The Unofficial Recipes of The Hunger Games (10 page)

CAMPFIRE BONY FISH ON A STICK

SERVES 4

On her own in the Arena, Katniss related that she warded off starvation in part by eating little bony fish she found in the creek. Since she knew better than to start a fire, we can assume she ate them raw. If she'd been back home, however, she and Gale may have cooked them over a fire.

We're using smelt, which is indeed a tiny (about the size of a sardine) and bony fish, but absolutely delicious. It's widely available in the freezer section of most supermarkets if you can't catch them yourself.

1 POUND SMELT, DRESSED, RINSED AND THOROUGHLY DRIED ON PAPER TOWELS

4 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL

2 TEASPOONS SALT

4 LONG BAMBOO SKEWERS, SOAKED IN WATER FOR 30 MINUTES

Build your fire and get it down to red coals with a thin layer of ash.

Lay the fish out on a baking sheet and pour oil over. Use your hands to coat all fish well, then sprinkle with salt and toss well again.

Thread fish onto skewers by pushing them on skewers vertically through the thickest part of the body. You should be able to fit 10–15 per skewer.

Hold skewers of fish about 3–4 inches over the coals and cook for just 2–3 minutes, turning once.

The fish are extremely delicate and will likely fall apart if you try to remove them from the skewers, so just eat them right off the stick.

GOAT TRADER'S STEW

SERVES 4

For Prim's birthday, Katniss traded the meat of a deer to purchase an ailing goat. Another potential buyer of the goat doubted she'd get much for its meat and Katniss was allowed to take it. This goat was the source of a lot of joy for Prim, and a lot of goat cheese for everyone else.

Goat can be a tough meat, so it does very well when slow-cooked in a stew. Be sure to brown the meat well on all sides to seal in the natural juices.

2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL

4½ POUNDS GOAT STEW MEAT

1 TEASPOON SALT

½ TEASPOON FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER

1 LARGE WHITE ONION, SLICED

3 CLOVES OF GARLIC, CRUSHED

2 TEASPOONS CORIANDER

½ TEASPOON CARDAMOM

1 BAY LEAF

2 CARROTS, PEELED AND CUT ON A DIAGONAL INTO 1-INCH PIECES

1 CUP DRY WHITE WINE

2 CUPS BEEF STOCK

¼ CUP FRESH PARSLEY, CHOPPED

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large, heavy Dutch oven, heat oil on medium-high heat.

Season the meat with salt and pepper and brown well on all sides, removing batches of meat as they're done.

Remove all but about 2 tablespoons of the oil (leave the browned bits in the pot) and add the onions, garlic, coriander, cardamom and bay leaf.

Sauté just until onions are translucent and soft.

Pour in the wine and deglaze the pot, scraping loose all of the brown bits with a wooden spoon.

Add carrots to pot and stir well, then return the meat to the pot and add the beef stock.

Cover tightly and place in oven. Cook for 1½ hours.

Remove lid, skim any excess fat at the surface and replace the lid so that it's loose and will allow moisture to escape.

Cook for another 1–1½ hours, or until meat is tender.

To serve, use a spoon or ladle to place carrots and onions in deep bowls.

Place a few pieces of meat on top and then ladle juices over all. Garnish with parsley.

SECTION TWO

CATCHING FIRE

8
RETURN TO DISTRICT 12 AND TOURING PANEM

9
THE TRAIN TO QUARTER QUELL

10
THE QUARTER QUELL FESTIVITIES AND TRAINING

11
THE 75TH GAMES

12
RECIPES INSPIRED BY CATCHING FIRE

13
AUTHENTICITY FOR THE ADVENTUROUS

IN
Catching Fire
— the second book of the
Hunger Games
trilogy — the story continues with Katniss and Peeta returning home as the victors of their Hunger Games
.
This part of the trilogy follows Katniss as she tries to return to a normal life and is instead thrown back into the Arena.

In Chapter 8 (Return to District 12 and Touring Panem), dishes like Hazelle's Hearty Beaver Stew represent the comfort of being home once again. Chapter 9 (The Train to Quarter Quell) includes the Soothing Honey and Spiced Milk that was meant to both calm and comfort Katniss. And in Chapter 10 (The Quarter Quell Festivities and Training), Snow's Suckling Pig is an over-the-top dish typical of President Snow's parties.

Chapter 11 (The 75th Hunger Games) returns readers to the Arena and features such dishes as Burnt “Tree Rat” and Fence-Roasted Tree Nuts. In Chapter 12 (Recipes Inspired by
Catching Fire)
you will find recipes inspired by many of the themes, characters and events of the second book of the
Hunger Games
trilogy. These include Rue's Cold Carrot and Yam Puree and Tiny Plum Tarts. Chapter 13 (Authenticity for the Adventurous) boasts dishes such as Charred Tree Rat and Hazelle's Authentic Beaver Stew.

Catching Fire
and food share the same universal theme: survival. From the inspired to the authentic, the recipes of Section Two will transport you back into the world of
Catching Fire
and the 75th Hunger Games.

8

RETURN TO DISTRICT 12 AND TOURING PANEM

“You've got to go through it to get to the end of it.”

GREASY SAE,
CATCHING FIRE
BY SUZANNE COLLINS, CHAPTER 1

WHEN PEETA AND KATNISS RETURN
to District 12 as victors, they expected a better life. In some ways, they got it, but only for a very short time. Soon they had to leave again for yet another Hunger Games and District 12 wouldn't be there when they returned.

HAZELLE'S HEARTY BEAVER STEW

SERVES 4

Gale's mom whipped up a hearty beaver stew from a rare beaver that Katniss was able to trap. Gale would have appreciated this stew after a day in the mines. Beaver had once been a fairly common dish in rural Appalachia (where District 12 is located).

Not everyone traps beaver, so we've substituted it for beef in this recipe. For the authentic version, see the recipe in Chapter 13.

2 TABLESPOONS VEGETABLE OIL

2 POUNDS LEAN BEEF, CUT INTO 1-INCH CUBES

1 PINCH SALT

1 PINCH GROUND BLACK PEPPER

2 TABLESPOONS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

1 ONION, DICED

1 (8-OUNCE) CAN TOMATO SAUCE

1 BAY LEAF

3 LARGE POTATOES, CUT INTO LARGE CHUNKS

4 CARROTS, CUT INTO LARGE 1-INCH SEGMENTS

3 STALKS CELERY, THICKLY SLICED

½ CUP BEEF BROTH

1 BUNCH PARSLEY, CHOPPED (FOR GARNISH)

Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Place the meat in a bowl, season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with flour and toss to coat.

Add meat to pot and brown meat on all sides.

Fill the pot with enough water to cover the meat and mix in onion, tomato sauce and bay leaf.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, then cover and simmer for an hour, or until the meat is tender.

Stir in the potatoes, carrots and celery.

Add the beef broth for extra flavor.

Continue cooking over low heat for 45 minutes, until vegetables are fork tender.

Remove bay leaf before serving.

Garnish with a little parsley in the center of each bowl.

FINGER THAWING HERB TEA

SERVES 4

Katniss got a lot of comfort from being in Gale's home and being around Hazelle, Gale's mother. It was fitting that Hazelle gave Katniss this tea to warm her hands and insides after coming in from the cold.

This tea is also excellent for helping you through a cold or flu. Dissolve one tablet of vitamin C in the tea while it's hot. It'll add a lemon flavor to the tea and help you to feel better, too.

3 GREEN TEA BAGS

½ CUP SUGAR

1-INCH PIECE GINGER, SLICED, PLUS MORE FOR GARNISH

1 TEASPOON ORANGE ZEST

Put the green tea bags into a teapot and pour in 1 quart boiling water.

Let steep until it comes to room temperature. Remove the tea bags and discard.

Meanwhile, boil 1 cup water, the sugar, the ginger and the orange zest in a saucepan.

Stir to dissolve the sugar, then combine the mixture with the tea.

Garnish with a thin slice of ginger in each cup and serve immediately while warm.

GREASY SAE'S GOURD AND BEAN SOUP

SERVES 4

Just before leaving for her tour of the Districts, Katniss ordered a bowl of this soup from Greasy Sae's busy stall. It was one of the few dishes of Greasy Sae's that didn't have game in it. Perhaps it was a slow day for area trappers and hunters.

If you'd like you can substitute Great Northern beans or even black beans into this recipe. You might also enjoy using a combination of beans to change up the appearance and texture.

1 TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL

1 LARGE WHITE ONION, DICED

2 TABLESPOONS CHILI POWDER

1 TABLESPOON GROUND CINNAMON

4 CLOVES CRUSHED GARLIC

1 TEASPOON GROUND CUMIN

3 (28-OUNCE) CANS STEWED TOMATOES

1 MEDIUM ACORN SQUASH, PEELED AND DICED

1 (10-OUNCE) CAN PINTO BEANS

1 CUP WATER OR STOCK OF YOUR CHOICE

SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil on medium-high heat and sauté the onions until soft and translucent.

Add the chili powder and cinnamon and continue to sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Mix in the garlic and cumin and sauté for 2 minutes more before adding the tomatoes.

Stir until the tomatoes have broken down and have a smooth texture.

Stir the squash, pinto beans and water and mix well.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Let the stew simmer until squash is tender.

Stir occasionally and add more water if necessary. The finished stew should have a thick consistency.

HAYMITCH-STYLE BOILED CABBAGE AND BURNT MEAT

SERVES 4

Haymitch cared more about drink than he did food. Granted, he had a lot of reasons to drown his thoughts, and he was used to an abundance of food. Katniss was assaulted by the smells of cabbage and burnt meat when she visited his unkempt home. Perhaps he'd recently eaten this dish.

You can use either red or green cabbage for this recipe. It's a great use of leftover ham from another meal.

2 TABLESPOONS BUTTER

1 ONION, CHOPPED

1 SMALL HEAD CABBAGE, COARSELY CHOPPED

¼ CUP WATER

3 LARGE POTATOES, SCRUBBED AND SLICED

1 DASH SALT

2 CUPS CUBED, COOKED HAM

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté onions in the butter until soft and translucent.

Add cabbage and stir. Add the water, cover and simmer on medium-low for 10 minutes, then add potatoes and salt, cover and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

Allow to simmer, covered, for an additional 5–10 minutes, until cabbage is soft and potatoes are almost completely cooked and fork tender.

Add the ham to the cabbage and continue cooking until potatoes are done, about 10 minutes. Add more water if necessary and season to taste with salt.

LAVENDER COOKIES FIT FOR A PRESIDENT

YIELDS 24 COOKIES

When President Snow paid the Everdeen home a visit, Mrs. Everdeen brought him a plate of cookies delicately decorated with flowers. Such a pretty display for such an ominous and tense teatime!

These cookies are a little trouble to make, but they're unusually pretty. They'd make a beautiful display for a
Hunger Games
party or a holiday platter.

1 CUP BUTTER

1 CUP VEGETABLE OIL

1 CUP WHITE SUGAR

1 CUP CONFECTIONER'S SUGAR

2 EGGS

1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT

1 TABLESPOON FRESH LAVENDER FLOWERS

4 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

1 TEASPOON BAKING SODA

1 TEASPOON CREAM OF TARTAR

1 TEASPOON SALT

½ CUP WHITE CAKE FROSTING WITH 3–4 DROPS GREEN FOOD COLORING, MIXED WELL

24 INDIVIDUAL LAVENDER FLOWERS FOR DECORATION

In a large bowl, whip together the butter, oil, white sugar and confectioner's sugar until smooth.

Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, and then stir in the vanilla and the tablespoon of lavender. (It is best to chop the lavender finely before adding it to the mixture.)

Combine the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt; stir into the sugar mixture until just blended.

Cover and chill dough for 3–4 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease cookie sheets. Use an ice cream scoop to scoop out balls of dough.

Roll the chilled dough into Ping-Pong-sized balls and roll them in sugar if desired.

Place the balls onto the cookie sheets, 2 inches apart. Press into each ball with the open end of a clean plastic thread spool. (Dip the spool into the sugar between each cookie to prevent sticking problems.)

Bake for 8–10 minutes in the preheated oven.

Do not over bake or your cookies will not be chewy and moist.

Allow cookies to cool for at least 30 minutes before removing them from the oven.

Load a frosting bag with the green frosting and place a dollop in the center of each cookie.

Place 1 lavender flower in the center of each dollop.