Neverland Feast: A Magical Hook-Inspired Pie Recipe

What’s Up, Hungry People

Hold on to your hats, we’re off to Neverland in this week’s recipe! Just take the second star to the left and straight on ’til morning…

There are few movie scenes that stick with me like that of the imaginary feast from Hook. I’m pretty sure I came into consciousness during this scene as it occupies most of my earliest childhood memories.

The Inspiration: Reliving the Magic of Hook

In Hook, a grown-up Peter Pan, now known as Peter Banning (the late, great Robin Williams), is a successful but unimaginative lawyer living in San Francisco. He’s forgotten his adventures in Neverland and his identity as the boy who wouldn’t grow up. His world turns upside down when his children, Jack and Maggie, are kidnapped by his old nemesis, Captain Hook. Urged on by Tinkerbell, Peter returns to Neverland, where he struggles to remember his past and reclaim his youthful spirit.

In Neverland, Peter encounters the Lost Boys, now led by the fierce Rufio. With their help, and after rediscovering his ability to fly, fight, and crow, Peter transforms back into the heroic Peter Pan.

After hundreds, upon hundreds of requests over on TikTok to make this imaginary feast, I knew it was high time to take on the fictional challenge that started it all and finally make the feast from Hook come to life.

Here’s What You Need:

• Pie Crust: Provides the base and structure for the pie.
• White Chocolate Jell-O Pudding: Key ingredient for a creamy, flavorful filling.
• Cream Cheese: Adds richness and smooth texture to the filling.
• Coconut Milk: Infuses a subtle tropical flavor into the pie.
• Whole Milk: Helps in creating a smooth, creamy filling.
• Lime Juice: Adds a zesty tang to balance the sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with a sweet, aromatic essence.
• Super Red Food Gel: Gives the filling a vibrant, visually appealing color.
• Heavy Cream: Whipped for a light, fluffy topping.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream topping.
• Blue and Green Food Gel: Colors the whipped cream for a fun, playful look.

Let’s Cook!

Grab your premade pie crust (no need to walk the plank for homemade today) and gently press it into an ungreased pie pan. Here’s where Captain Hook comes in handy – use a hook (or a fork, if you’re less theatrically inclined) to press down the edges.

Trim the excess crust with your best pirate knife impression. Quick, crimp those edges! Then, give the crust a few good pokes with the hook. This will keep it from bubbling up like the Jolly Roger in a storm. Bake it in a preheated oven until it’s golden as treasure.

Crafting the Filling: Creamy, Dreamy, and Imaginatively Red

Now, let’s dive into the filling. In a bowl, combine room temperature cream cheese, white chocolate pudding powder, the milk from a couple coconuts (because what’s a Neverland recipe without coconuts?), heavy cream, a dash of lime juice, and a splash of vanilla extract.

Mix until you think the Lost Boys would approve – the pudding will thicken, just keep stirring. Imagine the filling turning a bright, adventurous red. Once it’s the right shade of ‘Lost Boys’ red, pour it into the cooled crust.

For the topping all you need is some heavy cream and a bit of imagination to turn it a sky blue. Whip the cream and channel your inner Tinkerbell to tint it blue. Pipe this blue wonder onto the pie, adding a green dot in the middle for that Lost Boy touch.

BANGARANG!

It’s time to dig in. Remember, in Neverland, we eat like the Lost Boys – no need for utensils, just a hearty appetite and a dash of imagination.

This pie, a delightful cross between cheesecake and pudding, is sure to start a food fight in spirit with every delicious bite.

Tips for a Neverland-Worthy Pie:

• Choosing the Right Pie Crust: For a flakier, more buttery crust, consider making your own or choosing a high-quality store-bought version. The crust is the foundation of your pie, so it should be tasty and well-made.
• Achieving the Perfect Pudding Consistency: When mixing the pudding and cream cheese, ensure they’re both at room temperature for a smoother blend. If the mixture appears lumpy, continue to mix until it reaches a creamy, uniform consistency.
• Coconut Milk: Opt for full-fat coconut milk for a richer flavor. The creaminess of full-fat coconut milk will add to the luxurious texture of the pie filling.
• Coloring the Filling and Topping: When adding food coloring, start with a few drops and gradually increase to achieve the desired shade. It’s easier to darken the color than to lighten it.
• Whipping the Cream: For best results, chill the bowl and beaters before whipping the cream. Cold equipment helps the cream whip up faster and increases volume.
• Piping the Whipped Cream: If you don’t have a piping bag, a ziplock bag with a corner cut off works just as well. Practice piping on a plate first if you’re not confident in your skills.
• Chilling the Pie: Be patient and allow the pie to chill for the full time suggested. This ensures the pie is set and easier to slice. If the pie hasn’t set completely, it may be difficult to serve neatly.

And there we go, Hungry People, our Neverland feast is all set and ready to whisk us away on a magical culinary adventure. Whether you’re a fan of Hook or just love a whimsical twist on a classic pie, this recipe is sure to bring a bit of that Lost Boys’ spirit to your table.

Remember, the key to this dish is not just in the ingredients, but in the fun and imagination you pour into every step. So, grab a slice, unleash your inner child, and let’s make sure we never grow up.