FIGHT CLUB : - Lobster Bisque

Fight Club, a master piece on celluloid and admittedly not a film you would immediately associate with food. But look a little deeper and you will discover a rant against the self gratifying society in which we live and in which food can play a part. But food to me makes life more interesting and along with a good film makes life a little better. One of my favourite foods featured in the film is Lobster Bisque and whilst working in a restaurant kitchen the infamous Tyler Durden (BradPitt) adds his own very special ingredient to the one he is preparing.  However I don't think anyone would want to eat that so why not try the reciepe shown below it is well worth the effort and you won’t be disappointed.

The Recipe

2 lobster, weighing about 500g, cooked

4 tbsp clarified butter, (ghee)

1 onion, finely chopped

1 large carrot, finely chopped

1 stick of celery, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

2 tbsp flour

4 tbsp drysherry

250 ml lobster stock

1 tbsp tomato purée

2 fresh bay leaves

1 sprig of thyme

1/2 tsp paprika

500 ml double cream

salt, and freshly ground black pepper

How to cook it

1. Remove all the meat and any liver from the lobsters. Discard the head sac and intestinal vein. Place the meat and liver in a bowl and chill.

2. Cut up the lobster shells as small as possible.

3. Heat a medium frying pan and add the butter. When it is really hot and sizzling, add the shells. Reduce the heat and fry for a couple of minutes, stirring. Add the minced vegetables and garlic, sprinkle in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes.

4. Transfer the contents of the pan to a large saucepan.

5. Deglaze the frying pan with the sherry, scraping up any sediment. Add the sherry and pan scrapings to the saucepan.

6. Heat the mixture, slowly adding the lobster stock and stirring until the bisque thickens.

7. Add the tomato purée, bay leaves, thyme, paprika and cream. Season to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes.

8. Pass the soup through a conical sieve (chinois) or muslin-lined fine sieve.

9. Discard the debris and pour the liquid back into the pan. Reheat over low heat for a moment. Check the seasoning.

10. Float the lobster pieces in the soup, but be careful not to cook them. Serve with a piece of lobster floating in each bowl.     

Thank you to http://uktv.co.uk for the above recipe


See below for a glimpse of the wonder that is Fight Club.

However if you wish for a slightly different recipe but still authentically Sicilian then why not try the following from probally the best Italian chef around at the moment Giorgio Locatelli.

Polpette al sugo (Meatballs with wild fennel in tomato sauce)

Ingredients

Plain Flour
300g pork mince
1 Onion, finely chopped
100g pecorino cheese, grated
50g breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon parsley and garlic
1 teaspoon chopped wild fennel, or fennel seeds, soaked in a little water
Sea salt and frehley ground pepper
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons olive l
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
a pinch of dried oregano

How to cook it

Firstly mix the pork mince with half the onion, the cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley and garlicand fennel.  Season, then mix in the beaten eggs.  With your hands divide the mixture and form into balls (about the size of a golfball).  Flatten them out slightly, then dust with flour and shake off the excess.

Heat half the o;ive oil in a pan.  Add the chopped garlic and the rest of the chopped onion and cook gently until soft, but not coloured.  Add the tomatoes. season and add the oregano.  Cover and cook over a high heat until the tomatoes have reduced down to crfeate a sauce (roughly 10 mins)

Heat the rest of the olive oil in another pan, put in the meatballs and fry until they are golden brown all over.  Add to the pan of sauce, cover, turn down the heat to low and simmer very gently for a further 10-15 minutes.

For other genuine Sicilian receipes take a look at Giorgio Locatelli Made in Sicily a great book if you are genuinly interested in proper Sicilian food.

GOODFELLAS : - Goodfellas Meatball Recipe

Here it is, the recipe you have all been waiting for the Goodfellas Meatball feast.  So get your mates around and indulge yourselves.

The below recipe serves 6 people

Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef + 1/2 pound ground pork or 1 pound ground beef + 3/4 pound ground veal + 1/4 pound ground pork (see Notes, below)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
• 1/4 cup chopped white or brown onions or shallots
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
• 1/4 cup grated fresh Romano or Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup dried, seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons chopped canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, or Basic Tomato Sauce (optional)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil (or more if needed)
Combine ground meats in a large bowl and mix together well with your hands. Add in eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add in all other ingredients except tomatoes or sauce and olive oil, and combine to form a mixture that is soft but still sticks together. If meatballs are too hard or dry, add chopped tomatoes or sauce.
Heat olive oil in frying pan. Place a small bowl of water and a plate near meatball mixture. While oil is heating, roll approximately 3 tablespoons of meatball mixture at a time into walnut-size balls in palm of your hand, adding a small amount of water if they don't roll well. Place each completed ball on the plate. Continue forming until all meatballs are done (you can place them on top of each other like a tower). Test the oil temperature — a drop of water should sizzle when it hits the oil. Fry meatballs in batches, turning until browned on all sides and cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Can be served plain, as main dish in any tomato sauce, or on an Italian roll with Parmesan, provolone, or mozzarella as a sandwich, or sliced and put on pizza.


And here is a taster of the film for all of you who have not yet seen the film.





Read more: Henry Hill Meatballs - Goodfellas Meatball Video and Recipe - Esquire http://www.esquire.com/blogs/food-for-men/henry-hill-meatballs-061312#ixzz2M7ze2OWK - See more at: http://www.esquire.com/blogs/food-for-men/henry-hill-meatballs-061312#sthash.AApcheQg.dpuf

Coming soon probably the ultimate recipe for Meatballs and Pasta from the ultimate gangster movie.  Yes thats right its Goodfellas.  Ever wanted to feel like a mobster, well eat this whilst watching this masterpiece and immerse yourself in everything Cosa Nostra.

Welcome to FoodFromFilm a new blog focused primarily on trying out good food featured in good films.  The blog will give reviews on food featured in the films and give information on recipes and suggest alternative ideas based around the primary ingredient. A new film/dish will be reviewed each week and clips of the film will be uploaded.