Elder Scrolls fandom, it’s time to celebrate! Have you ever wanted to feast on the unique cuisines of the Argonians, Imperials, Khajiit, and more? Well, now you can! The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel is a fun immersion into the games you hold dear.
And really, even if you’ve never set virtual foot in the games, this is still a cookbook you can enjoy. Simon & Schuster actually published The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook in 2019, but I just got it in 2020 as a holiday gift, and you know I had to review it.
First, I love the images throughout the book—the map of The Empire of Tamriel, the icon for Dead Man’s Drink, and the character portraits were all great, and even the images of the meals were stunning.
I liked how Monroe-Cassel sprinkled in worldbuilding facts, like the celebrations each region had and a little bit about each race. I also enjoyed how each recipe came with a little blurb about how it fit in with the various cultures and regions—like the Baked Ash Yams were from the Morrowind region since yams could thrive in the harsh climate. Pretty cool!
Like a standard cookbook, it was broken down into numerous sections—like baked goods, desserts, and drinks—but there was even a “basics” section that had a make-your-own spice blend, custom sauces, and various doughs.
Just like Firefly – The Big Damn Cookbook, I tested recipes from each section of the book. While I’m not going to be including the actual recipes (you’ll have to read the book for that!), here are my thoughts on the various meals.
Basics: Nord Spices, Stormcloak Seasoning
I had to try the custom spice blends and these two were fun to put together. What seemed like random spices formed truly unique blends. (Tasty, too.) Rather helpfully, they also included a list of the recipes those particular spice blends were used for. I used mine in the Oatmeal Raisin Shortbread and the Companions Meatball Bake down below.
Sides, Starters, & Snacks: Saltrice Porridge
Super easy to make but phew, it took a lot longer than I expected. It was in the same vein as rice pudding, but it was quite good for breakfast.
Baked Goods: Nut and Seed Loaf
Okay, so this one was a little intimidating just because of how many nuts and seeds it called for, but I had to try it out. I know it’s called “nut and seed loaf” but wow they weren’t kidding. Thick bread, super healthy, good flavor, but I’d recommend (and so do they) that you only have a little at a time.
Soups & Stews: Apple Cabbage Stew
Apples, cabbage, broth. It was really easy and quick to put together—perfect for a weeknight dinner—and tasty, too.
Main Courses: Companions Meatball Bake
I gravitated toward this because I like meatballs. The ingredients were really easy to find in the grocery store, but I also got to use one of the custom spice blends—the Stormcloak seasoning—which was fun. This made a nice big, hearty meal.
Desserts: Oatmeal Raisin Shortbread
I love shortbread so you know I had to try this recipe out. The oatmeal was an interesting twist on it—and I got to use the Nord spice blend, too—and I have to say, this made for a yummy cookie. A little crumbly perhaps, but overall delicious.
Drink: Hot Spiced Cider
Perfect for a rainy Friday evening, which is when I whipped it up! Spoiler: I had to substitute one of the ingredients with bay leaves (curse you, Alaska shipping) but it tasted like a heartier mulled cider… which was awesome consider it only took 15 minutes to make.
Overall, I was quite pleased with how these dishes turned out. The variety was impressive, and each recipe connected smoothly with a region or people, which just amped up the creativity. The meals were also easy to make, so I could whip them up after work and feel like I was in another world for a while.
If you like Elder Scrolls or even if you just like good food with a nerdy twist—I’d recommend this book. Five out of five sweetrolls!
Looking for a different flavor of SFF cookbook for a holiday gift or to increase your personal stockpile of pretties? Check out Kellie’s round up of fantasy-themed cookbooks!
Jennie Ivins