The Unofficial Recipes of The Hunger Games (7 page)

ALL FOR RUE GROOSLING LEGS

SERVES 4

Rue was Katniss' friend and ally, and not only helped her stay human but also helped her stay alive. Still, she was amazed when Katniss gave her a whole groosling leg, all for herself.

Since we don't have groosling roaming around, in this recipe we use turkey drumsticks, which you can often find in the supermarket during the holidays.

2 TABLESPOONS OF MELTED BUTTER

4 LARGE, RAW TURKEY LEGS

1 TEASPOON SALT

½ TEASPOON FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER

½ TEASPOON DRIED SAGE

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the butter in the microwave, and then set aside.

Place the turkey legs onto a baking pan and brush with the melted butter, then season each leg on all sides with the salt, pepper and sage, turning to get both sides.

Place in the hot oven and bake for 1 hour, turning frequently. Serve warm and eat off of the bone.

DISTRICT 11'S SEEDED CRESCENT LOAF

MAKES 1 LOAF

District 11's bread was a yeasty, light loaf that could be easily formed into the shape of a crescent moon. For Katniss and her friends, this bread wasn't a treat but a means of survival in the Arena.

If you can find black sesame seeds at your local gourmet or health food store, they make a more dramatic appearance on the top of the bread. Otherwise, generously coating the loaf with poppy seeds works just fine.

½ CUP MILK

1 TABLESPOON VEGETABLE SHORTENING

1½ TABLESPOONS SUGAR

1 TEASPOON SALT

¾ CUP WARM WATER, ABOUT 110 DEGREES.

1 PACKAGE ACTIVE DRY YEAST (2¼ TEASPOONS)

2 TABLESPOONS TOASTED POPPY SEEDS

3 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR, MORE AS NEEDED

1 EGG MIXED WITH 1 TABLESPOON WATER

ADDITIONAL 2 TABLESPOONS OF POPPY SEEDS OR 1 TABLESPOON OF BLACK SESAME SEEDS

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the milk, shortening, sugar and salt. Stir until the shortening has melted. Set aside and allow to cool to 110 degrees.

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water, whisking to mix well. Add milk mixture.

Combine 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds with the flour, stirring well. Add in the first 2 cups of flour 1 cup at a time, stirring with each addition. You may need to add flour a small amount at a time until the dough follows the spoon around your bowl.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead, adding small amounts of flour if needed, until the dough is soft and smooth and no longer sticks to your fingers.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and turn over once to coat both sides. Cover with a clean cloth and set in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a baking sheet.

Turn dough out and knead for 5 minutes. Then form a slightly oval mound and gently roll back and forth with your hands close to both ends of the dough to make them just slightly thinner than the center.

Lift the dough to the baking sheet and pull each end toward the center in a crescent moon shape.

Use a fork to mix the egg and water and generously brush egg wash over the surface of the bread.

Sprinkle with remaining seeds and bake on the middle rack for 35–45 minutes, until the bread is golden and sounds hollow when thumped.

ARENA BEEF STRIPS

YIELDS ABOUT 40 SERVINGS

The dried beef strips found in the Arena were probably less flavorful than the ones in this recipe. They would mostly likely have been seasoned simply, with salt and pepper, and dried to a hard jerky.

This recipe is adapted from a traditional Hawaiian dish called pipi kaula and has a slightly sweet, Asian flavor. It is oven-dried and the results are chewier and moister than beef jerky. These will keep well in an airtight re-sealable plastic bag in the fridge.

4 POUNDS FLANK STEAK

2 CUPS TERIYAKI SAUCE

¼ CUP SEA SALT

1 TABLESPOON BROWN SUGAR

1 TABLESPOON GRATED FRESH GINGER

2 SMALL CHILI PEPPERS, CRUSHED

2 CLOVES GARLIC, CRUSHED

¼ TEASPOON PEPPER

Trim some but not all of the fat from the steak and slice meat against the grain into long strips, about 2 inches wide.

Whisk together the remaining ingredients in a bowl until well mixed. In a rectangular, glass baking dish, pour a little marinade and arrange a single layer of meat; add more marinade and meat layers until all meat is covered.

Let marinate overnight.

Preheat oven to 165 degrees. Drain the steak strips and reserve marinade in a bowl.

Place the meat on cooling racks set on foil-lined baking sheets.

Oven-dry 6–7 hours, until meat resembles jerky, basting every hour with the marinade.

Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week, or freeze in airtight re-sealable plastic bags for up to 6 months.

To serve, broil 3 minutes on each side, and then slice the meat on the diagonal, in slices about ¼-inch thick. Place each slice on a small piece of bread or whole wheat cracker.

ONE FINE SPIT-ROASTED RABBIT

SERVES 4

While nestled in a tree to sleep, Katniss overheard Peeta and the Careers as they killed one of the female tributes nearby. She was surprised and felt betrayed by Peeta and his apparent collusion with the Careers, but “one fine rabbit” caught in her snare was at least some consolation.

If you use a campfire and simple rod, you'll need to turn the spit manually every five minutes or so. You can also use the spit attachment on a barbecue grill.

5–7 POUND FRESH DRESSED RABBIT

1 TEASPOON DRIED SAGE

1 TEASPOON DRIED THYME

1 TEASPOON SALT

½ TEASPOON FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER

2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL

ONE WHITE ONION, CUT IN HALF

4 TABLESPOONS MELTED BUTTER

Thoroughly rinse the rabbit inside and out and dry very well with paper towels or a clean dishcloth.

Combine sage, thyme, salt and pepper very well. Rub the rabbit all over with the olive oil, and then rub in herb mixture.

Place the rabbit into a small trash bag, close tightly and leave in fridge overnight to marinate.

Prepare your spit and build a fire about 30 minutes before you are ready to roast. Make sure you keep the fire at a nice even heat. If you are using charcoal, wait until the coals are glowing and covered in a light ash before cooking. If you are using a gas grill, turn the burners onto medium-low heat and let the grill heat for about 15 minutes.

Remove the rabbit from the re-sealable plastic bag, insert onion into rear cavity and slide onto spit through both rear cavity and mouth.

Tie front legs together in front of the rabbit and tie back legs together to the spit itself (use wet twine or thin wire).

Place spit so that it is about 8 inches above the flame, and rotate every 5 minutes.

Baste rabbit well with melted butter and roast for about 45 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted between the thigh and body registers 160 degrees.

Allow the rabbit to rest on a platter for 30 minutes before carving.

PEETA'S HEALING GROOSLING SOUP WITH SWEET ROOT VEGETABLES

SERVES 6

Based on the description Katniss gave of wild groosling, it may be something of a cross between a young goose (called a gosling) and a duck. Katniss fed this soup to Peeta in the cave in an effort to heal his body, but their time there together started healing their relationship as well.

Goose can be hard to find, so feel free to substitute duck if you need to. The flavor is similar, but not quite as rich.

4 TABLESPOONS BUTTER

1½ TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL, DIVIDED

3 POUNDS VERY YOUNG GOOSE OR DUCK CUT INTO SERVING-SIZE PIECES

1 CUP ONION, CHOPPED

2 STALKS DICED CELERY

1 LARGE CARROT, PEELED AND DICED

1 MEDIUM LEEK, RINSED AND DICED

2 TABLESPOONS PARSLEY

1 TEASPOON SEA SALT

1 TEASPOON FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER

½ TEASPOON THYME

6 CUPS CHICKEN OR DUCK STOCK, DIVIDED

2 TEASPOONS TOMATO PASTE

1 BAY LEAF

3 SWEET POTATOES, PEELED AND CUT INTO 1-INCH CHUNKS

3 CARROTS, PEELED AND CUT INTO 1-INCH CHUNKS

2 TURNIPS, PEELED AND CUT INTO 1-INCH CHUNKS

½ TEASPOON COARSE SEA SALT

½ TEASPOON FRESH SAGE

Heat a large, heavy stockpot over medium-high heat and add the butter and
½
tablespoon olive oil.

Once butter is melted, add meat in batches and brown on both sides.

Place cooked meat on a paper towel to drain while you cook the rest.

Once all the meat is browned, add the onions, diced celery, carrot and leek. Then add the parsley, salt, pepper, and thyme and sauté for 10 minutes.

Add in ½ cup of the stock to deglaze the pan, scraping the browned bits loose to flavor the soup with a wooden spoon.

Put the meat back into the pot and pour in the rest of the stock and add the tomato paste and bay leaf, stirring well to mix in the tomato paste.

Cover and simmer on low for 2 hours and 15 minutes.

While soup is cooking, preheat oven to 400 degrees

Combine the sweet potatoes, chopped carrots and turnips on the pan. Pour the tablespoon of olive oil right over the vegetables.

Add sea salt and sage and toss with your hands to coat. Place in oven and roast for 20–30 minutes, until just tender. Set aside.

Once soup has finished cooking and duck is tender, add the root vegetables in, stir well to heat through and taste for salt and pepper.

Pour into bowls and garnish with fresh sage leaf.

ROASTED RABBIT LEGS WITH EGG SAUCE

SERVES 4

Katniss was able to keep herself going in the Arena because of her extensive hunting and foraging skills. During
the
Hunger Games
, she nourished herself with raw eggs and rabbit legs. Here, we combine the two by using soft-poached yolks as a rich sauce. It may sound strange, but it lends a creamy, rich balance to the salty, slightly gamey rabbit.

If possible, buy two fresh rabbits and have the butcher package the four legs separately. Put the rest of the meat in the freezer to use for Mrs. Everdeen's Rabbit Stew With Greens. If you can only get frozen cut-up rabbit, pull the legs out without thawing the meat and rewrap, then freeze the rest.

4 RABBIT LEGS, RINSED AND DRIED

1 TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL

1 TEASPOON SALT, DIVIDED

½ TEASPOON FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER

1 TABLESPOON BUTTER

1 TABLESPOON DRIED PARSLEY

2 CUPS WATER

4 LARGE WHOLE EGGS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Lightly grease a baking sheet or baking pan.

Rub the rabbit legs with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Bake for 20 minutes, then baste with butter and sprinkle with parsley.

Continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until thigh registers at 160 degrees on a meat thermometer.

Set aside to rest for 10 minutes.

As the rabbit rests, bring salted water to a boil in a medium saucepan.

Drop in eggs 1 at a time. Don't worry about swirling the whites as you would with poached eggs.

Boil 1 minute, then remove from heat and take yolks out with a slotted spoon and place on a saucer or plate. Use your fingers to pull off any white strings.

Dump the yolks into a mug or measuring cup and pierce each one. Place a rabbit leg onto each plate and pour yolk over each.

DECEPTIVELY SWEET BERRY SYRUP SODA

MAKES 2 CUPS

When Katniss mixed up the sleep syrup Haymitch sent her with some wild berries, she fed it to Peeta with a spoon. It was a trick, but one meant to save his life.

You can use this simple syrup by adding a teaspoon to a glass of iced lemon-lime soda for a pretty and refreshing drink. It makes a nice beverage for
Hunger Games
parties, or just to revive you on a hot day. You can also serve a bit of this warm over vanilla ice cream.

1 CUP SUGAR

½ CUP WATER

1 CUP RED RASPBERRIES

2 CUPS LEMON-LIME SODA

In a medium saucepan, pour the sugar into the water and stir over low heat until all sugar is dissolved.

Put raspberries into a blender and blend until smooth. Add to the saucepan and cook over low heat until thick and smooth.

Cool the syrup in a closed container in the fridge.

To make the punch, pour lemon-lime soda over ice in an 8-ounce glass and top with 1 teaspoon syrup. Do not stir. Garnish with a fresh mint leaf, such as Katniss chewed in the Arena.

The syrup keeps well in the fridge for several weeks.

GOAT CHEESE TOASTS WITH FRESH APPLE

SERVES 4

Katniss and Peeta bonded in their cave over a simple meal of goat cheese on bread with slices of fresh apple. As is the case many times in the trilogy, this meal was a focal point for a pivotal change in the story.

A combination of Granny Smith and Pink Lady Apples will make this extra pretty, but you can substitute any firm, slightly tart apples that are available.

4 LARGE SLICES OF SOURDOUGH OR REAL BAKERY BREAD, CUT ½-INCH THICK

1 CUP OF GOAT CHEESE

1 SMALL GRANNY SMITH APPLE, SLICED THIN

1 SMALL PINK LADY APPLE, SLICED THIN

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place the sliced bread directly onto the rack and toast just until it starts to crisp, about 3 minutes.

Pull out rack, turn toast over and spread each slice with ¼ cup goat cheese.

Put back into the oven for 3–4 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Top with alternating slices of Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples and serve.

MELLARK BAKERY'S GOAT CHEESE AND APPLE TARTS

SERVES 8

During the time Peeta and Katniss spent alone in their cave, Peeta told her about the goat cheese and apple tarts his father baked — tarts they couldn't afford to eat. It brought the two of them even closer, and Katniss realized that she and Peeta weren't really so different after all.

Frozen pastry shells make this elegant dessert a very simple dish to make. They should be eaten at room temperature for the best flavor.

8 PIE PASTRY TART SHELLS, THAWED

6 OUNCES GOAT CHEESE

6 OUNCES MASCARPONE CHEESE

¾ CUP SUGAR, DIVIDED

½ TEASPOON NUTMEG

2 PINK LADY APPLES, PEELED AND SLICED ½-INCH THICK

1 WHOLE EGG WHISKED WITH 1 TABLESPOON WATER

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prick each tart shell with a fork and place on a baking sheet.

Bake for 8 minutes in the center of the oven.

In a medium bowl, mix goat cheese, Mascarpone cheese and ½ cup sugar with an electric mixer until smooth.

In a separate bowl, mix the nutmeg and ¼ cup sugar, add the apples and toss to coat well.

Remove the tart shells from the oven and use a spoon to fill the shells with the cheese mixture, ¾ full. Smooth the surface with a rubber spatula.

Brush the edges of each tart shell with the egg wash, and then arrange apple slices on top to cover completely.

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until apples are golden brown.

Let cool to room temperature before garnishing with fresh mint and serving.

6

RECIPES INSPIRED BY THE HUNGER GAMES

“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!”

EFFIE,
THE HUNGER GAMES
BY SUZANNE COLLINS, CHAPTER 1

THESE RECIPES FEATURE INGREDIENTS
found throughout the first book of
The Hunger Games
and incorporate themes from the story. While these recipes don't exist in the book exactly as written here, they could be fun to include in a meal inspired by
The Hunger Games
.