It’s no surprise, really, that William Shatner’s Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise were so willing to go so far, star trekkin’ across the universe, when their daily rations in the original series were strange-looking cubes of Play-Doh in traffic light colours. Warp factor get me the hell outta here.
Countless planet-of-the-week encounters make total sense when there’s far more exciting fare to be had in distant corners of the galaxy, from Vulcan jumbo molluscs to Ferengi tube grub or a Betazoid uttaberry crepe, all washed down with a refreshing cup of Klingon Bloodwine or Romulan ale, and a strong Klingon Raktajino to sort your head out in the next morning.
While Leonard Nimoy’s Spock wisely went for the vegetarian option, it was originally intended he wouldn’t eat at all, instead absorbing energy through a plate in his stomach. He was also supposed to be red-skinned.
It wasn’t until that tea-loving Frenchman with the decidedly English accent (did anyone check his papers?) Captain Jean-Luc Picard took command of the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) that replicators could conjure up any delicacy imaginable.
In the spirit of culinary exploration, we’ve whipped up some Star Trek-inspired treats to mark the adventures of Kirk and Picard in the original movie franchise, pre-J.J. Abrams reboot, including Bean Me Up nachos, Deep Spice Nine popcorn and wicked big Wrath of Khandy cookies.
It’s hard to believe, warp factor 50 years on, that Kirk and Co nearly never made it out of Earth’s orbit, sparking two film franchises, multiple TV spin-offs and even an animated series.
Tensions flared between creator Gene Roddenberry, the studio and initial show-runner John D.F. Black, with the pilot The Cage, starring Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Pike, abandoned for the impressive accusation of being both too smart AND too sexy.
Shatner replaced Hunter and Roddenberry’s partner Majel Barrett was demoted from Number One to a recurring guest role as Nurse Chapel, plus a long-running gig as the Starfleet computer voice. Eventually she’d portray Deanna Troi’s mum in TNG.
Budgets blew out and ratings were consistently low, with the show eventually axed by new owners Paramount in 1969 after only three series.
Resistance was futile. With fans clamouring for more and a successful afterlife in syndication, the gang was beamed on board for a second go at living long and prospering when Paramount greenlit 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Admiral Kirk, who never once uttered “beam me up, Scotty”, reassumed command of a re-fitted Enterprise and a sightly crustier crew to go head to head with V’Ger’s giant space cloud of doom.
Interspecies entertaining with William Shatner as Captain Kirk (right) and Christopher Plummer as Klingon General Chang in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Source: SBS Food
If it slightly underwhelmed, the return of original series guest villain Ricardo Montalban’s Khan Noonien Singh and the shocking death of Spock wowed audiences in an action-packed Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Spock’s dirt nap didn’t stick, as heavily signposted by the title of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, helmed by Nimoy himself. He also directed the barmy Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, which saw the crew travelling back in time to kidnap sperm whales (not for dinner).
Shatner directed the Enterprise-A’s brush with God in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, which wasn’t all that final as the original crew re-grouped one last time to avert war with the Klingons in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, featuring a cameo from pastry-headed Klingon Michael Dorn as his TNG character’s grandfather.
Star Trek: Generations properly passed the baton with an alternate universe-residing Kirk coming to the aid of Captain Picard. Troi (Marina Sirtis) enforced dubious stereotypes about female drivers by crashing the Enterprise (in fairness, it was an exploding warp core’s fault).
Star Trek: First Contact is probably TNG’s finest film, as evil cyborg menace the Borg return in an attempt to wipe out Starfleet by messing with humanity’s progress, going back in time to prevent their first encounter with the Vulcans. Ironically enough, Picard would push back against Starfleet messing with the progress of another planet in Star Trek: Insurrection, all in time for a well-earned cup of tea.
Top intergalactic blue corn chips with spiced black beans and hot sauce.
Bean me up – and enjoy the melted cheese. Source: China Squirrel
Okay, so we're taking a little licence with series versus movies with the name of this dish. But how could we resist?
Source: China Squirrel
Panko breadcrumbs create glorious golden crispiness.
Source: China Squirrel
Lolly-studded outta-this-world cookies for when the sweet tooth bites during your movie viewing.
Recipe photography, styling and food preparation by China Squirrel
Star Trek cookies Source: China Squirrel
Share
SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
