Winter is Coming: Stay warm with these Game of Thrones cookbooks

As a seasoned hostess and avid fan of all things fantasy, I have scoured the lands (or at least Amazon) for the most enchanting cookbooks to bring some magic to my dinner parties. Having dabbled in potions and brews myself, I can attest that these tomes are not just filled with delicious recipes, but also lore, trivia, and a dash of humor that any fan would appreciate.

In George R.R. Martin’s epic book series, “A Song of Ice and Fire” (translated to screens by HBO as “Game of Thrones“), the world is richly intricate and singularly distinctive. Throughout both the books and TV show, a mouthwatering array of dishes and beverages are presented. As the holiday season approaches, I’ve put together a compilation of cookbooks based on “Game of Thrones” and “A Song of Ice and Fire,” filled with an abundance of recipes and cocktails. With my husband (who is more skilled in the kitchen than I am) agreeing to prepare a full-scale feast from these books, we won’t be able to truly evaluate the quality of these recipes unless we taste them ourselves, don’t you think? Here are some reviews of these titles and how well they measure up.

A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook

The protein for our meal came from A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook (Bantam 2012), by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Sariann Lehrer. The book has a lot of incredible recipes that feel more likely to be enjoyed by the inhabitants of the various kingdoms in Westeros, rather than by those of us in the real world. Each entry had clear directions, cook and prep times, as well as serving sizes, which was great. There were pictures for each recipe, most of which were rather appetizing.

While perusing the recipes, the honey-glazed chicken dish caught my eye as an exceptional choice for the main course, seeming almost authentic to that fictional realm. The flavor profile was predominantly tangy from the apple cider vinegar, with hints of dried berries, honey, and mint more subtly present in the background. Despite having only a few ingredients, the flavors were surprisingly complex. To sum it up, the directions were straightforward, all necessary components could be found at a common grocery store, and the outcome was both moist and flavorful.

The Official Game of Thrones Cookbook: Recipes from King’s Landing to the Dothraki Sea

Titled “The Official Game of Thrones Cookbook: Recipes from King’s Landing to the Dothraki Sea“, authored by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel (Random House Worlds, 2024), serves as a sequel to “A Feast of Ice and Fire“. This new book expands upon its predecessor in terms of content yet maintains a distinct identity with fresh recipes that are not mere revisions of earlier work. The collection offers an enticing blend of concepts inspired by the source material while catering to contemporary palates.

For example, from this publication we found one of our sides: Creamy chestnut soup. I have never tried anything with chestnuts before, but this soup stole the show. Considering the ingredients included chestnuts, shallots, chickpeas, milk, nutmeg, and chicken broth, it absolutely exceeded what I had thought it might taste like. The result was an earthy, savory, silky, and salty soup with a hint of spice from the fresh grated nutmeg. This is a dish dressed to impress. (And it did!)

The Unofficial Game of Thrones Cookbook: From Direwolf Ale to Auroch Stew

Another side dish we served was Benjen’s roasted onions dipped in gravy, found in Alan Kistler’s cookbook titled “The Unofficial Game of Thrones Cookbook: From Direwolf Ale to Auroch Stew – More Than 150 Recipes from Westeros and Beyond” (Adams Media, 2012). This book is packed with a variety of creative recipes inspired by the characters, cultures, and settings in George R. R. Martin’s world. It offers an excellent blend of easy-to-prepare meals that reference quotes from the books or scenes, and imaginative ideas.

Serving sizes or expected cook/prep times were not included, which is a bit of a downside for those who might like such information. However, the recipe we took from this book was very simple yet tasty. Along with the chicken drippings and substituting half of the cream with half of the stock, the gravy was very flavorful, thick, and unctuous. I, more the bartender than the cook, also used this tome to prepare Stark Spiced Wine, which we drank throughout the evening. The wine turned out spectacularly and was a perfect compliment to the evening’s meal.

The Official Westeros Cookbook: Recipes from Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon

To satisfy our sweet tooth, we referred to “The Official Westeros Cookbook: Recipes from Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon” by Cassandra Reeder and Joanne Bourne (Insight Editions, 2024). This book stood out among others due to its focus on dietary accommodations and alternatives, catering to various dietary restrictions and preferences. It provided valuable information such as serving sizes, preparation times, cooking times, and difficulty levels, which was particularly helpful for home cooks like me, regardless of their level of expertise. We found the recipe for delightful lemon cakes in this comprehensive guide.

This cookbook offers an array of drink recipes, meals, and desserts, complete with pictures and thought-provoking quotes. Among the numerous lemon cake options available in various cookbooks (some of which are mentioned below as honorable mentions), this particular recipe caught my eye as the most enticing. The cakes turned out to be soft, airy, and bursting with a vibrant citrus flavor. Drizzled with homemade lemon curd on top, we were left with a delightful treat that was both tangy and sweet.

In summary, I strongly suggest you explore the cookbooks previously discussed. They offer a fantastic assortment of dishes that could spice up your upcoming social events. The meals I’ve mentioned have been tried and tested at a dinner party, so their deliciousness is guaranteed. Given that winter is approaching (for those of us in the northern regions), these recipes will undoubtedly provide warmth!

Honorable mentions:

Instead of focusing solely on one specific nerd or geek fandom, many of the books I discovered had themes that spanned a wide range. Even though I didn’t select recipe books from those topics, I still think they’re worth taking a look at!

Cioletti, Jeff. Drink Like a Geek: Cocktails, Brews, and Spirits for the Nerd in All of Us. TMA Press, 2019. 

The article provided comprehensive details on the exclusive alcohols launched in relation to ‘Game of Thrones’, including references from the books, historical comparisons, and insights into the show’s universe. It also featured intriguing beverages inspired by the series itself.

Fisher, Nick. Cocktail Chemistry: The Art and Science of Drinks from Iconic TV Shows and Movies. Simon Element, 2023.

The book presents an intriguing concept, yet the drinks inspired by ‘Game of Thrones’ are thematically connected rather than accurately depicted from the series. Given that many recipes feature fire, they were too complex for my skill level to attempt. However, his ideas were innovative and he provided clear instructions for making ice ball cocktails.

James, Thea and Pamela Wiznitzer. Drinking with Wizards, Warriors and Dragons: 85 unofficial drink recipes inspired by The Lord of the Rings, A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Stormlight Archive and other fantasy favorites. Media Lab Books, 2023. 

Consisted of several good, easy concepts with simple instructions. I liked that the author gave explanations as to the rationale behind the choices for their recipes. I liked the variety of drinks in this as well.

Lannister, Jammy. Game of Scones: All Men Must Dine: A Parody. Harper, 2015.

To put it simply, I found this book to be quite an amusing concept, yet the presentation left me wanting more. While there are some intriguing notions, the lack of detailed context makes it challenging for casual readers to follow along. The humorous recipe titles were a delight, but they seemed overly complex in their execution. Despite these issues, it’s definitely worth giving it a read!

Lecomte, Liguori. The Geek’s Cookbook: Easy Recipes Inspired by Pokémon, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and More! Skyhorse, 2018.

My favorite part of the Game of Thrones section was the trio of rather tasty-sounding desserts.

Reeder, Cassandra. The Geeky Chef Cookbook: Real-Life Recipes for Your Favorite Fantasy Foods – Unofficial Recipes from Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and more. Race Point Publishing, 2015.

Delicious-appearing dishes inspired by multiple fan communities, which I appreciated as it referenced the authentic A Feast of Ice and Fire cookbook too.

Reeder, Cassandra. The Geeky Chef Drinks: Unofficial Cocktail Recipes from Game of Thrones, Legend of Zelda, Star Trek, and More. Race Point Publishing, 2018.

As a passionate cinephile, I must confess my dismay upon discovering that the title’s reference to “Game of Thrones” was limited to just one recipe in this book – mulled wine, remarkably similar to the hot spiced wine recipe from the initial cookbook. While other recipes appeared promising, none seemed overly complex, which is a relief for someone like me who appreciates a good challenge in the kitchen!

Reeder, Cassandra. The Geeky Chef Strikes Back!: Even More Unofficial Recipes from Minecraft, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Twin Peaks, and More! Race Point Publishing, 2017.

In this book, similar to the previous one, the recipes appear appetizing and relatively simple to prepare. No ingredient seems uncommon or challenging to obtain, and the images of completed dishes are enticing.

Wong, Jimmy, and Ashley Adams. The Feast of Fiction Kitchen: Recipes Inspired by TV, Movies, Games & Books. Countryman Press, 2020.

In simpler terms, this work aimed to recreate recipes similar to those featured on the show or described in the books. Among various interpretations, I found the “Milk of the Poppy” recipe by this author to be my favorite.

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2024-11-23 18:42