Meryl Streep portrays Julia Child in Columbia Pictures' "Julie and Julia." (David Giesbrecht/Sony Pictures Entertainment)

This weekend, while attending the NYC Food Film Festival in which we watched the “world’s favorite foods” being made  in documentaries, features and short films – and then sampled the foods afterward — I started thinking about how much fun it would be to try a version of this at home.

We heard about the delicious  Danny Macaroons, and then got to  taste them right away.  Danny prepared them in the film, and then there they were, miraculously getting  passed around.

It was like a dream.  I mean, how often do you watch the Food Network and wish you could taste, or at least smell, how good that food is?  Or have you ever watched a movie like “Julie & Julia” and wished you were sitting on the couch with a plate of Child’s beef bourguignon and a glass of cabernet?

With a little preparation, I’m pretty sure you can. First, pick your favorite foodie film.  Do you love “Chocolat” or “Babette’s Feast”?  Are the kids fans of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” or “Ratatouille”? Then, brainstorm a little.  What’s the signature dish of the film?

A family movie night of “Lady and the Tramp” wouldn’t be complete without a big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.

Never seen “Tampopo”?  Make a bowl of ramen and pop in the DVD.  Craving something sweet?  Make a batch of honey lavender ice cream or pain au chocolat and watch “It’s Complicated.”

Whichever movie you select, enjoy a fun impromptu food and movie night this weekend.  Invite some friends over, or just enjoy some time with family.

Let us know what you watch, and check out some of the suggested recipes below.

Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon

Wolfgang Puck’s Special Spaghetti and Meatballs

Asian Chicken Salad

Chocolate Chocolate Brownie Cups

Check out the website of the Food Film Festival for more information.