Kistler - The unofficial Game of thrones cookbook: from Direwold ale to quroch stew-- more the 150 recipes from Westeros and beyond

Avon, Massachusetts

For my parents, Kevin and Lourdes.

This book is unofficial and unauthorized. It is not authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by George R. R. Martin, his publishers, or HBO.

Winter is coming

Thats enough to give you goosebumps, isnt it? The House of Starks words put a chill in the air, a sensation of icy wind and perhaps even snow, of chapped lips and cold hands seeking warmth. Even if Winterfell is just in our imagination, it can still feel real.

George R. R. Martin has filled his series A Song of Ice and Fire with simple phrases and vivid passages that flood our minds with a torrent of feelings. Whether were reading the books or watching the show, were in Westeros in our minds. We envision ourselves sitting in the castles and fortresses of the Lannisters or the Starks. We ride with the Dothraki across a dreamscape. We feel the winds that blow at the top of the Wall, the bitter cold and the thinner atmosphere that somehow makes us more alert that out there, north of what weve come to know of the world, are creatures that should not exist and, worse, have taken notice of us.

Humans, no matter what nation they are from or what kind of family raised them, are innately sensual. We always find ways to carry ourselves to places and times beyond our physical reach. Indeed, food can whisk us away in one sip, one bite, one breath. The moment we open a bottle of well-aged wine, we are breathing in the air of those long-ago times, air that was inadvertently trapped by whoever bottled the wine in the first place. When we eat a meal from the old country, we can imagine in some corner of our mind where imagination keeps its best knick-knacks and mementos that we are transported back, whether weve been there or not. We can imagine some aspect of how our ancestors lived because we know their food. We hunger for the fanciful and sate it with a bite of reality so why not do the same for the fantasy of Westeros?

With a book or show to guide you, you can picture the keep of Winterfell and see how it relates to the lands around it, but why not experience its flavors and smells, too? Let lobster and snails seat you in the Starks dining hall. Let the scent and taste of fire-roasted meat draw up a chair next to Drogos tent so you can listen as he recounts conquests of old and conquests yet to come. Pour spiced wine or a darker beverage and grin mischievously as you imagine yourself a warrior or an assassin.

In Martins world, however, food means more; it is connected to the characters themselves and can be a respite from reality, a means of survival, or simply another pawn in the greater game. For Arya, a lemon cake is not just a dessert. As tragedy strikes, the treat becomes a symbol of a happier, seemingly simpler time, a taste of summer despite looming winter. For many characters, meals are the only times when they are able to have some peace and quiet amid political and personal chaos. Some of them know that each meal may not just be important it could also be their last.

Each recipe includes a description of the scene; a discussion of characters, themes, or settings related to the food; and the book and chapter in which the food appears. In some cases, the recipes have been inspired by the characters and scenes, as well as other food and beverages. , for example, may not have been mentioned in the books, but they still bring out the flavor of the fictional world. We hope readers will forgive artistic license taken and accept them in the spirit they are intended.

(And dont worry: spoilers have been avoided!)

Enjoy!

The world that encompasses and surrounds Westeros is very different from our own. True, many of its people and customs seem familiar, as if borrowed from our history and the legends of our past. But it is clearly another world with its own stories and legacies, where dragons are not simply the product of imagination and where dead men may do more than tell tales.

But while the Seven Kingdoms and the lands beyond the Wall may hold strange and magical creatures, the men and women who inhabit this world are just that: men and women like us. They bleed, they sleep, and they hunger. After hours of sleep, their bodies need nourishment, especially if it could be an entire day before they have another meal. Bran Stark and his father Eddard may eat a pleasing breakfast to ease their minds after troubling dreams. Jon Snow eats to gain enough strength so that hell not tire during his training and duties in the harsh Northern climate. Tyrion Lannister breaks his fast with savory tastes as a means of relaxing before hes forced to face whatever cruel new obstacles await. Arya sees breakfast as a necessary chore to deal with before the exciting work can begin. The Dothraki take breakfast as they enjoy all pleasures: passionately.

Across cultures and even across worlds, we all can relate to the emotions and sensations of beginning the day with a fine meal, either as a moment of peace before the day begins or as a deliberate intake of energy that we know well need later. The morning dishes offered here are sure to satisfy whatever needs you have when you rise in the morning.

Last Bite of Summer Blackberry Preserves

In times past, this treat was seen as a healing agent that could help with weakness and disease. Winterfells cook Gage would likely keep plenty of sweet options on hand to chase away anxiety and illness. This preserve will brighten a morning or ward off worry about things that go bump in the night. ( A Game of Thrones , Chapter 14 Catelyn)

Makes about 6 pints

3 quarts blackberries

7 cups granulated sugar

2 (3-ounce) pouches liquid pectin

1. Rinse fully ripe blackberries in cold water and drain.
2. Place blackberries into a stockpot.
3. Crush with a potato masher to extract juice. Stir in the sugar and mix well.
4. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
5. Add pectin and return to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
6. Skim off foam. Ladle preserves into sterilized Mason jars. Wipe rims. Cap and seal. Place on a rack in a water-bath canner or a large stockpot with a lid. Cover jars 12 inches with boiling water. Put a lid on the bath or pot and begin timing when water is boiling; boil for 5 minutes. Remove jars with a jar lifter and place them on a towel-covered counter to cool. Leave undisturbed for 1224 hours. Check the seals and remove the screwbands.
7. Serve preserves on toast with butter and honey.

A Word of Wisdom

Canning your own food can produce delicious results, but always make sure youre familiar with the best practices and tools necessary for safe and successful canning before you jump in. Put food safety first: your work area should be clean and you should never skimp on processing times or you could risk contaminating your food. Mason jars with tight-fitting lids are the only ones suitable to use when canning as they are intended for multiple uses (unlike commercial food jars) and are made with materials considered food-safe by modern standards (unlike antique canning jars).