Northern Spices are a warming blend for the chilly region of Northrend. We ground dried juniper berries and pepper in the mortar and pestle ("if you have a NutriBullet at home, you can break this apart much easier"). Then we added cardamom, smoked salt (which we smoked ourselves), ginger and allspice.
Once everything was mixed, a "lovely, warm scent" came out, "and very bright." We were already planning for it: Northern Spices are in next week's Tracker Snacks and Steaming Chicken Soup, and later showed up in our salmon, steak and stew.
Journeying to the icy landscapes of Northrend, we uncover the essence of northern spices. With dried juniper berries, pepper, cardamom, smoked salt, ginger and allspice, we capture the rugged beauty of this frigid realm.
As we grind and mix these bold ingredients, a warmth emerges, reminiscent of the resilient spirit of Northrend's inhabitants. Next week we put it to work in Tracker Snacks and Steaming Chicken Soup.
Northern Spices
A bold Northrend blend of juniper, cardamom, smoked salt, pepper, ginger and allspice. It's the seasoning behind our Tracker Snacks, Shoveltusk Steak and Firecracker Salmon.
Grind the juniper berries and pepper in a mortar and pestle (or a spice grinder) until fine.
Add the cardamom, smoked salt, ginger and allspice and mix until evenly blended.
Transfer to a small airtight jar and store away from heat and light.
A grinder or NutriBullet breaks down the juniper berries much more easily than a mortar and pestle. We smoked our own salt, but store-bought works fine. Make this blend first: it seasons Westfall Stew, Tender Shoveltusk Steak, Firecracker Salmon, Tracker Snacks and Steaming Chicken Soup.
Adapted from World of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel (Insight Editions, 2016).
