Mexican Street Corn Courtesy of EasyFamilyRecipes.com
HOW TO BUILD A HOME THEATER FOR LESS CINEMA DREAMS ON A POPCORN BUDGET
Lights! Camera! Couch!
You probably know by now that we LOVE Mexican food. This Mexican Street Corn recipe is a great side dish (and even makes a great dip!) and always receives rave reviews! I highly recommend using fresh corn and I always use lower fat content sour cream and mayo. Enjoy for your Cinco de Mayo celebration! –Lisa Jones
Ready to reel in the perfect movie night without breaking the bank? You can bring the theater into your living room by building a budget-friendly cinema your family will enjoy. You do not need a Hollywood actor’s salary to bring the magic of film to your favorite sofa. With some creativity and planning, you will be directing a screening room remodel in no time, saving you money on tickets and popcorn at the chain movie theater! Get the credits rolling on the home theater of your dreams — no blockbuster budget required.
INGREDIENTS
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2 lbs fresh or frozen corn kernels 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup sour cream 1 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/2 tsp garlic powder
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1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne (optional) 5 oz queso fresco, grated or crumbled
• • • •
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish • Fresh lime juice, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Pour the corn into a large casserole dish. Mix in the mayo, sour cream, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and half of the queso fresco until combined. 3. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until heated through and bubbling. 4. Sprinkle the remaining queso fresco over the casserole and top with chopped cilantro and lime juice. Enjoy!
Cast Your Dream Scene Is your family a fan of TV show binges or video game competitions that last for hours? Since you are working with a limited budget, choose the entertainment options most important to you and focus on those. Maybe a new game console is the top item on your wish list, so it is worth spending money on that rather than a new streaming service. And if you already have excellent speakers or a wide-screen TV that will fit perfectly into your plans in other rooms, you can shuffle your furniture around and reduce your costs. Create Star-Studded Effects Proper lighting, sound, and other features can transform a TV room into an authentic theater experience. If you can afford it, add ambient lighting, spotlights, and blackout curtains to set the mood. While a big-screen TV can do the job, projectors can create a real cinematic view. They also tend to be more compact, allowing more room for additional seating or a popcorn maker. Give your screening space the surround sound feel by installing a soundbar, a space-saving audio system that delivers rich, theater-quality sound. Set the Stage Complete your family theater by adding movie-themed decor and extra cinema comforts. Display movie posters of your family’s favorite films, and consider creating a mini concession stand. You can use a bar cart or inexpensive cabinet as a snack area, complete with a mini fridge with drinks.
care on a lovely tray accompanied by a small vase of flowers. Keep everything organized neatly, and include a handwritten card or note to add a heartfelt message to the meal. Make it a team effort. Get the whole family involved — minus Mom, of course! Even young kids can pitch in by spreading butter, arranging fruit, or folding napkins. Older kids can help out more with the actual cooking. To make Mother’s Day morning stress-free for everyone, do prep work the night before. Chop fruit, prepare the coffeemaker, and premix the pancake batter. And do not forget the cleanup. Working as a team to wash dishes and put things away will ensure a dirty kitchen doesn’t ruin Mom’s special day when she gets up. Remember, you do not have to prepare the perfect meal to make Mother’s Day memorable. It is all about showing your love and appreciation. The holiday is an opportunity to bring the entire family together to create a special moment for the most important woman in your life.
So, gather your crew to turn your living room into a movie lover’s paradise! Now, all that’s left is to push play and let the good times and tasty snacks roll!
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