on the tray. Broil, keeping a close watch as the marshmallows will take on color very quickly, for 1 to 2 minutes, until they’re the color you like. You want a little char here; it provides the “toasted” flavor in the shake.

Set the marshmallows aside until they are cool. If you choose to include the whipped cream topping, beat the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and a dash of vanilla extract.

Transfer the broiled marshmallows to the blender. Blend with milk until smoothly pureed.

Pause here to individually toast marshmallows for garnish over a gas flame or back under your broiler for a moment. This ensures that they’re warm when they hit the glass.

Add vanilla extract, ice cream and yogurt to the marshmallow mix in the blender. Blend until thick and smooth. Add more ice cream if you want the shake to be thicker, more milk if you want the mixture thinner. Pour into chilled glasses, finish with a dollop of whipped cream, if using, and a warm marshmallow.