The holidays are a time for family. Just ask the Stones, the tight-knit clan at the heart of the 2005 dramedy The Family Stone. Or, better yet, ask Meredith, the uptight businesswoman dating the eldest (and, some siblings would argue, favorite) child, Everett.
After traveling to Connecticut to meet this boisterous, progressive bunch over the holidays, Meredith quickly finds that they close ranks when they’re not keen on an outsider. And, suffice it to say, things go comically awry as Meredith tries to prove to the Stones that she’s worthy of their approval.
Still, she learns a life-changing lesson along the way about being true to yourself and about the true meaning of family, so mark this movie a must-watch. And when you cue it up, use our dinner and a movie menu for The Family Stone to keep hunger pangs at bay.
Because, honestly, it would be a shame for your stomach’s growling to drown out Amy’s sarcastic asides.
Get your Family Stone on
Before you can enjoy your Stones-approved menu, you have to get the movie ready:
MOVIE: The Family Stone (Don’t have it? Get it at Amazon or see more options)
RUNNING TIME: 1 hour, 43 minutes
YEAR OF RELEASE: 2005
RATING: PG-13
STARRING: Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes
Dinner and a movie: The Family Stone menu
And now, for our feature presentation…
Beverage: Homemade spiked eggnog
Eggnog is the quintessential holiday drink, and few things could be better suited to dealing with family drama than this boozy version. So, go ahead and wind down (read: get a little snockered) in Meredith’s honor since she never really can. You know, outside of that drunken bar debacle.
Appetizer: Caramelized onion and spinach stuffed mushrooms
Just because Everett can’t have mushrooms, doesn’t mean you can’t! These are stuffed with caramelized onion and spinach, making for an amuse-bouche that is both delicious and surprisingly healthy.
MORE: Spicy mini bacon cheeseballs
Also, let Meredith’s mistake be a teachable moment for you, and take the time now to inventory food allergies anyone in your family may have.
Side dish: Celery root, apple and walnut salad
Connecticut, where the film takes place, is famous for “colony” fare. And few foods evoke a stronger sense of Americana than wholesome apples. This refreshing side dish combines the iconic fruit with celery root and walnut for a decidedly refined spin on classic coleslaw.
Entrée: Creamy salmon piccata
Poor Meredith. In the Stone household, she’s a complete fish out of water — kind of like this creamy salmon piccata. Packed with plenty of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, it should fill you up.
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But, if you’re feeling a little extra on movie night, you could always whip up Meredith’s famous (or should we say notorious?) Morton family strata, courtesy of Life at Cloverhill’s recipe.
Dessert: Black bean brownies
Cap off the evening with a gooey batch of black bean brownies. Just make sure you go sans Sybil’s, ahem, special ingredient. Or, you know, depending on what’s legal in the state where you live, maybe don’t skip it. To each their own, right?
Nightcap: Pineapple ginger tea with sympathy
Don’t feel bad if your emotions get the best of you by the time that final scene rolls around. We’re right there ugly crying with you, which is why this tea “with sympathy” couldn’t be more fitting for the way we’re all feeling at this moment.
Besides, pineapple ginger tea just sounds like a libation the free-spirited Stones would have sipped together while playing board games or talking politics.
MORE: Apple amaretto sour
So, what’s the verdict? Do you feel like a member of the Stone family yet? Just remember, don’t get too comfortable with that honorary title — we all know Amy passes final judgment when it comes to this crew.
