CATAN The Official Cookbook Review – Inviting, Tantalizing, Stress-Free (Recipes)

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Category: Books

Published on Monday, 06 November 2023 19:57

Written by Janet Walker

CATAN The Official Cookbook, from Ulysses Press, brings to the pages a collection of delicious, enticing, and easy to make recipes to accompany guests as they navigate one of the most popular board games of all time.

The game presents the "universal story of humankind's quest to explore the world-to discover, trade, build and settle." And of course, to share a meal with fellow travelers.

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CATAN The Official Cookbook does that organized across five sections, the CATAN Cookbook, presents recipes in Part I, "Game (K)night Snacks, (page 12) which comprises appetizers, bits, small bites and finger food; Part II, "Food for the Road" (page 52, features breakfast and lunch items; Part III "Adventurer's Feast," (page 86), covers main meals and side dishes, and Part IV "Hard-Won Desserts," (page 134), provides all the sweet rewards a sojourner deserves, and Part V, "Cheers for Victory," (page 162), highlights spirits, ales, and other themed drinks.

With themed recipes and familiar hexagons to denote dietary restrictions, each of the recipes provides prep and cook times and is accompanied by a full-page glossy picture of the desired result. Throughout the cookbook, Catan warriors will find interesting trivia which will ignite their interest.

"Explorers on Horseback," (page 14) presents an appetizing gourmet hors d'oeuvre of pitted dates stuffed with smoked or plain almonds and Manchego cheese wrapped in prosciutto. Bake a quick 10-minutes, until the prosciutto is slightly browned. A no fuss, foodie delight, guaranteed to impress.

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Of the 17 recipes featured in "Part 1 Game (K) night Snacks," only two require more than 30 minutes of combined prep and cook time, allowing for limited effort and maximum delight. Other unusual and impressive recipes include "Cottage Cheese Mini Quiches" (page 33), "Scalded Feta Barbarian Skewers," (page 34), which also embraces tasty dates and bacon, and "Tavern Pretzel Bites and Beer Cheese, (page 41), with a prep time of only 30 minutes, warm homemade pretzel bites will amaze your guests.

Guests will always love a tempting and sensory appealing "Adventurer's Charcuterie Board" (page 48), a cornucopia of bits and small bites of spreadable and cubed cheeses, fruits of choices, breads, nuts, cured meats and crackers, garnish with grapes, herbs, and other fragrant ingredients. Easy and sure to please.

"Part II Food for the Road" begins the traveler's journey with the most important meal of the day offering CATANIANS healthy, hearty breakfast ideas to satiate the appetite and jumpstart the mind. CATAN The Official Cookbook brings six of the most traditional morning meals and adds a twist.

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"Over-Knight Oats," (page 54) a fruit filled, scrumptious, nourishing hot breakfast that is ready in all of six minutes. Add the ingredients in a non-reactive pot, stir five minutes, pop in the fridge overnight, and cook one minute the next morning and Catania's will be arriving at the table as the aroma of cinnamon travels to the most remote corners.

Other breakfast ideas featured on pages 56 through page 65 are "Whole Grain Pancakes," "Traveler's Egg Sandwich," "Green Garden Smoothie" and "Farmer's Market Berry Yogurt Parfait."

"Part II Food for the Road" finishes the chapter with lunch ideas including soups, "Mug of Barley Soup," "Caravan Vegetarian Chili," and "Coastal Chowder" as well as "Wheat Berry Salad, "Seafarer's Summer Salad" and "Fall Harvest Salad."

"Part III Adventurer's Feast" begins on (page 87) with an introduction to the chapter's 21 featured recipes.

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For those with limited time there are also luscious recipes that have a prep and cook combined time of less than 30 minutes including "Iron Skillet Shrimp and Blackened Corn," (page 117) which from the recipe name alone, I'm game to give it a try, a glossy picture of perfectly cooked shrimp and blistered blackened corn on the cob is inviting.

A must also is the "Brick Smash Burger" (page 97) with a combined prep and cook time of 20 minutes, is a gourmand's take on the traditional burger, adding a special blend of seasoning and sauce along with a parchment wrapped brick, cooked to desired doneness, and quickly serve with any preferred toppings on the toasted bun of choice. Surprisingly scrumptious.

Other recipes presented "Lamb Bolognese," "Great Hall Rack of Lamb," "Harbormaster's Fish and Chips," and seven mouthwatering vegetables recipes including my favorite "Crispy Cast-Iron Brussels Sprouts," (page 132). A "Forest Mushroom Risotto" (page 120) recipe is also added for the brave at heart.

CATAN The Original Cookbook completes the journey for travelers with the sweet spoils of victory in "Part IV Hard-Won Desserts" beginning on page 135 including "Rocky Road Cookies," "Chocolate Covered Pretzel Logs," "Settlement Strudel," "Whole Grain Carrot Cupcakes," and "Wild Blackberry Scones."

"Part V Cheers for Victory" (page 163) offers a dozen recipes for boozy cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks that are sure to delight, and warm up the tired bones after a long hard won CATANINA victory. Enjoy!

CATAN The Official Cookbook is available in bookstore and online. It is a must have for home chefs and in-home entertainment.

Title: CATAN The Official Cookbook.

Author: Editors of Ulysses Press.

Language: English.

Release Date: September 12, 2023.

Publisher: Ulysses Press (September 12, 2023).

Length: 192 pages.

ISBN13: 978-1-64604-452-8

MSRP: $29.95 (U.S.), $39.95 (CAN).