
Even if they aren’t in the restaurant from Ratatouille (2007), the characters in our favorite films still have to eat. Whether it’s pouring cereal into water or using a tennis racket to strain spaghetti, these moments remind us that food in cinema isn’t always glamorous. Now, there’s a cookbook dedicated to these unforgettable struggle meals from the big screen.
According to Mashed, A24’s Scrounging: A Cookbook focuses on the less-than-ideal meals in films. These include last-minute recipes like the Pixy Stix sandwich from The Breakfast Club (1985), a baked potato with Vicodin from The Martian (2015), and, of course, the tennis racket spaghetti from The Apartment (1960).
Here's the recipe for the cereal with water from 'Friday.' | A24/Photography by Wade and LetaSome recipes are incredibly simple, like Craig Jones' cereal with water from Friday (1995). To prepare it, just grab a box of sugary kids' cereal—preferably one full of artificial ingredients. On the other hand, The Man's last coke on Earth from The Road (2009) is equally straightforward, requiring only a can of Coke.
Kevin McCallister's legendary 12-scoop ice cream from 'Home Alone.' | A24/Photography by Wade and LetaThese dishes are perfect for those late nights when your kitchen looks like an apocalyptic disaster. Even if you're not planning on trying the recipes, Scrounging makes an excellent addition to any cinephile’s library. The photography matches the gritty tone of many of the films featured. With recipes covering 54 movies from various genres, including both timeless classics and films from A24’s own catalog, the table of contents serves as an anti-food porn watchlist.
Preorder your copy of Scrounging today for $38 at A24’s website. The first batch of books is set to ship on Friday, July 7.
