Sloppy Spam Sandwiches // Fargo

I'm one of those weirdos who likes Spam. I don't have it that often, maybe twice a year, but it doesn't gross me out like most people. What I didn't know until recently was that there are over 20 different kinds of Spam (including a spread) and that they have dozens of recipes on their site.


Another fun thing I learned is that Spam sold North America, South America, and Australia is produced in Austin, Minnesota and that there is a restaurant located there with a menu devoted to just Spam. This is where Fargo, the TV series comes in. Though yes, Fargo is located in North Dakota, a lot of the movie and TV show also take place in and around Minnesota. I have been a huge fan of the film for years (even after a having a nightmare with Steve Buscemi's character) yet didn't watch the TV show until recently. I also went backwards and started with the second season because I kept hearing how Kirsten Dunst was robbed of a Golden Globe award.

So I did what any normal person would do and decided to make something with Spam while catching up on the series. I found a recipe for Spamburger Sloppy Joes but it seemed more like a take on BBQ pulled pork than sloppy joes so I decided to make my own. I took inspiration from Kiki's character, Peggy Blumquist, and served them with some tater tots.

I also learned from a friend from Minnesota that Mountain Dew is huge there. I used to have Homer's line of thinking when it came to Mountain Dew, but after having some at said friend's apartment, I am now guilty of not only liking Spam, but Mountain Dew as well. My dad would be so disappointed in me.

Spam Sloppy Joes
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons of butter (omit if using non stick pan)
1 - 12 oz can of Spam
1/3 cup of Sloppy Joe mix
6 hamburger buns (I used delicious Brioche buns because they were on sale, but whatever floats your boat)
toppings such as cheese, tomato, onion, whatever your heart desires

Directions:
Shred the Spam with a grater, set aside in a bowl
Melt the butter in a sauce pan. If you have a non stick pan, you can skip this step.
Add shredded Spam to the sauce pan and sauté until hot, about 10 minutes
Add 1.5 cups of Sloppy Joe mix and stir until the temperature is brought back up
Scoop desired amount onto buns (toasted if your feeling up to it) and add desired topics
Enjoy!

shredded Spam

with the Sloppy Joe mix

served with a Mountain Dew, tater tots and pickles

Cocktail Hour // The Gold Rush

When it comes to pairing cocktails with a movie it's usually a movie that inspires the cocktail, but not this time. I bought some ginger liqueur for another cocktail I wanted to make and attached to the bottle of it (Domaine de Canton) was a set of recipes including one that just needed bourbon and lemons (something I already had on hand), called The Gold Rush. I've made the mistake of buying mixers, liqueurs and such, using them maybe once because they can only be used in so many ways or need other mixers and liqueurs to compliment them, so I was happy to see I can actually make use of this particular liqueur.

I'm sure you can guess which movie I went with...Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush. Confession...I had never seen The Gold Rush before, but it definitely met the hype. The trailer and full movie are posted below, but first, the cocktail:

The Gold Rush

1 1/2 parts Domaine De Canton

1 part bourbon

1/2 part fresh lemon juice

Trailer:

Full Movie:

The Derek Zoolander Center for People Who Don’t Age Good #DZCFPWDAG

Before you head out to see Zoolander 2 this weekend, make sure you stop by The Derek Zoolander Center for People Who Don't Age Good (if you live in New York City). Here you have your youthfulness analyzed then learn about youthfulness, how to look young, how to avoid aging, and how to be all around beautiful, like Derek. In reality, it's a promo pop up shop partnership between the team behind Zoolander 2 and Kiehl's, which has created a limited edition line of products inspired by the film. 

It's easy to spot once you get to the corner of 14th and 8th. Banners of Derek hang from the building and a very enthusiastic greeter escorts you up the stairs to the Center. Right when you walk in they analyze your skin (not really, but it's a cute set up) and you continue from station to station. 

Hard working scientists greet you at the first station with a couple of samples

You are then welcome to smell "old" vs. "young"

Some "old" scents includ meatloaf and tobacco 

Here you learn the progression of "pants to nipple ratio" of men.

According the #DZCFPWDAG, the perfect ratio is 40:20

Here you practice your finger catwalk with plenty of clothing and footwear options

In the last stop, you take your newly found youth and everything you've learned to do a photoshoot. But before you do, you can take inspiration from Derek Zoolander's many looks.

Afterwards you learn about the actual products and receive some samples (I assume while supplies last)

Free to the public and all around fun, you probably will spend about 15-20 minutes here and leave looking more youthful than ever.

The Derek Zoolander Center for People Who Don’t Age Good Hours:

February 9-11: 4pm-8pm

February 12: 3pm-9pm

February 13: 12pm-6pm