Food ‘n Flix has introduced me to some of my favorite all time films (foodie and otherwise). 

My first introduction to this fab film group was Big Night.  I was smitten.  I could list all of my favorite FnF movies here but instead, I will just list the somewhat obscure films that were in the rotation that are on my all time favorite list today.

1. The aforementioned Big Night.
2. Stranger than Fiction (which we recently rewatched)
3. Butter
4. Chef
5. Pieces of April
6. The Lunchbox
7. This Beautiful Fantastic

Then, there’s those great foreign films:  Volver, Pan’s Labyrinth, Babette’s Feast, Delicatessen.  

And, I love that FnF gives me the excuse to watch great animation like The Incredibles and Kung Fu Panda and Wreck It Ralph.  

We revisit the classics, too, like Breakfast Club, Dirty Dancing, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner….

Alas, there are a few duds every once in while, but watching a film with foodie goggles on has become one of my favorite pastimes.  Anytime we’re watching a film and see food, I can’t help but think, “This might make an interesting FnF suggestion.”  (For all my FnF ramblings, click here.)

Anywhoo…my point is that I’ve been exposed to some great viewing that I normally would not have had the inclination or even the knowledge to seek out.    This month’s film, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is one.   Culinary Adventures with Camilla is hosting.   If you haven’t seen this film, check it out.

This film (based on the epistolary novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows) is set in post WWII England.  Elizabeth McKenna (Jessica Brown Findlay) is a plucky young writer trying to emerge from her comical alter ego, Izzy (a male pseudonym).  She has fame and fortune and a hunky American fiance.  She has it all.

Then, along comes a mysterious letter and her outlook and world changes.   She becomes intrigued with “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,” a group formed during the German occupation of this Channel Island.   Elizabeth travels there and becomes obsessed with finding out about Juliet (Lily James), the founder of the group.   She befriends the members of the society:  the practical Eben (Tom Courtenay), the quirky Isola (Katherine Parkinson), the grim Amelia (Penelope Winton), and pig farmer Dawsey (Michiel Huisman).     She becomes enamored by her new friends, their story, and the island.

I don’t want this description to sound like a quirky British rom-com.  It is far from it.   All of these characters (including Juliet) are still recovering from the horrors of war whether it was surviving bombings, losing loved ones, or dealing with a Nazi takeover.  However, considering all the dark themes, it is still a sweet film.

There’s a bit of food in the film (beyond the somewhat inedible Potato Peel Pie from the title) like roasted pig and Eben’s scones.   I was drawn to Isola’s character though.

I loved her quirky wardrobe and her profession:  gin maker!

She supplied the literary society (and the island) with her own unique spin on infused gins.  So, instead of a proper British scone with clotted cream, I decided to infuse some good London gin with Earl Grey tea.

Isola in with her herbs and flowers for infusing.

Earl Grey Infused Gin

By Debra

Use whatever gin you like and experiment with other tea flavors. Orange pekoe would be interesting.

Ingredients

• 2 c. classic London Dry-style gin
• 2 bags of Earl Grey tea (I used Teavana’s Earl Grey Crème).

Instructions

1. Place gin in a sterilized pint jar.
2. Add tea bag, screw on lid and let set for 1-3 hours.  (Taste hourly to test the flavor profile.  Discard bags when you reach your mark.)
3. Remove tea bag and discard. Use gin for your favorite cocktail.

Yield: 1 pint

Infusing.

If you would like some delicious cocktail recipes, click here.  (I especially like the Corgi Cuppa with the tea gin, honey, lemon and bitters.)

It’s almost “tea” time.

The overtones of vanilla with the hint of lavender of the Teavana Earl Grey Crème gives the infusion some deliciousness.

Have a sip o’ tea.

I like this gin for sipping, with just a lemon wedge.

It’s early in July yet, so you have plenty of time to view this gem and make your own potato pie, scones, or gin cocktail!   If you can’t make it this month, make sure to check in for August as  Simply Inspired Meals is hosting anything Star Wars!  Look for the announcement during the first of the month at Food ‘n Flix.