For August I invited the Movies & Munchies crew to watch the new Netflix film Find Me Falling.
On the Screen
I hadn't intended to pick this movie for our event this month. But, as I was watching this for fun, there was a bar scene - about twenty minutes in - that was a veritable parade of Cypriot food and my mouth started to water. Okay, let me go back.
Find Me Falling stars Harry Connick, Jr. as a washed up rock star who retreats to Cyprus after a failed comeback attempt. He has purchased a house on the edge of a cliff and the movie opens with a man committing suicide at the cliff's edge right in front of Connick's character, John Allman. We find out he has been the island before and his summer romance with Sia, now the town's best doctor, resulted in one of his greatest hits - "Girl on the Beach" - and another surprise. I won't ruin the twist as it's still satisfying in its formulaic predictability.
This is Cyprus. Everyone knows everyone. Everyone is related to everyone.
Sometimes somber. Always beautiful. I don't think I'd call this a rom-com, but I am unsure into what genre to toss this film. Still I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope that the #MoviesandMunchies crew like it as well.
On the Plate
I already mentioned the parade of food at the local bar when Allman first hears Melina sing and when he runs into Sia again. We see overhead shots of kofta, halloumi, ravioli, and more. Allman asks, "Are they going to stop bringing us food?" No.
And then there is a plate of local snails. Let me show you how to suck, says his friend. "I know how to suck," Allman admits. But you can suck a lot more....
If I had any more of my Bajtra, A Cypriot Prickly Pear Liqueur, I would have poured some with this. We also get a glimpse of some gorgeous stuffed peppers that Melina is cooking for Allman and his date.
But I decided to go with a halloumi dish. Halloumi originated in Cyprus, during the Medieval Byzantine period, and gained popularity throughout the Middle East region. The cheese is often used in cooking and can be fried or grilled until brown without melting, owing to its higher-than-normal melting point. during the summer months Cypriots eat it, grilled, with watermelon. I opted for an appetizer of grilled halloumi over hummus served with toast points, capers, and pickled red onions. I just like to have a mixture of textures and flavors. In this case the halloumi is salty, hummus creamy, pickled onions tart. It's savory heaven.
Ingredients
1/2 pound Haloumi cheese, sliced into blocks
2 Tablespoons olive oil
oil for grill (pan)
Also needed: a grill or grill pan
Hummus
1 16 oz can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans (you can also use dried, soaked, and cooked chickpeas)
1/4 cup liquid from can of chickpeas
3 to 5 Tablespoons lemon juice (depending on taste)
1-1/2 Tablespoons tahini
3 to 4 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Serving
hummus
toasted baguette slices
capers
pickled red onions
Procedure
Hummus
Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from can. Combine remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Add 1/4 cup of liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 3 to 5 minutes on low until thoroughly mixed and smooth.
Halloumi
Heat grill or grill pan and rub with oil.
Place cheese on the grill. Use a metal spatula to scrape under the cheese before turning. Turn until evenly browned, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side.
To serve, place a dollop of hummus on a serving plate. Arrange grilled halloumi on top. Serve with toasted baguette slices, capers, and pickled red onions.
I can't wait to see what the others are inspired to make. Check back at the end of the month when I will round-up all of the participants and, probably, share a second Find Me Falling-inspired recipe. Stay tuned!
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