Meal and a Movie: Die Hard

Shirtless Bruce Willis, explosions and gunfire, 80s greed and drug use, German terrorists, bloody feet, inept police, and journalistic corruption: Die Hard (the original - NOT the sequel. Stay away from the sequel.) contains all the trappings of a master Christmas movie. Bruce's character, John McClane, travels from NY to LA on Christmas Eve, to meet up with his wife and kids. The wife, played by Bonnie Bedelia Culkin (now appearing in NBC's Parenthood as the matriarch with fabulous hair) moved to LA for a high paying corporate gig. And, gasp, is using her maiden name. Damned feminism! Time to teach her a lesson about feminine priorities. Enter the terrorists. And Bruce (a.k.a. John). Who saves the day.

I was all set to complete this posting when last night's Cleveland episode featured their version of Die Hard (Semi Hard), a nearly exact reenactment of the 1988 epic. And we witnessed the birth of a new holiday classic. Now, I recommend viewing Die Hard concurrently with the Cleveland Show's Semi Hard.

A Die Hard menu must include cocktail party foods from the 80s, which appropriately enough mostly came from California's hot cuisine: smoked salmon, brie (Anyone else baffled at the recent re-trending of brie en croute? Is this only a local thing? I thought the brie fad went the way of Tab.), avocado, and California sushi rolls. Splash around with a white wine spritzer or sparkling wine. Chain smoke if you are so inclined, or take a Kamakazi shot whenever Bruce lights up. Breath mints are a nice touch.

Mediterranean Guacamole
2 avocados
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup red pepper, diced
3 pepperoncini, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons pepperoncini "juice"
Salt and pepper to taste

Smash avocados with a potato masher. Fold in remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve with pita chips or on crostini.