Photo: Provided by Netflix
There are many great moments May Decemberthe latest film work by the director tod haynes: An unforgettable performance charles melton;Natalie Portman is really get into character By plugging yourself into the nebulizer. Julianne Moore’s deadpan line, “I don’t think there’s enough hot dogs.” For nearly two hours, I watch Portman and Moore perform the most mean-spirited “mommy break-up” I’ve seen on screen all year, while Melton, with his bleary-eyed, fatherly face, gingerly plays with a butterfly. I couldn’t let go. But as I left the theater, I couldn’t stop thinking about that pineapple upside down cake.
In the film, Moore plays Gracie Atherton Yu, a Georgia housewife who compulsively bakes pineapple upside-down cakes every week and sells them to her neighbors. The sad part is that Gracie had an affair with a 13-year-old co-worker of hers and was the subject of a tabloid sex scandal in the 90s, so they keep buying them from her out of pity. That means only. Local pet store (hi). A few years later we met her in the kitchen. She is a registered sex offender, and she now lives a quiet life with her husband, Joe (Melton), and teenage twins (Mata Kayo).
May December The film is inspired by the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau and her sixth-grade lover-turned-husband (and father of her two children) Vili Fualaau, but Haynes has given this version of the story a meta twist. He takes a similar approach and throws Elizabeth (played). Portman (not based on anyone in particular) into the mix. Elizabeth, a well-known actress who was hired to play the role of Gracie in an indie film based on her life, is determined. understand correctly. Gracie allows nature to enter her home and observe her so that her character study is as accurate as possible. In her intimate kitchen scene, she teaches Elizabeth how to make her “famous” pineapple upside-down cake. God, I love soap operas!
Charles Melton, Todd Haynes, Julianne Moore, and the pineapple upside-down cake in question.
Photo: François Duhamel / Provided by Netflix
Netflix distributed May December It’s out in theaters and is hosting the movie on its platform as of December 1st, but when I asked about it, they were kind enough to share the recipe used in the movie. It’s very easy to do, with just a few steps and simple ingredients. And since I love all of my coworkers equally (except for the coworker who refused to sample my cake, of course), this week I brought my version of this dessert to the office and gave everyone a sample. I had it done.
Here’s how: First, you need to preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Next, combine 1.5 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl with an electric mixer (I’m a fake housewife and don’t have an electric mixer, so I used a spoon and clean hands), cream together 6 tablespoons of room temperature butter and a full cup of sugar. Mix until combined. The mixture should be light and fluffy. Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the same bowl and mix well until everything is combined.
I almost failed at this next step, but it’s actually not as complicated as you might think. The recipe says, “Divide the flour mixture into three portions and add the milk in two portions alternating, ending with the flour at the beginning and end.” That is, stir one-third of the flour mixture into a bowl with the eggs, then add half the milk and stir, then add another third of the flour and stir, followed by the other half of the milk. Add and stir. last third of flour mixture.
The next part of the recipe calls for using a cast iron skillet, but I don’t have this skillet because I gave it away to a former roommate when we moved a few years ago (if you’re reading this) (If so, I promise it’s not) It’s shady and I don’t want it back! ). If you have a cast iron skillet, place 2/3 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons butter in the skillet over low heat and stir until the mixture turns a light caramel color.If you’re like me and don’t have it, do it in a frying pan and pour it heavily Butter a 9-inch round cake pan. (Sorry about the butter, but if you don’t do this everything will stick to the pan).
Gently arrange the pineapple slices in a skillet or pot (I’m not the type to use syrup, I used a can of round pineapple slices soaked in juice because it felt just right) excessively). As I spooned the batter over the pineapple slices, I remembered what Gracie had said to Elizabeth: I see, Gracie! Place her cake in the oven for 45 minutes (mine was done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean after about 40 minutes). Let cool for 5 minutes, then run a knife along the edge of the pot (or pan) and carefully invert the cake onto a platter.
So how was it? I think my cake looked delicious. My co-workers agreed, except for one disgusting person who said “disgusting” in front of the entire Cut staff meeting room (just like in the movie, she didn’t want to talk to the judgmental townspeople). (I choose to believe that he is just playing a role.) Others used phrases such as “moist”, “perfectly delicious snack cake”, “spongy”, “great crumb” and “just enough sweetness” to describe the taste. But maybe they also had pity on me.
During the tasting, I realized that I had never had a pineapple upside down cake before. So there is no standard for what it actually tastes like. And you’re probably thinking: Wait, where’s the cherry?, But the recipe Netflix gave me didn’t call for maraschino cherries. I feel sorry for the production designer who created the recipe for this movie, but I wish they had included that ingredient. That would have added an extra sweet dimension to the cake (not that I’m saying it) Really That’s how much sugar you need). Anyway, I’m obviously not a recipe writer. All I know is that Pineapple Upside Down Cake is his retro dessert that was popular in the 1920s. If you’re eating this every week like Atherton and Yu’s house is, you’ll probably need medical attention. thank you!