Bainne-na-Tuine (ˈbanʲə nə ˈt̪ɯnʲə)
"Bainne-na-Tuine is a dish with an interesting history, an important role in Dòbhran traditions, and it looks delicious. Sadly, most humans think it tastes terrible."
Among the Dòbhran Selkies of the Arcaibh Islands, no god is as honored as Lirnach, the Sea-Mother. They credit her with the genesis of their species, when she transformed a community of starving humans into a form better suited to surviving on their harsh and sea-swept islands. Every year at Samhain, they hold a great feast in Lirnach's name. While there are many dishes served at Samhain each year, none holds more significance than Bainne-na-Tuine, the Milk of the Tide.
A Plateful of Tradition
Bainne-na-Tuine has many traditions surrounding how it is made, served, and consumed. First and foremost, it can only be prepared by those who have born children. Mothers are said to be the "Hands of Lirnach", and by preparing the Bainne-na-Tuine they are standing in for the goddess herself. It is then placed upon large scallop shells kept specifically for this purpose, and brought to the sea shore on Samhain night. Each of the Dòbhran will take their shell with its dessert out into the waves, standing or sitting in the surf to eat it. Then they wait until Lirnach's animals gather. Seals and sea otters arrive on the shore as night falls, sent by Lirnach to partake in the Selkie's feast. Each person offers their first bite to the animals, and it is extremely bad luck if none appear. Once the animals have had their taste, the Dòbhran eat the remainder with great relish.
A Maritime Recipe
Bainne-na-Tuine visually resembles the Albannach dessert known as cranachan, but a cursory examination reveals many differences. Instead of cream and berries, it is made from whipped blubber and marrow, with roe. Crispy fish skin adds a satisfying crunch, while shredded seaweed serves a salty garnish. Some communities will also include a rich sauce made from tallow and whiskey for an additional flavor element.
While the basic form of Bainne-na-Tuine remains the same throughout the Arcaibh Islands, each community has its own traditional flourishes. The exact source of the blubber can vary, with some swearing by whales, while others claim only seal blubber will do, and others claiming some blend. A few of the northernmost communities believe in mixing clotted blood pudding into the dish along with the roe, while the Selkies of the Kattalands add a layer of fermented fish below the fatty base and crumble Pemmican over the top. When different clans of Dòbhran meet, they will frequently compare recipes, and their arguments for and against certain variations are legendary.
Limited Appeal
While the Dòbhran are happy to share Bainne-na-Tuine with anyone who expresses interest, only a few non-Selkies appreciate the dish. Humans find it overwhelmingly fatty and salty, while the vegetarian Aethry can barely stand to look at it, much less taste a bite. The Zmei and Kikipua are more likely to enjoy it, but it is still alien and strange to their palate. Of all the other races, only the Kitsunejin seem to enjoy the experience, although it may be the novelty of the dish more than the flavor they enjoy.
None of this bothers the Dòbhran, who look forward to Bainne-na-Tuine each Samhain, and know that it is appreciated by their goddess. If they must be away from their home during the festival, they will often claim to miss Bainne-na-Tuine most of all, and will go to great lengths to reach a Selkie community who is celebrating if they can.
A Dessert?
While humans may consider sweetness the defining characteristic of a dessert, this is not the case with Selkies. As a part of their transformation, they have lost the ability to taste sweet flavors, and instead experience an expanded sense of savory tastes. To the Selkie, Bainne-na-Tuine is a complex arrangement of flavors that most other species are unequipped to detect and appreciate, while the sugary human desserts are bland and unsatisfying. While they do honor their human ancestors by mimicking the appearance of cranachan, they have substituted the ingredients with something better suited to their new lives as marine mammals.
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This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
I love that you chose the Selkie dish; so different from what any human might consider a dessert, yet precisely that to them, for very good reasons.
Thanks! I was excited by the challenge of inventing a dish for a different kind of creature.