Entertainment ideas from the “Epicurean Spielberg,” Mary Micucci
By Bridget Graham Gungoren
The smell of ginger wafting through the air with a touch of molasses as the cookies bake in the oven … it could be just the homemade touch to make any celebration—whether it’s for thousands of guests or just ten—a bit more festive.
Mary Micucci, Hollywood party entertainer, and the creator behind “Along Came Mary,” the catering company known for preparing the extravagant feasts for blockbuster movie premieres such as “Spiderman,” “Batman” and “Men in Black I and II,” believes that every celebration needs a homemade touch.
Known as the “Queen of Catering,” The Hollywood Reporter crowned Micucci the “Epicurean Spielberg” for her celebrated career as the leader in event productions. With a staff of forty-five, she has catered events for more than eighteen thousand guests, such as the holiday party that transformed nine acres of the Universal Studio’s backlot into a winter wonderland. “Along Came Mary” believes that “food is a happening, quintessential ingredient to total success.”
Try these tempting recipes she conjured up for the parties celebrating “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Lemony Snickets,” and create your own movie madness.
Molasses cookies
(From Universal’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”)
14 oz. unsalted butter
3 cups dark brown sugar
1 cup molasses
8 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. ground cloves
1-1/2 tsp. ginger powder
1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 whole egg
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
Melt first three ingredients over double boiler. Combine dry ingredients in a mixer. Add butter mixture to dry ingredients slowly to combine. Add egg and vanilla at low speed; beat one minute. Place 2 inch rounds on parchment papered trays. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees until firm and slightly dark around edges. Cool.
Wassail
(From Paramount’s “Lemony Snickets”)
1 gal. apple cider
1 qt. pineapple juice
1 qt. fresh orange juice
2 cups light brown sugar
1 tsp. whole nutmeg, grated
10-18 whole cinnamon sticks
3 whole oranges, cut in half
25 whole cloves
8 stemmed Irish coffee mugs
In a large saucepot on low, heat apple cider, juice and sugar. Bring to a rapid boil while adding 10 cinnamon sticks and grated nutmeg. Simmer for 15 minutes. Stick cloves into the skins of the four orange halves, placing them in even, linear rows. Turn off heat and add cloved oranges. Allow flavors to expand within the mix for 15 minutes. Using a peeler, zest (8) 4″ orange strands from the third orange and set aside. Reheat mixture and pour into decorative coffee glasses. Garnish each glass with whole cinnamon with orange strands twisted around it. Serve hot.