Tonight marked the finale of FX’s acclaimed mini-series, Fosse/Verdon, and in homage to this captivating show, and particularly to Gwen Verdon’s mesmerizing talent, let’s delve into a unique piece of dance history and a breakfast dish it inspired: the “Mexican Breakfast”.
Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse portrayed in the FX series Fosse/Verdon, highlighting their complex creative partnership.
While a full culinary series inspired by Fosse/Verdon, akin to my Bette & Joan: Feud project, unfortunately didn’t materialize this time, the spirit of Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse’s artistic genius deserves a flavorful tribute. Although celebrity recipes from Gwen Verdon or Bob Fosse themselves remain elusive – perhaps Fosse’s diet was indeed fueled more by cigarettes and creative fire than cookbooks – a fascinating connection emerged during my research.
Gwen Verdon, a true dance icon, once graced the stage of The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969 with a Bob Fosse-choreographed piece entitled “Mexican Breakfast.” This performance, energetic and visually striking, has gained modern notoriety for its striking resemblance to Beyoncé’s iconic “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” music video.
Gwen Verdon’s sharp and stylized movements in the “Mexican Breakfast” dance routine, showcasing Fosse’s signature choreography.
Verdon’s expressive gestures and isolations during the “Mexican Breakfast” performance, capturing the essence of Fosse’s choreographic style.
Close-up on Gwen Verdon’s dynamic hand movements in “Mexican Breakfast”, emphasizing the intricate detail of Fosse’s choreography.
A montage of Gwen Verdon’s captivating dance sequences from “Mexican Breakfast”, demonstrating the performance’s visual impact.
The question of homage versus plagiarism in Beyoncé’s video is a debate for another time, but the undeniable link to “Mexican Breakfast” sparked a culinary thought: what does a “Mexican Breakfast” entail? Huevos rancheros and breakfast burritos immediately come to mind. However, inspired by Verdon’s performance and perhaps a touch of French flair, I opted for a crepe-based interpretation.
These aren’t your traditional Mexican breakfast dishes, but rather a playful, flavorful twist. Homemade crepes embrace a filling of garlic, jalapeño, onion, tomato, cilantro, and lime, all crowned with melted Muenster cheese. The result? “Mexican Breakfast” crepes – a delightful fusion of French technique and Mexican-inspired flavors, perfect for a post-Fosse/Verdon culinary exploration.
Preparing the savory filling for Mexican Breakfast crepes, featuring fresh vegetables and aromatic spices.
Homemade crepes being filled with the flavorful Mexican-inspired mixture, ready to be rolled and baked.
The final presentation of Mexican Breakfast crepes, topped with melted Muenster cheese and ready to be served.
These crepes were indeed a success, delivering a satisfying and expectedly delicious experience. As the finale of Fosse/Verdon possibly touched upon Fosse’s semi-autobiographical film, All That Jazz, perhaps revisiting that cinematic work, informed by the series, is also in order. But for now, these “Mexican Breakfast” crepes offer a tasty and unique way to remember Gwen Verdon’s artistry and Bob Fosse’s choreographic genius.
