Anyone hungry? I am, and in the spirit of “Dinner In A Movie”, it’s time to share a recipe that screams out, “I need some eggs!” I could make the beautiful eggs over easy from the film “Big Night”, a perfect way to end that movie, or I can have eggs the way Olympia Dukakis makes them in “Moonstruck!” This terrific comedy is infused with food, and I wanted to share that with you.

Moonstruck – 1987. This romantic comedy tells the story of Loretta Castorini, who decides to marry the man who isn’t “of her dreams”, but he is safe choice as the movie reveals…Cher is perfect in the role – a woman who decides to do the safe thing, then finds herself in the arms of her fiancé’s estranged brother Ronny Cammareri. Nicholas Cage is at his manic, crazy best as the brother – he’s a volatile baker who lost his hand in a tragic baking accident. Yes, he did.

Food permeates this movie, which opens in a neighborhood restaurant where Loretta accepts Johnny’s proposal, and ends in the family kitchen where she embraces Ronny instead. Cher and supporting actress Olympia Dukakis both won Oscars for their performances.

I love the moment when Nicolas Cage professes his love of Cher…

Ronny Cammareri: I love you.
Loretta Castorini: [slaps him twice in the face] Snap out of it!

And of course, Cher is the good catholic, so after sleeping with her fiance’s brother she goes to church to confess her sins.

Loretta Castorini: Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been two months since my last confession.
Priest: What sins have you to confess?
Loretta Castorini: Twice I took the name of the Lord in vain, once I slept with the brother of my fiancee, and once I bounced a check at the liquor store, but that was really an accident.
Priest: Then it’s not a sin. But… what was that second thing you said, Loretta?

Of all the great food in the movie, I particularly loved the scene when Olympia Dukakis makes her daughter Cher a real italian breakfast – Moonstruck eggs.

Moonstruck Eggs

1 slice sturdy Italian-style bread
1 egg
Salt and pepper to taste
Tomato sauce of your choice—plain, marinara, etc.
Butter

For each serving, cut a hole in the slice of bread with a biscuit cutter. Melt a hunk of butter in a heavy, cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When the foam subsides, add the bread. Break the egg and carefully slip it into the hole in the bread. Salt and pepper it to your taste. Fry until the bread is golden brown on the bottom and the egg is set on that side. Flip over CAREFULLY! Cook until the second side is golden and the egg is set.

Heat up the tomato sauce in a small sauce pan. Put the egg and bread on a plate and top with a small spoonful of the sauce.

Enjoy!

Categories: Awards, Food, Movies, Recipes