from the modest to the ostentatious, are represented in Catching Fire Cookbook.
In Catching Fire—the second book of the Hunger Games trilogy—the story continues with Katniss and Peeta returning home as the victors of their Hunger Games. This part of the trilogy follows Katniss as she tries to return to a normal life and is instead thrown back into the Arena.
Catching Fire and food share the same universal theme: survival. From the inspired to the authentic, these recipes will transport you back into the world of Catching Fire and the 75th Hunger Games.
Many dishes, such as Tiny Plum Tarts, are directly mentioned in the book, while others are inspired by the different scenes that transpire. For more adventurous fans—those who don’t mind hunting for their meal—the cookbook offers recipes that are literally on the wild side, with fare such as Charred Tree Rat and Spit-Roasted Goat. These dishes would be a tantalizing feast for most of the inhabitants of Panem, although they are unusual by today’s standards.
In Chapter 1 (Return to District 12 and Touring Panem), dishes like Hazelle’s Hearty Beaver Stew represent the comfort of being home once again. Chapter 2 (The Train to Quarter Quell) includes the Soothing Honey and Spiced Milk that was meant to both calm and comfort Katniss. And in Chapter 3 (The Quarter Quell Festivities and Training), Snow’s Suckling Pig is an over-the-top dish typical of President Snow’s parties.
Chapter 4 (The 75th Hunger Games) returns readers to the Arena and features such dishes as Burnt “Tree Rat” for the Timid and Fence-Roasted Tree Nuts. In Chapter 5 (Recipes Inspired by Catching Fire) you will find recipes inspired by many of the themes, characters and events of the second book of the Hunger Games trilogy. These include Rue’s Cold Carrot and Yam Puree and Tiny Plum Tarts.
Chapter 6 (Authenticity for the Adventurous) boasts dishes such as Charred Tree Rat and Hazelle’s Authentic Beaver Stew.
Cooking and eating the foods of Catching Fire Cookbook allows fans to delve back into each scene if the story in a whole new way. When a craving for the world of Catching Fire strikes, tear off a piece of Mellark’s Cinnamon Bread or enjoy a bowl of Capitol Lamb Stew with Plum Dumplings and transport all of your senses back into the world of Panem.
1
RETURN TO DISTRICT 12 AND TOURING PANEM
“You’ve got to go through it to get to the end of it.”
GREASY SAE, CATCHING FIRE BY SUZANNE COLLINS, CHAPTER 1
WHEN PEETA AND KATNISS RETURN to District 12 as victors, they expected a better life. In some ways, they got it, but only for a very short time. Soon they had to leave again for yet another Hunger Games and District 12 wouldn’t be there when they returned.
HAZELLE’S HEARTY BEAVER STEW
SERVES 4
Gale’s mom whipped up a hearty beaver stew from a rare beaver that Katniss was able to trap. Gale would have appreciated this stew after a day in the mines. Beaver had once been a fairly common dish in rural Appalachia (where District 12 is located).
Not everyone traps beaver, so we’ve substituted it for beef in this recipe.
2 TABLESPOONS VEGETABLE OIL
2 POUNDS LEAN BEEF, CUT INTO 1-INCH CUBES
1 PINCH SALT
1 PINCH GROUND BLACK PEPPER
2 TABLESPOONS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
1 ONION, DICED
1 (8-OUNCE) CAN TOMATO SAUCE
1 BAY LEAF
3 LARGE POTATOES, CUT INTO LARGE CHUNKS
4 CARROTS, CUT INTO LARGE 1-INCH SEGMENTS
3 STALKS CELERY, THICKLY SLICED
½ CUP BEEF BROTH
1 BUNCH PARSLEY, CHOPPED (FOR GARNISH)
Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Place the meat in a bowl, season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with flour and toss to coat.
Add meat to pot and brown meat on all sides.
Fill the pot with enough water to cover the meat and mix in onion, tomato sauce and bay leaf.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, then cover and simmer for an hour, or until the meat is tender.
Stir in the potatoes, carrots and celery.
Add the beef broth for extra flavor.
Continue cooking over low heat for 45 minutes, until vegetables are fork tender.
Remove bay leaf before serving.
Garnish with a little parsley in the center of each bowl.
FINGER-THAWING HERB TEA
SERVES 4
Katniss got a lot of comfort from being in Gale’s home and being around Hazelle, Gale’s mother. It was fitting that Hazelle gave Katniss this tea to warm her hands and insides after coming in from the cold.
This tea is also excellent for helping you through a cold or flu. Dissolve one tablet of vitamin C in the tea while it’s hot. It’ll add a lemon flavor to the tea and help you to feel better, too.
3 GREEN TEA BAGS
1 QUART PLUS 1 CUP WATER, DIVIDED
½ CUP SUGAR
1-INCH PIECE GINGER, SLICED, PLUS MORE FOR GARNISH
1 TEASPOON ORANGE ZEST
Put the green tea bags into a teapot and pour in 1 quart boiling water.
Let steep until it comes to room temperature. Remove the tea bags and discard.
Meanwhile, boil 1 cup water, the sugar, the ginger and the orange zest in a saucepan.
Stir to dissolve the sugar, then combine the mixture with the tea.
Garnish with a thin slice of ginger in each cup and serve immediately while warm.
GREASY SAE’S GOURD AND BEAN SOUP
SERVES 4
Just before leaving for her tour of the Districts, Katniss ordered a bowl of this soup from Greasy Sae’s busy stall. It was one of the few dishes of Greasy Sae’s that didn’t have game in it. Perhaps it was a slow day for area trappers and hunters.
If you’d like, you can substitute Great Northern beans or even black beans into this recipe. You might also enjoy using a combination of beans to change up the appearance and texture.
