Diamonddew Meal Traditions

The elves of Erisdaire are known for meals light on meat, and heavy on plant-derived material. House Holimion was one of the major families during the height of their power, and when elves separated the family traveled into the wilds as protectors and leaders. This, in turn, meant their traditions became a part of 'wild elf' lifestyles - including a great deal of their meal habits.

History

Elves of Erisdaire have always been drawn to various aspects of artistic pursuits, and cooking has been one of those pursuits ritualized into a process rarely deviated from. When the oldest elven kingdoms broke apart, House Holimion took with them the preparation techniques of several crops they made popular within a section of the population. The human translation of "Dew Style" was derived from this, referencing fresh greens which are allowed to retain their crispness and using quick sears for meat instead of long roasting times. Over the millennia following the dissolution of widespread elven empires, the Holimion cooking tradition has become one of the few central styles used by elves.

Components and tools

As noted, elves tend to shy away from large quantities of meat in their cooking - but they do not completely eschew it. Venison, boar meat, and game fowl are the usual fare as far as meat included in the meals are considered. Other parts of the animals are used in meals, and rarely is anything disposed of. Milk is also used, and cheesemaking is an art which those following Holimion traditions have mastered; with a great deal of time on their hands, they have developed ways of safely making it. Aside from these animal products, one of the central components to meals is a legume which is turned into a smooth paste with some spices to match what it is paired with. Despite being quite healthy, humans have not quite found it as palatable for their tastes. Beyond these things, a more usual variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs are used to bring a variety to recipes.

Elves also tend to have a more ritualized preparation technique honed over centuries, and this is within the lifetime of only one elf. The cooking tools have had similar designs for ages, and bear a great similarity to those used by humans. Over the generations of elven lives, usage has been derived into a slow and very exact process with very little (if any) improvisation or alterations. Similarly, some implements have been designed with narrow uses in mind; one of these is a copper-clad kettle which is used to prepare the beans for their transformation into paste.