The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook is a beautifully bound hardback book that clocks in at nearly 200 pages and more than 70 easy-to-follow recipes so you can take in all of the diverse tastes of Tamriel. Released in 2019 by Insight Editions, this cookbook does a wonderful job of respecting its source material and providing gamers and foodies alike with a wealth of options to try at home. As a longtime fan of the Elder Scrolls franchise, I appreciate having the opportunity to create dishes I’ve only ever seen in the games. It’s a fascinating and brilliant bridge between Tamriel and reality. Yes, other cookbooks have done this in the past. However, the Elder Scrolls games are steeped in rich history and culture that goes beyond other titles – making this book feel like an artifact one might find and read in Skyrim, Oblivion, or Morrowind.

Baby Carrots in Moonsugar Glaze & Redguard RiceWe chose to make these two recipes for a dinner because they seemed to be fairly straightforward. We followed the baby carrots recipe exactly as it’s written, and they turned out great! The flavor was excellent. We paired this with the Redguard Rice. However, we used ground beef rather than ground lamb, and we swapped out molasses with organic maple syrup because we didn’t want to buy an item (i.e., molasses) that we wouldn’t have a use for beyond this recipe. This dish turned out to be fantastic! What made both of these interesting was the inclusion of spices we normally don’t use on a regular basis: cardamom (in the carrots) and coriander (in the rice). This was a wonderful way to try a new spin on meat, vegetables, and rice.

Double-Baked PotatoesThe third recipe we tried out was the double-baked potatoes, which we had with sirloin steak and broccoli. I made this recipe on my own because I figured I could pull it off. Thankfully, there were no kitchen disasters during the making of this dish. I used half-and-half instead of milk because that’s what we had. I also didn’t put the potatoes directly on the oven rack – with a tray on the rack underneath it to catch the drippings – because I knew that would be a mess. Instead, I put them on a tray covered in aluminum foil to make cleanup a breeze. Another thing I changed was I didn’t mix the cheese into the potatoes. Instead, I used it as a topping so it could melt and create a wonderful outer layer – which it did! Both my wife and I thought this was an excellent recipe that we would definitely have again.

The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook is an excellent collection of food and drink recipes for fans of the series, as well as those who are simply looking to try something new. All three recipes we made turned out great, and none of them were an arduous affair. As a fan of the Elder Scrolls, I love having the opportunity to take an even deeper dive into the history and culture of the games by cooking and eating the food of Tamriel. It truly is a Dragonborn’s dream come true!