A Feast in Rohan
BY Alison Wiebe
Let us travel to Middle Earth, crossing the Fords of Isen at the Gap of Rohan, for a feast with the Rohirrim.
The Kingdom of Rohan
A feast in Middle Earth in the great Northern kingdom of men is imbued with the courage and nobility of its people and their deep connection to the land. Gather in the Golden Hall of Meduseld, seat of the King in the city of Edoras, to sing songs of great battles and heroic deeds while feasting.
To create recipes worthy of the horse-lords, we take inspiration from the ancient cultures that influenced Tolkien’s vision of Rohan to the geographical region of Rohan itself.
A sea of Grass
The great Northern kingdom of Rohan lies between the rivers Isen and Anduin and is characterized by expansive grassy plains dotted with wildflowers and winding rivers. Known as the horse-lords, the Rohirrim are renowned for their horsemanship and their prized steeds.
For many hours they rode on through the meads and riverlands. Often the grass was so high that it reached above the knees of the riders, and their steeds seemed to be swimming in a grey-green sea.
The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien
Mead Glazed Ham Baked in Hay
Inspired by the horse culture of Rohan, this slow roasted ham is infused with the sweet, grassy aroma of fresh hay. A rarely used culinary technique, cooking the ham in hay imparts a wonderful aroma and creates an incredibly tender and juicy ham. The ham is then removed from the hay, brushed with a reduced mead glaze, and roasted until sticky and caramelized.
Apple Cream Braised Cabbage
This hearty braised cabbage makes use of produce native to a northern European climate. Slowly braising the cabbage in cream creates a tender, buttery texture and brings out the natural sweetness in the cabbage. Apples add sweetness while the bacon brings a savoury, salty component to the dish.
No Knead Rye Bread
The vast grasslands and plains of Rohan are ideal for farming and the growing of grain crops. Soft and slightly chewy, with aromatic caraway, this rustic no knead rye bread is as simple to make as it is delicious. Whether served alongside a hearty stew or slathered in butter, this hearty rye bread is the perfect addition to the banquet tables in Edoras.
Potted Ham
This potted ham, brightly flavoured with tangy pickles and fresh dill, is the perfect hearty snack. The seasoned ham is packed into containers and sealed with a layer of fat to keep it fresh, making it the ideal provision for long journeys and a shelf-stable household staple. Serve this savoury spread with crusty rye bread and plenty of pickles!
Ale Braised Lamb Shanks with Barley
The rolling hills and pastures of Rohan are ideal for raising livestock, so it is likely that meat such as lamb features prominently in their diet. Lamb shanks are slowly braised with ale and aromatics until tender and falling off the bone. Barley added to the rich broth creates a hearty and filling stew to serve alongside the lamb.
Honey Roasted Root Vegetables
The northern climate of the Kingdom Rohan suggests that hardy root vegetables would be a staple of Rohan cuisine. These humble earthy vegetables are elevated to a spectacular side by drizzling them with honey and roasting until caramelized. Fresh dill adds a herbaceous note to this vegetable dish that is perfect served alongside the roasted meats at the feast tables of Edoras.
Mulled Mead
Meduseld, the feasting hall at the centre of Edoras, is said to have been inspired by the mead hall, Heorot, from the Old English poem, Beowulf. The cultivation of mead has a long and storied history in ancient Germania which suggests that the people of Rohan would likely enjoy this fermented honey beverage. Sweetened with honey and heavily spiced, this warm and comforting mulled mead is the perfect drink to share at the feast tables of Meduseld.
Rhubarb Apple Crisp with Hay Custard
Inspiration for this dish comes from the vast grassy plains and horse culture of Rohan. A rich custard is infused with the sweet, grassy flavour of fresh hay and served over a sweet and tart fruit crisp. Hardy fruit like rhubarb and apples are perfect in this spiced and crumble-topped crisp. Topped with the luscious hay-infused custard, this rhubarb and apple crisp is the perfect sweet ending to our feast in the Kingdom of Rohan.
