Insight Editions has granted IGN an exclusive first look at “The Elder Scrolls Cookbook Vol. 2 – Tastes and Tales of Tamriel”. It’s framed as a travelogue, with an intradiegetic Orsimer author, Urzhag gro-Larake, guiding readers through an immersive culinary adventure.
There’s a simple philosophy running through the new volume: “Every land has its lore, and every dish has a story”. It nails that idea—”Tastes and Tales of Tamriel” is a memorable experience that capers through the swamps of Black Marsh, the sunlit isles of Summerset, the regal halls of Cyrodiil, and more.
The Elder Scrolls Cookbook Vol. 2 – Tastes and Tales of Tamriel will be released on September 17, 2024, and can be preordered from Amazon for $34.99 and £25.99 in the UK.
The new volume is packed with over 60 recipes that bring the rich, diverse flavors of the Elder Scrolls universe to life at home. With exclusive illustrations from start to finish, the book showcases the less-explored of Tamriel’s lands and people in wonderful detail. There’s enough guidance to keep you engaged but without feeling too restrictive, allowing room for creativity and experimentation.
My standouts include the “Corrupting Bloody Mara”, a fun twist on an Elder Scrolls Online item that empowers vampires, and the recipe for “Sugar Claws”, a sweet treat inspired by the mischievous thief god of the Khajit, Rajhin. There are plenty of other great additions to note as well, including “Kwama Hash”, “The Hound and the Rat”, and “Fargrave Sweetrolls”.
Just as The Elder Scrolls: Official Survival Guide to Tamriel featured an in-universe author to chaperone readers, Urzhag gro-Larake’s narratives within the upcoming cookbook offers another delightful touch. Unsurprisingly, Urzhag quickly became my favorite part of the “Tastes and Tales of Tamriel”.
That’s not to say the cookbook’s recipes are disappointing in any way; rather, it’s the Orsimer’s anecdotes that elevate every page. His travels offer a soothing read, bringing these fantastical recipes to life while maintaining a cozy and comforting atmosphere throughout.
His kind demeanor, active encouragement, and peaceful mindset provided a gentle guide through each captivating recipe. Surprisingly, it was also remarkably inspiring, with the introduction setting the tone for the entire cookbook: “You don’t need fancy equipment or years of practice to become a gourmet chef! As Balagog [The Gourmet] would say, the secret ingredient is you.”
Speaking on the “Rajhin’s Sugar Claws” recipe, Urzhag says: “I often spent the new year on the road during my journey. One of these times, I was lucky enough to come across a few travelers from Elsweyr. They’d struck up a spontaneous New Life Festival and welcomed me to their campfire.”
“I cooked them a Khazgur-style Stonetooth Bash Chicken—I suppose I was slightly homesick! In exchange, they tried to teach me how to properly nick coins for their traditional Trial of Five-Clawed Guile, and the next morning, they made me a breakfast pastry paying homage to Rajhin. I made a terrible thief, but I think I’ve done a decent job re-creating the recipe here.”
“You don’t need fancy equipment or years of practice… the secret ingredient is you.”
Urzhag consistently provides fascinating anecdotes about the origins of these dishes, enlightening the reader with his tales. He provides key context behind even the simplest of recipes, such as the Telvanni Tea, and great insight into Elder Scrolls lore at every opportunity.
“House Telvanni, one of Morrowind’s Great Houses, are still known today as magnificent wizard-lords, though the Fourth Era has not been kind to them: The House has been ravaged by the Argonian Invasion and the eruption of the Red Mountain.”
“From what I’ve read, though, their capital of Sadrith Mora was once a bio-magical marvel, with enormous mushrooms that were grown, cultivated, and shaped into dwellings! I would’ve loved to experience the House at their height, but I’ll make do with sipping this tea, imagining myself on a mushroom balcony overlooking Zafirbel Bay.”
Shoutout to the authors, or Urzhag’s “translators”, Victoria Rosenthal and Erin Kwong, as I can’t wait to get stuck into more of these comforting dishes. “The Elder Scrolls Official Cookbook Vol. 2 – Tastes and Tales of Tamriel” will release on September 17, 2024, and can be preordered from Amazon for $34.99. For even more news, deals, and preorders on the latest book releases, consider following @IGNDeals on Twitter/X or check out our best audiobook roundup, and the best sci-fi fantasy books to consider reading this month as well.
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