The March film for Movies & Munchies is Hidden Figures. Wendy from A Day in the Life of the Farm is hosting.
I had not seen this film so I was anxious to dig in. Mom and I watched it over Spring Break. I was glad that Wendy mentioned there wasn’t a lot of food in the movie because besides a brief pan of some church picnics there wasn’t any food mentioned at all but sometimes these are the most fun and creative challenges.
I really admired all the strong characters depicted in the film and I now want to read the book.
Though the film hinted at the violence of the civil rights movement, it felt a bit glossed over. I’m wondering how the issues were dealt with from a true historical standpoint in the book.
Did Al Harrison (Kevin Costner’s character) truly take care of the bathroom segregation issue?
The main characters—Katherine Goble Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)—were strong and resilient in their own ways. Whether it was taking the system to court, quietly working diligently, or learning Fortran from a “borrowed” library book, each character showed strength, bravery, and perseverance.
I wonder if I am that brave? It’s one thing to say, “If I had been there, I would have…” It’s another thing to truly act. These women truly acted.
As mentioned above, this is not a food-centric movie but I did see a bit, especially at those church potlucks. I few other ideas I had after viewing follow:
- Moonshine or whiskey
- Pickled carrots (on church table)
- Coffee…lots of coffee
- Pie (Pi)
I wish I had had it together for Pi Day and I would have whipped up a decadent sweet potato pie. (I almost did that anyway.) Instead I decided to revisit a cookie recipe I had tried over the holidays but ramp it up with a coffee kick and add a bit of whiskey. 
Cookies with Kick
If you need caffeine or another type of pick-me-up, these cookies will do.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 c. butter
- 3/4 c. brown sugar
- 1/2 c. white sugar
- 1 t. vanilla
- 1 T. whiskey
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 c. flour
- 1 scant T. espresso powder
- 1 t. baking soda
- 1 1/4 t. cinnamon
- 1/4 t. nutmeg
- 3/4 t. salt
- 3 c. old fashioned oatmeal
- 2/3 c. chopped pecans
- 2/3 c. desiccated shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Cream butter in a bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Add sugars and mix until creamy. Add vanilla, whiskey and egg. Beat until smooth.
- In a smaller bowl, combine flour, espresso powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt . Whisk the dry ingredients to combine. Add to creamed mixture and beat to combine. Add oatmeal, pecans and coconut. Mix until just combined.
- Use a cookie scoop to place cookies on a silicon lined baking sheet. Use your hand to smash slightly. Cook for 10-15 minutes. Remove to a wire rack until cool.
Yield: 3 dozen
These were delicious. The addition of the espresso and the whiskey pairs really well with the cinnamon and nutmeg and pecans. I will certainly make these again.
Thanks for picking this film, Wendy.
Reach out to the Movies & Munchies group on Facebook.
I’m so glad you liked the movie Debra. I love your cookies with a kick. I was planning on making pickled carrots but then came across the waffle battered fried chicken recipe. Thanks for joining me.
they do look like delicious homemade cookies!
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com