If you're new, you might want to start at the beginning of these letters.
The Second of Covaris, 468th Year of the Empire
Dear Readers,
My deepest apologies. It has been ten days since my last letter. Unfortunately, the mushrooms I sourced for my last recipe did not agree with me. Selenar had no such issues as they (as I have been informed to refer to them as) did not consume as much of the skewers as I had. My stomach raged like a troll for three days and my face was as green as the verdant forest of the Southern Isles.
My usual keen eyes failed me in my selection of the wild mushrooms. I blame the dim light of the evening and Selenar's inability to hold a torch high enough. I assure you, this has never happened to me before.
In happier news, the entirety of our party has been reunited. Dathor has informed us that the dragon's lair is deeper into the belly of the mountain. Aliasbe and Ishael spent the previous four days wandering in the opposite direction chasing after what Ishael describes as the most beautiful water nymph she's ever encountered. I swear that bard will try to woo anything with a heartbeat- or without for that matter.
Thankfully, we are all finished with our separate jaunts- Dathor has found the lair and retrieved his axe, Aliasbe has returned Ishael after an unsuccessful interlude, and Selenar has nursed me back to full health.
Our party is finally ready to venture into the depths of the mountain.
Due to the delay (and my fear of foraging for sustenance amongst the cave floor), our food is now mostly our basic rations. But, our rations are not like the sawdust and compacted trimmings you find in the average emporium.
No, my dear readers, when you travel with Hathor Rophine, you dine on the finest rations. I made these myself, from the recipe of an exiled elvish prince I once encountered at the Vine Blood Tavern in Western Breya. I have kept this a closely guarded secret, but I feel that it is safe to entrust it to you, my patrons.
Here is banished prince Onas Sylcan's Sweet and Savory Ration Bars:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup dried dates (if unable to acquire dates, berries are acceptable)
- 1 cup nuts and seeds of your choice
- 1/2 cup honey or tree syrup (as a binding agent)
- Pinch of salt
- Optional flavorings (such as cinnamon or vanilla extract as your funds allow)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped salted meat of your choice
- Tallow or some oil for your cooking irons
Instructions:
1. Mix the rolled oats, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, honey or syrup, salt, and optional flavorings together in a clay bowl or pot.
2. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, add the finely chopped salted meat to the mixture. Make sure the meat is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
3. Transfer the mixture with the salted meat onto a greased cooking iron (with tallow or oil). Press the mixture down firmly and evenly, compacting it together with the added salted meat.
4. Place the iron over your campfire or hearth fire.
5. Cook the mixture over the campfire or hearth fire for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. Keep an eye on the heat to prevent burning.
6. Once cooked, remove the iron from the fire and allow it to cool completely. Cut the mixture into individual bars or squares of your desired size.
7. Store the ration bars in a dry dark cupboard sealed away from any pests or wrap them individually with the large leaves of the Shadowleaf Tree for convenient travel (if you are unable to procure Shadowleaf leaves, any large edible leaf will do).
Since rations are a very personal thing, feel free to adjust the measurements and ingredients based on your preferences and the availability of ingredients in your home. Enjoy your flavorful and nourishing Ration Bars. And just think, the next time you bite into one, I could be doing the very same.
May your taste buds never grow weary,
Hathor Rophine
PS- if you enjoy these letters, and want them to continue, I encourage you to toss a few coins to this enchantment to keep them coming.
Comments
Post a Comment