It may not be a surprise but I’m super excited to go to Ottawa ComicCon 2024! I spent over a year writing my Boy at the Cauldron cookbook inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Mark your calendars because from September 6th to 8th, the EY Centre in Ottawa will transform into a haven for fans of comics, movies, games, and everything in between. The world of Tolkein has inspired some delicious recipes. Check them out below!
Why You Should Be Excited About ComicCon 2024
This year’s ComicCon is packed with exciting guests and events, but what my husband really convinced me to go see are that the four actors who played the beloved Hobbits from The Lord of the Rings will be there, signing autographs and taking photos with fans! I’m so busy with my little guy transitioning into day care but I absolutely have to see this. What a once in a lifetime opportunity. If only I could bring them some food to try!
Cooking Up Middle-earth with a Serbian Twist
I hosted a special Twitch stream on September 3rd at twitch.tv/chefevabee, where I cooked up some Shire-inspired dishes with unique Serbian flair. I recently found out about the Serbian Vile, etherial forest fae that are tricksters and mysterious. I’d love to believe that Tolkein may have been inspired by some Balkan folklore.
Of course in The Lord of the Rings there is bread mentioned, PO-TAY-TOES but I thought I’d make some tender glazed beef steaks with red wine glaze - which is surprisingly doable to make on a weeknight if you make the sauce over the weekend. And Serbian Tufahije—delicious walnut-stuffed apples that would be right at home in the kitchens of Hobbiton!
Tufahije Recipe: Balkan Honey Baked Apples Stuffed with Walnuts and Topped with Whipped Cream
serves 6, gluten and dairy free, grain free
Ingredients:
6 honeycrisp or russet apples, peeled and cored, reserving peels
1 L water
¼ cup plus 2 tbsp honey
1 lemon, sliced
1-inch piece fresh vanilla pod, halved lengthwise
1/8 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
1 cup walnuts, ground
1 egg white
1 cup whipped coconut cream (see recipe in notes), or regular whipped cream
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
In a wide saucepan, bring ingredients for the braising liquid to a simmer, including reserved apple peels.
Place cored apples into water, cover, and cook for 3 minutes. Remove apples carefully using a slotted spoon.
Meanwhile, make walnut filling. Whisk egg white until foamy (just before soft peaks) and mix with walnuts, nutmeg, and reserved 2 tbsp of honey.
Fill apple cores with walnut filling evenly between all apples using all of the filling.
Place into a casserole dish so that all of the apples are upright and not overlapping.
Bake for 15 minutes until the filling becomes slightly golden brown on top.
As the apples bake, simmer braising liquid until reduced by half. Strain braising liquid. Add more honey to taste if desired.
Remove apples from oven and add reduced liquid to apples, avoiding pouring liquid over the stuffing of each apple.
Refrigerate. Remove each apple to a serving dish and pour some cooled liquid on top. Top apple with whipped cream.
Notes: Whipped Coconut Cream
Makes 1 cup
1 can coconut milk, refrigerated for at least 8 hours
Note: coconut milk must be full fat, and the ingredients cannot contain emulsifiers such as guar gum.
Remove the can of coconut milk from the fridge and open it carefully so as not to disturb the contents. Spoon off the cream that has risen to the top and whisk in a bowl until stiff peaks are achieved. Refrigerate and re-whip when ready to serve.
Glazed Beef Tenderloin in Bordelaise Sauce
If you're in the mood for something savory to complement your Tufahije, why not try my glazed beef tenderloin with red wine glaze? This dish combines tender beef with a rich, flavorful sauce that's perfect for impressing your guests or just treating yourself to a special meal.
Glazed Beef Tenderloin Ingredients:
Beef tenderloin, trimmed
Port
Shallots
Garlic
Fresh thyme
Beef stock
To get the full recipe and learn how to create this mouthwatering dish, make sure to check out my Boy at the Cauldron cookbook. It’s packed with recipes inspired by fantasy worlds and enriched with flavors from my culinary experiences in Serbia and Ireland!
Stay Tuned for Live Updates and More!
Throughout the event, I’ll be sharing live updates and behind-the-scenes peeks on Instagram @chefevabee. From exciting food finds to meet-and-greets with the stars, you won’t want to miss a thing. Plus, I’ll be posting a recap blog after the event to highlight all the fun!
So, whether you’re a fan of fantasy, a lover of food, or both, ComicCon 2024 is the place to be. Grab your tickets now at ottawacomiccon.com and join me! I’m looking forward to speaking with vendors, cosplayers and artists about what the fantasy worlds inspire them how they cook at home.
Can’t wait to see you there!
