Dinner and a movie ... at home

Like love and marriage, and a horse and carriage, some things go

together so well, you hardly want to contemplate one without the

other. If your classic pairings include dinner and a great flick,

check out the Newport Beach Public Library’s newest set of “Timeless

Treasures.”

Shelved at the Central Library, the “Dinner and a Movie”

collection features videos and DVDs paired with cookbooks that

reflect their spirit. There are obvious duos, like “Forrest Gump” and

“The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Cookbook,” the latter offering an inspired

catch of kabob, gumbo and Creole recipes.

For “Annie Hall” fans, Woody Allen’s magnum opus is paired with

“Lobster at Home.” With tips for choosing, cooking and eating one of

the most succulent delicacies of the deep, James Beard Award-winning

chef Jasper White serves up the perfect dining guide for the Academy

Award winner starring Diane Keaton. You’re on your own for killing

Buick-sized spiders.

If action is your style, check out “Chariots of Fire” and “The

High-Performance Cookbook.” In a volume designed to boost energy and

endurance, nutritionists Susan Kleiner and Karen-Rae Friedman-Kester

outline scientific knowledge about food and bodies, then analyze

pantries, fat substitutes and food safety.

There’s some equally healthy fare in “The Burger Book,” paired

with “American Graffiti.” Find recipes for an all-American favorite

made with veal, turkey, tuna and tofu -- as well as ground beef --

plus recipes for brew-fried onion rings, chutneys and spicy salsas in

Larry and Honey Zisman’s collection.

Those lured by more decadent treats can concoct simple brownies to

extravagant showstoppers from Nick Malgier’s “Chocolate.” Then,

settle into the delights of “Chocolate,” Lasse Hallstom’s inviting

fable set in a tranquil French village.

You can take a virtual tour of North Africa with help from

Copeland Marks’ “The Great Book of Couscous,” followed by a screening

of “Casablanca,” the 1942 classic starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid

Bergman. Or, journey to the Far East with Ken Kawasumi’s “The

Encyclopedia of Sushi Rolls” and Akira Kuroswa’s “Dreams.”

Time travel also is possible with a screening of “Gone With the

Wind,” followed by a snack from “The Confederate Housewife.” If you

think Margaret Mitchell exaggerated Scarlett’s struggles, browse

through John Hammond Moore’s quirky compilation of tips for a picture

of what Southern belles actually faced in Civil War times.

Looking for something more practical, like a model for food and

conversation at a romantic dinner? Select a menu from Frances

Bissell’s “Ten Dinner Parties for Two.” Then fire up the VCR for “My

Dinner with Andre,” one of the most unique art-house hits of the

1980s, featuring nearly two hours of soul-searching chitchat about

travel, spirituality and life’s mysteries.

If you’re hungry for more, look for the complete list of “Dinner

and a Movie” titles under “Top Picks” at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams in collaboration with

Sara Barnicle. All titles may

be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the

catalog at www.newportbeach library.org.