Ratatouille

By Tom Benny

Ratatouille (2007) is one of the best-known Pixar films. Its success is huge, as it won Best Animated Feature at the 80^th Academy Awards, currently ranks 43^rd on MetacriticÔÇÖs list for ÔÇÿ100 Best Films of All TimeÔÇÖ (1 spot above Parasite!), and possesses a score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. In fact, pet retailer Pets at Home reported an increase in rat sales of 50% following the filmÔÇÖs release in Britain. Such a masterpiece truly holds a special place in many┬á of our hearts.┬á

The filmÔÇÖs message is that ÔÇ£anyone can cookÔÇØ, a mantra by the fictitious chef in the film Gusteau, with Remy being the very embodiment of this. Despite being an oft-despised little rodent, he is an immensely capable chef with an understanding of flavours most food critics could only dream of.┬á

This is all drawn into perspective in perhaps the most iconic scene of the film, when the harsh and imposing food critic Anton Ego, who can bring a restaurant to its knees with one scathing review, tells the waiter that ÔÇ£I want whatever he dares to serve me!ÔÇØ. 

Remy decides to make Ego ÔÇÿConfit ByaldiÔÇÖ a Turkish inspired variation of ratatouille by French chef Michel Guerard. The vegetables are steamed in an oven for several hours and then roasted to caramelise. 

Upon tasting this rendition of ratatouille, Ego is transported back in a nostalgia trip to his childhood, to when his mother made him ratatouille. He then proceeds to finish the dish with gusto. Upon learning the chef is actually a rat, Ego eventually goes through a transformation of character ÔÇô becoming a much jollier person, who now seems more at peace with himself and others (and wears a beret!). 

Traditional ratatouille is a stew which originates from Nice, France. It began as a peasant dish cooked by poor farmers, and the typical vegetables used are courgettes, aubergines, tomatoes, garlic, onion, and bell peppers (with green herbs thrown in). A cheap but delicious dish. Confit Byaldi is a lot fancier and more complex, hence its depiction in Ratatouille. Here is a video showing you how to make it as accurately as possible.

However, if you want something thatÔÇÖs simpler, hereÔÇÖs a traditional recipe from BBC Goodfood

If you want a more authentic, traditional French ratatouille recipe, there is another recipe here! 

BuddyÔÇÖs Breakfast Spaghetti ÔÇô from Elf

By Hannah Penwright

If youÔÇÖve seen the iconic Christmas film Elf, then youÔÇÖll know that Buddy the elf has been raised well. HeÔÇÖs well aware that elves need the four main food groups in their diets: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup. Whilst still getting used to New York (and a normal American diet), Buddy whips up a ÔÇÿdeliciousÔÇÖ concoction of spaghetti with tomato sauce, topping with a variety of sweet treats including maple syrup, marshmallows, M&Ms, and a chocolate fudge Pop Tart to garnish. With a similar expression to a child waking up on Christmas morning, Buddy tucks into the spaghetti with the only suitable receptacle: his hands.

IÔÇÖve always been fascinated to try this dish since I first watched Elf, and this was the perfect excuse to justify to my family what on earth I was whipping up. I was secretly hoping it was actually going to be quite tasty, but unfortunately, I was wrong- it was pretty disgusting. But I do have to admit, for some weird reason I cannot explain, I did go back for another bite.

If you fancy putting yourself through the same pain I did, then hereÔÇÖs how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 80g spaghetti
• 1 serving tomato sauce
• Maple syrup
• Chocolate sauce
• Toffee sauce
• M&Ms
• Mini marshmallows
• Chocolate chips
• Chocolate fudge Pop Tart, or Oreos

Method:

1. Boil the pasta for 9-10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and stir in the tomato sauce.
2. Twirl the spaghetti onto a plate and pour over some maple syrup, chocolate sauce and toffee sauce. Sprinkle over a handful of M&Ms, mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.
3. Crumble over a chocolate fudge Pop Tart or a few Oreos, and try to enjoy! 

MatildaÔÇÖs Chocolate Cake

By Sasha Nugara

Matilda is one of the films from my childhood that I constantly revisit and enjoy kicking back  to on a lazy Sunday afternoon when I canÔÇÖt be bothered to do anything else. There is no doubt that Bruce BogtrotterÔÇÖs chocolate cake scene is one of the most iconic food scenes of all time as he single handedly devours the largest chocolate cake ever with his bare hands. Sat in the dingiest looking assembly hall with his face and hands covered in cake, I doubt I could ever be so repulsed, yet so impressed by an eating feat. The scene is equally heart-warming as we witness all the children come together to cheer him on, proving that nothing creates camaraderie like chocolate cake. This is a recipe that I have successfully used to recreate this iconic cake!!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups plain flour
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Butter three 9-inch cake tins. Dust with flour.
• Mix flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until combined.
• Add eggs, buttermilk, warm water, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. 
• Divide batter among the three pans. I found that it took just over 3 cups of the batter to divide it evenly.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes in the oven until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Cool on wire racks for 15 minutes and then turn out the cakes onto the racks and allow to cool completely.
• Add your favourite icing or chocolate ganache in between layers and on top! 

The Endless Amounts of Food in GhibliÔÇÖs Spirited Away

By Molly Allen

Studio Ghibli has produced some of the best animated films of all time. From HowlÔÇÖs Moving Castle to KikiÔÇÖs Delivery Service, each movie has remained memorable for its stunning animation and its endearing storytelling. However, another element of Studio Ghibli that remains stuck in my mind are the scenes involving food, which look so delicious they leave me drooling!

Spirited Away takes food inspiration from Japanand Portugal, with confectionaries such as anpanand konpeito littered throughout the film. However, food is also at the centre of the story, as one of the most memorable moments in the film is where the employees at the bathhouse make a huge buffet to please No-Face, a wealthy spirit. The vast amount of food within the scene includes a lot of traditional Japanese recipes, including sushi, ishi yaki-imo and nishime, and the sheer quantity of food will leave your stomach rumbling. 

Chicken katsu also appears in this scene, which is fried chicken usually paired with curry sauce. Why not try your hand at recreating this delicious dish with the recipe below?

Ingredients:

4 boneless chicken breast fillets

A pinch of salt and pepper

2 tablespoons of flour

1 beaten egg

1 cup of panko breadcrumbs

1 cup of oil for frying

Method: 

1. Season the chicken breast with  salt and pepper.
2. Put the flour, egg, and panko crumbs in separate dishes.
3. Coat the chicken breast fillets with the flour, then dip into the egg. Then coat the chicken in the panko crumbs.
4. Put a quarter of the oil into the pan, then place on  medium-high heat.