Movie Night: About Time

September · The First Year Date Passport

A love story about time travel that's really about living each ordinary day like it matters. It's set on the English seaside, so tonight's menu is a chippy supper.

Tonight's Menu

• Meal: Beer-battered fish and oven chips with quick tartar sauce

• Snack: Salt and vinegar crisps

• Drink: Gin and tonic, or a cucumber tonic

• Dessert: Eton mess

Your Game Plan

1. 1 hour before: Get the chips in the oven and stir together the tartar sauce.

2. 20 minutes before: Fry the fish and mix your drinks.

3. Dessert time: Whip the cream and assemble the Eton mess. It takes five minutes.

Beer-Battered Fish

Serves 2 · 25 minutes

• 1 lb cod or haddock, cut into 4 pieces and patted dry

• 1 cup flour, plus extra for dusting

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup cold beer or sparkling water

• Neutral oil, for frying

• Lemon wedges

1. Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 375°F.

2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk in the cold beer until just smooth.

3. Dust the fish in flour, dip in batter, and carefully lower into the oil.

4. Fry 4 to 5 minutes, turning once, until deep golden. Drain on a rack and sprinkle with salt.

Oven Chips

Cut 2 russet potatoes into thick wedges. Toss with 2 tbsp oil and 1 tsp salt. Roast at 425°F for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp. Serve with malt vinegar.

Quick Tartar Sauce

Stir 1/2 cup mayo with 2 tbsp chopped dill pickles, 1 tsp capers, 1 tsp lemon juice, and a pinch of chopped dill.

Gin and Tonic

Makes 1, so double it

Fill a glass with ice. Add 2 oz gin, top with 4 oz tonic, and squeeze in a lime wedge.

Mocktail: Tonic water over ice with thin cucumber slices and a squeeze of lime.

Eton Mess

Serves 2 · 15 minutes

• 2 cups strawberries, chopped

• 2 tbsp sugar, divided

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 4 store-bought meringue cookies, roughly crushed

1. Toss the strawberries with 1 tbsp sugar and let sit 15 minutes.

2. Whip the cream with the remaining sugar to soft peaks.

3. Gently fold in the berries and meringue. Spoon into glasses and serve right away.

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