Robin Hood and Little John, the dynamic duo of Disney’s Sherwood Forest, are not just about outsmarting the Sheriff of Nottingham; they also seem to have a knack for cooking up a storm! In this post, we’re diving into the delicious world of Disney-inspired recipes straight from the animated classic, Robin Hood. Forget gold and riches, we’re chasing after flavors with dishes inspired by scenes featuring our favorite bear, Little John, and the legendary Robin Hood himself. From a hearty “burnt” beef stew to sweet pies and even prison gruel, let’s explore these fairytale foods!
Little John’s “Burnt” Beef Stew: A Rustic Delight
Remember the scene where Robin and Little John are casually cooking outdoors? Their cauldron bubbles and burns, perfectly setting the stage for a rustic, flavorful stew. Interestingly enough, while making this recipe, a similar “burnt” (slightly caramelized!) scenario happened in my kitchen, adding a touch of authenticity – or perhaps just my own kitchen mishaps – to this Little John inspired dish.
Friar Tuck, with his discerning palate, even makes a cameo to sample this forest feast, finding it “fairly spicy.” Inspired by this scene, I searched for a medieval stew recipe that would capture the essence of what Robin and Little John might have been concocting over their open fire. This spiced beef stew recipe fits the bill perfectly.
Little John’s Burnt Beef Stew Recipe
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Ingredients:
| Amount | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3 lbs | Stewing Steak |
| 3 tbs | Flour |
| Oil | For frying |
| 1/2 tsp | Ground Cinnamon |
| 1/4 tsp | Ground Mace (or Chili Powder) |
| 1/8 tsp | Ground Cloves |
| 4 | Black Peppercorns (crushed) |
| 1 | Large Onion (finely chopped) |
| 6 | Large Sprigs of Parsley (finely chopped) |
| 4 cups | Beef Stock |
| 2-3 pieces | Stale Whole Wheat Bread |
| 3 tbs | Cider Vinegar |
| 1 pinch | Saffron (or 1/4 tsp Turmeric) |
Instructions:
- Begin by coating the stewing steak in flour, ensuring each piece is lightly dusted.
- Heat a thin layer of oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the floured beef to the pan and fry, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned on all sides. This browning process adds depth of flavor, reminiscent of the “burnt” stew!
- Introduce the spices (cinnamon, mace/chili powder, cloves), chopped onion, and parsley to the pan. Add a splash of beef stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up those flavorful browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Continue to fry and stir for about 5 minutes, or until the onions begin to soften and become fragrant.
- Transfer the contents of the frying pan, including all the flavorful juices, into a large pot.
- Pour in the remaining beef stock, add a pinch of salt, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 1 hour and 40 minutes, or until the beef is wonderfully tender and falling apart.
- While the stew simmers, prepare the bread mixture. Soak the stale whole wheat bread in cider vinegar along with the saffron (or turmeric). This step adds a unique tang and color to the stew.
- Once the beef is tender, stir in the bread mixture into the stew. Simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes more, allowing the bread to break down and naturally thicken the stew to a perfect consistency.
- Finally, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.
- Serve hot with biscuits for a truly medieval-inspired meal!
Recipe adapted from: http://ginandcrumpets.com/medieval-spiced-beef-stew/
Little John's Burnt Beef Stew in a pot, ready to be served.
Trigger’s Blackberry Pie: A Sweet Escape
After the archery tournament excitement, Robin finds himself in a bit of a chase with Prince John’s guards. In a comical moment, Trigger the vulture seeks refuge in a pie stand overflowing with blackberry pies. This scene inspired a delightful, slightly spiced blackberry pie recipe.
Trigger’s Blackberry Pie Recipe
- Servings: 8
- Difficulty: Medium
Ingredients:
| Amount | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3/4 cups | Cream |
| 1/4 cup | Red Wine |
| 5 | Egg Yolks |
| 1 | Whole Egg |
| 2 cups | Blackberries |
| 1/2 cup | Chopped Dates |
| 1/3 cup | Honey |
| 1/4 tsp | Ginger |
| 1 pinch | Saffron (optional) |
| 1/8 tsp | Ground Mace (or Chili Pepper) |
| 1/8 tsp | Ground Cloves |
| 2 | Pre-baked Pie Shells |
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, red wine, saffron (if using), ginger, mace/chili pepper, and cloves. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and honey until well combined and slightly pale.
- Temper the egg mixture by slowly drizzling a bit of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture while continuously whisking. This prevents the eggs from scrambling. Then, pour the warmed egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot cream liquid, whisking furiously to combine everything smoothly.
- Arrange the fresh blackberries and chopped dates evenly in the pre-baked pie shells. Carefully spoon the warm cream mixture over the fruit, filling each pie shell.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 45 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly jiggly but not liquid.
- Let the pies cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the sweet and spiced flavors of Trigger’s Blackberry Pie!
Recipe adapted from: http://www.innatthecrossroads.com/2011/06/17/medieval-fruit-tarts-blueberry-strawberry-apricot-cherry/
Trigger hiding in blackberry pies, as depicted in Disney's Robin Hood.
Maid Marian’s Currant (Blueberry) Pie: A Royal Treat
In the same memorable market scene, Maid Marian joins the pie-throwing fun to aid Robin’s escape. While the original recipe calls for currant pie, and finding currants can be tricky, blueberries offer a delicious and readily available alternative. Thus, we present Maid Marian’s Blueberry Pie, a royal treat inspired by her generous spirit.
Maid Marian’s Currant (Blueberry) Pie Recipe
- Servings: 8
- Difficulty: Easy-medium
Ingredients:
| Amount | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 | Egg Whites |
| 1/2 cup | Sugar |
| 2 tsp | Cornstarch |
| 2 1/4 cups | Red Currants (or Blueberries) |
| 1 | Ready-to-bake Pie Crust |
| 1 | Pie Crust Mix |
| 1/2 tsp | Lemon Zest |
| 1 | Egg Yolk |
Instructions:
- Prepare the pie crust mix according to the package directions. Enhance the crust by adding 1 egg yolk and ½ teaspoon of lemon zest to the mix before preparing. This will add richness and a subtle citrus note.
- In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. This is crucial for a light and airy meringue topping.
- Gradually stir in the sugar and cornstarch to the beaten egg whites. Continue to beat for a full 5 minutes until the meringue is glossy and stable.
- Gently fold in the red currants (or blueberries) into the meringue mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Pour the blueberry meringue filling into the prepared pie crust.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the filling is set.
- Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing and serving. The meringue topping is best enjoyed at room temperature.
Recipe adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/red-currant-pie/
Maid Marian throwing pies in the market scene from Robin Hood.
Not-in-Nottingham Prison Gruel: Simplicity on a Plate
In a more somber scene, the rooster narrator finds himself in jail with the rest of Nottingham’s townsfolk, singing “Not In Nottingham.” We then see Mama Rabbit feeding her little ones a simple bowl of gruel. Gruel, a staple prison food, might not sound appealing, but it offers a taste of the simpler times (and simpler diets!) depicted in Robin Hood. Curious to experience this historically significant dish, I tried making gruel myself. The verdict? It’s essentially watery oatmeal – simple, bland, but undeniably filling.
Not-in-Nottingham Prison Gruel Recipe
- Servings: 1-2
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
| Amount | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3 tbs | Oatmeal |
| 2 cups | Water |
| Salt | To taste |
Instructions:
- Begin by mixing the oatmeal with a small amount of cold water to create a smooth paste. This helps prevent lumps when adding it to hot water.
- Pour the remaining water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once the water is boiling, add the oatmeal paste to the pan.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the gruel simmer gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Season with salt to taste. Start with a small pinch and add more as needed until you reach your desired level of saltiness.
Serve warm. While traditionally plain, you can add a drizzle of honey or a pat of butter for a richer flavor, though in true “prison gruel” style, simplicity is key.
Mama rabbit serving gruel to her babies in Disney's Robin Hood.
Verdict: Did These Recipes Steal Our Hearts?
Beyond the gruel’s humble nature, this culinary journey through Robin Hood has been a delightful success! Trigger’s Blackberry Pie was a sweet and spiced treat, while Little John’s Beef Stew, even with my “burnt” touch, offered a hearty and flavorful experience. Maid Marian’s Currant (Blueberry) Pie was a standout, a truly delicious and royally approved dessert.
Recipe Ratings:
- Little John’s Stew – 7/10: Rustic and flavorful, even better if you don’t actually burn it.
- Trigger’s Blackberry Pie – 7.5/10: Sweet and spiced, a delightful pie for any occasion.
- Maid Marian’s Currant (Blueberry) Pie – 9/10: A royal winner! Light, fruity, and utterly delicious.
- Not-in-Nottingham Gruel – 4/10: Authentically simple, but perhaps best left to prison life (or historical curiosity).
These recipes bring a taste of Disney magic to your kitchen. Whether you’re a die-hard Robin Hood fan or just looking for some fun and flavorful recipes, these dishes are sure to add a fairytale touch to your next meal. Enjoy cooking up your own Disney feast!
