Karen and I went to the movies today to see The Help! The movie was great – I laughed as much as I cried. Other than a poignant storyline and great characters, I really loved the vintage set – clothes, décor, furniture. I thought the movie was a fabulous adaptation of the book.
When the movie concluded at 6:45, I came home to find two sheet pans of dinner roasted: tofu, eggplant, sweet potato.
Matt did the basics and then we put everything together in bowls to eat.
Served over salads with leftover millet and Karen’s Sundried Tomato pesto (Just a jar of sundried tomatoes in oil, walnuts, grated parmesan cheese, small handful of basil. All blended in food processor).
Plain yogurt on top! This was SO GOOD!
After dinner I had two figs (YAY for fig season!!) with Cacao Bliss chocolate coconut butter nestled inside. Yum!
And so the week concludes…
lynn @ the actor's diet says
oh figs. how i love thee! they sound heavenly eaten that way.
haven’t read the book, but i’d love to see “the help” – i heard an interesting interview with the creators on NPR of the movie, and it sounds like they went through a lot to get it made.
Baking N Books says
The book is so good. I would like to see the movie – but am not sure about sitting in the theater for 2 1/2 hours…
Sarah K. says
It’s a great movie so it doesnt feel like 2.5 hours at all!
Cathy says
the time flys by…..so engrossed in the Help.
Baking N Books says
Thanks! I’m like that with most long movies though – even the really good ones 🙂
Cathy says
I usually am too…Guess because I had my daughter w/me this time was different.
Baking N Books says
I’ll drag a friend then if I can 😉
Cathy says
sounds like a plan….lol 🙂
Mary says
I found fresh figs at my grocery store today, too. LOVE!!!
Krissy - Shiawase Life says
That dinner looks so good!
Jil @ Big City, Lil' Kitchen says
Yum figs, and I’ve been wanting to see The Help – glad to hear that it’s good!
Angel7 says
Ever since I started reading your blog and read how you eat dates every so often, I bought our 3 year-old daughter dates and figs. She loves both of them–great healthy snack!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
kaila @ healthy helper! says
Glad the movie was good! Makes me even more excited to see it!
I had a roasted dinner tonight too! Love that char!!!
Kristin says
you guys are so great at throwing together wonderful meals without recipes. I need to start making versatile things like pesto/hummus/dressings that could be used throughout the week in different ways. for now I am always planning specific recipes, and I end up never using some of the leftover things in my pantry/fridge/freezer!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Oh wow, never would’ve thought of that combo with figs! I usually do the goat cheese or honey route but that looks like a delicious dessert!
Shaya (Eye Girl Eats) says
Mmm what delicious-looking stuffed figs!! Dinner looked amazing.
The Help was sooo good, one of the best movies I’ve seen this year 🙂
kristen, sweetly says
i HAVE to read the help before i let myself see it. i held out for months for eat pray love, and it was definitely worth it to experience the book first. same with the time traveler’s wife. two books i loved, where i only loved the movies because of the books.
that food all looks so good! i didn’t know it was fig season. i’ll be adding those to my list… of 2. i’m heading out again next weekend after a week-long vacation. i miss foods in my fridge!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
you’re salads always look so delicious, I need to work on that! I’m not as creative!
courtney (pancakes and postcards) says
Your meals always look so delicious. That salad looks amazing! Whenever I make salads I don;t even bother photographing because they look so gross.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Looks like a great day Kath! I want to see The Help so bad! I’m sure I would love the style of the movie too! Dinner looks perfect and I’m so in need of some figs! I haven’t had any fresh figs yet this year!
Kelly @ Foodie Fiasco says
Mmm. Figs and Cocoa Bliss. Brilliant! Why don’t they sell Cocoa Bliss near me? I guess it’s a sign I should just make my own instead of paying $12 a jar, but what if I want to be lazy? How am I going to get my figs+and Cocoa Bliss? You don’t happen to have an extra jar lying around, do you Kath? 😉
Meg says
What a genius figgy idea!
Glad you all enjoyed the movie 😀 Karen is glowing as usual. You are too, Kath!
Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled says
Figs are so great! I love everything about them and can’t wait to incorporate them into more meals. The TJs fig butter is so delicious that I sometimes spoon it from the jar.
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
I’m so glad that I’ve heard good things about the movie! It sounds like it does the book justice, I like when that happens (even thought it is rare…)
Your hubby is soooo sweet to get things started in the kitchen! 🙂 Awww!
Hillary says
Eggplant, sweet potato, and tofu? I think you just inspired tomorrow night’s dinner!
My first day of school was canceled tomorrow due to Irene, so I think I might treat myself to a matinee of The Help!
Cait's Plate says
I just realized from this post that I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a fig. I have no idea why this is the case but I absolutely need to change it! You can eat the skin and everything?
Sara @ Real Fun Food says
I was going to comment and say the exact same thing, but you said it first! I can’t believe I’ve never eaten one …
cathy says
thanks for the movie thoughts, kath! i know you read the book, too…i’ve been holding off on seeing the movie because i usually do not enjoy adaptations of books that i have adored, but perhaps i shall go see it after all! have a lovely evening!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
I love seeing and hearing about all of your unique eats. There’s always combinations of foods I would never think of…I love the new ideas!
Marian says
I’ve never had a non-dried fig before, but that seems like such a great way to spice them up!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
those figs with the ‘surprises’ inside…wow, that kinda blows about medjool dates with PB & choc chips which is my go-to snack! those figs look stellar!
“Karen’s Sundried Tomato pesto (Just a jar of sundried tomatoes in oil, walnuts, grated parmesan cheese, small handful of basil. All blended in food processor)”–
Ok that’s sort of how I make my raw vegan taco nut “meat”…sundrieds tomatoes, EVOO, walnuts, and then season it all with chili powder, cayenne, etc. Super easy and filling and no one misses the meat.
Your meal looks wonderful!
Kathleen says
My friend and I also saw The Help last week and we both loved it. I think they casted all the characters perfectly. I agree with Shaya’s comment above that this is definitely the best movie of 2011. Perhaps academy award worthy. Now I need to hunt down some fresh figs this week to snack on -they look delish.
Emily says
Can’t wait to see that movie this week 🙂 Glad to hear that you liked it! Great looking dinner and I have been waiting to see figs make an appearance on your blog! I remember them from the end of last summer and I have still yet to try them.
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
I’ve seen figs all over the blog world today. Is it sad that I’ve never tried one? 🙁
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Horrray for fig season! 🙂
Brooke (Tea & Tofu) says
Ooooh, that book is on my reading wishlist – I’ll have to get it soon, before the movie makes its way to Australia!
Your dinner looks absolutely delightful – and I will definitely be making Karen’s sundried tomato pesto. Delish! 🙂
Kristin says
That popcorn bag looks as big as Karen!! 🙂 Hope you girls had a great time!
Amy* says
The figs look so fancy! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a fig before, just Fig Newtons.*
Kelly says
This may be a stupid question, but do you just eat a fig like you would an apple? I’ve never seen them eaten before. Do they have a pit?
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) says
I have yet to see figs in my grocery store – yours look super delicious 🙂
Lindsay @ Lindsay's List says
I haven’t seen the help yet, but everyone keeps raving about it! Did you read the book first? I’m always a “book first, then movie” kind of girl.
Kelsey says
those figs look SO good. brilliant idea!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
What an interesting dinner combination. I wish I had your adventurous palate 😉
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
I don’t know if I’ve EVER had an actual fig. Hmmm. Something new to try! Thanks for the introduction 🙂
Rachel says
I wish my husband would roast yummy dinner for me! You’re lucky!
Your dessert looks fabulous too – very wholesome for a dessert but still sweet and indulgent.
Katie @ Plates and Paste says
Loved The Help as well and I didn’t even read the book. I love how you both just throw stuff together and it looks amaing…I need to be more creative with my food! And I love figs but have never eaten them whole…will have to try it this year.
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
I’ve heard The Help is a wonderful movie and it’s so great that you got an afternoon out with Karen! Too fun!
And week is done, but it is an eventful one to say the least (earthquake, aftershocks, and a hurricane). VA was busy!
Namaste Gurl says
Can Matt please start his own food blog? Hehe. 🙂
Hannah says
I swoon for those figs!
Elisabeth says
I loved The Help movie, too, and was greatly surprised at how well it was adapted from the book! Usually I think the book is so much better than the movie, but completely not so in this case (I see you were at a Carmike Cinema – that’s what I go to, too, around here in Ohio 🙂 )
Khushboo says
I love plain yogurt on top of savory food, even better if it’s Greek!
Aine @ Something to Chew Over says
Yum I love coming home to dinner all ready for me! 🙂
Angie says
Interesting article about the Help by the Association of Black Women Historians. Thought you might be interested because of your background in the liberal arts and history:
http://www.abwh.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2:open-statement-the-help&catid=1:latest-news
I haven’t seen the movie, but I plan to read the book soon to see what the debate is.
KathEats says
Wow, that’s really interesting. I can definitely see their point of view.. especially with Minnie’s husband, the men and lack of organization shown around Civil Rights, but I’m not sure I agree with this statement:
“Rather, it is the coming-of-age story of a white protagonist, who uses myths about the lives of black women to make sense of her own.”
It wasn’t all mythical. The audience sees oppression and heartache too. Even if it was on the softer side for the sake of entertainment, I’m willing to bet the book and movie challenged the mind of many people who may have lived through that time. And most importantly – opened discussion on the topic.
Let me know what you think when you do read the book.
Molly @ RDexposed says
Boy and I order a brie plate that came with various fruit. As soon as the server set down the plate, we saw them-fresh figs! We both lept to them and ate them instantly. Our friends had to ask what was going on.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I’m just reading The Help right now and I love it!
I adore dried figs, but when I tried them fresh I was surprised at their mild flavour. Stuffing them with nut butter sounds like the perfect way to jazz them up!
Cathy says
My daughter and I went to see the Help too. Loved it. We should of taken pics. 🙂
Alli @ An Open Cookbook says
I am so excited about figs too…have been waiting all year!!
donna says
I’ve seen The Help twice—and I want to see it again! (I think I enjoyed it more the 2nd time around.) I had read the book, and my husband had not, and we both loved it. It is going to become a classic!