Review by C.J. Bunce
The Witcher. Whether you’re a fan of the novels, the games, the animated film, or the Netflix series, a new cookbook has been prepared for you. So while you’re waiting for Liam Hemsworth to replace Henry Cavill in the fourth season of the TV series, you can immerse yourself in the dense worldbuilding of the novels via their standout element: food. Eighty rustic, hearty, and rich comfort food recipes, from tavern fare and drinks to feasts that could fatten a small army, The Witcher Official Cookbook fulfills its promise to include “provisions, fare, and culinary tales from travels across the Continent.” It’s available now here at Amazon.
We gave one of the recipes a try. Learn more about that and get a preview of some recipes you’ll find inside the new cookbook below.
The book includes a foreword by The Witcher fantasy creator Andrzej Sapkowski. Including maps, environments, and some of the best mocked-up food presentations we’ve reviewed at borg in a movie or TV tie-in, this cookbook is the real deal. Writers Anita Sarna and Karolina Krupecka appear to have spared no expense in putting this book together.
And expense is key. These are not dishes most show watchers and gamers will fold into their regular weekly meal schedules. Most of the recipes feature high-end ingredients of the competitive food network variety. If you live in a major metropolitan area with access to quality ethnic food stores, farm fresh vegetables and a butcher, you shouldn’t have a problem getting all you need. Cooks in smaller towns may take more effort. So expect to use this book as a reference for those special occasions, for meals you identify to try and perfect over time. Think Julie & Julia.
For this review I selected from the Toussaint section of the book the Double Veggie Ratatouille (the book is organized into food served in eight locales from the novels). I wasn’t disappointed. The book includes fantasy introductions in each section and a paragraph leading into each recipe, all “in-world,” pulling the reader into Old World and Eastern European-inspired settings upon which the story elements were inspired. Tapping foods from the source cultures makes sense. Taste and the related scent are those missing components you only imagine from books or movies, easier if the writer is really good at his/her job. This is a supplement to expand into the world of The Witcher, live-action RPG style.
What makes a ratatouille “double veggie”? The recipe excludes the traditional yellow squash and uses mandolin-sliced eggplant, tomatoes, and zucchini for the traditional, colorful veggie rows. But it includes a layer first of pre-baked, mashed root vegetables: carrots, parsnips, white potatoes, and also celery root, which I nixed for my own taste preferences. Garlic, basil, savory herbs, thyme, and parsley, with olive oil, and it’s no surprise this was going to taste good. I took some leftovers and mashed both layers into a delicious, intricately-flavored, dialed-up mashed potato side dish.
Filling country fare for monster hunters after a hard day? Yes, this works. All the recipes include great ideas a cook could add to their toolbox for future meals. Many require local or seasonal ingredients, so plan accordingly. Your house is guaranteed to get some great aromas.
To get you ready for your next session of binge-watching the series, and awaiting Liam Hemsworth and Laurence Fishburne to join the show, get a copy of The Witcher Official Cookbook now here at Amazon.
