This months choice for Dinner and a Movie hosted by Susan of Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy and Marc of No Recipes is one of my all time favourite theatre productions... Shirley Valentine. Up until now I have never had the opportunity to watch the movie, but have always enjoyed the play in different cities and with different theatre companies. Shirley Valentine originated as a one-character play by Willy Russell. It is a monologue by a middle-aged, working class housewife from Liverpool, England which focuses on her life before and after a holiday to Greece that changed her life.
Shirley Valentine wonders what has happened to her life and her identity, her life is stagnant and in a rut. She finds herself regularly talking to the wall while preparing her husband's chips and egg. Her best friend wins a trip-for-two to Greece, so she packs her bags without a second thought, leaves a note on the kitchen table, and heads for a "fortnight" of rest and relaxation. "What she finds is romance and a new awareness of who she is and what her existence can be with just a little effort on her part."
The movie is one of those classics you never tire of which was produced in 1989. Shirley is played by actress Pauline Collins (who created the role on Broadway, and won a Tony for it).
Directed by Lewis Gilbert, "Shirley Valentine is an anthem to the freedom of the soul--with a generous dose of salt of the earth." As she assesses her life, Shirley's humor never fails her.
Directed by Lewis Gilbert, "Shirley Valentine is an anthem to the freedom of the soul--with a generous dose of salt of the earth." As she assesses her life, Shirley's humor never fails her.
Since I do not see Greece in my immediate future, the next best thing is to rent a good flick and sit down to some mezes. In honour of the movie I decided upon some pan fried haloumi cheese with some pita and lemon wedges...perfect for snacking on during the movie, easy and quick to prepare ...in my opinion definitely not overrated.
**Haloumi**
40g (1/4 cup) plain flour
2 x 250g packages haloumi cheese, drained, cut across into 1cm-thick slices
125ml (1/2 cup) olive oil
2 tbs finely chopped fresh mint
1 tbs olive oil, extra
Lemon wedges, to serve
************
Place the flour on a plate. Coat haloumi in flour and shake off any excess.Heat the oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add half the haloumi and cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until light golden brown. Transfer to a serving platter. Repeat with remaining haloumi.Sprinkle the haloumi with mint and drizzle with extra oil. Serve immediately with lemon wedges, if desired.
40g (1/4 cup) plain flour
2 x 250g packages haloumi cheese, drained, cut across into 1cm-thick slices
125ml (1/2 cup) olive oil
2 tbs finely chopped fresh mint
1 tbs olive oil, extra
Lemon wedges, to serve
************
Place the flour on a plate. Coat haloumi in flour and shake off any excess.Heat the oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add half the haloumi and cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until light golden brown. Transfer to a serving platter. Repeat with remaining haloumi.Sprinkle the haloumi with mint and drizzle with extra oil. Serve immediately with lemon wedges, if desired.
32 comments:
Mmm I'd love some pan fried haloumi!
Sounds like the perfect movie night. I really have to try haloumi. Never watched that movie before.
OPA!!! This is one of my favorite things. I've been wanting to join in this movie fun, but believe it or not, I couldn't find this movie at any of my local libraries or video stores :( I'm still going to try to find it, though...sounds like a good one :)
Perfect movie food Val :)
As soon as I saw the halloumi, I was right there with you. Yum to that - and great choice of film!
This movie is a favourite! A great tribute dish too Val!
I have never seen anything like this but it certainly looks delicious! I love the thought of fried cheese!
Looks delicious! I've always wanted to try haloumi but we don't have it here. Sad face.
I, too, enjoyed Shirley Valentine years ago but I've forgotten a lot. I guess it's time to rent it since Greece isn't in my immediate future either! Good looking pan friend cheese.
It's no secret that Shirley Valentine is one of my top 3. Just saw the play again and it's always like seeing it for the first time. What a nice way to celebrate Greece, freedom and awakening.
i have to try haloumi...never tried that before.
thanks for sharing the recipe dear :)
Going to have to check out this movie.
Nice simple meal with great flavors. Drooling over here dang it.
I bought my mom a whole package of haloumi she has yet to eat - I'll make it your way this weekend.
i don't see greece in my immediate future either, tragically. i do see it my future, however, some day. meanwhile, i'll just eat all the greek food i can. :)
You always have the ability to make simple ingredients look so incredibly tasty!!! I love Shirley....I think there is a Shirley in all of us some days!!!
Halloumi has to be my second fave cheese, right behind Feta, nicely done.
I say splurge & go to Greece this year.
Great recipe. I'm totally unfamiliar with the movie. Now I'll have to stick it in the Netflix queue.
This is one of my favorite recipes! Now I want to make it tonight!
Oh this looks so good. MY family is obsessed with Halloumi, we have a never ending supply in my fridge, and if we ever get down to one bar it is a tragedy and we go out and buy about 5 more at least!
shirley valentine takes me way back - i remember watching it in new zealand, and i was so proud to be telling people i was from greece!
your site is really great!
i like this too much...
thanks.
feel free to send me a photo - i will treat it as a challenge! mverivaki@hotmail.com
We were just up in Vancouver. Wasnt sure whee you are. We had a wedding on one of the Gulf Islands. Beautuiful place to live.
I love Haloumi!
Heh. I don't see Greece in my immediate future, either, but I keep wishing. I saw Shirley Valentine years ago and you've reminded me how much I enjoyed it. The dish is fabulous and has made me realize I still haven't used a piece of haloumi I bought a while back. Thank goodness there's a long code on it! Would love to give this a try.
I love pan fried haloumi. Its very expensive over here but the one time I made it, I fried it without any flour.. yours looks super yummy!
I love the film Shirley Valentine. I don't see myself in Greece in my immediate future, either but with good food like this and a great film I can almost feel I'm there.
and what a meal... yum... :)
I've never had it but it sounds great! And that was a fun movie.
This looks great! I adore halloumi, but like Emily, I have a sad face because I can't seem to find it in FL. So I will live vicariously through you!
Fried halloumi is such a Mediterranean treat!!! I think you did a great job of capturing a lovely and easy Greek movie-snack!
Thanks for sharing it!
Fried halloumi is so good! I like the squeek when you chew it.
This looks fantastic, Val! I love halloumi, especially prepared this way. I'd make it more often, but it costs a fortune down here!
Thanks so much for joining in this time. I hope to finally have the roundup posted sometime tomorrow.
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