The Unofficial Recipes of The Hunger Games (2 page)
Read The Unofficial Recipes of The Hunger Games Online
Authors: Rockridge University Press
Appalachian Homestead Cornbread
Greasy Sae's Fried Ham and Red-Eye Gravy
Greasy Sae's Pickled Crab Apples
Greasy Sae's Zucchini and Corn Medley
1
8
AUTHENTICITY FOR THE ADVENTUROUS
Greasy Sae's Holiday Stuffed Possum
Peeta's Positively Awesome Roasted Raccoon
Keep You Going Possum Entrails Stew
SECTION FOUR
CELEBRATING THE HUNGER GAMES
Deceptively Sweet Party for Kids
A Rustic Menu for Adventurous Teens
INTRODUCTION
IN
the
Hunger Games
trilogy, the characters fought, salivated, and sacrificed, all in the name of food. So what better way to immerse yourself back into the world of Panem than through your taste buds?
Food, or lack thereof, serves as both symbol and sustenance throughout the trilogy. Panem occupied its own post-apocalyptic world and, in a sense, also had its own food groups: foods hunted or foraged for basic survival, humble dishes made in the District homes, and Capitol foods that were meant to impress more than nourish. The foods presented in
The Hunger Games, Catching Fire,
and
Mockingjay
ranged from simple game meats to elaborate and uncommon party fare; all of those varieties, from the modest to the ostentatious, are represented in
The Unofficial Recipes of The Hunger Games
.
Many dishes presented, such as the Gamemakers' Suckling Pig, are directly mentioned in the trilogy, while others are merely inspired by the different scenes that transpire. And for more adventurous fans â those who don't mind hunting for their meal â the cookbook offers recipes that are literally on the wild side, with fare such as Katniss' Baked Pigeon or Capitol Fried Squirrel Wings. These dishes would be a tantalizing feast for most of the inhabitants of Panem, although they are unusual by today's standards.
Cooking and eating
The Unofficial Recipes of The Hunger Games
allows fans to delve back into each book of the trilogy in a whole new way. When a craving for the world of
Hunger Games
strikes, tear off a piece of Peeta's Burnt Raisin Nut Bread or slurp a spoonful of Greasy Sae's Special Winter Soup, and transport all of your senses back into the world of Panem.
SECTION ONE
THE HUNGER GAMES
6
RECIPES INSPIRED BY THE HUNGER GAMES
7
AUTHENTICITY FOR THE ADVENTUROUS
THE
first book of the trilogy,
The Hunger Games,
introduced readers to Katniss, Peeta, Gale and the other characters of the story. The world of
Hunger Games
was very different from the 21st-century; in this new world, food was a commodity, a tool and a sign of wealth. For most of the characters, food was scarce and valued very highly when it was available, no matter how simple it might be. The contrast between the scarcity and simplicity of the District foods and the extravagance of the Capitol tables is a metaphor for the poverty of the Districts and the ease and superficiality of life in the Capitol.
The first portion of this section is devoted to the foods directly mentioned in
The Hunger Games
and follows the book as closely as possible in terms of chronology.
Chapter 1 (The Woods and the Hearth), features recipes for foods made in the homes of District 12, many of them from the ingredients Katniss and Gale were able to hunt or find. Many of these foods, like Prim's Goat Cheese Gifts, have special significance to the story that unfolds. Chapter 2 (The Seam and District 12) boasts the famous dishes from District 12, such as Greasy Sae's Call It Beef Soup.
In Chapter 3 (The Train), you'll find the foods that introduced Katniss and Peeta to the world of plenty, with dishes such as Peeta's favorite: Irresistible Hot Chocolate. Chapter 4 (The Capitol) is full of recipes for the wildly extravagant and includes unusual foods the tributes were introduced to on their arrival, such as Orange Chicken in Cream Sauce and Gamemakers' Suckling Pig, whereas Chapter 5 (The Arena) features foods that the tributes either made themselves or were given by sponsors, such as District 4's Loaves and Fishes.
Chapter 6 (Recipes Inspired by
The Hunger Games
) is a collection of recipes that use the story or the foods found in the books as inspiration and evoke the spirit and the memory of this first book in the trilogy. Finally, this section closes with Chapter 7 (Authenticity for the Adventurous), where you'll find unusual dishes like Mrs. Everdeen's Rabbit Stew With Wild Greens.
All of the recipes are deliciously different, and all are a trip back into the story that started it all.
1
THE WOODS AND THE HEARTH
“In the woods waits the only person with whom I can be myself: Gale.”
KATNISS,
THE HUNGER GAMES
BY SUZANNE COLLINS, CHAPTER 1
IN THE WOODS,
Katniss was able to be herself with Gale, but she was also able to find food with which to feed herself and the family that depended on her. The recipes in Chapter 1 are the peasant foods of the futuristic world in which
The Hunger Games
is set.
In the 19th, 18th and earlier centuries, the rural poor hunted, fished and foraged for whatever they could use to fill their stomachs and ward off starvation for one more day. They became very adept at making those foods taste good, and many of the recipes they created are now popular dishes in restaurants and gourmet kitchens.
In Chapter 1, we try to do the same with the ingredients that Katniss and Gale were able to gather or obtain through trade.
PRIM'S GOAT CHEESE GIFTS
SERVES 4
On the first morning of the trilogy, Prim left a gift of goat cheese wrapped in fresh basil for her sister, Katniss. Like many foods in the trilogy, this one was poetically symbolic. Goats are common sacrificial animals in many cultures. Prim left this symbol of sacrifice for Katniss very quietly, without fanfare. Soon, Katniss would make a very real sacrifice for Prim.
Unique presentation and refined flavors make this dish an excellent appetizer for a party, while also enjoyable as a light snack.
8 OUNCES CHEVRE GOAT CHEESE, AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
5 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
4 TABLESPOONS FRESH LEMON JUICE
2 TEASPOONS FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER
1 TABLESPOON WHITE WINE VINEGAR
8 (9-INCH) PIECES COOKING TWINE (UNTREATED, UNBLEACHED) SUCH AS YOU'D USE FOR TRUSSING A CHICKEN
1â2 LARGE BUNCHES FRESH BASIL, ABOUT 16 (6-INCH LONG) STEMS WITH LEAVES INTACT
In a small, non-metallic mixing bowl, use a fork to mash up the goat cheese.
In a separate bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, pepper and vinegar.
Add the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar and pepper mixture to the goat cheese and mix well. Put in the fridge to chill while you assemble the basil stem “gift wrap.”
Take 2 pieces of twine; lay them in a cross pattern (one vertical, one horizontal) and tie a knot in the center. Repeat for the other 3 sets of 2.
Remove cheese from fridge and divide into 4 equal portions.
One at a time, roll each portion into a ball and set aside.
Take 3 or 4 basil stems, depending on size, place in an asterisk pattern (like slicing a pizza) and then place 1 ball of cheese in the center.
Carefully wrap the cheese ball with the basil stems.
Holding the ball tightly together, place onto the knot of the first twine “cross.” Tie the first 2 pieces tightly at the top of the ball, then weave the second pair of strings through that and knot again. Repeat for the other 3 balls.
Refrigerate in a covered container until ready to use.
To serve, let the packets come to room temperature, open them and spread the cheese onto sliced Real Bakery Loaf Bread.
With your fingers, tear a few of the basil leaves and place them on top of the cheese and bread.
Serve with bowls of fresh blackberries, blueberries or raspberries.
TESSERAE HEARTH BREAD
MAKES 1 LOAF
In
The Hunger Games
,
rations of grain and oil came at a high price for the children in the districts of Panem. The stakes were high for second helpings, as additional tesserae equated to an increased number of reaping entries.
In this book, we're using barley and barley flour to stand in for the unnamed grain given out in the tesserae. This bread is darker and heavier than that which was enjoyed by those who could afford bakery bread.
2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
2 CUPS BARLEY FLOUR
2 TEASPOONS BAKING POWDER
1 TEASPOON SALT
¾ CUP WARM (110-DEGREE) WATER
2 TABLESPOONS GOAT'S MILK
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Lightly oil a baking sheet and set aside.
Sift together the barley flour, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
Combine water, olive oil and milk in a blender and lightly blend until well emulsified.
Add to the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed and dough is formed.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured cutting board or table and, using your hands or a rolling pin, shape the dough into a flat, round circle about ½-inch thick.
Place onto the baking sheet, lightly cut a cross into the top with a wet knife and put into oven.
Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.
CATFISH STEW WITH GREENS
SERVES 4
We can only guess at what type of fish Gale and Katniss caught on their fishing trip, but since District 12 resides in what used to be Appalachia, catfish is a safe assumption.
This stew is hearty, but the distinct flavors of the
catfish and the greens give it a nice freshness as well.
6 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
1 CUP WHITE ONIONS, CHOPPED
2 LARGE CLOVES GARLIC, CRUSHED
½ CUP FRESH PARSLEY, CHOPPED
1 TEASPOON OREGANO
1 TEASPOON ROSEMARY
1 CUP FRESH KALE OR SPINACH
2 TEASPOONS TOMATO PASTE
12 OUNCES FISH STOCK
1½ POUNDS CATFISH NUGGETS OR FILETS CUT INTO 2-INCH CHUNKS
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil on medium heat.
Add the onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, until the onions are soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.
Add parsley, oregano, rosemary and kale or spinach, and cook for 5 more minutes.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add fish stock and bring just to a boil.
Add fish and lower heat immediately to medium-low.
Simmer fish slowly for about 10â15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve with crusty bread and bowls of fresh strawberries for dessert.
KATNISS MINT TEA
MAKES 2 MUGS OR 4 TEACUPS
Until Peeta's gift of burnt bread, tea made of old mint leaves was all Katniss had to give her mother and sister. Later in the series, she chewed mint as a way of staving off hunger when she had nothing to eat.
Mint tea can be very refreshing and comforting. Here we use fresh mint, and you can add a touch of honey if you'd like.
2 CUPS COLD WATER
2 TEASPOONS FRESH MINT LEAVES
Warm a teapot by filling it with boiling water and set aside.
Bring 2 cups cold water to boil in a pot.
Meanwhile, crush the mint leaves by tearing them and then, using a mortar and pestle, mash them up to extract the oils somewhat. If you do not have a mortar and pestle you can use a wooden spoon and a small mixing bowl.
Once the cold water comes to a boil, turn off the heat.
Dump the old water from the teapot and drop in the mint leaves.
Pour the fresh boiled water over the leaves, put the lid on the teapot and let it steep for at least 15â20 minutes.
Place a fresh mint leaf in the bottom of a cup and gently pour the tea over it.