Month: March 2019

MJ Monday: MJ’s Movies-The Little Shop of Horrors

Many years ago, when I was working in local TV, my general manager called me into his office and said, “I have a kitchen set for you. I’ve hired a host. Here’s your budget. Make me a TV show where guests hosts come on and cook while watching movies.”

I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Bad movies. Bad horror movies. The black-and-white motion pictures I grew up loving. I don’t like what passes for horror movies these. I prefer the absurd. 

One of my favorite movies of all time is The Little Shop of Horrors. No, not the campy musical version with Steve Martin, but the original Roger Corman film from 1960.  It’s a terrifically funny movie, which is probably why Frank Oz remade it as a musical in the 1980s.

The original contains a  dreadful, blaring jazzy sound track. Jack Nicholson appears in one of his earliest motion picture performances.  The film is the source of one of my favorite quotes: “Feed me. I’m hungry.” And when it came time to create the opening graphics for the show, I insisted this line be included. What better for a cooking show?

I never realized the movie is now considered a cult classic until recently. It’s been redefined as a black comedy. That’s fair. I never knew Roger Corman had a following until I was much older, and even then, I didn’t realize Little Shop was one of his.

Apparently I have very good instincts.

 

MJ’s Musings: SEP-What I Did For Love

One of my top three favorite Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ novels is WHAT I DID FOR LOVE. Many people refer to this book as her “Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie/Jennifer Anniston” book, and there are many strong reasons why people consider it to be so. That’s not why I love this book so much. I barely know who the aforementioned celebrities are.

The story about how the protagonist finds true love–and grows up in the process–is captivating. The hero, a bad boy through and through, has unsuspected depths and maybe isn’t as bad as we think.

But I love this book for it’s textures. The setting. The heroine’s wardrobe. The food. The characters, from the assistants to the treacherous ex and his new woman have a multitude of facets, both rough and smooth. I love details, and SEP creates a wonderfully specific world populated with  fully-developed personalities.

There was one “ick” scene involving a lingerie shop that I could have done without, but even the secondary romances in this book are riveting.

I cannot recommend the story enough.

 

MJ Monday-Meals: Mojito Salad

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day–an all-green fruit salad. Day Job had a pot luck with green food last year for St. Patrick’s Day. I try to eat healthy when I can, so I surfed the net until I found something simple and healthy.

Now, normally, I’m not a melon fan. Water melon in small amounts sums up my usual participation. This recipe called for honeydew, and I was pleasantly surprised.

  • 1 Honeydew Melon, balled
  • green seedless grapes, stemmed
  • 5 kiwi, peeled and sliced
  • 2 Granny Smith Apples
  • 2 Anjou Pears
  • 2 limes
  • 1 bunch mint.

Mix the melon, kiwi, and grapes together the night before.

Squeeze the juice of two limes into a glass jar or bowl. Add the finely chopped mint and let marinate overnight.

The next day, cut up the pears and apples (do NOT peel them) and add to the other fruit, then drizzle the lime-mint mixture over it all and mix well.

Easy, healthy, and green.

Note: the acid in the lime juice prevents the apple and pear from turning brown, so the salad will last for a couple of days.

It’s wonderfully cooling, and would be great to bring to a summer picnic, too.