Carl Fredricksen From Pixar’s Up As an Open-Faced Tempura Lettuce Sandwich

Feeling down and out? Hungry, but not sure for what? Well, most adults say “Don’t play with your food,” but I’m of the firm opinion that playing with your food is essential to ensuring the best culinary and gastronomic experience. After all, haven’t you ever seen a cat toying with a mouse? Cats never seem to have digestive issues (minus the hairballs), appear to enjoy eating, and have done pretty damn well over time within the animal kingdom as apex predators.

If you’re hangry or existentially grumpy, you might be a bit like Carl from Pixar’s 2009 film Up. Carl is an old, cranky retired helium balloon salesman and the widower of Ellie Fredricksen. In the film, he is voiced by the late Ed Asner. Carl was once an adventurer, and has been through a lot in life - as a result of grief from losing Ellie, Carl has closed himself off to others. This is why he needs to be saved by Russell, a spirited, happy-go-lucky Junior Wilderness Explorer, who will help lead Carl on a high speed journey to save the birds of Paradise Falls.

Similarly, I am going to lead you on a high-speed journey to save your lunch or dinner from boredom.

For the fried lettuce:

• 1 packet of Waitrose tempura batter, or any tempura batter
• 180ml ice cold water or beer
• 400g mixed vegetables of your voice, I used mini cosberg lettuce
• A few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

For the face:

• 1 cups Sainsbury’s self-raising flour (250 grams)
• Alternatively, 2 cups plain flour plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup water (lukewarm no-chlorine) (175 grams)
• I mixed my water with Nestle Nido instant full cream milk powder for a little extra thickness

For the decoration:

• 1 cup of black olives
• 1 medium egg
• 1 slice of whole grain bread
• Condiments of your choice

Lay out all of your ingredients.

Prepare the veggies to your liking, but ensure that they’re roughly the same size. Blanch them if you want a softer texture!

Add the ice cold water or beer to the batter mix and whisk thoroughly until all lumps are removed.

Dip your vegetables into the batter mix until evenly coated.

In a pan, add enough oil to cover the veggies and heat to 180 degrees celsius. Carefully place the veggies into the oil and fry for 3 mins or until cooked and golden brown. This is Carl’s hair, so make his hair silky. 

Carefully drain on a wire rack or pat down on kitchen paper/a towel.

Lay out all your ingredients, and preheat oven to 425F (220C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or grease a bread tin with butter.

In a large bowl whisk together the flour and water, or if you’re not using self-raising flour, mix the flour, salt and baking powder. Then add the water and mix together, either with a fork or spatula.

Sprinkle a flat surface with a little flour, place the dough on top and gently knead for a minute or two until smooth.

Gently flatten the dough into a small rectangle with the palm of your hand and fold it like an envelope. Sprinkle with flour if needed.

Form your dough into the shape of Carl’s head - Carl is square-shaped because his life experiences have turned him “geometric,” or closed-in on himself, out of sadness.

Score the head (Gently! Be nice to Carl!) and place it on your prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes then lower the temperature to 350F (180C) for another 10 minutes.

Lay out all your ingredients - this part is really a “choose your own adventure” time (pun intended, given the plot-line of Up, so feel free to use what you want!

Crack the egg into a ceramic mug and microwave on medium for 30 seconds with a paper towel over the top - stand by the microwave and listen carefully to make sure it’s not in danger of exploding.

You can also fry the egg if you want, but this is a quick and easy cheat to get a nice, evenly-cooked egg white, which you’ll be needing for Carl’s eyes.

I can’t give you too many specifics here - this is the fun part, and it’s up to you to make the magic happen!

I used black olives for his glasses and tempura fried a single grape tomato for his nose. I also used HP sauce for his pupils, and the crust of a piece of whole grain bread for his mouth.

Congratulations! You have now made Carl, the hero of Up. Carl helps save Kevin from evil land developers in the film, and this sandwich helps save lunch from evil repeat dishes. You deserve a merit badge, just like Russell’s proud collection of scout badges. Now, eat your lunch and go on an adventure of your own!