March 25 is Tolkien Reading Day! Celebrate by whipping up these recipes straight from middle earth!
Denethor’s Roast Hen
Who could forget Denethor’s iconic feast scene? Recreate it at home with this chicken but you have to eat the tomatoes just like he does or it doesn’t count.
Ingredients:
- 2 Cornish hens
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 onion
- 1 lemon
- 6 tbsp butter
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp minced thyme
- 2 tsp minced rosemary
- 2 tsp minced parsley
- salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat a baking dish with oil.
- Tuck the wings underneath the breast of each hen. Stuff each hen cavity with the rosemary and thyme sprigs, onion and lemon.
- Place the butter, garlic, minced thyme, rosemary and parsley, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Stir to combine.
- Rub the butter mixture all over the hens, both on the outside of the hens and underneath the skin.
- Place the hens in the prepared dish.
- Bake for approximately 50-60 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees.
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Let the hens rest for 5 minutes. Remove the lemon, onion and herbs from the hen cavities. Garnish with lemon and herbs if desired.
- Don’t forget to include a side of Denethor’s iconic tomatoes.
Mushrooms from the Shire
Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 lb baby Bella mushrooms
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 tbsp minced parsley
Instructions:
- Sauté mushrooms and garlic in butter in a medium pan at medium heat for about 7 minutes.
- Add salt, pepper, and parsley to taste and sauté for another 3 minutes.
Lembas Bread
Ingredients:
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 cup self rising flour
- 1 1/4 cups self rising cornmeal
- 2 beaten eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425 °F.
- Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Combine eggs, milk and butter in a separate bowl, and add to the bowl of dry ingredients, stirring until just moistened.
- Pour batter into a lightly greased 9-inch pan.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Crispy Smashed Po-Ta-Toes
Ingredients:
- 2 lb tri colored baby potatoes
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tbsp minced parsley
- kosher salt and pepper to taste
- olive oil
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
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In a large stock pot filled halfway with water, bring to boil and liberally salt water. Add potatoes, and boil for 20 minutes, or until they are fork tender. Strain; set aside.
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Lightly grease a large baking sheet or tray with non-stick spray. Arrange potatoes on the sheet and LIGHTLY flatten the potatoes with a potato mashed or fork in one piece (not too hard or they will end up mashed).
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Mix together the butter, garlic and parsley. Pour over each potato. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Place in oven and bake 10-15 minutes or until browned on the top.
Now combine these four dishes for a middle earth feast fit for a hobbit! Also try our Middle Earth Cocktails!
