TIFF

Sunday, September 8, 2013
This is a great time of year to be in Toronto.  Not just because of the warm days and cool nights,  but because it's the annual Toronto International Film Festival.  If you don't live here, it's hard to describe how TIFF takes over the city.  Streets are closed off, crowds gather downtown to cheer appearances by Brad Pitt and Benedict Cumberbatch, even the most staid newspapers offer breathless tips about where to see the stars.  For ten days, the film festival overtakes talk about our mayor as the number one civic discussion.

I'm into it in a small way, having tickets for three movies.  (We saw Hateship Loveship on Friday, which was based on a short story by Alice Munro.  Kristin Wiig and director Liza Johnson were there afterward to answer audience questions.)  But some of my friends are seeing eight or more, and we met someone in line on Friday who had flown in from Victoria, B.C. to be part of the festival.

With all the excitement, I considered posting a recipe fit for the stars.  Something ornate that requires a lot of steps.  But my favourite movies about food or meals - like Big Night, My Dinner With Andre or Ratatouille - demonstrate that if you truly love food, it's about passion and not pretension.  So I chose something simple.

I found this recipe when I was searching for a way to use a jar of pesto in the fridge.  These flavours come together beautifully, and show that sometimes the simplest food is the best.

What are your favourite movies about food?


Stuffed peppers with new potatoes, feta and pesto

200 g small new potatoes
2 – 3  red peppers
1 Tbsp olive oil
200 g feta cheese
4 Tbsp pesto
A small handful of basil leaves, shredded (optional)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Bring a pan of salted water to the boil, add the potatoes and boil for 8 to 12 minutes, until just tender.  Drain and cool slightly.

Halve the peppers lengthways and remove the seeds and pith.  Brush the outsides with olive oil, then place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Chop the new potatoes into large cubes and place in a bowl.  Cut the feta into 1/2 inch cubes and add to the potatoes.  Toss both with the pesto until well-combined.

Spoon the filling into the halved peppers and bake for 40 – 45 minutes until browned on the top.  If using shredded basil, scatter over the top before serving.

29 comments:

Unknown said...

Pesto and potatoes are a marriage made in heaven to me. This looks wonderful and the film festival sounds so fun. I still Love Julie and Julia as my favorite food film :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Toronto is such a great city! I've been there several times on business, and have always enjoyed it. Great dish, too. Who doesn't like pesto? I don't use it with potatoes enough - it's a great combo. Favorite food film? Probably Ratatouille or the Meryl Streep parts of Julie and Julia.

Valerie Gamine said...

*love* Kristin Wiig! (And Big Night)
My favourite foodie film is Chocolat!!
These stuffed peppers look delicious, I can almost smell the peppers...

grace said...

how exciting! i'm an avid fan of movies like the ones you've named, and i would love to see kristen wiig in person!
and wowza, those stuffed peppers are STUFFED! :)

Beth said...

Wait til you see the movie - Kristin Wiig shows a completely different side to herself in this serious role. I thought she was great.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Sounds like a fun 10 days. I hope we get back to Toronto for a visit one of these days. I love it.

And you've been inspiring me to try new recipes lately. Thanks (says my family too).

Anonymous said...

This sounds truly delicious! I should watch Ratatouille again soon; I really enjoyed that movie!

Anonymous said...

Sounds delicious!

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

What an interesting combo for a pepper filling--I just did some with quinoa, tomato paste, pine nuts and herbs.

Jess said...

The Film Festival sounds so cool~ and I love that you mentioned the movie Big Night~ it's one of my favorites :)

CQUEK said...

I want one of these!

Joanne said...

Sounds like a lot of fun!! And I'll have to remember that movie based on Munro's work...I love her writing.

These stuffed peppers are such a fun way to use pesto! I don't think I've ever seen them stuffed with potatoes before but YUM.

Barbara said...

Love easy, tasty recipes like this, Beth!
Your Film Festival sounds like such fun....wish we had something like that here.

Angie's Recipes said...

Julie and Julia is my favourite...maybe because I like Meryl Streep a lot. I have to check other movies you have mentioned above.
The feta pesto stuffed peppers look so delicious!

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, I just read an article about the Toronto film festival on a German website - I truly envy you for being able to see some of the wonderful movies that are shown at the Festival, I have attended a few myself but it has been a long time...the most exciting one was a Danish film fest(without translations)...
Loving your recipe as well Beth!
Have a wonderful week!

We Are Not Martha said...

I've only been to Toronto once, but absolutely LOVED the city. I so want to go back :) And I love that you stuffed peppers with all this deliciousness :)

Sues

Beth said...

Hope you come again, Sues!

Bonnie said...

Beth, The film festival sounds like a lot of fun. I love movies, but I really don't go see many. I often wait till they hit netflixs. Movies, books...if there is food shown or mentioned a craving begins. I believe someone mentioned Julie and Julia. Oh I came home and started cooking. Enjoy your week. Bonnie

Juliana said...

Simple and delicious Beth, pesto is so versatile...yum!

Katerina said...

I know how it is Beth! In Thessaloniki they also have a film festival and during that period the city gets a very festive face. I love your stuffed peppers Beth and feta is my favorite cheese, I am sure you know why?

nancy at good food matters said...

Big Night and Babette's Feast have been long-time favorites.
I was in Toronto 6 years ago, as the city was preparing for TIFF---very exciting. It is a marvelous city anyway--and very forward in its green/sustainability issues. I remember having some wonderful food at a Jamie Kennedy restaurant, and at George on Queen Street.

Angela Ackerman said...

Wow, this looks good. I love pesto and feta--I think this would be amazing! :)

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

That festival sounds super incredible :D
And love this recipe, it looks delicious!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Sue said...

I love this new, tasty twist on a classic!

Daniela Grimburg said...

How lucky you are Beth, to attend the Film Festival, must be fun and very interesting.
My favorite movie about food is "Vatel" with Gerard Depardieu,
so beautiful!
The stuffed peppers look gorgeous, light and healthy.

Monet said...

I love film festivals. SXSW had a great one each spring. Ryan and I miss it! This looks like a lovely meal to share with family (and eat before a good movie!) Thank you for sharing Beth!

amy (fearless homemaker) said...

TIFF sounds fantastic! And these stuffed peppers look divine - simple, flavorful, + comforting. =)

Unknown said...

A night out at a film festival sounds like fun to me!
I always think about film, food and Like Water For Chocolate..most likely because of the word chocolate-which always sounds so good ;)

lisa is cooking said...

This sounds like a great stuffing for peppers! I've never thought to add potatoes. And, Big Night is one of my favorites. I have even have a framed movie poster.

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