~Stand by Me...Week-End

Happy Week-end every one. This week-end I bring you one of my favs from the 80's. I can't even tell you how many times my best friend & I watched this gem. So I hope you enjoy!

"Stand by Me" is a 1986 movie based on the novella The Body by Stephen King. The title comes from a Ben E. King song of the same name. The song plays during the closing credits of the movie. Directed by Rob Reiner and starring Wil Whaton, River Phoenix, Kiefer Sutherland and John Cussack.
Set in 1959, the story is a coming of age for the main characters. The four main characters are Gordie Lachance (the narrator), Chris Chambers, Teddy Duchamp and Vern Tessio. They are all twelve years old. Each of the boys has their own affliction, mental or physical. Gordie is the most complex of the main characters. He is quiet boy with a penchant for telling stories. He struggles for acceptance from his father, after his older brother, Denny, was killed in a road accident.

The boys over-hear older youths talking of a boy (Ray Brower) having been struck by a train and killed. The boys set off on an adventure to locate the body of the dead boy. The film concentrates on the journey the boys take, with the encounters they face, and the interaction between the characters.


Enjoy with...
"Stand By Meringue Nests with Strawberry & Lemons"

From Good Housekeeping Ingredients


* 3 large lemons
* 1 tablespoon(s) cornstarch
* 6 tablespoon(s) (3/4 stick) butter
* 1 1/4 cup(s) sugar
* 4 large eggs, separated
* 1/4 teaspoon(s) cream of tartar
* 1/2 cup(s) heavy cream, substitute whipping cream
* 1 pint(s) strawberries, each hulled and cut into quarters
* 1 tablespoon(s) strawberry preserves
* mint leaves, for garnish

Directions

1. From lemons, grate 1 tablespoon peel and squeeze 1/2 cup juice.
2. In 2-quart saucepan, with wire whisk, mix cornstarch, lemon peel, and lemon juice until smooth. Add butter and 3/4 cup sugar; heat to boiling over medium heat. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.
3. In small bowl, beat egg yolks slightly. Into yolks, beat small amount of hot lemon mixture; pour egg mixture back into lemon mixture in saucepan, beating rapidly to prevent lumping. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick, about 5 minutes. Pour lemon curd into medium bowl; cover surface with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours or until well chilled. (Lemon curd can be refrigerated up to 3 days.)
4. Meanwhile, prepare meringue nests: Preheat oven to 225 degrees F. Line large cookie sheet with foil or cooking parchment. In small bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Sprinkle in 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition until sugar dissolves and whites stand in stiff, glossy peaks.
5. Spoon meringue into 6 mounds on cookie sheet. With back of spoon, form a well in center of each mound to create a nest.
6. Bake nests 2 1/2 hours. Turn off oven and let nests remain in oven 1 hour to dry out. Cool nests on cookie sheet on wire rack. If not using right away, store in airtight containers.
7. Just before serving, in small bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat heavy or whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into lemon curd.
8. In medium bowl, toss strawberries with preserves. Spoon lemon-curd mixture into meringue nests. Top with strawberry mixture. Garnish with mint.