To Dine in or the Drive-In

Drive-In Movie Theatres were popular when I was growing up. Gradually they have disappeared to building development. In the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia there are only a couple of drive-ins left.

Ask a child today about the drive-ins and most would not know what you were talking about.

To describe a drive-in would not be hard, it is an open air movie theatre, except you watch the movie from your car. I remember a speaker that hooked onto your window and often at the end of the movies some people forgot about the speaker and drove off and broke the window! Today, you tune your radio for the sound, much easier and less hazardous! Normally, a double feature movie with the main attraction last.

The first movies I remember seeing with my family at the drive- ins were Jungle Book and Swiss Family Robertson. That was along time ago!

I was interested to find out where the idea for a drive-in movie theatre originated.

After some research, I discovered in Camden, New Jersey that a chemical company magnate, Richard M Hollingshead Jr, conducted outdoor theatre tests in his driveway. 

Later nailing a screen to trees in his backyard, he set a projector on the front of his car and put a speaker behind the screen, testing different sound levels with his car windows down and up. Blocks under vehicles in the driveway enabled him to determine the size and spacing of ramps so all cars could have a clear view of the screen. 

Following these experiments, he applied on August 6, 1932, for a patent of his invention, and it was granted on May 16, 1933.

Hollingshead's drive-in opened in New Jersey June 6, 1933. It offered 400 slots and a 40 by 50 ft (12 by 15 m) screen.

If you were wondering what the first film shown was, "Wife Beware" the actors were Adolphe Menjou, Margaret Bannerman and Claud Allister.

Maybe next time you have friends over, ask them about the drive-in and see what they say......Then cook them my favourite steak dish below!


Crab-Stuffed Filet Mignon With Whiskey Peppercorn Sauce

Ingredients 

CRAB STUFFING:
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon of onion, chopped finely
2 teaspoons of shallots, chopped finely
1 teaspoon of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon of celery, finely diced
1 teaspoon of green capsicum, finely diced
2 tablespoons of fish stock
170 grams of canned crabmeat, drained or 170grams of fresh blue swimmer crabmeat, chopped
2 tablespoons Panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

PEPPERCORN SAUCE:
One and a quarter cups of beef broth
1 teaspoon of black pepper, cracked
30 mls of whiskey
1 cup of double cream

STEAKS:
4 filet mignon steaks
8 slices of bacon
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon of shallots, finely chopped
1 cup of button mushrooms, sliced 
30 mls of whiskey
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard

Method 

TO MAKE CRAB STUFFING:
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large fry pan.
Saute onion, shallots, garlic, celery and green capsicum until tender.
Stir in stock, crab meat, breadcrumbs and Cajun seasoning.
Remove from heat and set aside. 

TO PREPARE PEPPERCORN SAUCE:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine beef broth and cracked black pepper.
Simmer until reduced to 1 cup, stirring frequently. Add whiskey and cream.
Continue simmering until reduced to 1 cup.
Remove from heat and set aside.

PREPARE STEAKS:.
Slice a pocket into the side of each steak and stuff generously with crab stuffing.
Wrap the bacon around the steak making sure sides are covered and secure with soaked toothpicks.(to prevent burning)
Season to taste with salt and pepper, set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large cast iron fry pan over medium heat.
Saute garlic and shallot for 1 minute. Stir in mushrooms, saute until tender.
Remove mushroom mixture and set aside.
Place steaks in skillet and cook until the desired texture.
Remove from fry pan and keep warm.
Deglaze fry pan with 30 mls whiskey.
Reduce heat, stir in peppercorn sauce and Dijon mustard.
Add mushroom mixture and reduce sauce until thickened.
Remove toothpicks and bacon from steaks, then arrange steaks on a plate.

Warm and top with sauce 

I recommend serving with fresh steamed asparagus and baby boiled potatoes.