The Christmas Movie Cookbook - Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Old-Fashioned Meatloaf Review

The Christmas Movie Cookbook by Julia Rutland

The Dish: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

The Movie: While You Were Sleeping (1995)

The Rating: 4.5 stars

The Review: The potatoes have a lot of dairy. 3/4 cup butter, 1 cup sour cream, and 2 1/2 cups half and half. Just a warning for those who will need to pop a lactaid. All of this dairy creates the promised creamy effect. It's delicious. Additionally, if texture is important, the recipe says to peel the potatoes if you like but I didn't. No time nor energy, but I think it works with the skins. I will note I did not use salt (dietary restriction in this house) and when the potatoes were piping hot, they could use them. However, after being reheated and eaten with the meatloaf (also no added salt), I felt like the potatoes were just as tasty without the added sodium. I really enjoy this recipe. I will make it again.

The Dish: Old-Fashioned Meatloaf

The Movie: A Christmas Story (1983)

The Rating: 5 stars

The Review: Absolutely amazing. The recipe calls for sourdough or wheat bread. I prefer sourdough but others in my household don't so I used wheat. Still good and probably healthier. I was skeptical about the grated zucchini, having never been a real fan of the vegetable, but after its sautéed in butter with onions and garlic, the flavor profile of the zucchini isn't even on my radar in the finished product. The ketchup glaze is simple, tasty, and slight but effective. In this recipe, the ketchup is not the star, the meatloaf truly is. I've made several meatloaf recipes now, but I'm just about ready to declare this one my favorite. Delectable and feeding me veggies? Sign me up.

In terms of if these recipes are on point with their respective movies, I'm not sure. I haven't seen either enough to know for sure. The important take away is they are solid recipes and, realistically, could be made any time of year.