Festive Foodies

Gift a delicious experience with classes from this gourmet Waterside shop

Learn how to make delicious tamales.

Courtesy photo

Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift this holiday season? Give an experience with cooking classes from Sur La Table at Waterside in Fort Worth.

The foodie in your life can learn new skills and techniques from a professional chef, creating exquisite dishes that range from beef Wellington and Bûche de Noël to homemade pasta and macarons.

In this video, Sur La Table's resident chef Danielle Roberts demonstrates how to make Oaxacan chicken tamales (from December's holiday tamales class). Get familiar with the recipe below, then head here to purchase classes or sign up for yourself.

Oaxacan chicken tamales
Yields three dozen tamales

Ingredients
4 oz. dried Guajillo chile peppers
1 cup water
1 (14 oz.) can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 tsp. cumin seeds, toasted
1 tsp. coriander seeds, toasted
1 tbsp. dried oregano
4 large garlic cloves
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
2 bay leaves
Sea salt
Black pepper
Fresh lime juice
36 soaked corn husks
5 lbs. masa preparada
Salsa

Directions
Set skillet over medium heat. Add chiles and toast until skins begin to blister. Transfer chiles to cutting board and remove stems and seeds.

Transfer chiles to blender and add water, tomatoes, spices, and garlic. Process until mixture is smooth.

Return sauce to skillet set over medium-high heat and add chicken and bay leaves. Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer to a sauce-like consistency, about 20 minutes. Discard bay leaves, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and lime juice.

To assemble, lay corn husk flat and spread 1/3 cup masa preparada in center of husk. Flatten to 1/3-inch thickness using back of spoon or tortilla press. Top with 2-3 tablespoons of filling. Fold husk sides toward the middle, then fold pointed tip of the husk down over the filled section. Repeat.

Add steamer basket or rack to an Instant Pot. Pour in water to reach just below basket or rack and arrange tamales facing up. Secure lid and select "pressure" setting on high, setting the timer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, manually release the pressure and unlock lid.

Remove tamales from husks, spoon salsa over the top, and serve.

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Movie Review

Steven Spielberg opens up personal history in The Fabelmans

Steven Spielberg opens up personal history in The Fabelmans

Photo by Merie Weismuller Wallace/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

Gabriel LaBelle in The Fabelmans

For over 40 years, director Steven Spielberg has been delivering some of the most popular blockbuster movies of all time as well as a bevy of Oscar-quality dramas, a combination that’s unique to him. For his latest, The Fabelmans, he’s decided to go more personal than ever, telling a thinly-veiled version of his own childhood.

Sammy (played mostly by Gabriel LaBelle) is one of four children – and the only son – of Mitzi (Michelle Williams), a concert pianist, and Burt Fabelman (Paul Dano), a computer engineer. From an early age, Sammy is enthralled by the art of filmmaking, first remaking a train crash sequence from The Greatest Show on Earth, and gradually moving on to more adventurous stories.

Burt’s advancing career, which moves the family from New Jersey to Arizona to California, causes stress for various members of the family, most notably Sammy and Mitzi. Sammy must deal with anti-Semitic bullies, while Mitzi falls deeper into a mental health crisis. Sammy’s movies continually offer a respite for the family, though, giving him a creative outlet and the rest of them a chance to forget their troubles for a while.

Written by Spielberg – his first writing effort since 2001’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence – and Tony Kushner, the film is heavy on emotions but presented in a way that those feelings don’t always translate. Spielberg is no stranger to depicting fraught family situations in his long career, but in showing ones from his own family, it feels like he pulled back, not wanting the scenes to be overwrought or schmaltzy.

The result is a story that isn’t as universal as some of his other films. As the film is told from Sammy’s perspective, it’s easy to get caught up in his pursuits and various discoveries as he gets older. The mindsets of the rest of the family are less clear, even though his parents and sisters are ever-present. Mitzi’s state of mind is a concern from the start, but it’s not always treated as such by other important characters.

Just as Sammy’s movies are an escape for his family, so too are they some of the best parts of the film. Sammy figuring out the process and secrets of filmmaking is informative and often thrilling, especially if you’re a cinephile. Spielberg has been considered a master for so long that watching him revisit the days when he was learning as he went is catnip for movie lovers.

In addition to being a dead ringer for a teenage Spielberg, LaBelle is a fantastic actor. It’s no easy feat to carry a movie on your shoulders, and LaBelle makes the assignment look easy. Williams’ performance will likely be more polarizing; she employs a very mannered speech pattern that works in some situations, but not all. The film also includes memorable short appearances by Seth Rogen, Judd Hirsch, and David Lynch.

Spielberg has provided the moviegoing public with such pleasure over the years that he deserves to have a movie that’s mostly for him. The initial viewing of The Fabelmans left this critic wanting, but perhaps it will gain more traction on a second screening.

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The Fabelmans is now playing in theaters.

Gabriel LaBelle in The Fabelmans

Photo by Merie Weismuller Wallace/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

Gabriel LaBelle in The Fabelmans

Weekend event planner

These are the 11 best things to do in Fort Worth this Thanksgiving weekend

These are the 11 best things to do in Fort Worth this Thanksgiving weekend

Photo by Ebru Yildiz

Eagles will play at Dickies Arena on November 25.

Thanksgiving weekend around Fort Worth will start off with many holiday-related events, including a light display, ice skating, Christmas train ride, a theater production, and a symphony event. It will end with a quintet of concerts, headlined by an iconic band, as well as an appearance by a well-known character actor.

Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, November 24

Texas Motor Speedway presents Gift of Lights
Texas Motor Speedway will open its gates to the public for the annual Gift of Lights drive-through holiday lighting spectacular. There are over two miles of light displays, with almost 3 million lights, while visitors get to stay in their warm cars, listening to Christmas music on KLTY. Taking place through January 1, there will be special theme nights with discounts offered for participating vehicles.

Friday, November 25

Stockyards Rodeo Rink
The Stockyards Rodeo Rink will feature an all-new ice skating rink, Cowboy Santa's Winter Wonderland, live music, theme days, activations, Coco Corral, and more. There will be five 90-minute skating sessions Mondays through Thursdays, with an extra 9 pm session Fridays through Sundays. Ice skates are included at the venue, which will be open through February 5, 2023.

Grapevine Vintage Railroad presents North Pole Express
Guests can don their favorite pajamas and experience the magic of Christmas onboard Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express. Mrs. Claus takes guests on a holiday adventure to Santa’s Workshop. All guests will receive a cookie and a taste of Santa’s Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a keepsake Memory Mug. Children will also receive a “We Believe” bell. The event takes place through December 23 at Grapevine Cotton Belt Depot.

Casa Mañana presents A Christmas Carol: A New Musical Comedy
Casa Mañana presents a new, fresh twist on a classic Dickens tale that will have children ages 4 to 100 laughing alike. A Christmas Carol: A New Musical Comedy features a contemporary pop score and current pop culture references that are guaranteed to have audiences dancing in the aisles. The production runs through December 23.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Home for the Holidays"
Audiences can catch a glimpse of jolly old St. Nick with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for another installment of "Home for the Holidays," the favorite holiday tradition that comes complete with magical snowfall and Christmas carols. The concert, conducted by Stuart Chafetz and featuring vocalist N’Kenge and the Lone Star Youth Chorus, will have three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.

Eagles in concert
The legendary band Eagles, with the lineup of Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, and Vince Gill, come to Fort Worth as part of their Hotel California tour. The concert will feature them playing their iconic album Hotel California in its entirety, accompanied by an orchestra and choir. After an intermission, they'll return with an entire additional set of the band’s other greatest hits. The concert will be at Dickies Arena.

Aaron Watson in concert
Country singer Aaron Watson has been recording music for over 20 years, but it wasn't until 2012 that he hit it big with his 11th album, appropriately titled The Underdog, which went to No. 1 on the country charts. He's been near the top of the charts ever since. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of his new album, Unwanted Man.

Saturday, November 26

Downtown Cowtown at the Isis presents An Evening with Barry Corbin
Downtown Cowtown at the Isis presents a special evening with Emmy-nominated actor and Fort Worth friend Barry Corbin. Corbin will enchant the audience during the first act with his razor-sharp wit and wisdom as he recaps 81 years of outrageous, sobering, and true stories from his life and experiences on film, TV, and stage. The show’s second act will allow the audience to participate in a moderated Q&A.

Joshua Ray Walker in concert
Rising star Joshua Ray Walker may just be the next big thing to come out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. His honky tonk-infused music has struck a chord since his 2019 debut album, Wish You Were Here. His latest release, 2021's See You Next Time, is the conclusion of a trilogy of records that share characters and vibes. He'll play at Tannahill's Tavern and Music Hall.

Eli Young Band in concert
Eli Young Band is a prime example of how some college bands can actually make it big in the music world. After forming at the University of North Texas, they quickly gained notoriety, opening for the likes of Miranda Lambert. Six albums later, three of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Country charts, the band remains one of the bigger success stories to come out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of their new album, Love Talking.

Sunday, November 27

Pat Green in concert
After rising through Texas' dancehall scene years ago, Pat Green earned himself major label support in Nashville and became the poster child of Texas music for a whole generation of fans. Green’s explosive live shows have made him a fan favorite, and the San Antonio native and Fort Worth resident has sold over 2 million albums and been nominated for three Grammy Awards. He'll play at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall.

Eagles band 2022

Photo by Ebru Yildiz

Eagles will play at Dickies Arena on November 25.

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Christmas countdown pop-up

Hallmark Channel comes to Crowley for Countdown to Christmas event that includes free trees

Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas

Photo courtesy of Hallmark Channel

Hallmark Channel will pop-up with photo ops at Haynie's Green Acres Farm in Crowley starting Friday.

The Hallmark Channel will kick off Christmas movie binge-watching season with a cross-country tour to Christmas tree farms – and a stop in North Texas is on the schedule.

Haynie's Green Acres Farm in Crowley – one of eight family-owned farms on the tour – will host a Hallmark Channel holiday pop-up event on two consecutive weekends, November 25-27 and December 3-4. The feel-good cable television network will install cheery photo ops, provide festive giveaways, and most notably, comp Christmas tree purchases for randomly selected customers.

The pop-up coincides with Hallmark Channel's signature holiday programming event, "Countdown to Christmas," which will debut new original holiday movies every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the holiday season.

Hallmark Christmas pop-up It'll be like stepping into a Hallmark Christmas movie.Photo courtesy of Hallmark Channel

This is the second year for Hallmark’s holiday activations at Christmas tree farms, and their second time to appear at Haynie's. Farm owner Bettye Haynie says she was initially contacted by Hallmark to participate in the pop-up because her farm represented the channel's family-friendly values.

"We are excited to have Hallmark return to our farm this year," Haynie says. "They have been a wonderful fit and it has been our pleasure to have them visit."

Representatives from Hallmark Channel say farms were chosen based on their presence as a long-standing family destination where holiday traditions are manifested.

One other Texas tree farm was chosen, Spring Creek Growers, in Magnolia, northwest of Houston. The tour is also stopping in Somis, California; Powder Springs, Georgia; Chesterland, Ohio; Yardley, Pennsylvania; Raleigh/Cary, North Carolina; and Manalapan, New Jersey.

The Haynie family has owned their Crowley farm since 1978 and began growing Christmas trees in 1998. Trees range from Virginia pines to Carolina Sapphires and even brightly colored flocked Fraser firs. Prices range from $39.99 for a tabletop tree to up to $999 for a 12-foot flocked fir.

Although Haynie's typically lets customers chop down their own trees, this year all trees are pre-cut, as fields are closed due to the summer drought.

Hallmark Channel pop-up All trees at Haynie's will be pre-cut this year.Photo courtesy of Hallmark Channel

Haynie's offers complimentary family-friendly activities, including weekend hayrides, coffee and cider, picnic areas and tree swings, and plenty of areas for photography (rates apply for professional photograph sessions). Admission to Haynie's is free.

The Hallmark Channel tree giveaways will take nothing but a bit of luck on customers' part. During the pop-up events, customers will be selected randomly at checkout to receive a voucher good toward their tree purchase.

The Hallmark Channel pop-ups will run November 25-27 and December 3-4; hours are 2-5:30 pm Friday, 10 am-5:30 pm Saturday, and 12-5:30 pm Sunday.

Free photos with Santa will be available from 2-4 pm November 26-27 and December 3-4.

Haynie's Green Acres Farm is at 10405 Shannon Valley Dr., Crowley. For more information, visit their website.

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