The Unofficial Recipes of The Hunger Games (8 page)

MRS. EVERDEEN'S SUGAR BERRY JAM

MAKES 8 (8-OUNCE) JARS

When Katniss mixed up some sleep syrup for Peeta, she told him that she made it from “sugar berries” she found nearby, and that her mother used to make a jam from them.

For this recipe, we use a mixture of berries that might have been found growing wild in District 12, or in the Arena. They make a great gift for
the
Hunger Games
fans on your Christmas or birthday list.

4 CUPS FRESH STRAWBERRIES, SLICED

2 CUPS FRESH RASPBERRIES

2 CUPS FRESH BLACKBERRIES

1 (1.75-OUNCE) PACKAGE OF SWEETENED PECTIN POWDER (AVAILABLE IN THE CANNING GOODS SECTION)

4 CUPS GRANULATED SUGAR, DIVIDED

Sterilize 8 (8-ounce) canning jars by running them through the dishwasher. Allow to air dry, or dry on the dishwasher's cycle. Heat a medium saucepan of water to a simmer and place lids inside. Turn off the heat and allow to sit.

In a medium, non-metallic bowl, crush all of the berries together with a wooden spoon. Don't puree them — you want to keep some fruit in larger pieces. Put in a large stockpot and set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together the pectin powder and just ¼ cup of the sugar.

Place the stockpot of berries on medium-high heat and add the pectin and sugar mixture a little at a time, stirring constantly.

Use a whisk to keep the berries from burning on the bottom as you bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

Add the rest of the sugar, whisking constantly.

Cook and stir constantly for 1 minute, then immediately ladle the jam into your canning jars, leaving ¼ empty at the top to allow the lids to seal properly.

Wipe the rims of all jars carefully with a damp paper towel, put on the lids and then screw the rings on tightly.

In a clean stockpot, boil enough water to cover the jars completely. (You can also use a canner if you have one.)

Place the jars carefully into the pot using canning tongs and boil for 8–10 minutes. Do this process in batches if needed, being sure to replenish the water and bring back to a boil between batches.

Set the jars on a clean towel where they won't get too much light from nearby windows, and where they won't get bumped or knocked over, which could break the seal.

Leave them for about 10–12 hours, or until each of the lids has sunken in the center, which means they've sealed properly.

This jam will keep indefinitely while it's sealed, but needs to be refrigerated after opening.

PRIM'S BIRTHDAY VENISON STEAKS

SERVES 4

In the book, Katniss related that she bought her beloved Prim a goat for her birthday by selling some of the deer she and Gale had killed that day. The butcher let them keep a couple of venison steaks as well.

Here's one way that the family may have prepared venison steaks. It's flavorful and tender, and is a great way to try venison for the first time.

4 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL, DIVIDED

4 (½-POUND) VENISON STEAKS, CUT ½-INCH THICK

1 TEASPOON SALT

½ TEASPOON FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER

1 TEASPOON DRIED ROSEMARY

Heat a large cast-iron or very heavy skillet over high heat and add 2 tablespoons of the oil.

Season steaks with salt and pepper and let come to room temperature.

Fry for about 4 minutes. Turn and cook for another 2 minutes.

Baste the tops with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with rosemary.

Cook for another 3–4 minutes, or until meat thermometer reads 155 degrees for medium doneness and 165 degrees for well-done meat.

TESSERAE CEREAL WITH MIXED BERRIES

SERVES 4

Grain was an integral ingredient throughout the three books. Grain is what the residents of District 12 received in the tesserae, and it was so important to their survival that many children risked going to
the
Hunger Games
by requesting extra rations, which got them an extra entry in the lottery.

This grain cereal uses mixed hot cereal from the store, so it represents many types of grain. The berries represent those times when Katniss, Gale and Prim were able to find sweet berries growing wild. You can substitute cow's milk for milk from Prim's treasured goat.

2 CUPS WATER

½ TEASPOON SALT

1 CUP STEEL-CUT ROLLED OATS

1 CUP QUICK-COOKING BARLEY

1 TEASPOON FLAX SEED

2 TEASPOONS BROWN SUGAR

¼ CUP BLACKBERRIES OR RASPBERRIES

¼ CUP GOAT'S MILK

4 TEASPOONS BUTTER

Bring the water and salt to boil in a large saucepan.

Pour in the oats, barley and flax seed, stirring constantly.

Reduce heat and simmer on low for 10 minutes.

Stir in the brown sugar and berries and stir just until the sugar is melted and well incorporated.

Ladle into 4 bowls and top each with a pat of butter and a small bit of goat's milk.

GOLDEN CORNUCOPIA CAKE

SERVES 10

The Cornucopia held coveted supplies, tools and food that the tributes needed during their time in the Arena. In American tradition, a cornucopia is also called the Horn of Plenty, but in
The Hunger Games
it represented need more than plenty.

This recipe is extremely easy as it uses a box cake mix and canned frosting. It's a great dessert for a
Hunger Games
dinner or party. You can find the gold doilies in most baking supply stores or on superstore shelves during the holidays.

⅓ CUP BUTTER

1 BOX MOIST YELLOW CAKE MIX

3 EGGS

3 CUPS BUGLE-SHAPED SNACK CHIPS

1 (8-INCH) GOLD FOIL PAPER DOILY

1 CAN GOLD SPRAY PAINT

HOT GLUE GUN AND GLUE STICK

1 CUP MRS. EVERDEEN'S SUGAR BERRY JAM OR OTHER BERRY JAM

1 CAN WHITE FROSTING AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease the bottoms of 2 (8-inch round) cake pans.

Melt the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until fully melted. Put in a cool dish and allow it to cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs and butter and mix with an electric mixer on high speed for 2 minutes.

Pour evenly into the 2 cake pans and bake as directed on the box.

Allow to cool in the pan for 30 minutes before turning out onto cooling racks.

Meanwhile, assemble the bugle-shaped snacks, spray paint, doily, hot glue gun and glue sticks on a table covered with newspapers.

Cover each snack with gold spray paint, using tweezers or pliers to hold them so that you can get the inside.

Set each cornucopia on the newspaper to thoroughly dry, about 30 minutes.

Using the hot glue gun, put a dot of glue on the underside of each snack and arrange the snacks around the edge of the doily, with the curved sides facing inward.

Next, take several snacks and glue them into the design of your choice in the center of the doily to create a centerpiece.

Allow the doily and cornucopia to dry for at least 15 minutes.

When cakes have cooled, turn out of pan. Place one cake on a platter or plate and spread a thick layer of jam on top.

Place the second cake upside down on top of the first, pressing down a bit to get it firmly placed.

Frost the cake as directed and allow to sit uncovered for a minimum of a couple of hours, until the frosting has crusted just a bit and is not as tacky.

Carefully lift the doily and center on top of the cake.

CAKE ON FIRE

SERVES 10

Katniss described a “cake on fire” being served during a Capitol celebration. It was probably a cake made with alcohol, then set aflame.

This version is decorated to look like it's on fire rather than actually being so, which makes it an excellent way to serve a “cake on fire” to kids and those that don't care for the flavor of alcohol.

This is also an excellent dessert to serve at a
Hunger Games
theme party. Shortcuts make it easy to prepare, even with the kids.

ONE BOX RED CAKE MIX

EGGS AND OIL AS DIRECTED ON PACKAGE

2 CANS BUTTER CREAM FROSTING

ORANGE FOOD COLORING

RED FOOD COLORING

YELLOW FOOD COLORING

2 ORANGE-FLAVORED FRUIT LEATHER ROLLS

2 CHERRY OR OTHER RED-FLAVORED FRUIT LEATHER ROLLS

Prepare the cake as directed on the package and bake in 2 (8-inch round) cake pans. Allow to cool on cooling racks.

Divide the first can of frosting into 3 small bowls.

Add enough food coloring into each bowl to make a red, orange or yellow frosting. The yellow requires quite a bit of food coloring. Stir gently to blend well without making too thin.

Open the plain can of frosting and stir until smooth. Place the first cake right side up on a plate and spread thinly with the white frosting, then place the second cake upside down on top.

Frost the rest of the cake fairly thinly with the butter cream frosting.

Using a frosting bag, make a circular pile of small “flames” reaching upward with the red frosting. Make a smaller one on top of it with the orange frosting and then another on top of that with the yellow frosting.

Lay the fruit leathers out flat on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut flame shapes.

Attach the fruit leather around the sides of the cake with dots of leftover icing, alternating between red and orange, with the tips of the flames pointing upward.

PRESIDENT SNOW'S SNOWY ROSE CUPCAKES

MAKES 1 DOZEN

Katniss will always remember President Snow as reeking of (likely genetically engineered) roses. These cupcakes represent him well.

They take a little bit of time to make, but these cupcakes are very showy and will be a big hit for both their flavor and their symbolism.

CUPCAKES:

1 CUP WHITE SUGAR

½ CUP BUTTER, ROOM TEMPERATURE

2 EGGS

2 TEASPOONS VANILLA EXTRACT

1½ CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

1¾ TEASPOONS BAKING POWDER

½ CUP MILK

FROSTING:

4 CUPS CONFECTIONER'S SUGAR

1 CUP SHORTENING

2 TABLESPOONS WATER

1 TEASPOON GOOD VANILLA EXTRACT

2 CUPS MOIST COCONUT FLAKES

12 FRESH WHITE ROSES (NOT TREATED WITH ANY CHEMICALS OR PESTICIDES) STANDING IN ICE WATER

CUPCAKES:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line one or two muffin pans with paper liners, enough for 12 cupcakes.

In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer until fluffy and light.

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla.

Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well on low speed.

Gently stir in the milk until the batter is smooth. Use an ice cream scoop or ladle to portion the batter into the muffin tins.

Bake for 20–25 minutes on the middle rack of the oven. Remove cupcakes from pan and allow them to cool on a rack.

FROSTING:

Mix together the sugar, shortening, water and vanilla and blend well with an electric mixer.

Add in all of the coconut and mix until well blended. It will be very coconut-y and lumpy.

Use a spatula to spread the frosting on each cupcake, mounding it up nice and big.

Just before serving, remove the roses from the water and snip the buds right at the very top of the stems. Place 1 rose firmly atop each cupcake.

VENISON STEW WITH SWEET ROOTS FOR RUE

SERVES 8

Venison, or deer meat, was a precious commodity in
The Hunger Games
. So were true friends. This would have been a nice stew for Katniss and Rue to share — the hunter and the forager combining their skills to make a great meal.

Venison has a rich flavor that takes seasoning very well and goes wonderfully with potatoes. Stewing makes it tender and moist.

3 TABLESPOONS CANOLA OIL

3 POUNDS VENISON STEW MEAT

3 ONIONS, CHOPPED

2 CLOVES GARLIC, CRUSHED

2½ CUPS WATER, DIVIDED

1 CUP BEEF STOCK

1 TABLESPOON SOY SAUCE

1 TABLESPOON SALT

½ TEASPOON DRIED SAGE

1 BAY LEAF

8 SMALL RED POTATOES, PEELED AND QUARTERED

8 CARROTS, PEELED AND CUT INTO 1-INCH PIECES

½ CUP ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil and brown the venison well on all sides.

Add the onions and garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Add 2 cups water, stock, soy sauce, salt, sage and bay leaf to the pot.

Bring to a boil and immediately reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 1½ hours, or until meat is almost tender.

Add the potatoes and carrots and cook another 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

Combine flour and ½ cup water and mix briskly with a whisk until smooth. Whisk slowly into the stew and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes.

Ladle into bowls and serve.

PEETA'S HOT CHOCOLATE PUDDING

SERVES 10

This is an extremely easy recipe and a fun take on Katniss' much-loved hot chocolate. It's another way to interpret the drink she and Peeta enjoyed so much on the train to the Capitol.

If you're cooking with
Hunger Games
-loving kids, this is a good recipe to let them try themselves.

1 CUP ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

¾ CUP WHITE SUGAR

6 TABLESPOONS UNSWEETENED COCOA POWDER, DIVIDED

2 TEASPOONS BAKING POWDER

¼ TEASPOON SALT

½ CUP MILK

2 TABLESPOONS VEGETABLE OIL

1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT

1 CUP PACKED BROWN SUGAR

¾ CUPS HOT WATER

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, white sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir in the milk, oil and vanilla and blend well until smooth.

Pour into an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan.

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and 4 tablespoons of cocoa. Sprinkle evenly over the batter.

Pour ¾ cup hot water over all. Do not stir!

Bake for 30 minutes. Cake is supposed to be very gooey and moist, so don't over bake.

Portion into deep bowls and serve warm.