Cooking is my second passion, which works out perfectly, because as an author I get to make up the imaginary food first and worry about how they actually work later😋 I’ve been especially excited to bring a few of them to life for real. Here are some of my favorites:
1. Svirii Water
Svirii Water is a magical drink that instantly restores your energy. As Niil notes: “Cool, sweet water entered his mouth, prying open his sleepy eyes as though he'd just woken up from a refreshing nap. Energy seemed to fill him the more he drank, and his nerves began to sing.”
Here’s how you can bring a touch of that magic into your own kitchen and experience Svirii Water just as Niil did.
Ingredients
1 cup green grapes
1 sprig of mint
2 tablespoon honey , or more to taste
Sparkling water
Instructions
- In a large bowl or measuring cup, muddle the grapes and mint together until the grapes release their juice and the mint is fragrant.
- Stir in the honey
- Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
- Strain into a serving glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint and enjoy!
2. Gurges's Secret Sweetcakes Recipe
Here’s the sweetcakes recipe Soes couldn’t quite crack. The secret to those extra fluffy, tender doughnuts is the addition of potato flakes and a slow overnight rise. If you can’t find potato flakes, instant dried mashed potato work just as well (Gurges might grumble, but it still turns out beautifully).
Ingredients
1 cup warm milk (110°F)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
3 tablespoon sugar
1¾–2 cups bread flour
½ cup potato flakes
¾ teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Mix milk, sugar, yeast; rest 5 min until foamy.
- Add flour, potato flakes, salt, egg, and olive oil. Knead 8–10 min until soft and tacky.
- Cover and let double (1–1½ hrs) or refrigerate overnight (bring to room temp before using).
- Roll ½-inch thick, cut rounds, let rise 30 min.
- Heat oil to 350°F; fry ~1 min per side until golden.
- Drain and coat with powdered sugar.