“A Feast of Ice and Fire,” the official “Game of Thrones” cookbook, recreates some of the mouthwatering recipes featured in the novels, including Dothraki Blood Pie and Hen on the Wall. Co-author and chef Chelsea Monroe-Cassel talks us through how to throw a premiere party, Westeros style.
Setting the scene: Rich, romantic and grandiose
“We don’t all live in castles, so it can be tough to transform a regular apartment into something that looks the part. One thing you can do is to set up some kind of entrance. Try to find a brocade or velvet throw from a thrift store. Split it down the middle and tie it to either side of a door using gold cord to make a grander entryway. Illuminate the room by lighting candles everywhere. I’d avoid using scents that are too overpowering, such as rose or patchouli, as the heavy smell
could clash with the flavours of the food. Simple beeswax is best.”
Table etiquette: Finger licking is OK
“There’s something awesome about being dressed up in a cloak and sat around a table eating chicken with your fingers by candlelight. Most of your guests will be hardcore fans and think it’s awesome. But others may be a little more reluctant. So if you take away their forks, leaving just knives and napkins, they’ll have to play along like everyone else. Put in the extra effort to find medieval looking dishes and silverware; anything made from wood or pewter works.”
The feast: Dig in
“People think medieval food is gross, but recipes that sound weird are delicious once made. … Seeing an opulent spread of food is really satisfying. So once everything is ready, lay it all out on the table at once. The only course that should be saved for later is the dessert. Serve it once your guests have settled down to watch the show in the lounge. Lastly, don’t forget to quench your guests’ thirst. Make sure you have plenty of red wine and apple cider to get you through the night.”
Top 3party tips
1. The invite: “In a day and age where people just send out invites on Facebook or text, a physical invitation is incredibly important. Plus, having somethingmysteriously delivered to your doorstep is so much cooler than an online notification.”
2. The dress code: “Request everyone come wearing a cloak (or a baggy coat). If you don’t own one, wrap an old skirt around your shoulders and
use a pin to clasp it around your neck.”
3. The music:The American pop duo MS MR’s hauntingly beautiful song “Bones’” is featured in the Season 3 trailer. The Hold Steady’s lyrics “The Bear and the Maiden Fair” were actually written by “Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin. But as it won’t be out in time foryour party (it will be heard in an upcoming episode,) we recommend you have their latest album, “Heaven is Whenever,” on repeat.
Recipes
The starter: Simple Dornish fare
• hummus
• pita bread
• Feta cheese
• purple olives
“We haven’t gotten to this in the show yet, but the Dornishhave some of the best finger food. Take a platter and heapit with purple olives, flatbread, hummus and feta cheese.”
1.Place the hummus, olives, pita bread and feta cheeseon a platter and serve.
Main course: Honeyed Chicken
• 1 whole chicken for roasting
• olive oil
• salt
Sauce:
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tsp. fresh mint
• small handful of raisins
• butter
“This is essentially just a roast chicken with a good sauce, butit’s great because it’s straight out of the halls of Winterfell.Plus, if you deny your guests silverware, they have to tearinto it with their bare hands, and everything tastes bettereaten that way.”
1.Rub the chicken down with olive oil and salt. This willensure the skin is ultra crispy once cooked. Heat the oven at450°F and leave to roast for approximately one hour.
2.In the meantime, combine all the ingredients for thesauce in a pan and leave to simmer until the raisins lookplump and the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat andwhen the chicken is done, coat it with the honey sauce.
Dessert: Lemon cakes
• 3 tbs. butter, softened
• ¼ heaping cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• zest from one lemon
• ½ tsp. baking soda dissolved
• ¼ tsp. each salt, cloves and mace
• pinch saffron
• 1 ¼ cup sifted all-purpose flour
• juice from one lemon
• 1 tbs. honey
“This is the quintessential ‘GoT’ dessert because it representseverything that’s good about living in that world … and becauseof how mouthwatering they’re made to sound in the books.”
1.Cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.Beat in the egg yolks. Blend in the baking soda, lemon zest,salt and spices. Stir in the flour and work until a ball of doughis formed. Knead gently until smooth.
2.Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a ¼” thickness. With a floured butter knife, cut the dough into small squares. Place them on abaking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3.Bake the cakes in a preheated 300°F oven for 15 minutes. Make sure they don’t brown on the bottom. Place them on a wire rack. While they are cooling, mix the lemon juice and honey together in a pan on the stove over low heat. Let cool slightly before brushing onto cakes.
