The Cozy Dragon's Hoard of Dice

Available in bookstores and hobby shops, the Elder Scrolls Official Cookbook is a fun culinary dip into the Elder Scrolls franchise. For all that The Elder Scrolls is not exhaustively based around the creation of food, it is impossible to fully distinguish ‘The Elder Scrolls and cooking’ from ‘The Elder Scrolls and adventuring’, and so it makes a particular kind of sense that such a cookbook would be forthcoming.

While pleasant for fans, I will say that my initial critique of this work is to do with the flavour text – specifically, that it makes it difficult to work out the flavour of the finished products. Although the cookbook does not go deeply into the conceit that you would be able to acquire ingredients that are specific to Skyrim or Morrowind, there is at least a little dithering about this, and it is of some minor annoyance when they concede that in a pinch, certain substitutions (for real-world ingredients) are serviceable.

Overall, the flavour profiles favoured in the cookbook are homey and earthy, as varied as the assorted cultures that are represented in the game franchise. If there is nothing particularly new to the majority of the recipes within to the accomplished cook, we can at least acknowledge that the recipes are of good quality and doable by anyone who can follow the directions.

I was particularly pleased to discover an index in the back of the book, that specifies vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free fares, as well as those recipes which could be easily made vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free with some minor alterations. As a cook who frequently runs up against dietary restrictions when preparing food for friends and relations, this is a tool that I appreciate.

Despite the heavy emphasis put on sweet rolls in Bethesda games, the stand-out favourite in my household for this work was a simple vegetable soup. This recipe rekindled my delight with pearled barley, and makes for a good two or three day run, particularly when paired with a loaf of crusty bread. Not unwelcome – and indeed, a good way to shake off the rime of a frosty autumn or winter afternoon.

I do not recommend seeking out this cookbook for experienced chefs seeking new recipes, but recommend it as a compilation of recipes and flavours welcome at any gathering of friends. It may take a little extra time to piece through – the conceit of being a gustatory guide to a fantasy world being what it is – but just about everything there would be welcome at my gaming table.

3.5/5, but with a recommendation to check it out if you’re looking for a fun cookbook rather than one that focuses entirely on the how and what.