{"id":1132,"date":"2025-09-26T19:10:41","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T19:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/?page_id=1132"},"modified":"2025-09-26T19:10:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T19:10:42","slug":"the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/?page_id=1132","title":{"rendered":"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Culinary Movie Night Guide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Difficulty Level: Medium<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/?campaign=support-the-channel\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Donate.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-345\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"524\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/The-Hobbit.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1134\" style=\"width:582px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/The-Hobbit.png 524w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/The-Hobbit-205x300.png 205w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 524px) 100vw, 524px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Table of Contents<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Equipment<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Here is a list (with links) of all the equipment and decorations I used for \u201cThe Hobbit\u201d Culinary Movie Night. I would be incredibly grateful if you used my links. I will make a little commission, and that would really help with the cost of the website and related expenses. You can find my full <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/shop\/theliterarytart?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_aipsfshop_M6XH77EQPDB8J34W1MMZ&amp;language=en-US\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Amazon List here<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">To decorate the tray, I used fake moss and a piece of wood from Michael&#8217;s Craft Store. Most craft stores should have something similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Arkenstone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4muULpe\">Sphere Ice Mold<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4nqOT1o\">Light Coasters<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Troll Boogie Stew &amp; Dwarf Kebobs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Jyg63b\">Wooden Bowls<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4gGHOHB\">Wooden Kebab Sticks<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>An Unexpected \u201cRocky\u201d Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3IDZ3N4\">Rock Candy<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/46AYCNq\">Black Edible Glitter<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A Meaty Mouthful<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/475UCo4\">Sword Food Picks<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Lord of the Flipper<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4gGHOHB\">Wooden Stick<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Jyg63b\">Wooden Bowls<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Great Cones of Fire<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/41Z11hB\">Red Gel for \u201cFire\u201d<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Tips<\/summary>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Personalizing the Menu<\/strong>&#8211; When planning your menu for your movie night, don\u2019t feel pressured to serve exactly what I chose to serve. Feel free to remove\/add\/replace dishes so it makes sense for you and your guests. I\u2019ve included an <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAGz504gnoA\/tTDpuswu-4kxr0JEabLofw\/view?utm_content=DAGz504gnoA&amp;utm_campaign=designshare&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_source=publishsharelink&amp;mode=preview\">editable menu<\/a><\/span><\/strong> in this guide to make it your own!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Managing Your Time<\/strong>&#8211; These movie nights can take a lot of time to prepare, especially if you plan on doing everything yourself. If you are planning a culinary movie night with a group, I suggest doing a potluck style. Have each person contribute a dish or two, and it\u2019ll be very manageable. If you are planning on preparing everything yourself, here are some things I\u2019ve learned while doing these often:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Make A To-Do List<\/strong>&#8211; I can\u2019t stress this enough! It\u2019s very easy to forget simple things like opening a bottle of prosecco before you start the movie so you aren\u2019t fumbling with the seal before serving. I have done this so many times! Your to-do list should include absolutely everything you need to do leading up to pressing play.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Start Early<\/strong>&#8211; I learned this after a few very long days of trying to cook, prepare, and host all on the same day. Anything that can be done in advance should be done during the days leading up to the movie night. Some examples include pre-mixing cocktails, making desserts and other foods like soup that hold up well in the refrigerator, and pre-making any handmade decorations. Hosting is stressful enough without having to make a multi-course meal in one day, so get as much done as possible before.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No Pausing<\/strong>&#8211; The question I get asked the most is \u201cDo you pause the movie to bring out the next dish?\u201d. It\u2019s important to me that I don\u2019t disrupt the flow of the movie, so I do not pause. It\u2019s also important to me to enjoy the movie with my guests. Setting up everything I need before the movie helps me bring out each dish efficiently. The setup usually includes plating each dish and storing it in the refrigerator, so all I have to do is quickly microwave it before serving. I set out any garnish or decoration on my kitchen counter so it\u2019s easily accessible. I even pour the cocktails into their cups and store them in the refrigerator, so all I have to do is add ice and any finishing touches before serving. Always think about how you can do the bare minimum during the film. I always include the setup in my to-do list as well, so I don\u2019t forget about any aspect of the preparation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Optional<\/strong>&#8211; If your budget permits, I recommend ordering food that you may not be confident in cooking or food that may take a lot of time to cook. I do this occasionally, and it helps cut down the preparation time and supports local businesses. Win Win!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Decorations-<\/strong> Have fun and decorate your space and serving tray! Add elements from the theme of the movie, but make a budget and stick to it! I usually use things I already own because these movie nights are DIY, and I don\u2019t need to spend a fortune to make it fun. If I do buy decorations for the movie night, I try to find cheap or reusable things. If you are curious about some of the things I\u2019ve used during the movie nights, here is a link to my <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/shop\/theliterarytart?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_aipsfshop_M6XH77EQPDB8J34W1MMZ&amp;language=en-US\">Amazon List<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. All these items are things I bought with my own money and enjoyed using.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Manage Stress-<\/strong> Culinary Movie Nights are fun and a great way to show your friends and family you love them. Sometimes, things you envision in your head will not come out perfectly. When this happens to me, it can be discouraging and stressful, but the people I do these for have NEVER expressed anything but appreciation. Go easy on yourself and remember that your guests are just happy to be there and to experience something you put so much thought and time into making.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Menu<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">I have created a free, editable, and printable menu for all the dishes I served for this Culinary Movie Night! Feel free to change it to what will work for you and your guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAGz504gnoA\/tTDpuswu-4kxr0JEabLofw\/view?utm_content=DAGz504gnoA&amp;utm_campaign=designshare&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_source=publishsharelink&amp;mode=preview\">Click Here!<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAGz504gnoA\/tTDpuswu-4kxr0JEabLofw\/view?utm_content=DAGz504gnoA&amp;utm_campaign=designshare&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_source=publishsharelink&amp;mode=preview\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"644\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Menu-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Menu-3.png 450w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Menu-3-210x300.png 210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Cues<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">These are the cues I used during the movie night so I knew when I had to get the next dish ready to serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Please note<\/strong>: Each cue describes a scene that happens a few minutes before I have to serve the dish. It does not describe the scene the dish is based on. Some people get confused with that, so I thought I should specify. Because the cues only give you a few minutes to prepare the dish, it&#8217;s <strong>very important<\/strong> to have everything cooked and set up before the film starts. Review the &#8220;<strong>Tips<\/strong>&#8221; section above for ways to make this seamless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">I often get asked why I don&#8217;t use time stamps to keep track of when to serve the next dish, and the simple answer is, I don&#8217;t find those helpful. If I used timestamps, I would have to have a separate timer going or keep disrupting the movie to check the timestamp. It makes much more sense to have cues to indicate when the next scene is about to happen. This allows me to enjoy watching the film with my guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Below is the link to the cues I used. This document is editable, so you can make updates if you decide to take out or change dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAGz5_hKKH0\/Ns-hne0cpSw0mKegzo4d0w\/view?utm_content=DAGz5_hKKH0&amp;utm_campaign=designshare&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_source=publishsharelink&amp;mode=preview\">Click Here!<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAGz5_hKKH0\/Ns-hne0cpSw0mKegzo4d0w\/view?utm_content=DAGz5_hKKH0&amp;utm_campaign=designshare&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_source=publishsharelink&amp;mode=preview\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"643\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cues-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cues-3.png 450w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cues-3-210x300.png 210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Recipes<\/summary>\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>The Arkenstone<\/summary>\n<p>For this first drink, I had the idea of serving the actual stone. The Arkenstone looked to be orange and backlit by a blue light, so I served an orange juice <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4muULpe\">ice mold sphere<\/a><\/span><\/strong> in a large goblet of blue prosecco. To make the blue prosecco, I combined a dash of blue curacao and prosecco. To make the ice, I just followed the instructions on the ice mold and filled it with orange juice. This should be done the day before movie night so the spheres can freeze completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make the goblets light up, I used a flat light I already owned, but to make the glow more precise, I would recommend using these <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4nqOT1o\">light coasters<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. It will illuminate each drink from below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Goblets I used are from the World Hoppers Ball (a Brandon Sanderson author event). I like to use them for fantasy movies, but unfortunately, it\u2019s not something I can link. Any type of wide goblet will work for this drink. You just need something that will comfortably fit the orange juice ice mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"867\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120221-867x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1137\" style=\"width:489px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120221-867x1024.png 867w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120221-254x300.png 254w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120221-768x907.png 768w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120221.png 1079w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 867px) 100vw, 867px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Hobbits in a Hole<\/summary>\n<p>Here is the recipe to make the <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.daringgourmet.com\/yorkshire-pudding\/\">Yorkshire puddings<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. The first batch I made did not come out great. You need to cook these way longer than you think. I opened the oven too early, thinking it was burning, and they fell, and it was game over. The second batch I let them sit in the oven longer, and they worked out great!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I made these ahead of time and stored them in an airtight container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a recipe for <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedinnerbite.com\/how-to-make-pigs-in-blankets\/\">British Pigs in a Blanket<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. It&#8217;s essentially little sausages wrapped in bacon instead of puff pastry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To assemble the stuffed Yorkshire puddings, I added a wedge of Camembert cheese in the middle (it\u2019s a common cheese eaten in the UK). I then placed the pigs in a blanket and drizzled honey on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I recommend putting these in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F when you start the movie. This will give a few minutes for the cheese to melt before you have to serve. Before serving, you can garnish the Yorkshire puddings with a spring of rosemary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"949\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120233-949x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1138\" style=\"width:533px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120233-949x1024.png 949w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120233-278x300.png 278w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120233-768x828.png 768w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120233.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 949px) 100vw, 949px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>A Dwarf Infestation<\/summary>\n<p>There is a lot of food featured in this scene, so I tried to make a mini version of the table full of Bilbo\u2019s food that the Dwarves took. The table had things like meat, sausage, cheese, bread, and what looked like grilled zucchini. They also had garnishes like tomatoes and lettuce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I served a small loaf of bread (sliced), a sliced quarter of ham (24oz), herb cheese, assorted pan-fried sausage (same sausage I used for \u201cA Meaty Mouthful\u201d), grilled zucchini, honey, tomato and lettuce garnish (reused for salad), and a small glass of wine to match the small drink Gandolf was handed. Lol!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything was served as is from the store except for the zucchini. To make the zucchini, I sliced it lengthwise to match the movie, using a potato peeler. I then drizzled them with olive ole, salt, and pepper. I grilled them on a skillet for a few minutes on each side, until they were slightly browned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To panfry the sausage, I sliced it up and browned the pieces in a skillet for a few minutes. I used precooked sausage from Trader Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To assemble the charcuterie board<\/strong>, I had the ham, cheese, and garnish already set up and stored in the refrigerator before the movie started. I also had the bread pre-sliced and the zucchini and sausage precooked. When it was time to reheat before serving, I added the bread to the preheated oven at 350 degrees F and microwaved the zucchini and sausage. I then poured the wine (which I had opened before the movie started) and took the warm bread out of the oven. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This dish takes a lot of planning before the movie starts to make it a quick dish to serve, so make sure your to-do list accounts for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"733\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120330-733x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1139\" style=\"width:539px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120330-733x1024.png 733w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120330-215x300.png 215w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120330-768x1073.png 768w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120330.png 1079w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 733px) 100vw, 733px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Troll Boogie Stew &amp; Dwarf Kebobs<\/summary>\n<p>For the Troll Boogie Stew, I decided to serve a soup I already had, to save time and money. Here is the <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cooking.nytimes.com\/recipes\/1016062-red-lentil-soup\">Red Lentil Soup Recipe<\/a><\/span><\/strong> I used. For this dish, you can use whatever soup is your favorite or is easy to make. Just make sure the soup is already made and in the <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Jyg63b\">serving bowl<\/a><\/span><\/strong> before you start the film. Then you just have to microwave before serving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the Dwarf Kebobs, I served this <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teaforturmeric.com\/baked-pakistani-seekh-kabob\/\">Kebab Recipe<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, but on <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4gGHOHB\">a stick<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. Any Kebob or Kebab recipe will work for this joke. The important thing is that you serve it on <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4gGHOHB\">a stick<\/a><\/span><\/strong> so you can hang it up over a little tea candle to resemble the scene where the Dwarves are being roasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120353-720x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1140\" style=\"width:509px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120353-720x1024.png 720w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120353-211x300.png 211w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120353-768x1093.png 768w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120353.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Meat\u2019s NOT on the Menu, Boys!<\/summary>\n<p>This is a fun little nod to Lord of the Rings when the Uruk-hai yells, &#8220;Looks like meat&#8217;s back on the menu, boys!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this scene, the salad they are served in Rivendell looks very plain with an abundance of leafy lettuce, so I served a very plain salad with just lettuce and dressing. You can choose to make it more complex and delicious, but simple is easy to execute when you\u2019re serving a lot of food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I had the lettuce pre-chopped and in the bowl with a paper towel on top to absorb any moisture and keep it fresh in the refrigerator. Then, when it was time to serve, I drizzled the dressing on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1007\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120411-1024x1007.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1141\" style=\"width:521px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120411-1024x1007.png 1024w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120411-300x295.png 300w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120411-768x755.png 768w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120411.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>An Unexpected \u201cRocky\u201d Journey<\/summary>\n<p>For this drink, I wanted to include an interactive element. I served it with <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3IDZ3N4\">rock candy<\/a><\/span><\/strong> so we could battle like the Stone Giants. I also wanted the drink to match the dark atmosphere of the scene, so I added <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/46AYCNq\">black edible glitter<\/a><\/span><\/strong> to turn the drink greyish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Recipe: Makes 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2 oz of Gin or Vodka<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1.5 oz lemon juice<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1.5 oz simple syrup<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Club Soda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A dash of <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/46AYCNq\">black edible glitter<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Alternative:<\/strong> You could also replace the simple syrup and lemon juice with 3 oz of lemonade as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Instructions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Add all ingredients, except the club soda, to a jar with a lid. Make sure to multiply ingredients depending on how many people you are serving. Store the jar in the refrigerator. When it\u2019s time to serve, shake well and evenly pour the premixed cocktail into glasses full of ice. Top off with club soda (around \u00bc cup). \u00a0Serve with the <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3IDZ3N4\">rock candy<\/a><\/span><\/strong> on top. I like to premix my cocktails the day before to save time on prep work the day of movie night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"966\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120444-1024x966.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1142\" style=\"width:553px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120444-1024x966.png 1024w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120444-300x283.png 300w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120444-768x725.png 768w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120444.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>A Meaty Mouthful<\/summary>\n<p>For this line, I chose to serve a sausage sampler, lol. I always try to make these movie nights as affordable as possible, so I reused the small sausages from the pigs in a blanket as well as the sausage from the charcuterie board. In total, there are three different types of <strong>precooked<\/strong> sausage. To prepare the sausage, I sliced them and pan-fried them in a skillet to brown them a bit. It also releases some of the fat and flavor, so it tastes better. Do this earlier in the day and store them in the refrigerator, already plated. Then, when it\u2019s time to serve, reheat the plate in the microwave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bilbo threatens Gollum with his sword, so I also served this sausage platter with these <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/475UCo4\">sword food picks<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. I\u2019ve used these food picks in a lot of different movie nights too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"914\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120456-1024x914.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1143\" style=\"width:531px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120456-1024x914.png 1024w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120456-300x268.png 300w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120456-768x686.png 768w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120456.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Lord of the Flipper<\/summary>\n<p>I named this dish \u201cLord of the Flipper\u201d because if you notice, the ring slides on Bilbo\u2019s middle finger. There is another layer to this name, though. If you have watched the behind-the-scenes of the making of The Hobbit, you\u2019ll be familiar with the funny lore. Specifically, the actor of Bilbo, Martin Freeman, would constantly flip the camera off while filming The Hobbit. He truly is The Lord of the Flipper. LMAO!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"236\" height=\"331\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-26-105902.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-26-105902.png 236w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-26-105902-214x300.png 214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 236px) 100vw, 236px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For this scene, I chose to serve onion rings with a dip. I stacked the onion rings on a <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4gGHOHB\">stick<\/a><\/span><\/strong> to replicate the scene where the ring slips on Bilbo\u2019s finger. I used frozen onion rings for this dish to not overcomplicate things. I had them already laid out on the baking sheet, thawing throughout the movie. Then, when serving the previous dish, \u201cA Meaty Mouthful\u201d, I put the baking sheet in my pre-heated oven at 350 degrees F. I let that bake for about 8-10 minutes. I served them with a <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Jyg63b\">bowl<\/a><\/span><\/strong> of burger sauce. It\u2019s just equal parts mayo, mustard, and ketchup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"756\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120509-756x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1144\" style=\"width:439px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120509-756x1024.png 756w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120509-222x300.png 222w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120509-768x1040.png 768w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120509.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 756px) 100vw, 756px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Great Cones of Fire<\/summary>\n<p>For this last dish, I chose to serve \u201cpinecone brownies of fire\u201d to resemble the pinecones they use to defend themselves in the last climactic scene of the movie. This is the <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emsfoodiefix.com\/edible-brownie-pine-cones\/\">recipe I used<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. I don\u2019t know how she got them to look so neat, but even messy, like mine, looked cute and got the point across. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I also added some <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/41Z11hB\">red writing gel<\/a><\/span><\/strong> to the tips of the pinecone to bring in the fire element of the scene. This dish is a great one to make ahead of time, even the day before movie night, so you can save time the day of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"951\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120530-1024x951.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1145\" style=\"width:559px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120530-1024x951.png 1024w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120530-300x279.png 300w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120530-768x713.png 768w, https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot_20250924-120530.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/?campaign=support-the-channel\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Donate.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-345\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Culinary Movie Night Guide Difficulty Level: Medium Table of Contents<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1132","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1132"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1156,"href":"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1132\/revisions\/1156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theliterarytart.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}