Movies & Munchies: Rom-Com Edition❤️
I’m always up for a lighthearted rom-com, which inevitably delivers a few belly-rolling laughs—along with a stream of happy tears. And with Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, there’s no shortage of fun and sappy films to choose from (yay!). The flicks below are some of my personal favorites—they’ll fill your heart with joy and your belly with delicious fare…as the main characters can’t help but indulge in a few memorable munchies while searching for love. Welcome to my latest installment of Movies and Munchies…Rom-Com Edition!
Movies & Munchies: Rom-Com Edition❤️
I’m always up for a lighthearted rom-com, which inevitably delivers a few belly-rolling laughs—along with a stream of happy tears. And with Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, there’s no shortage of fun and sappy films to choose from (yay!). The flicks below are some of my personal favorites—they’ll fill your heart with joy and your belly with delicious fare…as the main characters can’t help but indulge in a few memorable munchies while searching for love.
Welcome to my latest installment of Movies and Munchies…Rom-Com Edition!
Movies & Munchies: Lady & the Tramp
Lady and the Tramp
Disney’s timeless classic, Lady and the Tramp, released in 1955, continues to captivate audiences nearly 70 years later. This enduring film weaves a charming love story between two unforgettable characters—the refined Lady and the street-smart Tramp. The iconic spaghetti-and-meatballs dinner at Tony’s restaurant, featuring a delightful serenade, has firmly cemented itself into our collective memory as the epitome of romantic dining.
Inspired by this beloved scene, I’m serving up a low-carb, lightened-up twist on the traditional pasta dish. My rendition features nutrient-rich zucchini noodles, affectionately known as “zoodles” in my house, and delectable meatballs made from lean ground turkey. Whether shared with a sweetheart or savored solo, this delicious version of the classic meal is bound to create meaningful memories. It’s more than just a plate of pasta; it’s a celebration of the enduring magic that Lady and the Tramp has brought to our hearts for generations.
Movies & Munchies: Clueless
Clueless
The ultra-spoiled but well-meaning superficial socialite Cher (masterfully portrayed by Alicia Silverstone) is on a mission to play cupid at her high school, setting up her two teachers. At first, her motive is purely selfish—to get a bad grade changed—but then it takes a turn: Cher really wants to do something good.
At one point in the film, Cher explains, “Whenever a boy comes, you should always have something baking” as she drops an entire store-bought log of cookie dough log onto a baking tray and shoves it in the oven, only to forget about it. Ugh…as if! In the spirit of indulgent cookie dough, enjoy this no-bake healthy rendition. It requires only a few heart-smart ingredients. You can feel good about eating a spoonful…or two 🙂
Movies & Munchies: Sleepless in Seattle
Sleepless in Seattle
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are the OGs of rom-coms. They both star in Sleepless in Seattle, which follows recently widowed Sam Baldwin (Hanks) and his son, Jonah, as they move to Seattle after the passing of Sam’s beloved wife (and Jonah’s mom), Maggie. Young Jonah confides to his dad that he’s worried he’s beginning to forget his mom. In a touching scene, Sam comforts his son by sharing a sweet memory of how his mom could “peel an entire apple in one curly strip.”
While this recipe doesn’t require any apple-peeling mastery, it does call for a single sweet and juicy apple sliced into thin pieces, covered with a bunch of tasty toppings, including melty peanut butter, chopped, toasted nuts, seeds, and even chocolate chips. Whip yourself up a single-serve platter and enjoy this heartwarming classic for the first (or fifth!) time.
Movies & Munchies: Never Been Kissed
Never Been Kissed
Aspiring reporter Josie (the lovable Drew Barrymore) is writing an investigative piece on high school students, and thus, goes back to school as an undercover teen. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned and the former nerd, once nicknamed “Josie Gross-ie” doesn’t quite fit in with the popular (AKA mean) girls. Instead, she suffers flashbacks to her days as a bullied teen and finds comfort with the smart yet not-so-popular math geeks. She—and her story—gets saved by her brother Rob (David Arquette), who also somehow manages to enroll himself at the school (loose admissions policies, apparently, lol). He quickly becomes one of the cool kids, getting his sister entry into the same group.
One of the funniest scenes happens when Josie goes out with these new friends and, in her naivete, devours an entire a brownie laced with weed. She goes up on stage, dances with the band and puts on quite the out-of-character performance. It’s epic!
If you’re in the mood for an unlaced chocolatey brownie (ahem), here’s a great one—it’s totally legal and doesn’t have a drop of added sugar.
Movies & Munchies: When Harry Met Sally
When Harry Met Sally
We’ll all have what she’s having!
In When Harry Met Sally, we meet Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) and Harry Burns (Billy Crystal), as they transition from acquaintances to friends and ultimately lovers and soul mates The film, released in 1989, seeks to answer the age-old question: Can men and women really be just friends? The pair first connect after college and share a tense 18-hour car ride from Chicago to New York. They run into each other again five years later…and cross paths once again years after that. Despite being entangled in various stages of relationships with different people—married, dating, engaged—their underlying attraction intensifies, evolving their friendship into something deeper and more profound as the years pass.
The film’s crowning jewel is undoubtedly the unforgettable scene set in Katz’s Deli. Sally orders a turkey on white (and proceeds to remove most of the turkey, haha), while Harry enjoys a classic pastrami on rye. Sally’s comedic brilliance takes center stage when she fakes a “you know what,” ending in one of cinema’s most memorable lines: “I’ll have what she’s having.”
With Sally’s turkey sandwich as inspiration, I’m sharing this souped-up Turkey Reuben. It’s deliciously hearty and filling, and it has become a favorite in my house.
Movies & Munchies: Serendipity
Jonathan Trager, the iconic John Cusack of Say Anything boombox fame, and Sara Thomas, portrayed by the talented Kate Beckinsale, cross paths amidst the holiday hustle of Christmas shopping in a bustling NYC department store. As fate would have it, they both reach for the same pair of black cashmere gloves for their respective significant others, setting the stage for a serendipitous encounter. He allows Sara to buy the gloves and she thanks him by treating him to a frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity, a charming and appropriately named café. They spend the rest of the evening together, chatting about the role of fate and how it shapes our journey in life.
Here’s my lightened-up rendition of their Frozen Hot Chocolate. Share it with a sweetie or savor it all by yourself…it’s well worth the brain freeze!
Movies & Munchies: My Big Fat Greek Wedding
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Our romcom round-up wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the highest-grossing romcom of all time! Toula Portokalos, played by Nia Vardalos is a 30-year-old Greek American woman, who meets and falls in love with non-Greek Ian Miller, portrayed by John Corbett. Of course, this is to the dismay of her strict Greek parents, whom she still lives with and works for at their family-owned diner.
The scene where Ian’s parents meet Toula’s parents is so side-splittingly funny, you’ll be Bundt over laughing. Ian’s mom presents Toula’s mom with a homemade Bundt cake, but Toula’s mom has a hard time understanding, and questions, “bun? bunk?” prompting a hysterical back and forth. The movie poses the question: Can love transcend cultural differences—and ultimately proves that it most definitely can, while still maintaining family traditions.
With cake front of mind, here’s a fruity and cakey dessert that requires only three ingredients!
Movies & Munchies: Hitch
Hitch
Hitch (Will Smith) is New York’s resident “date doctor”—men from across the Big Apple seek him out for his expertise in landing their dream girl. And he imparts his wisdom on the sly. While working with the shy and self-effacing Albert (the hilarious Kevin James) on his quest to woo celeb Allegra (stunning Amber Valletta), he meets and begins to develop feelings for gossip columnist, Sara (the beautiful Eva Mendes).
Hitch and Sara begin dating—one of their meetings takes place at a cooking class where Hitch has an allergic reaction to some shellfish he’s unknowingly eaten. The scene ends at a drug store with Hitch chugging straight from a Benadryl bottle, as he stares up at the security camera mirror and shrieks at his blown-up face, LOL.
For those who are NOT allergic to shellfish, try this One-Skillet Lime Cilantro!
Check out my my favorite holiday movies & munchies!
