Delicious and clever snacks for an Alan Rickman movie night?
January 25, 2016 12:30 PM Subscribe
In honor of the late, great British actor, about 10 of our friends are coming over for an Alan Rickman Film Festival. By popular vote, we'll be watching Sense and Sensibility, Die Hard, and Galaxy Quest. I'd love to serve cleverly on-theme foods and adult beverages, but I'm absolutely stumped.
For Sense and Sensibility, one possibility is high-tea foods (tiny sandwiches and desserts). But is there a clever-er option? And what on earth would be good for the other films?
To give you an idea of my sense of humor, and what I hope to achieve here, I made a cheeseball christened the Brokeback Blue Cheese Mountain for a friend's Oscar party a few years ago.
I have a pretty well-equipped kitchen (including an oven, broiler, microwave, deep fryer, KitchenAid, and warmers for serving) and all day Saturday to cook. I've got access to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and regular grocery stores. Make-ahead items preferred.
We're all in our 30s and 40s and there will be a mix of guys and girls. Basically everyone prefers beer and red wine to fancy cocktails, but if there is an outstanding signature cocktail suggestion it wouldn't go to waste.
One friend doesn't eat pork and another is allergic to chocolate but neither would object if those ingredients were in one or two dishes, as long as they have other options.
For Sense and Sensibility, one possibility is high-tea foods (tiny sandwiches and desserts). But is there a clever-er option? And what on earth would be good for the other films?
To give you an idea of my sense of humor, and what I hope to achieve here, I made a cheeseball christened the Brokeback Blue Cheese Mountain for a friend's Oscar party a few years ago.
I have a pretty well-equipped kitchen (including an oven, broiler, microwave, deep fryer, KitchenAid, and warmers for serving) and all day Saturday to cook. I've got access to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and regular grocery stores. Make-ahead items preferred.
We're all in our 30s and 40s and there will be a mix of guys and girls. Basically everyone prefers beer and red wine to fancy cocktails, but if there is an outstanding signature cocktail suggestion it wouldn't go to waste.
One friend doesn't eat pork and another is allergic to chocolate but neither would object if those ingredients were in one or two dishes, as long as they have other options.
Now I Have A Machine Gun Ho Ho Hos
posted by mochapickle at 12:42 PM on January 25, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by mochapickle at 12:42 PM on January 25, 2016 [7 favorites]
Wine from Napa Valley - Bottle Shock
Tequila shots - Dogma
posted by lizbunny at 12:50 PM on January 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
Tequila shots - Dogma
posted by lizbunny at 12:50 PM on January 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
You might find something appropriate for Sense & Sensibility in one of the many Jane Austen themed cookbooks.
And obviously you need a lot of Twinkies for Die Hard.
posted by brookeb at 12:51 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
And obviously you need a lot of Twinkies for Die Hard.
posted by brookeb at 12:51 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
Best answer: what about a bowl full of gummy worms for Galaxy Quest? - or maybe use squid ink pasta to make it look like the worms he is served while in character?
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 12:58 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 12:58 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
Hans Grouper?
posted by bunderful at 12:59 PM on January 25, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by bunderful at 12:59 PM on January 25, 2016 [7 favorites]
Sheriff of Notting Ham?
Eaten with a spoon, because it HURTS more.
posted by Strange Interlude at 12:59 PM on January 25, 2016 [7 favorites]
Eaten with a spoon, because it HURTS more.
posted by Strange Interlude at 12:59 PM on January 25, 2016 [7 favorites]
Something Indian? Margaret Dashwood asks Colonel Brandon about going to the East Indies:
Margaret: Have you really been to the East Indies, Colonel?
Colonel Brandon: I have.
Margaret: What's it like?
Sir John Middleton: Like? Hot.
Colonel Brandon: [mysteriously] The air is full of spices.
Sigh. I've lost count of how many times I've seen this movie. All because of my love for Colonel Brandon!
posted by cecic at 1:02 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
Margaret: Have you really been to the East Indies, Colonel?
Colonel Brandon: I have.
Margaret: What's it like?
Sir John Middleton: Like? Hot.
Colonel Brandon: [mysteriously] The air is full of spices.
Sigh. I've lost count of how many times I've seen this movie. All because of my love for Colonel Brandon!
posted by cecic at 1:02 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Grabthar's Hammer Beer
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 1:04 PM on January 25, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 1:04 PM on January 25, 2016 [4 favorites]
Best answer: One of the lines in Sense and Sensibility is "Do you know if she likes olives?" (About poor broken-hearted Marianne.) So how about a nice assortment of olives? (I really like olives) I might start with a nice antipasta platter, full of cheeses, meats, marinated veggies, etc. This also gives folks a chance to pick the yummies they like the best.
This would segue into your Rickmanicotti (excellent suggestion) of which you can do a sausage sauce or fully vegetarian, however you deem appropriate.
I may also have a haunch of something, a ham is as good an item as any. It goes nicely with antipasta and manicotti.
You can do a number of munchy and nibbly things, because it's a party.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:07 PM on January 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
This would segue into your Rickmanicotti (excellent suggestion) of which you can do a sausage sauce or fully vegetarian, however you deem appropriate.
I may also have a haunch of something, a ham is as good an item as any. It goes nicely with antipasta and manicotti.
You can do a number of munchy and nibbly things, because it's a party.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:07 PM on January 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
I may also have a haunch of something, a ham is as good an item as any.
Grabthar's Ham?
posted by mochapickle at 1:11 PM on January 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
Grabthar's Ham?
posted by mochapickle at 1:11 PM on January 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
For an adult drink, you could serve rickeys. In fact, I'd make a Rickman-ey by adding a twist of grapefruit to the drink, because the man himself always introduces a little something unexpected to your movie.
posted by thetortoise at 1:13 PM on January 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by thetortoise at 1:13 PM on January 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Yippee-ki-yay fluffernutters.
posted by Sys Rq at 1:15 PM on January 25, 2016 [18 favorites]
posted by Sys Rq at 1:15 PM on January 25, 2016 [18 favorites]
Best answer: Something from Potions class, involving tequila. Expecto Patrón.
posted by dywypi at 1:37 PM on January 25, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by dywypi at 1:37 PM on January 25, 2016 [6 favorites]
I'd theme from the movies. Xmas oriented buffet items, including alcoholic drinks, and of course some powdered sugar on a mirror for Die Hard. Tea and small sandwiches with crusts removed for Sense and Sensibility. And food a la the "regional cuisine" selection the crew gets for Galaxy Quest. Just arrange each set of items separately with an appropriate movie quote or picture. Or serve each "course" just before screening that particular movie.
posted by bearwife at 2:09 PM on January 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by bearwife at 2:09 PM on January 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
artichoke hearts, served....with a spoon
kale chips: extremely dry, crisp, slightly bitter, a little salty, and sooo good for you
posted by amtho at 2:27 PM on January 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
kale chips: extremely dry, crisp, slightly bitter, a little salty, and sooo good for you
posted by amtho at 2:27 PM on January 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Just remembered, Rickman played Hilly Kristal in CBGB (excellent, entertaining movie). You can make Hilly's Chili. (not fancy, kind of gross if you've seen the movie, but...it works.) Actually, use a recipe you have. You don't want to eat CBGB chili.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 3:18 PM on January 25, 2016
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 3:18 PM on January 25, 2016
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone, for the incredible ideas. So much great material here, both the punny ideas (e.g. Alan Rickman-icotti and "Kernel" Brandon Popcorn) and the sincere ones (e.g. olives). Keep 'em coming...it wouldn't be my party if I didn't make too much food.
It's been a rough couple of weeks for fans of music and film and I've found it to be a great comfort to plan a celebration of the wonderful work left behind.
posted by slmorri at 3:18 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
It's been a rough couple of weeks for fans of music and film and I've found it to be a great comfort to plan a celebration of the wonderful work left behind.
posted by slmorri at 3:18 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
Willoughbean Dip
Nakatomi Pizza
Where-Are-My-Deton-Taters
Bill Clay-Pot Chicken
For dessert, Colonel Brandy Balls... or Flans Gruber.
posted by argonauta at 3:24 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
Nakatomi Pizza
Where-Are-My-Deton-Taters
Bill Clay-Pot Chicken
For dessert, Colonel Brandy Balls... or Flans Gruber.
posted by argonauta at 3:24 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
Definitely replace all the wine labels with "Chateau Montalena" - Rickman's performance in Bottle Shock was absolutely terrific fun.
posted by nkknkk at 4:02 PM on January 25, 2016
posted by nkknkk at 4:02 PM on January 25, 2016
Serve guacamole with the kale chips.
Stuffed mushrooms (to commemorate his turn as the Blue Caterpillar).
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 4:17 PM on January 25, 2016
Stuffed mushrooms (to commemorate his turn as the Blue Caterpillar).
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 4:17 PM on January 25, 2016
OK Here's a punny one. In a shot glass make a Midnight Samurai (3/4 oz Kaluha and 1 oz Sake) add a coffee bean (or two) to the glass and call it.....wait for it....
Mr Takagi's Bean Shot!
posted by Zedcaster at 4:57 PM on January 25, 2016 [4 favorites]
Mr Takagi's Bean Shot!
posted by Zedcaster at 4:57 PM on January 25, 2016 [4 favorites]
You could lay out a picnic in reference to that scene in Sense and Sensibility (in the book they eat "cold ham and chicken").
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 5:14 PM on January 25, 2016
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 5:14 PM on January 25, 2016
I'm straining to think of something clever to do with shot glasses because of the key line he uttered in Die Hard, "Shoot the glass."
posted by puddledork at 7:14 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by puddledork at 7:14 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
I'm straining to think of something clever to do with shot glasses because of the key line he uttered in Die Hard, "Shoot the glass."
Shooters, of course. With instructions to everyone to shoot the glass.
posted by bearwife at 9:46 PM on January 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Truly, Madly Deepdish Apple Pie.
Excellent party plan.
posted by theora55 at 6:47 AM on January 26, 2016 [4 favorites]
Excellent party plan.
posted by theora55 at 6:47 AM on January 26, 2016 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: MeFis, you exceeded my expectations. So many amazing ideas. If I had a bigger couch, everyone would be invited. I marked as best answer the ones I plan to implement/adapt. Including the ideas my friends came up with, we now have a comprehensive Alan Rickman movie snack thread!
Here's the menu:
Mrs. Jennings' Miracle Heartbreak-Curing Olives
"Kernel" Brandon's Popcorn
Galaxy Queso
Nakatomi Tower of Cheese Cubes
Stuffed Snape Leaves
Spaghetti alla Rasput-tanesca
Sheriff of Notting-ham Sandwiches on Mini Pretzel Rolls
Yippee-ki-yay fluffernutters
Dr. Lazarus's Kep-mok bloodticks (Haribo Gummy Centipedes)
Expecto Patron (Cranberry-Strawberry Margarita Punch)
Honorable mentions to Alan Rickmanicotti and Truly Madly Deep-dish Apple Pie, which I want to use but can't fit on the table. Other ideas from guests: Die Hard Boiled Eggs, January Manchego, and Slytherenchiladas/Slytherempanadas. Also, I want very badly to serve Grabthar's Hammer Beer but so far I haven't had any luck finding it in my area. Thanks everyone!
posted by slmorri at 12:18 PM on February 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
Here's the menu:
Mrs. Jennings' Miracle Heartbreak-Curing Olives
"Kernel" Brandon's Popcorn
Galaxy Queso
Nakatomi Tower of Cheese Cubes
Stuffed Snape Leaves
Spaghetti alla Rasput-tanesca
Sheriff of Notting-ham Sandwiches on Mini Pretzel Rolls
Yippee-ki-yay fluffernutters
Dr. Lazarus's Kep-mok bloodticks (Haribo Gummy Centipedes)
Expecto Patron (Cranberry-Strawberry Margarita Punch)
Honorable mentions to Alan Rickmanicotti and Truly Madly Deep-dish Apple Pie, which I want to use but can't fit on the table. Other ideas from guests: Die Hard Boiled Eggs, January Manchego, and Slytherenchiladas/Slytherempanadas. Also, I want very badly to serve Grabthar's Hammer Beer but so far I haven't had any luck finding it in my area. Thanks everyone!
posted by slmorri at 12:18 PM on February 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
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posted by shortyJBot at 12:34 PM on January 25, 2016 [2 favorites]