Grab a spoon and get ready for some soup-er fun! I collaborated with two of my best longtime friends, Brandon and P’Tricia, who host The Wayback Recap Podcast. On their podcast, they take a cultural deep dive into nostalgic movies and television shows.
This month, I was their first-ever guest! We covered the plot, creation of, and foods seen in the Disney classic…A Goofy Movie.
Listen to the episode “Yo Stacey” HERE on Spotify or on Apple Music
An ode to the Hi Dad Soup Recipe from A Goofy Movie.
The backstory behind Hi Dad Soup
Arguably one of the most popular scenes in the movie, Goofy and his son Max find themselves locked in the car to be safe from Bigfoot. They end up in this situation because Goofy accidentally reels in Bigfoot with a steak he hooks while casting off to fish for dinner. While in the car, they watch Big Foot rummage through their luggage and he even does a sock puppet act.
Late in the evening, Bigfoot tosses a can of Alphabet Soup that lands on the hood of the car. Desperate to eat, Goofy manages to grab the can and pull it through the window before Bigfoot can grab him. They heat the can of soup up with the cigarette lighter…remember those?
While eating the soup, Goofy and Max reminisce about “Hi Dad” Soup. It’s what Max , now a teenager, used to call alphabet soup as a child. This makes Goofy sad, as he is desperate to stay close to his son who is getting older and pushing for more independence. Realizing his selfishness, Max hands Goofy a nearly empty can of soup with letters that spell out “Hi” and “Dad”.
This truly heartwarming moment was the inspiration for me to make my own version of Hi Dad Soup.
It’s time to unravel the secrets of this magical recipe!
Mise En Place: Preparing the magical ingredients
The key players: Fire-roasted tomatoes and pasta letters.
- Crushed Fire-roasted Tomatoes – the red superhero of this soup provides a solid base. The charred bits and deep flavor give it a more ‘grownup’ taste compared to the canned tomato soup we grew up eating.
- Pasta Letters – the pasta letters are key to making this soup comparable to what Goofy and Max ate. I found a bag of alphabet pasta letters on the internet for less than $5.
Adding some pizzazz with simple ingredients
- Sugar – Trust me on this! A tiny bit of sugar cuts the acidic taste of the tomatoes and creates beautifully balanced flavors.
- Prepared Pesto – Not only does it add an earthy flavor, but it saves time on chopping herbs.
- Mirepoix – A traditional mixture of Carrots, Onions, and Celery adds richness to the soup base.
- Garlic
- Butter and Olive Oil
- Concentrated Chicken Stock Base – I prefer using Better than Bouillion
How to Cook Hi Dad Soup (and Avoid Goofy-like Mishaps)
Recipe Steps
1. Start by cooking the pasta according to the package’s directions. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the soup base.
2. In a large pot, heat the oil and butter over medium-high heat until melted.
3. Saute the carrots, onions, and celery in the heated oil/butter. Stir the vegetables frequently and cook until the onions become translucent. This will take about five minutes.
4. Stir in the garlic, pesto, and cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Add 8 cups of water and stir in the chicken stock base. Bring to a boil and lower the heat. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Add the tomatoes and sugar to the pot and cover the pot. Simmer on low for 15 minutes. Adjust seasonings, if needed, by adding salt and pepper to taste.
7. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the soup to a blender in batches, and blend until smooth.
8. Once your soup is at your desired consistency, gently stir in the cook pasta letters. Serve warm as you watch A Goofy Movie!
Image from Disney Plus where you can watch A Goofy Movie.
Cooking Tips
A: Timing is everything – don’t let your soup boil over while you’re lost in daydreams like Max!
Image via Buzzfeed.
B: Don’t forget to taste test along the way! Be sure to adjust seasonings according to your preference.
Stirring up nostalgia with childhood memories
All in all, I loved the experience of rewatching A Goofy Movie and reminiscing with my childhood friends, Brandon and P’Tricia. If you listen to the podcast episode, you’ll hear lots of laughs about our camp experiences. We also took deep dives into the making of the movie.
Making Hi Dad Soup reminded me of how magical foods can be in media and childhood. Our memories can really be impacted by food and bring back good (and sometimes bad) experiences. Remember how Max and Goofy were full of smiles while talking about Hi Dad Soup?
I hope this recipe is as enjoyable for you as it was for my family!
What are some of your favorite scenes from a Goofy Movie? Do you have a favorite meal/food from your childhood? Let me know in the comments below! 👇
Hi Dad Soup (Alphabet Soup)
Equipment
- Immersion Blender
Ingredients
- 2 stalks of Celery diced
- 1 Carrot diced
- 1 Small Onion diced
- 1 28- oz Can of Crushed Fire-Roasted Tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp white granulated sugar
- 1 large clove of garlic minced
- 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tsp prepared pesto
- 8 cups water
- 2 tsp Chicken Stock Base Better than Buillion
- 7 oz package of Goya pasta letters
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package, drain, and set aside.
- In a large pot, heat the oil and butter over medium-high heat until melted.
- Add carrots, onions, and celery to heated oil/butter. Stir frequently and cook until the onions become translucent. This will take about five minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, pesto, and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add 8 cups of water and stir in the chicken stock base. Bring to a boil and lower heat. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and sugar to the pot and cover the pot. Simmer on low for 15 minutes. Adjust seasonings, if needed, by adding salt and pepper to taste.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the soup to a blender in batches, and blend until smooth.
- Gently stir in cooked pasta and serve warm.
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