Suranthi Cuisine, A Guide to Tundra Delicacies and Delights
Quite the ambitious project we put together over the last five decades, and before we begin the first of the nine sections I have contributed to this expansive project, I wish to thank Mar'elin Du'ristic for the invitation, companionship and the many adventures over the past five decades that we have shared. For those whom may not know, I am Arum Mallorn. I was first a master chef and pastry maker in Geata-Iarainn, my home city, for the better part of a century. However eventually I desired a new challenge, as oft happens to my people, and thus I passed that business to my son when he came of age and I had taught him all I knew. As a dwarf, and a renowned name in the world of food in my home nation, it would seem natural that Mar'elin approached me upon his arrival in Geata-Iarainn to begin this massive world wide project. I, however, never even dreamed what his initial offer and our initial relation would turn into, but I would guess the elf sensed something in our initial time together, for immediately after our talks, that same week, he came to me insisting what were only supposed to be footnotes and little sub sections of his massive project, well he wished them to become something more robust. Perhaps it was the way I talked about my home's cuisine, or about food in general, or that I mentioned my own thoughts on a project I would have maybe one day indulged in if I ever could somehow find the coin to travel the world (a pipe dream at the time).
Whatever it was, he came back with a new vision. Instead of a small sub-section, or even a chapter, he basically explained to me what he wanted was for me to write my dream project, to travel with him, to present the world through the lens of food and drink, flavors and the cultural mysteries and delicacies. To indulge the senses of taste and smell of readers as he would their eyes and ears with his writings. He wished to attach our projects together, to write them and make them one comprehensive set of tomes. In the end his passion and vision sold me, and thus, I agreed. That dear reader, is how what you are about to read and explore, hopefully perhaps even utilizing in travels of your own, came to exist. I cannot express my gratitude or joy of these last five decades, and what they have meant to me personally. Traveling, exploring the world and our sister nations and realms through the artistry, tastes, scents and flavors of their local cuisine. Thus, it is my greatest pleasure and pride to have contributed so thoroughly to this project.
Within each of these tomes, what one will find is a comprehensive guide to the culinary highlights, a variety of food and drinks that cross the spectrum of meal, treat, dessert. Staples and delicacies, well known historic dishes and the less famous gems and delights that one must experience, not just read about, to truly appreciate. You will find recipes, you will find some history, and most importantly, if nothing else, what I hope you will find is a guide, a sort of 'road map of the stomach' if you will of things that you simply must try should you ever be visiting the regions in question. For each nation I did my utmost to choose a strong variety of dishes and beverages, though as always with any such tomes or writings I am offering but a sampling a mere indulgent highlight reel. We agreed early on that I needed, for the sake of simply making this project manageable, to limit each of these sections in size to some reasonable number. So the approach we took, which I hope our readers will appreciate, is tying into a culturally significant number all across Valerick. There are nine Ascended, and thus, we limited each section to nine culinary options. I wish to impress upon you now, in this first edition, dear readers, that this is merely a highlight reel, I had to pick and choose and I could easily have tripled the number in most every nation across the world. So please if this is your doorway, I would implore you, do not limit your exploration thusly, should you be actually visiting/traveling the region of the world you are reading of. Indulge your senses beyond these humble suggestions, let them be the stepping stone leading you further on your culinary journeys.
With all that said, without further ado, I present to you now Suranthi Cuisine, A Guide to Tundra Delicacies and Delights
Grandmaster Chef Arum Mallorn
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