Hubby and I had such a fun film feastival experience last night that I had to share.  I totally surprised him and planned a night in London city center for an “Edible Stories Event” and the theme was James Bond 007.  I admit I’m not the biggest Bond fan (I’ve only seen a few) but he is a massive fan and has seen all of them, some more than once.  His favorite era is the Sean Connery Bond.

While I know going back to the city on the weekend after being there all week for work might not be his idea of fun, I knew this 007 thing would be a good hook!  He loves to plan and coordinate, so to avoid him trying to investigate what I had up my sleeve, I had to give him a good line and sinker to go with the hook.  But he took the bait and it was, all and all, a success.  It was a murder mystery kind of an evening, with all the props, literature, food (and martinis) coordinated around this classic and beloved English spy series.  Mostly it was a chance to do what we love to do most, feast on films!

We’ve gotten pretty darn good at it over the years too.  Why?  Because Hubby has been blessed to serve on the juries of International film festivals all over the world, and I am lucky enough to be his plus one.  While I did miss a few out of the twelve festivals he has attended, the ones I have been able to go to I have literally gorged on the films.  Festivals such as Karlovy Vary and Zlin (both Czech Republic), Berlin (Germany), Venice (Italy), Locarno (Switzerland), Yeravan (Armenia), Mar de Plata (Argentina), Hong Kong, and twice each at Setubal (Portugal) and San Sebastian (Spain).

Besides the films, of course there is the cultural aspect of traveling to these wonderful countries and spending a week or two getting to know the area, history, food and the people.  Of course there are a plethora of stars at these festivals, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Madonna just to name a few, which brings with it the usual paparazzi.  Rather than the photo call, I am more interested in watching the press conferences and hearing first hand their responses to some of the thought provoking and sometimes inane questions.  For instance, at the Venice Film Festival in 2011 a journalist asked Matt Damon (who was there promoting his film Contagion) about his hair (or lack thereof) and a bald Matt’s response “Dude, why do you always ask me about my hair, at every single press conference?”

Another memorable hot button press conference interview happened to be at that same festival.  Steve McQueen the director of the powerful film Shame starring Michael Fassbender was asked why the actress in the film Carey Mulligan wasn’t in attendance.  He shouted, “Because F**king Baz Luhrmann wouldn’t release her from filming his movie The Great Gatsby to be here for this important premiere.  It is ludicrous!”  Sometimes there is more drama happening in the press room than in the theaters!

But I have to say that seeing these films from all over the world gives you a glimpse into life through another lens.  Most of these films don’t get seen by the wider audience.  Sure you get typical Hollywood type films premiering at these festivals.  That brings the stars out and that brings publicity.  However, many films that never make it to wide release because they are filmed in (for instance) South Korea, on a small budget, with no name actors.  Sadly, they might only get seen by those people lucky enough to be at the festival.  And yet, they are often the movies that stick with you years after you see them.  Simple films about real people, with touching stories, and powerful themes.

One film that still haunts me and that I feel is one of the best films about forgiveness and redemption ever made is called “I’ve Loved You So Long.” It happens to star English actress Kristin Scott Thomas but the film is in French.  I never knew until this film that she is fluent in French.  The film did do fairly well, but of course not the level it might have done if it had been in English.  Reading subtitles does take a bit of getting used to, and that isn’t the first thing Americans rush to the cinema to do.  But once the hurdle has been jumped,  you open yourself up to an abundance of amazing films from all over the world like this.   I still get a lump in my throat when I think of the final scene in the movie!  I’m so grateful I had the gift of seeing it and meeting the writer/director.  Hubby’s jury awarded the film top prize, which I believe was well deserved.  And it is always at the top of the list of the films I recommend when people ask me.

Another YDP recommendation comes by way of the Locarno Film festival, a little Irish gem “Kisses” which touched hearts with its story of love and friendship.  Two kids from a rough part of Dublin decide to run away from their abusive families and their journey brings them closer together.  It shows a side of Ireland not often seen in the quintessential rolling green countryside in the “Quiet Man“ type of Irish film.  And these child actors were so believable and raw that you forgot you were actually watching a film.

Finally, a film that did get wide release in America but has also gotten a warm reception in this part of the world is “The Road Within” and stars Zoe Kravitz, Dev Patel and Irish actor Robert Sheehan. This poignant and challenging film about mental health beautifully written and directed by Gren Wells played at the Zlin Film Fest in Czech Republic.  Sometimes films heavy on dialogue don’t translate well to other languages.  Hence that is why action films tend to be more popular world wide.  But this film is enhanced by its emotional through line.  And no matter where in the world you go, people are affected by various mental health issues such as eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders and those human concerns translate language barriers.  People can read the body language and process the feelings portrayed on screen without needing to rely on the words. This is why Ms. Wells’ direction is so delicate and on point.

I mainly feel blessed that I can have these film feastival get aways with my Hubby/ best friend.  Though he has to be involved with the other members of the jury on film deliberation, he and I have our own banter and discuss each film at length.  We often stay up well into the night analyzing the different aspects of this amazing art form.  Even the commercial and fluff films have their place.  Like the Bond films, being entertained is indeed an important factor.  It helps people escape into another realm and sometimes is a necessary release from life’s stresses.

And I must say I am extremely proud of my Hubby and all his efforts and involvement in these juries.  He takes his responsibilities seriously and spends time after the festivals writing up articles and briefs about the films and the experience.  Though years ago I had the opportunity to attend two different Academy Awards shows, one Emmy Awards and one Grammy Awards shows, my experiences going to these festivals with my Hubby have far exceeded those memories.  For instance, at the end of each festival there is a grand red carpet closing ceremony and celebration.  And just like the 007 Bond night, being the girly girl that I am, I enjoy getting dressed up for the occasion.  But mainly I love the festivals because my Hubby makes me feel included in the process.  Furthermore, though I no longer work in the entertainment business I still have an affinity for this ever present and changing industry.   I see how important even a small budget short film from a remote country is when it can change the heart of a single person, as well as has the potential to touch the lives of many.

So since we had our Bond night, I thought I might share a recipe for, what else, a Martini!  I had my first martini a bit late in life.  I was well into my 30’s before I actually started to drink any alcohol.  When I tasted my first martini I have to be honest it was too strong for me.  I felt like I was drinking medicine (maybe some people like that) and I didn’t care for it at all.  So going to the Bond themed dinner I knew that they would be serving Martinis (shaken or stirred like in the film) and I expected to have the same reaction.  However, the ones served last night were lovely!  And the secret apparently is the use of both gin and vodka together.  It is called a Vesper  Martini and Bond fans might recall Bond requesting one in the book “Casino Royale”.  However, instead of an olive which is standard in a martini,  it has lemon peel. Very refreshing I must say!   Thank God we were only served one!  Hiccup!  That was all I could manage!

The Vesper Martini recipe

INGREDIENTS

60ml gin
20ml vodka
10ml Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano (as Kina Lillet, which Bond likes in it, is no longer avail)
METHOD
Shake all the ingredients with ice in a shaker, then pour using a strainer into a chilled martini glass or – if you have one – a champagne goblet. Add a lemon twist.

And please, if you have one, don’t drink and drive!  Luckily we live near the Thames River, so we didn’t have to drive.  We took a river bus!

Shaken and Stirred Love Feastival,

YDP

ps. Besides all the above photos from the years at the different film festivals, I wanted to share this pic of some of the “Swag Bags’ that they give out to the jury members.  Some very cool keepsakes, that’s for sure, of some great memories!  Fingers crossed there will be more to come!

While I have never actually been to beauty school,  I clearly would have been a drop out.  I love being a feminine female and getting dressed up from time to time it’s true.  But since I changed careers from entertainment to the food business I don’t get the opportunity very often anymore.  And when I do it’s tough since I own very little in the way of make up and fancy clothes.  But one thing I do for a treat is get my “hair did.” And though my hair has had many different styles over the years, as evidenced by this video taken at my son’s wedding, the color has pretty much been the same.

Though a “toe head” blonde as a child, I eventually grew up to be an auburn brunette.  I always thought that I looked a bit out of place in California with light blue eyes, pale skin and darkish hair. Then I went to Ireland and fit right in.  But even when I lived in California I never had a desire to go blonde.  And when I started to get grey hairs and my friends and even my hair dresser urged that going lighter would help to conceal the grey, I resisted.  I think, like many things,  it stems from my childhood.

My mom was what you would call a bottle blonde.  A bleached platinum blonde.  But because we were poor she couldn’t go to the hairdressers.  So she did a DIY deal at home, late at night, while she was in the bath.  But she would call me in during the wee hours to get to the back of her head that she couldn’t reach.  I did the best I could with my little girl hands, but I never liked it.  It was the way it smelled and the fact that it hurt my fingers, since we didn’t have rubber gloves.  And I would usually get teased when I went to school the next day.  Not from the dark circles under my eyes from being kept awake because of the bathroom beauty salon, but because my fingers would literally be burned white…like this…well actually this pic is pretty tame, but I didn’t want to gross you out too much!

When your fingers are in pain it makes it hard to eat and I love to eat!  I  would wish that I could eat things on a stick as I figured I could hold it in the palms of my hands.  But since that didn’t happen I said, someday I’m gonna grow up make every food I can on a stick!  Okay, well maybe I don’t make everything on a stick these days, but the few things I do are pretty cool!  In fact for one of my cooking classes I did an entire menu of “foods on sticks” which when you think about it is pretty handy for entertaining, no forks, knives or spoons to clean. And even the film “There’s Something About Mary”  had a memorable scene about the topic.

Now, when I go to the hairdressers for a root color touch up (NOT blondie, as you now know why) I like to take the girls a little treat.  They barely get time to have lunch and so I figure that a goodie on a stick would be a safe bet.  Not that they have bad bleach burn fingers from working on their clients, as they of course use gloves.  But just for the ease and novelty of it!

And for some of the girls that want to take their treats home I make sure they are all wrapped up pretty in pink!  These treats are easy to make and likely most people have made Rice Krispie Treats at some juncture.  The only difference here is that, you guessed it, it goes on a stick!   If you are so inclined you can also dip in melted chocolate or melted color candy drops and put sprinkles on top like I have.  You probably know the recipe by heart, but just in case here goes…

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 package (10 oz., about 40) JET-PUFFED Marshmallows OR 4 cups JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
• 6 cups Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal
• Wooden popsicle sticks

DIRECTIONS

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

3. Using buttered spatula evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan lined with parchment paper (wax paper). Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares.  Put a wooden popsicle stick in one end. Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkles if desired.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: Though I don’t own a microwave, this is an easy hack!

In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

Note

-For best results, use fresh marshmallows.

-1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows.

-Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.

-Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container.

-To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

So whether you are a natural blonde, or not so much, someone young, or not so much, you can still enjoy these treats on a stick, very much.  And sharing is always a good thing too!  Sharing is caring!

Beautiful Marshmellow-y Love!

YDP

As I have shared with you already, I’ve been doing some cooking tutorials on Snapchat.  Though I do have fun, my lack of tech skills get in the way of succinctly demonstrating the recipes.  So yesterday my hubby kindly filmed me while I made some gorgeous Posh Nosh Nibbles!  Bacon Wrapped Dates with an amazing Balsalmic Reduction Sauce.  Watch this space, as I will soon announce that the Yankee Doodle Paddy Youtube Channel has launched.  But let’s just say it was a nice change to be able to use both hands as opposed to holding my iPhone in one as I video for snapchat, while trying to stir with the other hand.  Besides the fact that many of you don’t have a snapchat account so haven’t been able to see the tutorials I have been posting, and the videos disappear after 24 hours.

I wanted to do a very simple recipe for the first properly filmed cooking demo.  I use the word cooking liberally here.  It is really more about prepping.  But that is actually what I like about this recipe.  These super duper delicious Bacon Wrapped Dates are the perfect nibble to have for a night in watching Downton Abbey with the girls, a Saturday afternoon bite for a binge fest with Netflix, or a “kick off your Sunday Shoes” sit down and splurge on Sky sports.  It is posher than popcorn and nicer than nachos, the usual go-to for some easy make at home snacks.  Though this is a fancy looking treat to present, it is so simple to make it you’re not put off from pulling it together.  And the good news is you only need six ingredients!

And six got me thinking of the Six degrees of Separation. There is a sociological theory that states any two people are only six steps away from one another by a connection through another person or sets of people.  Of course, in Ireland it is probably only two degrees of separation.  I’ll never forget when I was at the Ballymaloe Cookery School and noticed how every chef by the end of the three month course had figured out how they were connected to each other.  Either their cousin dated the other one’s brother, or their moms went to primary school together, or their aunt worked for the other’s grandad etc, etc, etc.  It is funny about that with Ireland how everyone knows everyone.  And also why people have to look over their shoulder a bit when they are gossiping.

Once I told an Irish co-worker that I loved the fact that in Ireland men appear to be so loyal to their spouses.  Coming from LA, and specifically Hollywood, where they practically give awards to men who cheat the most, it was refreshing to live in a place where men weren’t ogling women.  I didn’t hear cat calls, and didn’t see lecherous men craning their heads around when a woman walked past them.  My friend politely stopped me during my diatribe and said, “Oh it’s not that they don’t think about it, it’s just that Ireland is so small, they would be found out for sure!”

Back to the Six Degrees of Separation, and more specifically Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.  This made up mockery of the original social scientific theory was all the rage a few years back. Though I made my living in the entertainment business I never actually took much notice of it until today.  This game basically dissects the fact that most people who work in Hollywood are somehow connected to Kevin Bacon (of Footloose fame).  Kevin Bacon himself has a score of 0 since he is the source.  While I have never worked with him personally  (therefore I am ineligible to have a score of 1) I have worked with people who have worked with him.  For instance, both Meg Ryan and Elisabeth Shue worked with me during my years filming the Burger King commercials as counter girl  (funny enough one of those I did was promoting a bacon double cheese burger).  Since they have worked with Kevin Bacon  I guessed I was only 2 degrees away from him.  But there is actually a website that can determine your ranking without you having to actually figure it out yourself.  It is called the Oracle of Bacon.  I literally just discovered it today and put my name in several times and got results that I didn’t even expect.  I am indeed a 2, which I already knew, but this has so many other actors that I didn’t realized connected me to Kevin Bacon.  Here are only a couple of the many results…

If you are a hard and fast rules person you only stick to feature film connections for this game.  No television shows, no tv commercials, no stage plays etc.  So that is why though I can keep my score at a 2,  I’m not supposed to connect through Meg Ryan or Elisabeth Shue.  Only through films that I have acted in can I be connected.

But I was thinking about it and I am actually connected to Kevin Bacon in so many other ways I could go on for days!  But I will just give you a few examples:  As I shared with you before, I had Tom Cruise over to my house for dinner and they were in a movie together called A Few Good Men, which also starred Jack Nicholson (whose grandsons were in my class when I taught preschool), Barry Levinson was the director of a movie I was in called Wag the Dog, and he also directed Kevin Bacon in one of his early successes called Diner.   Kevin Bacon was in the film Apollo 13, which my daughter sang on the soundtrack.  And he was in a movie with the actress Anne Archer, whose son was a childhood friend of my son and they played ice hockey together.

But the reason I should really get a score of 1, if not for the rules, was that I actually hung out with Kevin Bacon on the night of his Footloose film premiere.  At the time he was dating a lovely girl named Tracy Pollan (who went on to marry Michael J Fox) and we had an intimate post premiere gathering at the home of the director of the film Mr. Herbert Ross.  It was amazing to see this young actor so humbled by the fabulous response to the film, and so shy that he was happy to retreat into a quiet night of champagne and nibbles with a few folks.  I was lucky to have been there.  And I think the only thing missing from that night, were some of my posh nosh nibbles,  Kevin Bacon Wrapped Dates!   And without further adieu, I shall let the red velvet curtains, like in the movie theater, slowly draw open to reveal the recipe…

Ingredients:

1. Pitted Dates
2. Goat Cheese
3. Bacon Slices (streaky bacon)
4. Toothpicks (soaked in water)
5. Balsamic Vinegar
6. Brown Sugar

Gently cut open the pitted dates and place a small bit of cheese  inside (you can also use Blue Cheese or any other you desire).  Wrap a slice of bacon around the date and secure with a toothpick.  Place with the seam side down in a parchment lined baking tray.  Bake in a 200 C/400 F oven until the bacon is completely cooked, approx. 20 mins depending on the size of the dates. You can also substitute dried figs for the dates if you prefer.  And you can use turkey bacon if you don’t eat red meat.  For non dairy folks, use a whole almond inside each date instead of the cheese before you wrap with the bacon.   While the bacon wrapped dates cook, make the balsamic reduction sauce (instructions below)

** Note: The quantities in this recipe are left blank deliberately. You make what you need. If you buy a pound of bacon it is usually 12 slices, and most packages of dates come with 12 dates. Goat cheese is a standard package of approx 6 oz (158 g) and that is what I used to make 12!  But you can adjust depending on how many you want to make which can be four or four hundred if you are having a whopping film premiere party!

To make the balsamic reduction: Combine 1 cup/8 oz of balsamic vinegar and 2 Tbsps brown sugar in a small pan over medium high heat and bring up to a bubbling boil.  Reduce heat to medium and cook until the liquid has reduced by half and is thick and syrupy, about 10 minutes. This sauce is also great drizzled on a Caprese Salad (tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves).

So give this recipe a whirl, and while you do so, pop on the song from Footloose and spin around your kitchen a bit for an ‘old school’ fun dance party!  And I’ll end with some of its wisdom..

“Deep way down in your heart
You’re burning yearning for some
Somebody to tell you
That life ain’t passing you by
I’m trying to tell you
It will if you don’t even try

You can fly if you’d only cut loose, footloose”

And maybe you can bop around with me while watching this little tutorial!

Lovin and cuttin you loose!

YDP

I woke this morning with 90’s tunes in my head!  It was strange because they were flying at me from one song to the next…Rumpshaker, No Diggity No Doubt, This Is How We Do It, Regulate, and Motown Philly…and it got me thinking two things.  Of course the first was food related!

I had some fig and walnut bread and some fresh figs so I decided to create a brunch theme around them.  For the baked french toast I made a batter of eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Then I roasted some fresh figs in butter and maple syrup. Absolutely beautiful!

Besides being a gorgeous looking fruit, figs have so many health benefits.  They are high in fiber, so they are good for digestion.  They have loads of calcium and potassium which are essential for strong bone density.  And they are naturally sweet, though adding a touch of maple syrup just helps to make them nice and gooey!

End result, schamazing!  I topped it with some natural Greek Yogurt and toasted nuts.  I served it with a side of bramley apple sausages, and well, let’s just say my hubby and I are both still in a food coma!  And I even shared a bit with Stella the Pretty Pit!  She was making this face while we were listening to the TLC song, I’m Figgin on You!  Okay, well, we might have changed the lyrics just a bit to go with our theme!   Oh, and I did a little music accompanied tutorial on snapchat (user name blissbakery).

Besides the food, the 90’s tunes got me thinking about all the times I took my kids to concerts in that decade.  One of the benefits of being a young mom I guess, but we loved going to hear live music together and still have fond memories.  It started in September of 1990 when I took my then eight year old daughter to see New Kids on the Block at Dodgers Stadium.  I bought floor seats, the most expensive ones available.  It was part of her birthday gift so I wanted it to be special.  But everyone was standing and we couldn’t see a thing!  So I put her on my shoulders and then stood on my chair.  Not so safe looking back now!  But she was able to see the whole show and loved every minute of it.  Sleeping on her New Kids’ pillowcase that night was all the more sweet!

We also went to see Debbie Gibson, Janet Jackson and Smashing Pumpkins just to name a few.  But one concert in particular was most memorable, but for other reasons.  It was an outdoor concert at the Irvine Amphitheater in the O.C.   It was an hour south from where we lived in LA.  It was at the height of Boyz2Men’s success so they were the featured act, but Montell Jordan and TLC were also on the bill.  Sadly, TLC cancelled at the last minute due to health issues of one of the members.  My daughter was so bummed because they were her favorite band at the time and their song, “Waterfalls” was at the top of the charts.  But the place was packed and the crowd enjoyed the show nonetheless.  Maybe a bit too much.

At one point during the show, my son, ten years old at the time, blurted out, “What’s that smell, did someone let the horses in?”  What he didn’t know was that “someone” was smoking marijuana.  Since I grew up in a house with people who did that, I knew that what we were smelling at the concert wasn’t a stampede of horses!  I politely let our concert going neighbors know that ours was a family outing.  Ah, hello! Ahem!

Situations like those only provide us parents an opportunity to talk about some major life’s lessons .  Just not until the End of the Road after the concert.  I still prefer my highs to be sugar highs, truth be told.  So I’m gonna be Getting Figgy With It and sign off for now to enjoy some more figliciousness!

With big fig love,

YDP

ps. It has been brought to my attention that apparently there are technical difficulties (surprise, surprise) with my blog.  When I post the content on my laptop computer everything looks swell.  But from what I’ve been told, the photos look wonky on a mobile device.  Okay, ‘scuze me!  I’m a “special needs” computer person at best.  I will see what I can do about it, but I really appreciate your understanding in the meantime.