Movie food

Two nights ago, I finally watched Steel Magnolias for the first time. It's one of the most well-known movies about female friendship, but I found it rather meh. Maybe it was because I was multitasking and not really paying attention? When I IMDBed it after watching (yes, I routinely do that), I discovered that I'd managed to miss an important plot point or two. 

Anyway, what did pique my attention was Truvy (Dolly Parton) saying

[...] you don't need a recipe. It's just a cup of flour, a cup of sugar and a cup of fruit cocktail with the syrup [...]

and all of a sudden I found myself channeling Liz Lemon and "want[ing] to go to there."

I decided to attempt making Truvy's Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa last night, but didn't have any fruit cocktail handy. I did, however, have fruit cocktail syrup in my freezer that was left over from the last time I made fruit salad. The Filipino in me couldn't bear to just throw it away and I'd been looking for a way to use it. How's that for serendipity?

Why 5/8 cup? I wish I could say that there were complicated computations involved, but that's just the amount I happened to have. I added the baking powder so it wouldn't be too compact. I'd read some warnings that this would be very sweet --- the flour doesn't stand a chance against all that sugar and syrup --- so I was surprised that I didn't find it so yesterday, but had to revise my opinion today. Go figure. The whipped cream helps to cut the sweetness. In the movie, Truvy suggested using ice cream which made me go "Eh?" but I get it now.

I think the first time a movie inspired me to cook was when I watched Fried Green Tomatoes when I was 10 or 11 and you should be able to deduce what I made. Coincidentally, earlier this month, I prepared fried tomatoes again for I think the 2nd or 3rd time in my life, but still not green ones.

As for the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, it's also a well-known celebration of female friendship and I know that I really liked it when I watched it eons ago, but can't really remember more than that. I think it may be time for a rewatch.