While You Were Sleeping
While You Were Sleeping turned 30 this year (2025), which makes me feel very, very old. But it’s a holiday classic that is beloved by millennials, Chicagoans, and true Sandra Bullock fans. It’s also my best friend’s favorite movie, so– YOU’RE WELCOME MEGAN.
The film follows Lucy Eleanor Moderatz, epically lonely singleton who mans a CTA tollbooth and works every holiday because she has no loved ones of her own. She has, however, fallen in “love” with a handsome metro patron who frequents her stop. Mooning over him from afar on Christmas Day, Lucy sees him getting attacked by muggers and pushed onto the train tracks– of course, she rescues him from being run over but not from a consequent coma (never mind that he only fell 5 feet). Once at the hospital, a case of mistaken identity ensues, and the hot stranger(Peter)’s family believes Lucy to be his fiancé. She falls in actual love with the family, they fall in actual love with her, and turns out Peter has a far superior brother who makes Lucy laugh and LEANS just the right way. Bill Pullman, aka Jack, you absolute stud.
Are the characters in While You Were Sleeping just a little silly? Yes. But they’re also charming and full of heart. As you watch, you find yourself rooting for everyone in the film– even putzy Peter. They all fall down frequently and pull themselves and each other up, much like the random extras you see literally falling while skating or biking throughout the film. They and Lucy persevere, and remain admirably hopeful all the while, which is a mentality I can get behind in these dark times.
So here’s a holiday menu that is not a sad Chicago street dog with JUST MUSTARD– rather, it’s a dinner fit for the Callaghan family table and one that Florence loving Lucy would fully appreciate. Lord knows she’s in need of a hot meal, an extended vacation, and a Jack to accompany (I empathize Lucy).
The Movie
The Menu
Be forewarned-- portions are very large and may put you into a coma BADUM BUMP. Prep your ingredients, starting with with your chuck roast. Using kitchen twine, truss the roast like you would a present with ribbon-- this will ensure the meat holds its shape during the braising process. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Next, roughly chop your onion, carrot and celery (no need to be super precise) and gather your garlic. Puree veggies and garlic in a blender or mini food processor until roughly smooth. Heat oil on high in a medium dutch oven until shimmering, and add chuck roast-- sear on all sides until bround, about 4 minutes total, and set on a plate to rest. Reduce heat to low, and add pureed veggies to the pan and cook until reduced a bit (call it 10 minutes). While you wait, gather the rest of. your gravy base ingredients: Once veggie puree is softened and fragrant, add in tomato paste followed by your other liquids and herbs. Bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer-- cook like this for about 5 minutes to let the ingredients meld. Add meat and turn to coat in sauce-- reduce heat to low, cover, and allow the meat to braise for about 3 hours until tender. Remove meat from the pan and allow to rest while you reduce your gravy base by increasing heat-- you'll want to see at least a 25% reduction in volume. Remove from heat and allow to cool while you slice your pot roast: Remove herbs from the braising liquid and add said liquid to a blender-- pulse until smooth. Spoon over sliced beef and make sure to write this down for the Elsies of your family. Also with an Italian twist, these mashed potatoes are buttery, salty, and perfect for a holiday feast. Luckily, the creamiest mashed taters don't need a ton of ingredients. Place your spuds into a large pot flled halfway with well salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 35 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender. While you wait, pour cream/milk mixutre into a large mixing bowl and add your butter. When your potatoes are done cooking, drain them and pass them through a ricer over room temp liquids and butter. Add parmesan, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and stir until thoroughly incorporated-- add more salt and pepper to taste if needed. Say it with me: This is a solid cheat recipe perfect for singletons and non-chefy fams. Especially women who are crushing on someone in a coma with only one ball (here are a bunch!). Only five ingredients! Yay! Heat pancetta in a non-stick pan over medium heat-- cook until crispy and drain on paper towels. Toss most of the pork grease from the pan, but keep about a tbsp to sautee your onions in. Do so over low heat until caramelized, then grate in your garlic clove. Sautee until fragrant. While you wait for your onions/garlic to caramelize, add peas to a bowl with a splash of water-- microwave for a minute to thaw, drain, and add to the pan with caramelized onions and garlic. Toss to coat, and squeeze a bit of lemon juice over. Serve warm. Jerry tells it like it is. Far more drinkable that I assume Elsie's was, based on Lucy's expression. But still with quite a bit of Jack (the more the better in my opinion). Ingredients! Using a hand mixer, mix egg yolks and sugar together in a medium bowl until light yellow and creamy. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cream, milk, nutmeg and salt. Stir often until mixture reaches a bare simmer. When you're ready to get your buzz on, top with crushed Oreos and garnish with a whole cookie on the rim. Much better than dipping them into a cat saucer full of warm milk.
Florentine Stracatto (aka Italian Pot Roast)
Ingredients
Instructions
These Mashed Potatoes are So Creamy
Ingredients
Instructions
A Side of Peas For the Girl in love with a frozen vegetable
Ingredients
Instructions
Elsie's Egg Nog with a Splash of Jack and an Oreo for Dipping
Ingredients
Instructions
Slowly and gradually trickle the hot milk to the egg mixture, continuing to use the hand mixer to beat the liquids together and temper the eggs without cooking them. Pour this mixture back into the saucepan and whisk over low heat until the mixture is just slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the nutmeg, vanilla, and alcohol. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into glasses, cover, and refrigerate until chilled.
Epilogue
If you think I’m the type of person to forget the feline friends in While You Were Sleeping, think again.
Cat Treats for Lucy's Unnamed child (Fluffy can have some too)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp all purpose flour (and more for dusting)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tsp dried catnip
- 1/3 cup finely shredded carrot
- 1 small egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 375.
In a small bowl, mix oil and flour until you have a rough looking sand mixture. Stir in catnip, salt and grated carrot, followed by your egg.
At this point, if the mix feels too wet/sticky to form into a ball, add a couple of tbsp of flour in small doses.
Flour a cutting board and roll out your dough to be about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle the surface will a little extra flour. Now, using a pizza wheel or knife, cut your dough into 1/4-1/2 inch squares. Toss onto a baking sheet, and bake for about 13 minutes until your treats turn golden brown.
Cool, and store in an airtight container for several days (or freeze!)-- your feline friends will not be disappointed.
For more menus, check out my movie directory here!