Meal and a Movie: Miracle on 34th Street

I have a lot of opinions about Holiday movies and the order in and dates upon which they should be viewed. Miracle on 34th Street, for example, MUST BE VIEWED on Thanksgiving Weekend. The meal that should be served while watching depends on whether you have Thanksgiving leftovers.

If your refrigerator is bursting with leftover turkey and stuffing and cranberry sauce, prepare a simple sandwich on white bread (peanut butter and jelly, or bologna) reminiscent of Alfred and Kris's lunch together in the cafeteria. Serve with a tall glass of whole milk and a side of Jello or pudding. To experience the underbelly (large though it is) of Santa, don't forget the "bottle of something to keep you warm," preferably adorned in a brown paper bag.

If, like T and me, you have no leftovers because your Thanksgiving feast is provided by family or friends, prepare a mini-feast with enough heat to wake you out of your post-repast delirium: grilled steak, cranberry salsa, sweet potatoes or yams with lots of cilantro, lime, and cayenne, and Chorizo stuffing. Serve with martinis.

Movie notes and personal puzzlement: blame it on our current culture of creepy, but every time Kris hides in the shadows waiting to tuck Susan in to bed I get very uncomfortable. Who lets a strange man into their child's room with the door closed? And the relationship between Doris and "Uncle Fred" really speeds along. Within a week of meeting they are calling each other "dear." Within the month they are in love and engaged. And martinis are pretty much 100% alcohol. How does one make them "triple strength"?

Chorizo Stuffing
Serves 4 

1/2 white onion, diced
1 to 2 jalapenos, diced
1 link spicy Chorizo, chopped
1/4 cup whole cranberry sauce
2 to 3 cups dried cornbread crumbs or cubed
Several cups of chicken broth (add more for wet dressing, less for dry)
Zest and juice from one large tangerine or orange
A few sprigs of thyme
Butter

Melt a few teaspoons butter in large pan over medium heat; add onion, pepper, and sausage and cook until onions are translucent. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients. Toss ingredients together until well combined; put into buttered casserole, dot with butter, and bake, covered, in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue cooking for additional 10 - 15 minutes.