I’m relatively certain I saw Napoleon Dynamite in theaters five times when it came out. I also suspect that my high school bestie and I ruined the experience for everyone else by laughing so hard. The goofball dick bf watching in the auditorium got us …
30 years after its release (omg I’m OLD), Forrest Gump still holds up. Parts may not necessarily be as PC as they were once thought to be, but it’s still an A+ film that deserved all six of its Academy Award wins. That doesn’t even …
Fair enough. But it’s still a fun ride and Sean Patrick Flanery is feckin’ hot.
If you grew up in the 90’s, you’ve likely seen Boondock Saints and have since watched it on at least one St. Patrick’s Day since. It’s a dude movie through and through– brothers, guns, violence, crude humor, and lots of male bravado. But aside from the actually relevant theme of “everything sucks and is corrupt, someone actually do something about it”, there’s also Willem Dafoe– who is, as always, a terrific character actor.
If you HAVEN’T seen Boondock Saints, here’s the logline– sick and tired of the crime overtaking Boston, Irish Catholic fraternal twins Conner (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Murphy (Norman Reedus) decide to turn vigilante and kill ALL THE BAD GUYS. Together with their Italian buddy Rocco (David Della Rocco), they cut a bloody swathe through the city’s riff raff– only to find themselves chased by super savvy/flamboyant FBI agent Paul Smecker (Willem Dafoe) and a mysterious assassin (Billy Connelly) who it turns out is actually their [SPOILERS NEVERMIND].
Again, it’s not the best movie ever made. Nor is it in any way PC. Also they kill a cat. But hell, it is a classic St. Patty’s Day flick that happens to go perfectly with a huge plate of Shepherd’s Pie. So drink up folks, and blast The Blood of Cu Chulainn. Sláinte!
The Movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydXojYfCF3I&t=14s
The Menu
Irish Shot
Yield: 2 Cocktails
"There was a FIIIIIREFIIIIIIIGHT!!!!"
Note: You might recognize this bevvie as an "Irish Car Bomb" but that name is actually super offensive nowadays (particularly if you're in Ireland). So don't call it that anymore k? K.
Ingredients
1 oz Irish whiskey, divided (preferably Bulleit, because duh)
1 oz Baileys Irish cream, divided
Guinness beer
Instructions
Add the Baileys to two shot glasses, followed by the whiskey-- pouring slowly to create a layered effect.
Drop the shot into a pint glass filled half to three-quarters with the Guinness. Then CHUG CHUG CHUG before it curdles.
I Am The Lord My Shepherd's Pie
And Shepherds we shall be For Thee my Lord, for Thee Power hath descended forth from Thy hand Our feet may swiftly carry out Thy commands. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee And teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
Plus an onion bagel and cream cheese 'tato crust for Agent Smecker.
Ingredients
1 3/4 lb russet potatoes (3 large), peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
8 tbsp cream cheese
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup half & half, plus more as needed
1 egg yolk
1/4 heaping tsp onion powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1 heaping cup chopped yellow onion
2 garlic cloves
3/4 cup diced carrots
1 lb ground lamb (NOT BEEF! See Note)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
2 tsp minced rosemary leaves
1 1/2 tsp thyme leaves
1 large dried bay leaf (or two small ones)
1 tbsp butter
3 tbsp bread crumbs
3/4 tsp dried onion flakes
Instructions
Place the potatoes in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water. Bring the water to a boil and cook until fork tender. From the time the potatoes hit the water, this should be about 40 minutes. Drain in a colander and pour into a mixing bowl. While still hot, add cream cheese, half and half, first batch of salt/pepper, and onion powder-- beat with a hand mixer until smooth.
Cover and set aside.
Now for the meaty filling!
Preheat oven to 400, and heat a cast iron skillet over medium low heat. Add olive oil and onions. Cook about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened and slightly translucent. Mince your garlic and add to the skillet together with your carrots, stirring to coat with what oil is left in the pan. Cook for roughly 2 minutes. Add the ground lamb and use a wooden spoon to break it up as it cooks. While the lamb is still slightly pink, add salt/pepper and flour, tossing to coat the meat. Next, add the worcestshire sauce and remaining ingredients all the way through to the bay leaf.
Bring to a boil, and then immediate reduce heat to low and simmer for roughly 7 more minutes, allowing the sauce around the meat to thicken.
In a small saute pan, melt butter and toss in your breakcrumbs-- toast over medium heat until golden brown. Remove from heat and throw in your onion flakes. Spread your potato mixture over your meat filled skillet and sprinkle liberatlly with buttered breadcrumbs/onion flakes.
Bake uncovered for 27-30 minutes, and cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
If you prefer beef, go for it. But keep in mind you will not be making a Shepherd's Pie-- it's a Cottage Pie.
Sidekick Peas, Sicilian Style
Fuckin'- What the fuckin'. Fuck. Who the fuck fucked this fucking... FUCK THESE ARE GOOD PEAS.
RIP Rocco aka Funny Man-- you're an asshole cat killer but I'm giving you a recipe anyway.
Ingredients
1 leek, white part only, chopped (about 1/3 cup)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 lb thin asparagus, bottoms trimmed and cut at an angle into 1-inch long pieces (roughly 2 cups)
2 cups peas (thawed if frozen)
Splash of white wine
Healthy squeeze of lemon juice
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Handful of torn basil leaves
Instructions
Gather your ingredients together, and dream of Sicily.
Heat stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Add oil, and toss in your leeks-- stir until just tender, about 4 minutes. Be careful that they don't burn! Add the asparagus, peas, salt, pepper, and a glug of white wine, then cover the skillet. Cook over medium heat until vegetables are tender but still slightly al dente, about 5 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to cook for 2 more minutes to allow any residual heat to cook off.
Just before serving, toss in freshly torn basil and lemon zest, seasoning with a bit more salt to taste. Buon appetito!
Chocolate Pennies
A penny saved is worth two in the bush, isn't it?
Especially if you have eye sockets and you're DEAD.
Ingredients
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp whiskey vanilla (if you have it)
2 tbsp finely chopped pistachios
Edible gold foil for wrapping
Instructions
Combine the chocolate chips and shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until smooth and melted. Add vanilla and pistachios and stir to combine. Pour into circular silicon molds (see below for an Amazon link to buy) and refrigerate until chocolate is firm.
Remove coins from silicon and wrap delicately in gold foil.
Then say a prayer and head on down the River Styx.
Guys, don’t watch the Boondock Saints sequel. It’s bad. I mean really bad. If you need another St. Patty’s Day film, highly recommend Grabbers. Or Once. Or Sing Street. Anything that isn’t Boondock Saints 2. Julie Benz you’re so much better than that horrific southern accent.
Hocus Pocus– what a goofy ass time. Is it deserving of critical acclaim? No. But it’s a Halloween staple that everyone loves so much Disney just released a sequel 29 years later. And Sarah is STILL REALLY FUNNY! Both Hocus Pocus 1 & 2 star …
As I write this post, it is officially the one-week anniversary of learning the results of the 2020 election. What a ride the last seven days have been. And I could not think of a more appropriate movie to celebrate the outcome than The American …