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–continued from page 45<br />
Sure, open-air movie screenings are all over the place now, and I have enjoyed many over<br />
the years. Movies outside will always be a little magical. And a community coming together<br />
in a park to share a beloved classic over picnic dinners is delightful. But these are very popular<br />
events, and thus super-crowded. And when people start encroaching on my picnic blanket, I am<br />
no longer having fun. For me, the drive-in is the perfect alternative. Watching a movie outdoors,<br />
private seating that no one will step on, a picnic dinner (or classic snack-bar food, of course) and<br />
my sweetheart — it’s the perfect summer evening outing.<br />
Also, when I inevitably fall asleep halfway through the film, I can simply recline the seat. ||||<br />
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S REAL OPERATIONAL<br />
DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATERS<br />
South Bay Drive-in Theatres, Imperial Beach (San Diego)<br />
“Where cinema meets the sea”<br />
Vineland Drive-in, Industry<br />
L.A.’s closest, with four screens, open daily<br />
Mission Tiki Drive-in Theatre, Montclair<br />
Also close to L.A., with four screens, open 365 days a year<br />
Paramount Drive-In Theatres, Paramount<br />
The original Roadium Drive-in from 1947, renovated in 2014<br />
Rubidoux Drive-In Theatre, Riverside<br />
One of oldest in the state, since 1948<br />
Van Buren Drive-In Theatre, Riverside<br />
The state’s largest<br />
Santee Drive-In, Santee (near San Diego)<br />
Open since 1958 (cash only)<br />
Smith’s Ranch Drive-in, Twentynine Palms<br />
Only one screen, but it’s a bargain with $5 double features (cash only)<br />
Drive-in Mini Pretzel Dogs<br />
My favorite movie snack is the hot dog. But, to be honest, I rarely get a good one at the<br />
movies. The bun is stale or the sausage lacks flavor or (mostly) it’s too expensive. But the<br />
beauty of the drive-in, versus the walk-in theater, is that I do not have to hide snacks in<br />
my purse. I can pack a full-fledged picnic basket, set it on the passenger seat next to me,<br />
and drive right in in full view of everyone.<br />
So, of course, this provides me with an opportunity to cook something fun. Drive-in<br />
picnics should never be messy, or complicated. Hand-held foods are the easiest to eat<br />
and clean up after, and these pretzel dogs fit the bill — just complicated enough to be<br />
impressive, but pedestrian enough to keep you from looking like a snob.<br />
2 quarts water<br />
1 package of mini hot dogs (Hillshire Farms<br />
sells Lit’l Smokies in a 14-ounce size) or<br />
small slices of your favorite sausage<br />
1 pound French, white or pizza dough,<br />
homemade or store-bought<br />
Ingredients<br />
¼ cup baking soda<br />
1 tablespoon sugar<br />
4 tablespoons melted butter<br />
2 to 3 tablespoons premium mediumcoarse<br />
sea salt (I like to use Maldon)<br />
Mustard or cheese sauce to garnish<br />
METHOD<br />
1. Preheat oven to 400°, and coat a baking sheet with pan spray. (Do not use parchment paper in<br />
the casing — the wet pretzels will stick to it). Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan.<br />
2. Roll out white dough to quarter-inch thickness, and cut into strips about a half-inch by 2 to 3<br />
inches. Coil the strips around the sausages, leaving the ends visible. Use a little water to glue the<br />
dough in place.<br />
3. At the boil, turn the water down to a simmer and add the baking soda and sugar. Drop the<br />
dough-wrapped sausages into the water, and poach for about 15 seconds. Remove with a slotted<br />
spoon, tap off excess liquid and place on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining wrapped<br />
sausages. (Do not crowd them in the poach pot.)<br />
4. Brush poached pretzel dogs with melted butter, sprinkle with good salt and bake for 10 minutes.<br />
Rotate the pan so they brown evenly, and finish baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, until<br />
golden brown. Cool slightly, then wrap in foil and head to the show.<br />
SHOTS BOX<br />
STORY AND PHOTO BY MICHAEL CERVIN<br />
The craft cocktail renaissance is, undeniably, sweeping the nation. Cocktails<br />
with historic pedigrees are fashionable again. But not everyone has the time<br />
nor the inclination to visit bar after bar to find the best cocktail. And most of<br />
us are not proficient bartenders at home. With Shots Box, that has changed.<br />
Shots Box is a SoCal–based subscription service that delivers 10 different<br />
spirits (by the shot, typically 1.5 ounces) to your door so you can experiment<br />
at home. The real expense of cocktails is always the liquor. Here, the liquor<br />
and recipe cards are brought to you, and all you need do is get the remaining<br />
ingredients to make 10 wildly different cocktails. “I launched Shots Box because<br />
of my passion for home-brewing and craft spirits. I’m driven by success and the<br />
luxury of simplicity,” says founder J.C. Stock, who bills Shots Box as “the only<br />
craft sampling club in the world.”<br />
The cost is $39.99 a month, which comes out to $4 per cocktail. All spirits<br />
range from mid-shelf to top-shelf; the box I received contained a wide variety,<br />
including Death’s Door Gin from Wisconsin, Montana Honey Moonshine and<br />
Adelaide’s Dreamsicle Coconut Liqueur from Nebraska. The recipes are not<br />
complex, most using just four ingredients. The shipment also includes information<br />
about where the spirit was distilled, tasting notes and info about the distillery<br />
via a QR code on each card. You can also purchase full-size bottles directly from<br />
ShotsBox.com when you find the cocktail you love. Through this simple service,<br />
the luxury of home-cocktail connoisseurship becomes a snap. |||<br />
46 | ARROYO | 06.19
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