Meal and a Movie: Gremlins
Gremlins are Japanese beetles, bed bugs, and head lice all rolled into one ghastly beast. Once they become an epidemic getting rid of them is costly, and during the siege your whole town may be destroyed.
Gremlins is also a perfect Christmas movie, especially for families with young teens. The kids will be empowered watching Billy first endanger the town with his irresponsibility, then save the town and get the girl due to his bravery and smarts. We parents can nod with recognition at the lessons this movie provides: Americans are not responsible enough to understand cross cultural relationships, Americans profit off of poor immigrants, and that profit becomes a threat to the world. Pretty heavy stuff for a light comedy.
What to eat while enjoying these lessons? The optimal meal is of course McDonald's or Chinese takeout reheated in the microwave. Savor this feast with a yoghurt smoothie you concoct in the blender. Have plenty of water on hand. For dessert: movie candy and Gremlin cookies.
These versatile cookies can also be served during screenings of Rudolph (make Abominable Snowmonsters by using almond bark instead of chocolate chips and add a mouth with black shoestring licorice) and The Grinch (use almond and add green food coloring).
Gremlins
Makes 18 - 24
1/4 cup butter1/2 cup marshmallows
12 ounces chocolate chips (about 2 cups)
3 cups chow mein noodles
1 cup peanuts
48 red hot candies
Melt butter, marshmallows, and chocolate over low heat; stirring constantly. Mix melted ingredients with noodles and peanuts in large bowl until well combined. Shape round cookies using a few tablespoons of the mixture for each cookies and place on parchment paper. Press two candies onto the top of each cookie (for eyes). Allow to cool and set about 2 hours; store in airtight container.
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