The Unofficial Recipes of The Hunger Games (20 page)

FANCY CAPITOL CREAM-FILLED COOKIES

MAKES 2 DOZEN

Katniss was eating from a box of cookies while watching her eulogy by President Coin. Like Coin's words, these cookies are light and fluffy, with no real substance or nutritional value. They do taste excellent though.

These cookies take a bit of time to make, but if you enlist the help of children or friends, the project can be fun. The results are certainly worthwhile.

COOKIES:

2 CUPS SUGAR

1 CUP BUTTER (NO SUBSTITUTES), SOFTENED

2 EGGS

1 TEASPOON VANILLA

3 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

⅔
CUP BAKER'S COCOA

1 TEASPOON BAKING SODA

1 TEASPOON SALT

½ CUP MILK

CREAM FILLING:

½ CUP BUTTER, SOFTENED

1½ CUPS POWDERED SUGAR

1 CUP MARSHMALLOW FLUFF

1 TEASPOON VANILLA

COOKIES:

Cream together the sugar and butter, making sure that it's nice and fluffy.

Add the eggs to the creamed mixture, beating well between each, then add the vanilla.

Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, and add to the creamed mixture a little at a time, alternating with adding the milk.

Refrigerate overnight, or at least a couple of hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Drop by rounded teaspoonful onto a greased cookie sheet, making sure to leave 2 inches between each. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are firm. Remove from oven and cool completely.

CREAM FILLING:

Combine the butter, powdered sugar, marshmallow fluff and vanilla. Blend well.

Spread filling on one side of half of the cookies.

Put the other half of the cookies on top to create a sandwich.

Store for up to a week in the fridge.

GREASY SAE'S PLUM LAMB STEW

SERVES 10

In this version, the sweetness of the plums plays beautifully with the savory tones of the meat and veggies. Just like when Peeta and Katniss shared memories of the lamb stew at the Capitol, the feelings were bittersweet.

Lamb shoulder tends to be tough, so it's one of the less expensive cuts of lamb. This recipe makes the most of the shoulder's flavor while keeping it tender and moist.

1½ POUNDS BACON, DICED

6 POUNDS BONELESS LAMB SHOULDER, CUT INTO 2-INCH PIECES

½ CUP ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

½ TEASPOON SALT

½ TEASPOON GROUND BLACK PEPPER

1 LARGE ONION, CHOPPED

3 CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED

½ CUP WATER

4 CUPS BEEF STOCK

1 CUP PLUMS, CHOPPED

4 CUPS DICED CARROTS

2 LARGE ONIONS, CUT INTO BITE-SIZE PIECES

3 POTATOES

1 CUP BEEF STOCK

1 TEASPOON DRIED THYME

2 BAY LEAVES

Fry the bacon in a large, heavy stockpot and drain on paper towels, leaving all but one tablespoon of bacon grease in the pot.

Toss the lamb, flour, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl to coat.

Add meat to the pot and brown on all sides, then remove and set aside on a plate.

Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until starting to brown. Add ½ cup of water to the pan to deglaze it.

Add the reserved bacon, plums, carrots, onions, potatoes, stock, thyme, bay leaves and lamb. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 1½ hours or until tender.

BETTER THAN NOTHING BREAD WITH MOLDY CHEESE AND MUSTARD SAUCE

SERVES 8 AS AN APPETIZER

Seeing this dish on a shelf reminded Katniss that some people in the Capitol don't have full bellies and would be grateful to have anything to eat. We've made it much tastier for you, so enjoy!

The addition of honey to this dish may seem odd, but it works beautifully with the blue cheese. You can also use Roquefort in this recipe if you don't have blue on hand.

1 LOAF DISTRICT 13'S BREAD, CUT INTO BITE-SIZED CUBES

1 POUND BLUE CHEESE, CRUMBLED

¼ CUP DIJON MUSTARD

¼ TABLESPOON HONEY

1 TABLESPOON MAYONNAISE

2 TEASPOONS LEMON JUICE

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread bread cubes out in a layer and sprinkle the blue cheese crumbles over them.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melting and bread is toasted.

Set aside to cool.

In a small bowl, combine the mustard, honey, mayo and lemon juice. Mix well and place in a dip bowl.

Arrange the breadcrumbs on a serving plate around the dip.

CAPITOL LIVING LIVER PATE

SERVES 4

Liver pate has been a staple for both the rich and poor for centuries, though the ingredients differ vastly between the two. When back at the Capitol, one of Katniss' biggest advantages was that she once again had access to unlimited food. Here's an example of the pate that she may have eaten for breakfast.

Have your supermarket butcher grind the pork shoulder for you if it isn't available packaged. Most supermarkets offer this service for free.

1 TABLESPOON COGNAC OR BRANDY

1 CLOVE GARLIC

1 SPRIG PARSLEY

½ SMALL WHITE ONION

½ TEASPOON ALLSPICE

½ TEASPOON SALT

¼ TEASPOON FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER

DASH OF CAYENNE

½ POUND FINELY GROUND PORK SHOULDER

½ POUND CLEANED, FINELY GROUND LIVER — CHICKEN, CALF OR PIG

SLICED BACON — ABOUT ¼ POUND

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the alcohol, garlic, parsley, onion, allspice, salt, pepper and cayenne in a blender or food processor and pulse until finely chopped.

Add the ground meat in a little at a time and continue to pulse until a fine paste is achieved.

Line a terrine with bacon and add the meat mixture.

Top with bacon and place in a larger baking dish in a water bath. This is important because it keeps your pate moist and gives it a smoother texture.

Bake for about 1½ hours.

Cool under a weighted plate or cutting board so that it will set firm with a smooth texture.

Chill for several hours or overnight.

Serve with pieces of District 13's Bread.

CAPITOL FIG COOKIES

MAKES ABOUT 2 DOZEN COOKIES

Katniss would never have eaten these if she had not been the “guest” of the Capitol, because sugar and sweet treats were enormously expensive. It's a great representation of the difference between the Capitol — which had so much — and the districts — which had so little.

The taste of these cookies is similar to Fig Newtons, but don't be deceived, the flavor and texture of these homemade treats are far superior to what you can get at the store.

DOUGH:

2 CUPS SHORTENING OR BUTTER

1½ CUPS SUGAR

3 MEDIUM EGGS

1 TABLESPOON VANILLA EXTRACT

¼ TEASPOON SALT

4 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

4 TEASPOONS BAKING POWDER

1 CUP WHOLE MILK

FILLING:

2 POUNDS DRIED FIGS

½ FRESH ORANGE, WITH PEEL

1 SMALL APPLE

½ CUP WATER (OPTIONAL)

¾ CUP PECANS, CHOPPED

1 TEASPOON GROUND CINNAMON

1 CUP RAISINS

¼ CUP SUGAR

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

DOUGH:

Cream the shortening/butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until fluffy.

Slowly add the eggs, vanilla and salt and continue to mix on medium.

Add the flour and baking powder a little bit at a time then knead the dough until smooth.

Add just enough of the milk to make it workable but not sticky. If it gets sticky, just add a little more flour.

FILLING:

Dice figs, orange and apple, then grind the mix in a food processor or blender.

If it's too dry, add some of the water, but usually the juice from the orange and apple is sufficient.

Add the nuts, cinnamon, raisins and sugar, and either stir or knead by hand.

Roll dough out into a strip about 6 inches wide. Put the fig mixture down the center (the long way), then wrap the dough over it to seal (think Fig Newton while you're doing this).

Slice cookies every 2 inches or so and place on an ungreased cookie sheet, leaving a bit of room between them.

Bake 10–15 minutes, or until cookies start to brown.

TIGRIS' HAM AND POTATO HASH

SERVES 4

This was the first hot meal that Katniss had eaten in days. When she smelled it while Tigris was cooking, she actually drooled, and you will too. This is probably a close rendition of what they ate.

This is a great way to use leftover ham and makes a very hearty dish for either breakfast or dinner. Serve with a vegetable or some fresh fruit and you will have a complete meal.

2 TABLESPOONS OIL, YOUR CHOICE

1 POUND SMOKED HAM, CHOPPED

4 MEDIUM POTATOES, CUBED SMALL

1 TEASPOON DRY ROSEMARY

1 TEASPOON SALT

½ TEASPOON BLACK PEPPER

Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok on high heat.

Add all ingredients.

Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, until the potatoes are tender.

Serve immediately.

GREASY SAE'S EGGS AND TOAST

SERVES 2

Everybody has a way in which they express love, concern or the desire to help. Greasy Sae's method was always through food. When Katniss returned to District 12, she awakens on her first morning to Greasy Sae banging in the kitchen, making her eggs and toast. Katniss didn't know her motive, but from Sae's position throughout the books, it's pretty safe to assume that it was love and concern.

Simple yet sustaining, this meal is a good representation of Greasy Sae herself. It's also easy to make and very comforting.

2 SLICES RUSTIC WHITE BREAD

1 TABLESPOON OIL

2 EGGS

¼ TEASPOON SALT

¼ TEASPOON BLACK PEPPER

2 TABLESPOONS BUTTER

4 TEASPOONS BUTTER

1 TEASPOON CINNAMON

1 TEASPOON SUGAR

Put the slices of bread in the toaster.

Heat the oil in the skillet and carefully crack both eggs in. Salt and pepper to taste.

Cook for 2 minutes on the first side, then carefully loosen the edges of the eggs and turn them with a spatula. Be sure to keep the yolks intact.

Cook another 2 minutes and remove carefully from the skillet to a plate.

Remove the toast from the toaster and butter each slice.

Lightly sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar over the slices, and then cut each slice in half, diagonally.

Place 2 pieces on either side of the eggs.

BUTTERCUP'S BACON AND FRENCH TOAST

SERVES 4

Near the end of the book, Prim's cat Buttercup arrived home beaten and battered but alive, much like Katniss. When Peeta shows up with a loaf of warm bread and Greasy Sae makes breakfast, Katniss gave Buttercup all of her bacon. They had both lost Prim, and now Katniss would care for Buttercup as Buttercup had cared for Prim.

For the best results, use day old bread for this recipe. It soaks up the flavors of the egg mixture without getting soggy.

1 POUND HICKORY SMOKED BACON

1 CUP MILK

2 EGGS

1 TEASPOON VANILLA

1 TEASPOON CINNAMON

¼ TEASPOON NUTMEG

1 TABLESPOON OIL

8 SLICES RUSTIC WHITE BREAD

1 STICK BUTTER, DIVIDED

3 TABLESPOONS CONFECTIONER'S SUGAR

Fry the bacon in a skillet until crispy and set aside in a warm place.

Add the milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg to a medium-sized bowl and mix well.

Heat the oil in a skillet or griddle.

Dredge a slice of bread through the milk and egg mixture and place in the hot skillet.

Repeat for 2 more slices, or until the skillet or griddle is full.

Fry on medium heat for 3 minutes on the first side, checking after 2 minutes to make sure it doesn't burn.

Flip and fry on the other side for 2 minutes.

Place 2 slices on each plate and add 1 tablespoon of butter.

Lightly sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with maple syrup or strawberries, and of course the bacon.

FINNICK AND ANNIE'S WEDDING CIDER

YIELDS 1 GALLON OR 16 SERVINGS

Apples have long been a sign of health and happiness. Cider is usually shared at times of great happiness and is often part of the memories that are created. The fact that Finnick and Annie's wedding toast was made with cider represented the richness and pleasure shared by two people for whom the occasion was only a distant dream at one point.

If the apple juice is fermented, cider has an alcoholic content similar to ale. This is the non-alcoholic version.

8 CUPS WATER

8 CUPS APPLE JUICE

2 (12-OUNCE) CANS OF FROZEN APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE

2 MEDIUM APPLES, PEELED, CORED AND DICED

2 CUPS CRANBERRIES

2 MEDIUM ORANGES, PEELED AND SECTIONED

2 CINNAMON STICKS

In a stockpot, combine all ingredients.

Cover and cook on low for about 2 hours, or until all the flavors have melded.

Remove fruit and cinnamon sticks with a slotted spoon or strain. Serve immediately or chill if you prefer it cold.