Buckle up for a spine-chilling journey through the twisted alleys of horror and historic cuisine!
Today, we’re slicing into the history of Currywurst and peeking behind the creaky, cobwebbed door of the upcoming 2024 horror flick Baghead.
First, let’s sink our teeth into Currywurst, the street food sensation that has spiced up Berlin’s culinary scene since ’49. We’re talking bite-sized morsels of fried Bratwurst drenched in a tangy, spiced tomato sauce, often served with crispy fries or a warm, toasted roll. Its creator, Herta Heuwer, conjured up her signature sauce and kept it under lock and key — not even her husband was privy to the secret blend of ingredients.
This wallet-friendly grub became the go-to for Berlin’s hard hats, with Herta dishing out an eye-popping 10,000 servings weekly from her street stand. She even trademarked her signature sauce just three years after creating it. Still, in a plot twist worthy of a horror flick, she obliterated all evidence of the recipe before biting the dust. Now that’s a “secret recipe” taken to the grave – literally!
Now, let’s slip away from the bustling streets of Berlin over to the flickering glow of the silver screen for Baghead — a fresh nightmare conjured up by Spanish filmmaker Alberto Corredor and backed by the sinister masterminds who brought you It and Barbarian.
When our protagonist, Iris (Freya Allan), inherits a pub from her late father, she discovers the vibe is more “haunted house” than “happy hour.” The pub comes with a rather chatty tenant, but not the type you’d expect — Baghead, a shape-shifting entity offering a direct line to the deceased. Unfortunately, gabbing with the dearly departed for some post-mortem Q&A can yield disastrous consequences!
Alongside a stellar cast including Jeremy Irvine, Ruby Barker, and Ned Dennehy, Baghead explores the darkest corners of grief, terror, and the lengths one would go to seek closure.
Hey, who knows? Perhaps two minutes with Baghead is enough to conjure up the ghost of Herta Heuwer and finally snag that coveted original Currywurst recipe…
Channeling the mystery of Herta Heuwer’s secret recipe and the haunting allure of the movie, let’s delve into creating your very own Baghead Cursed Currywurst:
BAGHEAD Cursed Currywurst
- Cook Time1 min
What You Need
- 1 cup (240g) tomato ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) baking soda
- 1 small onion (80-90g), finely chopped or 1 teaspoon (5g) onion powder
- 2 teaspoons (10g) smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons (10g) curry powder
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.625g) cayenne pepper (for a hint of heat)
- 1/2 cup (120g) water
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.625g) black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon (15g) brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon (15g) vegetable oil (if using real onions)
- 4-6 bratwursts, grilled or fried
What To Do
If Using Real Onions: Heat your saucepan with a touch of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add those finely chopped onions and give them a sauté until they turn translucent with a hint of caramelization, about 5-7 minutes. Skip this step if using onion powder.
Now, let’s turn the heat down to low and toss in the smoked paprika, curry powder, cayenne pepper, and onion powder (if you’re not using real onions) to the saucepan. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly to release the aromatic flavors.
Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into the spice mixture.
Pour in the tomato ketchup and water. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Let the sauce simmer over low heat for about 10-15 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
Season with salt, black pepper, and brown sugar.
Optional Blending (for a smoother texture): If using real onions and want a silky-smooth sauce, take it to the blender or bring out your trusty immersion blender. Blend away until you’ve achieved that dreamy texture. Be careful — the sauce will be hot! Once blended, return it to the saucepan.
Let the sauce simmer for a few more minutes to ensure all the flavors meld together.
Drizzle the sauce over sliced bratwurst sausages that have been grilled or fried, and dust with additional curry powder, if desired. Serve your saucy sensation with fries or a crispy roll, and enjoy!
As the story of Baghead unravels, pour yourself a frosty pint and dig into some delectable Currywurst. This combo is perfect for folks who savor a blend of culinary history with their chills and thrills. Baghead is streaming on Shudder April 5, so go grab those ingredients and enjoy dinner and a movie at home. Cheers to a hauntingly good time!
