“My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage!”
Aunt Frances has the right idea: We should all dare to be a little different. We’re not saying you should start serving chocolate cake for breakfast or dancing naked under the full moon (although the nudity is entirely optional, as you well remember!).
But there are other ways to be bold, such as — our personal favorite — falling in love whenever you can, like sorceress sisters Sally and Gillian.
When you’re ready to really embrace your witchy ways, you can conjure up this menu inspired by the mystical Owens women of “Practical Magic.” If you’re feeling, ahem, froggy, activate the phone tree and invite a few friends over to enjoy a witchin’ good time.
Dress the part
There are so many ways to rock this! If you want to go the obvious route, you could wear classic witch garb with striped stockings like the Owens women when they jump off the roof. Slap on a midriff-baring top and a snake tattoo to play Gillian “hang on to your husband, girls” Owens, or sport a badge as Sheriff Hallet.
Our pick? Layer up the earth-tones, put in wavy hair extensions and start meddling in everyone’s love lives as the inimitable aunts.
Get your “Practical Magic” on
Before you can conjure up some amazing menu items, you have to get the movie ready:
MOVIE: “Practical Magic” (Don’t have it? Get it at Amazon or see more options)
RUNNING TIME: 1 hour, 43 minutes
YEAR OF RELEASE: 1998
RATING: PG-13
STARRING: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest
Dinner and a movie: Your “Practical Magic” menu
And now, for our feature presentation…
BEVERAGE: Midnight margaritas
What’s that sound? You got it — midnight margaritas! Don’t worry; you don’t actually have to stay up until midnight. We won’t tell.
This version from Sweet Life features many of the classic ingredients: salt, triple sec, a little lime juice. But the unexpected addition of marigold-infused tequila will ensure these margaritas are always on your mind.
MORE: Spiced rum apple cider
APPETIZER: Rosemary breadstick twists
There are some things you just know for certain, and one of them is that these rosemary breadstick twists will be a hit.
If you don’t have any of the fragrant herb used in this pre-dinner delight planted by your garden gate (even though you should), check your spice rack before making an extra trip to the grocery store. You may already have all the ingredients you need.
ENTÉE: Creamy coconut lime chicken
You know what they say, right? You put the lime in the coconut, and then you’ll feel better. Put that theory to action when you make Nuts About Food’s Thai fried coconut and lime shrimp. Hopefully, by now, you’ve connected the dots to a certain Harry Nilsson song, and you grasp why this recipe is oh-so “Practical Magic” perfect.
ENTRÉE: “Leftovers” panini
Drench these leftover turkey, cranberry and stuffing panini in gravy, and they could practically pass for “hot sandwich” — a signature dish in North Dakota. And do you know who’s from North Dakota? Jimmy Angelov’s favorite “foreigner,” Louis L’Amour.
MORE: Apple butter bacon wrapped shrimp
SIDE DISH: Enselada de nopales
We wouldn’t begrudge you if you wanted to whip up some authentic cacti-shaped pancakes. Or you could cast a mesmerizing spell on everyone by serving Enselada de nopales from Confessions of a Foodie.
This salad isn’t shaped like a cactus (although again, go wild, moon child), but it does have cactus in it — along with other yummy ingredients like pinto beans, avocado and queso fresco.
DESSERT: Crustless apple pie baked apples
Can we talk about how cute these crustless apple pie baked apples from Chocolate Covered Katie are? They kind of look like tiny cauldrons, so there’s that.
Plus, should you need another connection to the movie, we hesitate to mention that the fruit hearkens the last time Michael would ever push an apple cart. And on that note, when you’ve eaten all the baked goodness inside, you can use the hollowed-out shell to catch all the tears you’ll inevitably cry thinking of poor, sweet, too-pure-for-this-world Michael.
Sadly, squirting Reddi-wip in the shape of a star on the dish once you’ve devoured your dessert won’t bring your personal apple pie back to life.
MORE: Spiced mulled wine
BONUS! Nightcap
As the movie draws to a close, you may need something to calm your nerves after nearly losing Gillian to the jerky ex-boyfriend squatting in her soul. Of course, that’s just another reason to “plant lavender for luck,” which you can then use to make a comforting cup of Fit Foodie Finds’ honey lavender hot chocolate.
