Get inspired to host a Where The Crawdads Sing Movie + Book Club Dinner Party, plus an outdoor movie night idea shared below.
We’re also including a few themed recipes you can make inspired by the movie and book.
This post is sponsored by Where The Crawdads Sing, now available on Blu-ray™ and Digital.
How To Host A Where The Crawdads Sing Movie + Book Club Dinner Party
Have you thought about hosting a movie or book club dinner party?
Hosting a book club is a fun way to get together with people who enjoy the same book as you do.
But what’s even better than just a book club is having a dinner party based on the theme of a particular book or movie.
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And since Where The Crawdads Sing is now available on Blu-ray™ and Digital, hosting a dinner party featuring the film adaptation of the popular book is a fun idea.
We invited a few guests over for an evening of great food and good conversation.
One of our guests shared they started the book, while another mentioned their daughter was a big fan of Where The Crawdads Sing and was looking forward to seeing the movie.
“I had to do life alone. People don’t stay.”
Kya went through so many disappointments, yet she kept finding a way to push forward. This is one of the main themes that stood out to us.
Many of us could relate to this aspect of Kya’s life, figuring out how to handle the ups and downs and who to trust.
Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones) in Columbia Pictures’ WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING. © 2022 CTMG. All Rights Reserved.
Our favorite highlights.
The cinematography in the movie was absolutely beautiful. Sometimes when a book is adapted to the big screen, you’re not sure what to expect.
The movie, Where The Crawdads Sing was able to transition smoothly between the past and the present, keeping you engaged from the beginning until the end.
Mystery played a prominent role in this movie, keeping us guessing how this would end, and boy, we were in for a surprise!
The themes of abandonment and romance also played important roles in Where The Crawdads Sing.
Kya’s trust issues stemmed from her family leaving her one by one and not being accepted by most of the townsfolk, making her romantic relationships complicated.
Kya’s relationships with people challenged her, but it was a different story with the marsh. Kya was one with the marsh. The marsh was not only a haven when she was little, but it also continued to serve as inspiration and a protector throughout her life.
The marsh provided a way for Kya to survive and earn money when she was little and continued to be her main source of income as an adult.
The movie stayed true to some of the original elements of the book, which were appreciated.
After dinner, we watched the movie and compared the book versus the movie.
If you’ve read the book Where The Crawdads Sing, you will want to watch the film.
© 2022 CTMG. All Rights Reserved
How to plan a movie-themed dinner party
- Create recipes inspired by the book and/or movie.
- Invite guests over who have an interest in that particular book or movie.
- Encourage guests to get into character by wearing an inspired outfit from the movie.
- Create a themed tablescape.
- Discuss the book or movie. You can also create questions to spark conversation around the film.
- Listen to the soundtrack from the movie.
Our menu:
- Cheesy Grits, Summer Vegetables & Mussels
- Homemade Hushpuppies
- Blackberry Smash Mocktail
- Tomato Salad
In the movie, Kya had to figure out a way to survive shortly after Pa left. Bringing fresh mussels to Jumpin’ in exchange for money and gas got her through those initial years.
And since grits were a staple for Kya and her family. I was inspired to make our version of Mussels + Cheesy grits with summer vegetables.
I paired the grits with homemade hushpuppies because they are similar to the cornbread, corn fritters, and hoe cakes Kya ate regularly.
I served our Blackberry Smash Mocktail in honor of the blackberry cobbler Kya enjoyed with Pa in the book.
What You Will Need To Make Our Cheesy Grits
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups of yellow stone-ground grits
- 1/2 stick of unsalted butter
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock, plus more as the grits thicken
- 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup white cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly grated
- freshly cracked black peppercorns
- sea salt
Directions:
- Place a medium stockpot over med-high heat and add the chicken stock (or use chicken broth or bone stock).
- When the mixture begins to boil, stir in the grits using a wire whisk or fork until nearly all the liquid is absorbed.
- As the grits thicken, add more chicken stock about a cup at a time, and repeat this process until the grits are tender and smooth.
- Next, fold in the heavy cream, unsalted butter, and cheese and keep stirring until the additional ingredients are incorporated into the grits.
- Add sea salt and cracked black peppercorns to taste.
- Serve.
Garden Vegetables & Mussels
Adding mussels is a great way to add a bit of seafood, and it is also a nod to the mussels Kya collected when she was younger and ate to survive in the marsh.
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- unsalted butter
- 2 medium summer squash with the ends removed and cut into small cubes
- 1 medium size red bell pepper
- 2 cobs of sweet corn kernels, removed from the cob
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes
- kosher salt + black peppercorns
Directions:
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
- When the EVOO and butter mixture is hot, add the cherry tomatoes and cook for about 2 minutes, do not stir the tomatoes.
- Give the skillet a few shakes to turn the tomatoes over.
- Add the prepared squash, red bell peppers, kernels of sweet corn, and two tablespoons of unsalted butter.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to cook for 5-6 minutes until the tomatoes become blistered and the rest of the vegetables are tender.
- Add sea salt or kosher salt to taste.
- Add freshly cracked black peppercorns to taste.
How to make Homemade Hush Puppies
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups of self-rising yellow corn meal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp of granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 tbsp of kosher or sea salt
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of buttermilk
- 4-5 cups of Canola Oil
Directions:
- In a medium size mixing bowl, add self-rising yellow corn meal mix, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, Old Bay seasoning, egg, diced onions, and a single cup of buttermilk.
- Stir to combine and allow the mixture to rest for 10-minutes.
- In a stock pot, heat 4-5 cups of canola, peanut, or vegetable oil to 375 degrees; use a candy thermometer to determine the temperature of the oil.
- When the oil is hot, gently drop in a heaping tablespoon of the batter into the hot oil, the raw batter will sink to the bottom of the oil, and when finished cooking, the hushpuppy will rise to the top of the oil.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked hush puppies to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
How to prepare the mussels
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs) mussels in shells (cleaned)
- ½ cup unsalted sweet cream butter
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4-6 garlic cloves cut into thin slices
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1½ cups white wine
- 1 lemon juiced
- 2 tbsp of fresh herbs: I recommend these herbs, parsley, French Tarragon, marjoram, sweet basil, or savory
- Coarse or flaky sea salt
- Fresh cracked black peppercorns to taste
Directions:
- Place a large, high-walled pan like a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the butter and evoo.
- Add the garlic and sweet paprika when the butter has melted.
- Cook and stir constantly for 20-30 seconds; you want the garlic to bloom, become fragrant, and not brown.
- Add the wine and the juice of a single lemon.
- Cover the pan and allow the tomatoes to simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Next, add the cleaned mussels, and cover them with a tight-fitting lid.
- Steam the mussels for about 5 minutes or until all the shells have opened up. Discard any shells that don’t open.
- Spoon the mussels over the cheesy grits.
- Serve.
Blackberry Smash Mocktail
Ingredients:
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves or basil leaves
- 4-6 ripe blackberries
- 1/2 ounce sweetened lime juice
- 1 ounce of brown sugar syrup
- ice
- ginger beer
Directions:
- First, add mint leaves and blackberries into a cocktail shaker, then muddle.
- Add the ice, sweetened lime juice, and brown sugar syrup.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Fill a rocks glass with ice and add ginger beer 1/3 of the glass.
- Pour the berry mixture into the glass.
- Garnish with a fresh mint or basil sprig and a single fresh blackberry on a cocktail stick.
- Serve.
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Where The Crawdads Sing Tablescape
Having a themed dinner party also means creating a tablescape with a nod to Where The Crawdads Sing.
For our tablescape, we used nautical decor items, feathers, pampas grass, and other items you may find in the marsh.
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Here is what you will need to create this idea:
- Canvas Drop Cloth
- Round Natural Fiber Placemat
- White Dinner Plates
- Pink Speckled Scallop Rim Salad Plates
- Pink Candles
- Candle Holders
- Wine Glasses
- Pampas Grass (Natural and Pink)
- Seashells
- Decorative Fish Netting
- Green + Pink Paper Napkins
- Copper Silverware
Directions:
- After laying the canvas drop cloth across the table, I set the table with placemats, plates, silverware, and wine glasses.
- For the decorations, I added pink candles to each candle holder and wrapped the holder in decorative fish netting.
- The natural and pink pampas grasses were laid throughout the middle of the table, along with a battery-operated string of lights.
- Adding seashells to this tablescape fit perfectly with the theme of Where The Crawdads Sing.
After enjoying a delicious dinner of hushpuppies, mussels + cheesy grits, and a blackberry smash mocktail, we sat down to watch Where The Crawdads Sing on our outdoor projector.
Plan an outdoor movie night with these tips:
- Themed movie nights are always a great idea. Our movie of choice is, Where The Crawdads Sing, adapted from the global best-seller, which sold over 10 million copies.
- Pick a night with good weather.
- Set up a concession stand with popcorn, snacks, and beverages.
- Create a seating area with a good view of the projector.
- Have the essentials: projector, screen, and a way to display the movie.
© 2022 CTMG. All Rights Reserved
Now that you have the recipes and tips, you’re ready to host an outdoor dinner movie night featuring Where The Crawdads Sing, now available on Blu-ray™ and Digital.
You can also learn more about Where The Crawdads Sing by visiting the film’s website.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups of yellow stone-ground grits
- 1/2 stick of unsalted butter
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock plus more as the grits thicken
- 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup white cheddar cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano freshly grated
- freshly cracked black peppercorns
- sea salt
Instructions
- Place a medium stockpot over med-high heat and add the chicken stock (or use chicken broth or bone stock).
- When the mixture begins to boil, stir in the grits using a wire whisk or fork until nearly all the liquid is absorbed.
- As the grits thicken, add more chicken stock about a cup at a time, and repeat this process until the grits are tender and smooth.
- Next, fold in the heavy cream, unsalted butter, and cheese and keep stirring until the additional ingredients are incorporated into the grits.
- Add sea salt and cracked black peppercorns to taste.
- Serve.
Notes
Garden Vegetables & Mussels
Adding mussels is a great way to add a bit of seafood, and it is also a nod to the mussels Kya collected when she was younger and ate to survive in the marsh.- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- unsalted butter
- 2 medium summer squash with the ends removed and cut into small cubes
- 1 medium size red bell pepper
- 2 cobs of sweet corn kernels, removed from the cob
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes
- kosher salt + black peppercorns
Directions:
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
- When the EVOO and butter mixture is hot, add the cherry tomatoes and cook for about 2 minutes, do not stir the tomatoes.
- Give the skillet a few shakes to turn the tomatoes over.
- Add the prepared squash, red bell peppers, kernels of sweet corn, and two tablespoons of unsalted butter.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to cook for 5-6 minutes until the tomatoes become blistered and the rest of the vegetables are tender.
- Add sea salt or kosher salt to taste.
- Add freshly cracked black peppercorns to taste.
Ingredients
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves or basil leaves
- 4-6 ripe blackberries
- 1/2 ounce sweetened lime juice
- 1 ounce of brown sugar syrup
- ice
- ginger beer
Instructions
- First, add mint leaves and blackberries into a cocktail shaker, then muddle.
- Add the ice, sweetened lime juice, and brown sugar syrup.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Fill a rocks glass with ice and add ginger beer 1/3 of the glass.
- Pour the berry mixture into the glass.
- Garnish with a fresh mint or basil sprig and a single fresh blackberry on a cocktail stick.
- Serve.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups of self-rising yellow corn meal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp of granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 tbsp of kosher or sea salt
- 1 small white onion diced
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of buttermilk
- 4-5 cups of Canola Oil
Instructions
- In a medium size mixing bowl, add self-rising yellow corn meal mix, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, Old Bay seasoning, egg, diced onions, and a single cup of buttermilk.
Stir to combine and allow the mixture to rest for 10-minutes.
In a stock pot, heat 4-5 cups of canola, peanut, or vegetable oil to 375 degrees; use a candy thermometer to determine the temperature of the oil.
When the oil is hot, gently drop in a heaping tablespoon of the batter into the hot oil, the raw batter will sink to the bottom of the oil, and when finished cooking, the hushpuppy will rise to the top of the oil.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked hush puppies to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
Maria says
Love this idea! Can you post a recipe for the actual mussels?
D. Durand Worthey says
Hi Maria- thanks for stopping by! Yes- we updated the post and added the recipe. Thanks!