Movie Night: The Holiday

December · The First Year Date Passport

A snowy English cottage, a sunny LA mansion, and two unexpected love stories. Tonight is all about cozy, so put on fuzzy socks and light every candle you own.

Tonight's Menu

• Meal: Shepherd's pie

• Snack: Rosemary parmesan popcorn

• Drink: Mulled wine, or mulled cider

• Dessert: Sticky toffee pudding

Your Game Plan

1. 2 hours before: Make the shepherd's pie filling and potatoes. Start the mulled wine on low.

2. 1 hour before: Assemble and bake the pie. Bake the pudding right after it, or alongside.

3. 15 minutes before: Make the popcorn and ladle out your drinks.

4. Dessert time: Warm the toffee sauce and pour it over everything.

Shepherd's Pie

Serves 3 to 4 · 30 minutes prep, 25 minutes bake

• 2 lb russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 4 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup warm milk

• 1 lb ground lamb (or ground beef for a cottage pie)

• 1 onion and 2 carrots, finely diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp flour

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 cup beef broth

• 1 tsp fresh thyme

• 1 cup frozen peas

• Salt and pepper

1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash with the butter, milk, and salt.

2. Brown the lamb in a large skillet and pour off most of the fat. Add the onion and carrots and cook 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the garlic, flour, and tomato paste for 1 minute. Add the Worcestershire, broth, and thyme and simmer 10 minutes, until thick. Stir in the peas and season.

4. Heat the oven to 400°F. Spread the filling in a baking dish and top with the potatoes. Rough up the top with a fork.

5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top.

Rosemary Parmesan Popcorn

Melt 3 tbsp butter with 1 tsp finely chopped rosemary. Toss with 8 cups popcorn, 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan, and a pinch of salt.

Mulled Wine

Serves 4 · 25 minutes

• 1 bottle dry red wine

• 1 orange, sliced

• 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves, and 2 star anise

• 1/4 cup honey or sugar

• 1/4 cup brandy (optional)

Warm everything over low heat 20 minutes without boiling. Ladle into mugs.

Mocktail: Make the same recipe with 4 cups apple cider instead of wine, and skip the brandy.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Serves 6 · 20 minutes prep, 30 minutes bake

• 1 cup chopped pitted dates

• 3/4 cup boiling water

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 4 tbsp soft butter

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 cup flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• Pinch of salt

• Toffee sauce: 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup heavy cream, pinch of salt

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8x8 pan. Pour the boiling water over the dates and baking soda and let sit 10 minutes.

2. Beat the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the egg and vanilla.

3. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt, then the dates and their liquid.

4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

5. For the sauce, bring the butter, brown sugar, cream, and salt to a boil, stirring, and simmer 3 to 4 minutes.

6. Poke holes in the warm cake, pour over half the sauce, and serve the rest on the side.

Part of The First Year Date Passport from Flower City Ceremonies.