Fall feasts from Studio Ghibli
Wholesome comfort foods and animated films that warm the heart
Hi, welcome to the first edition of Cinema Cuisine Chronicles! I hope you enjoy this newsletter and the delicious food I recreated. I made up and compiled these recipes myself. *Disclaimer* I used my imagination to recreate these dishes as closely as possible to the ones from the movies; however, we all know that no food will ever look as perfect as the animated one, but, in my opinion, these dishes taste as good or even better.
Ponyo’s Ramen w/ Ham
The Studio Ghibli film Ponyo, written in 2008, follows Ponyo, a young goldfish who becomes friends with a human boy. Where to watch.
Ponyo magically transforms into a human with the boy’s help, and she embarks on a journey of new experiences, including her first taste of ramen. How magical?
During a powerful storm, the boy’s mother cooks the most perfect-looking ramen for the two kids. You, too, can get cozy with a warm bowl of ramen and watch Ponyo, which is the perfect way to welcome fall. (58:30 in)
The film’s beautiful underwater and seaside scenes, as well as its themes of friendship, family, and the magic of nature, create a sense of warmth and comfort that aligns with the cozy vibes of autumn.
Ponyo embodies childlike wonder and teaches us to find joy in simple things. For Ponyo, being human is enjoying a meal shared with loved ones. Ham symbolizes her profound connection and gratitude for the human world and all the magical people she befriends.
So, sit back, relax, and let Ponyo whisk you away, all while you savor the warmth of a delicious bowl of ramen.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 teaspoons grated ginger
4 teaspoons grated garlic
4 cups broth (I used chicken, but vegetable would also work)
4 cups water
1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms
1 package of ramen noodles (any kind works)
1/2 cup chopped scallions or chives
1 egg
2 slices of ham
Sriracha to taste
Recipe
Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and ginger; stir fry for two minutes.
Add the broth and the water. Bring to a simmer; add the mushrooms and simmer for 10 minutes until the broth is flavorful.
Add the ramen noodles to the broth and simmer for five more minutes or until the noodles are soft.
Remove from heat, and top with a slice of ham, chopped-up scallions or chives, and a soft-boiled egg (boil egg for seven minutes then immediately peel shell under cold water.)
OPTIONAL: Season with chili oil, hot sauce, sesame oil, and/or soy sauce to taste.
Spirited Away Sponge Cake (スポンジケーキ)
One of the most famous Studio Ghibli films, Spirited Away, written in 2001, follows 10-year-old Chihiro, whom director Hayao Miyazaki says is “a heroine who is an ordinary girl, someone with whom the audience can sympathize.” Where to watch.
Chihiro, her mother, and her father discover an abandoned amusement park, which is the world of kami: a resting place for supernatural beings needing a break from the earthly realm.
Chihiro then learns that Yubaba, the evil witch, turned her parents into pigs because they were gluttonous and greedy. They ate the magical feast that was sacred for the spirits and not to be touched. Therefore, Chihiro must work at Yubaba’s bathhouse so she can free her parents and herself.
The sponge cake from Spirited Away is a Japanese delicacy, and Zeniba, the good witch, shares this cake and many other desserts with Chihiro and No-Face when they visit her. Zeniba is generous and hospitable, unlike her evil twin sister, Yubaba. (1:49:57 in)
Hayao Miyazaki’s fantasy world is vivid, gorgeous, and timeless. Spirited Away is not a story in which the characters grow up but where they draw on what is already inside them. This tale is perfect for fall with its whimsical landscape and delicious animated food. Spirited Away teaches morality and lessons of gratitude in a beautiful and heartwarming way while also critiquing our need for consumption in society.
This steaming sponge cake pairs perfectly with a cup of tea, and clearly, it is mouthwatering since it satisfies No-face’s appetite, the best spirit from Spirited Away.
Ingredients
20 grams butter
1 tablespoon milk
90 grams cake flour
3 eggs
90 grams sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Recipe
Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a 7" cake pan with parchment paper.
Put butter and milk in a small bowl and microwave until the butter melts. In another bowl, sift the cake flour two times. Set aside.
In a bowl of a stand mixer, add eggs and sugar. Over a double boiler (placing the bowl over a pot with simmering water on low heat), whisk the egg mixture until it becomes lukewarm (until the sugar dissolves). Then set the bowl on the stand mixer, and whip the egg mixture until very thick. Add vanilla.
Add sifted cake flour in three parts.
Fold in the first one-third of the flour by hand with a spatula.
After the flour is incorporated, add the next part of flour and again fold in with the spatula.
Repeat with the last third of the flour. Next, add the mixture of melted butter and milk and fold in with the spatula.
Put the batter in the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Take the cake out of the oven and let rest for 15 minutes.
Cinema Cuisine Chronicles is an occasional newsletter and a delectable gateway to the world of iconic food in television and film. My mission is to bring the magic of the silver screen to your dining table, one mouthwatering recipe at a time. Who Am I?
Hi welcome to my newsletter! My name is Julia Decker and I’m a Colorado College Sophomore currently studying English Literature, Business, and Journalism.
Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice, my newsletter will transport you, making the screen come alive on your plate and the food is always the star.
This newsletter is centered around two of my passions:
I am an avid Letterboxed film reviewer who obsesses over movies,
I am a foodie who loves trying new recipes
