Audrey III (Squash Blossoms with Beef and Honey Lavender Goat Cheese) & LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Today is an exciting day, because the solar eclipse will be taking place in North America! It’s supposed to be quite the event. If you are in the path of totality, you will see a total solar eclipse. The moon will completely cover the sun, and you will be able to see the sun’s atmosphere. Just be careful not to look directly at the sun without special protective solar glasses!
Today’s post is inspired by the solar eclipse. In the 1986 movie Little Shop of Horrors, the raunchy plant that survives on human blood was zapped down to earth from outer space during a solar eclipse. For those new to this movie, let me back up. Little Shop of Horrors is a rock horror musical comedy movie that was adapted from the off-Broadway musical of the same name.
In the movie, Seymour Krelborn, a nerdy plant lover, discovers and raises the aforementioned plant that was sent to earth from outer space during the solar eclipse. Seymour names this plant Audrey II after his co-worker and love interest, and takes it back to the floral shop where he works. As a way to lure in people to the shop, Seymour places Audrey II in the window.
It isn’t until later that Seymour realizes that the plant gains strength through blood. Things get even weirder when Audrey II starts talking and singing. The plant attracts media attention and customers (who don’t know that the plant can communicate or that it eats humans), but there are fatal consequences to keeping the famous plant alive.
When watching the film, my mind naturally gravitated toward squash blossoms when Audrey II was on screen. Let me now introduce you to Audrey III, the not-so-scary baked stuffed squash blossom filled with beef and honey lavender goat cheese. The savory meat (that is what Audrey II thrives on, after all) mixed with the slightly sweet lavender and honey is a delightful combination, especially when the stuffing mixture is engulfed in a case of an earthy squash blossom.
Though the squash blossoms are delicate and stuffing them requires focus and care (don’t let this deter you!), this recipe is super simple and incredibly tasty. If you’re not into the honey and lavender goat cheese, try a goat cheese rolled with rosemary, garlic and chive, or just plain. It will all taste great! The end result is a pretty and brightly colored appetizer or meal, depending on how many you eat. Instead of the plant devouring you, you’ll be demolishing it, instead. In the words of Audrey II, “Feed me! Feed me, Seymour!”
Audrey III: Baked Stuffed Squash Blossoms with Beef and Honey Lavender Goat Cheese inspired by LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Serves: 6-10 squash blossoms (depending on the size of the blossoms and how much you fill them with) | Cooking time: 45-60 minutes
Ingredients
6-10 squash blossoms, stamens and stems removed (keep in the fridge until ready to use)
½ ground beef
3 tablespoons Honey Lavender Goat Cheese
Olive oil, salt, pepper for seasoning
Method
Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Cover a baking sheet tray with parchment paper and set aside.
In a pan, cook the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Once fully cooked, set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
Mix the goat cheese into the meat until the meat is coated and goat cheese is evenly distributed.
Gently spoon (or use your fingers) to stuff the squash blossoms with the meat and goat cheese mixture. Careful not to over-stuff the blossoms or they might rip.
Lay the blossoms onto the sheet tray. For the LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS plant effect, I didn’t twist the ends to close. The meat and goat cheese mixture sticks together well so you don’t have to worry too much about the stuffing falling out. Drizzle olive oil over the blossoms and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Bake the stuffed squash blossoms for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and enjoy!
© A Dash of Cinema
Little Monster?
Let us know these squash blossoms turned out for you! Share in the comments below or on Instagram with the hashtag #ADashEats.
P.S. Try these moon-shaped cookies for dessert!