Cold Cucumber Soup | A Series of Unfortunate Events

(Recipe originally posted Feb. 2017 for Fiction Kitchen Podcast Ep. 54: A Series of Unfortunate Events.)

“Soup’s on!” Aunt Josephine called from the kitchen. “Please come to dinner!”

“Oh good,” Violet said. “There’s nothing like hot soup on a chilly evening.”

“Actually, it’s not hot soup,” Aunt Josephine said. “I never cook anything hot because I’m afraid of turning the stove on. It might burst into flames. I’ve made chilled cucumber soup for dinner.”

–A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket

Coconut Cake | A Series of Unfortunate Events

(Recipe originally posted Feb. 2017 for Fiction Kitchen Podcast Ep. 54: A Series of Unfortunate Events.)

“Hello hello hello!” a loud voice boomed out, and from behind the door stepped a short, chubby man with a round red face. “I am your Uncle Monty, and this is really perfect timing! I just finished making a coconut cake!”

The cake was a magnificent thing, rich and creamy with just the right amount of coconut.

—A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket

Steamed Pork Bundles | Moana

(Recipe originally posted Feb. 2017 for Fiction Kitchen Podcast Ep. 50: Moana.)

          This wrapped pork dish is inspired by foods either mentioned or portrayed in “Moana” like pork, coconuts, taro, fish, and mango, as well as Hawaiian lau lau and Tongan lu pulu. Traditionally banana leaves are used to wrap the bundles for steaming, but foil is a substitute if banana leaves are not readily available (also, do not eat the banana leaves!). If you’re not able to get a hold of taro leaves, other big leafy greens like collard, mustard, or turnip greens are all right substitutes, though of course they each have their own texture and flavor. Also, feel free to add a little fish and/or onions to the filling. It’s a very versatile dish!

Sausage Rolls | Lockwood & Co.

"George ordered in a vast variety of doughnuts from the corner store. I bought some crepe paper streamers and hung them up around the kitchen. Lockwood returned from a trip to Knightsbridge with two giant wicker baskets, filled with sausage rolls and jellies, pies and cakes, bottles of Coke and ginger ale, and luxuries of all kinds. Once this stuff was unloaded, our kitchen surfaces (and two shelves in the basement storeroom) had virtually disappeared. We sat amid a wonderland of edible delights."

–Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

Monster Soup (Sweet & Chilled) | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

          I love the monster foods in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, mainly because of their vibrant purples, but also because it's so interesting that a whole section for these unique foods was added to the extensive menu in the game (the details and immensity of the game are so impressive, not least of all in the food department).
          What makes these foods (like curry, rice balls, cake, and more) "monster" is a special ingredient only available at night from the mysterious monster weeb Kilton called "monster extract", and you can only get it by trading in monster parts ('cause Kilton be loving' up on some monster stuff). These foods give a random health boost when consumed.
          In the game, monster soup (created by combining monster extract, fresh milk, goat butter, and Tabantha wheat) is described as "gamey" and that people either love it or hate it, but I made two versions in real life (this one, and a savory warm one to be shared at another time and place) and am happy to say that they are both delicious. :) I thought this one would be nice to share for a yummy and refreshing Summertime treat.