I know it’s not December yet; I’m not a Cotton-Headed Ninny-Muggin. But, is it really too early to start the holiday movie fest?

Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm is hosting Movies & Munchies for November. I couldn’t agree more with her decision. Let’s get this holiday party started with Elf.

I sat down to watch the film as soon as it was announced in very early November. It definitely put me in the holiday spirit.

The old Food ‘n Flix group watched Elf way back in 2013. You can read that post here along with a recipe for Dulce de Leche White Chocolate Cookies. At the time I wrote that I felt like I was wimping out by just posting a cookie for the event.

I really wanted to make up for it this time.

So, I put on foodie googles and re-watched the film carefully. Here’s what I came up with:

• Nabisco Cookies (reference to one of the three elf jobs)
• Candy canes (from the opening)
• Milk and cookies
• Milk shots
• Apples (on the school desks)
• Ray’s Pizza on 11th (the original according to Santa)
• Sugar plums
• World’s Best Cup of Coffee (and diner pies)
• Passion Fruit Spray
• Chicken and green bean stir fry (at Walter’s home) ???
• Gingerbread houses and cookie dough
• Lollipops at doctor’s office
• Salad, spaghetti, olives, coca cola, red wine
• Maple syrup (lots of maple syrup)
• “Candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup” (the four food groups)
• Christmas cookies
• Waffle Cone/Cannoli-like dessert
• Popcorn
• Swiss Rolls
• Marshmallows, sprinkles, M&Ms, Pop Tarts, Hershey’s syrup (on spaghetti)
• Bad coffee
• Whiskey in coffee
• Ramen noodles
• Twirly Swirly gumdrops

I almost created an almond bark candy with mini marshmallows, M&Ms, crumbled pop tarts, chocolate chips and drizzled icing “spaghetti” (from Buddy’s breakfast).

Then I remembered this meal.

You might be amazed that this meal was only $38. It was in 2016! One of our favorite restaurants hosted this pre fixe meal because Elf: The Musical was in town. (We didn’t see the production but we did eat this meal.) I still remember that salad so fondly! I decided to try to replicate it for this event.

This is almost a clean-out-your-fridge salad. I had intended on using fresh red bell peppers but I spaced out on the last grocery store run. Instead I used some jarred roasted red peppers. I threw in the green onions at the last minute because I just had a smidgen to use. I think cucumbers would be great in this salad, too.

Buddy Salad (Chilled Noodle Salad)

By Debra

This is a great lunch salad or a side for grilled chicken.

Ingredients

• 12 oz. spaghetti
• 1/4 c. soy sauce
• 3 T. toasted sesame oil
• 2 T. maple syrup
• 2 T. seasoned rice vinegar
• 1 T. chopped fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, mashed
• 1/4 t. red chili flakes
• 1/2 c. pepperoncini peppers, sliced
• 1/2 c. shredded carrots
• 1/2 c. jarred roasted red pepper, chopped
• 1/2 c. green onions, chopped
• 1/2 c. gorgonzola, crumbled (or to taste)

Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti according to directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Place in a large serving bowl.
2. While pasta is cooking, make the dressing. Place the soy sauce, sesame oil, maple syrup, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic and chili flakes in a small food processor or blender. Pulse until emulsified.
3. Toss the spaghetti with the dressing. (It’s OK at this point if the pasta is still a bit warm.)
4. After pasta (and dressing) is cool, toss in the pepperoncini, carrots, red pepper, and green onions.
5. Sprinkle the gorgonzola on top. Chill or serve immediately.

Yield: 4-6

I know it’s a weird combo with the Asian flavors, the pickled peppers, and the gorgonzola. But, is it really any weirder than Buddy’s spaghetti concoction with marshmallows, sprinkles, M&Ms, Pop Tarts, and Hershey’s syrup? If you still think so, leave out the cheese. To each their own.

I was very glad Wendy hosted this film. It put me in the holiday spirit. I don’t know what it is about holiday movies, but I always get a little teary-eyed at the end. It was no different with Elf, especially when Jovie was leading them all in the caroling. Will Ferrell is a comic genius and I found myself laughing out loud many times, especially at his physical comedy.

If you were not able to make the November roundup, you might want to consider joining Movies & Munchies for December. It will be a potluck! Choose whatever holiday movie you like. Look for an announcement post here soon (and on our Facebook group page).

Happy Thanksgiving to all!