Author: Lvl.1 Chef

This entry is based on what’s known as ‘Dal Bhat;’ an extremely oft eaten meal in eastern mountainous regions such as Nepal and Tibet. Generally speaking, the dish consists of Dal (lentil soup) and Bhat (boiled rice) and is commonly served with sides such as fresh vegetables and curry, among others. Even though the ‘lunch’ has many different components, each individual recipe can be just as tasty on its own.

Almost as if in a dream, I found myself above the clouds in the mountaintop kingdom of Dalaam. Few westerners had ever had the privilege to walk amongst the rocky spires and thatch huts of this mysterious land, and fewer still had recorded their experiences in writing. Indeed it was a trial to pull my attention away from the infinite sky to collect my thoughts. Outside of the glistening golden palace at the summit, the people of this region live quite humbly. And it would seem with simple lives comes simple foods as exemplified by the bowls of rice gruel that sustain many of the villagers day in and day out. However, if you desire to indulge your body and mind with a more opulent culinary offering, the legendary Brain Food Lunch is the meal you seek. The combination of seemingly ordinary ingredients is so masterfully crafted that only a few bites will leave you physically rejuvenated and with a sharpness of mind that’s almost uncanny.

Click ‘Continue Reading,’ for the recipes…

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Smoked Trout Yogurt from the Earthbound game series.

With the hotly anticipated release of his Gourmet Yogurt Machine, Apple Kid Industries is quickly becoming a household name all across Eagleland. Now adults, children, and even young women can enjoy the convenience of fresh, and delicious, yogurt made at the push of a button. Although flavors such as vanilla and strawberry are quite common, certain palates yearn for the refinement of taste that can only be found among the haute cuisine elite. Often called the caviar of yogurts: Trout Yogurt is the fashionable treat taking the culinary world by storm. If you haven’t invested in a yogurt dispenser of your own yet, don’t worry. The recipe to follow will have you enjoying that big city taste in no time!

Interestingly enough, some of the most iconically bizarre foods in EarthBound came from the creative minds of the American localizers, as opposed to Mr. Itoi himself. In Mother 3, this item would have been ‘Strawberry Tofu;’ and although I definitely plan on making that as well, Trout Yogurt is what I grew up on so let’s give it a whirl!

Click ‘Continue Reading’ for the recipe…

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Slice of Peach Tart from Super Mario Bros Paper Mario game series.

I haven’t missed it, have I?! As some of you may know, August is National Peach Month; and even though it’s in the eleventh hour, I wanted to put something together in its observance.

Originally I was endeavoring to do something based on Princess Peach, as it seemed all too appropriate. Unfortunately, most of the in-game foods related to her are in the form of the strawberry festooned birthday cakes she bakes for Mario and friends; we’ll just have to put that on the back burner for now :]

While searching in-game Mario food for inspiration, I was reminded of the overwhelming quantity of recipes from the Paper Mario series. Sure enough, there were a few peachy edibles among the ranks, so I decided on this one from Super Paper Mario (as well as TTYD): Peach Tart.

A pixel sprite of the Peach Tart from Super Mario Bros Paper Mario game series.

So this one’s for you, Princess, even if only in name alone.

Click ‘Continue Reading’ and we will go through the three main components of this dessert, together…

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Of all the “improvements” the Pork Army has brought to Tazmilly, this new fast-food trend is amongst the most questionable. Sugar drinks, giant cheeseburgers, and an array of pig-based “achem” cuisine can be found in almost every shop and vending machine in the area. I even heard that this particular Pork Chips snack is standard issue for those in service of King P! Why anyone would want to recreate this greasy junk food in their own kitchen is beyond me, but the recipe on the back of the bag is as follows…

This one started as a self-described “un-suggestion,” but I like a challenge so I thought I’d give it a try!

The first thing that comes to mind when I think ‘pork chips’ is prosciutto chips. These are simply thinly sliced pieces of prosciutto, baked in an oven until crispy. Although they’re very tasty, in my mind prosciutto is a little too refined for our bumbling pork trooper friends.

It turns out that in the original Japanese, this item is called pork “cutlet” chips; or, more specifically: Tonkatsu chips. Tonkatsu is a popular Japanese dish comprised of breaded, pan-fried pork loin, and it’s where this recipe begins.

Click ‘Continue Reading’ to begin the journey…

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Pasta di Summers from Summers City in the Earthbound game series.

Hey everyone, it’s been a while, but I’m finally moved and settled into my new place! The kitchen is awesome, so I’m looking forward to getting out recipes on a more regular schedule. Anyway, here’s one that I’ve had done for a while but haven’t had the chance to put up yet. Bon appétit!

Arriving on the strip in Summers can certainly be overwhelming to the unseasoned traveler. With so many five-star amenities, it is often difficult to decide what to do and where to go! If, however, you manage to pull yourself away from the glistening beaches and lavish department store, no vacation would be complete without reserving a table at the world renown: Restaurant Summers.

Although the menu is full of exotic entrees, the Pasta di Summers is a dish that’s been passed down since the rule of King Summers III in the 16th century, and certainly not one to be missed! It was an honor to be invited into the kitchen at such an elegant establishment to get a closer look at this edible piece of history.

If you’d like to give it a try in your own home, click ‘Continue Reading,’ below, and you can follow the recipe.

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Peanut Cheese Bars from Saturn Valley from the Earthbound game series.

It’s not an exaggeration to say I’ve wanted to make these things since I was 10 years old. After trying them with mild cheddar (eh) Velveeta (yuck) and cream cheese (not cheesy enough) I settled on a mix of cottage and farmer’s cheese to get the right sweetness without sacrificing the funk. I hope you give them a shot!

A more curious foodstuff than the Peanut Cheese Bar is seldom happened upon by the average traveler. Indeed a taste of this local delicacy requires a trek through underground caverns and and behind raging waterfalls; but for those adventurers who make the journey, the quirky denizens of this valley village show a hospitality unparalleled.

Among the herbs, beetles, and the not-so-enticing postcards available in the shops, the Peanut Cheese Bar is a standout of culinary ingenuity. The ingredients might seem like an unlikely match at first, but this funky treat will leave you satisfied and ready to brave the long trail back home.

With the ZOOOMing and bOInGing that seemed to punctuate every sentence, I must admit I had a difficult time understanding the “chef” when I asked about this recipe. Click ‘Continue Reading’ for an approximation to the best of my ability.

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A bonus MOTHER 3 recipe has appeared!

Sometimes the dedication of a well meaning friend is enough to overlook the odd flavor, burnt edges, and bits of sand you might find in a homemade cookie. My generous benefactor wasn’t very proud about his slightly unclean and not very tasty cookies, so I thought I might suggest some tips for those ambitious cookie lovers out there. First of all, if are using nuts you’ve found on the ground, be sure to wash them thoroughly! In fact certain bakeries may be willing to trade those nuts for professionally baked cookies or breads saving you the hassle. It’s been said that many bats in the area stockpile nut cookies for hibernation too (although these have a tendency to be even more unclean than the aforementioned handouts.)

If all else fails, let this very clean and quite tasty nut cookie recipe be of use.

Let it be of use.

Click ‘Continue Reading,’ below for the recipe, and happy cooking! :]

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In celebration of its 9th anniversary (yesterday) I thought I’d post some MOTHER 3 recipes for you all 🙂

What’s your favorite food? Is it omelets? You certainly wouldn’t be alone in the quaint hamlet of Tazmilly if it is. But just how do they get this breakfast staple to taste so fluffy and delicious? Could it be the farm fresh eggs from the summit of Mt. Oriander, or that distinctive bite of peculiar cheese melted on top? There’s even a rumor going around that claims the town’s famous omelets are actually grown in the castle courtyard garden!! All speculation aside however, I’d have to say that what really makes them special is the love of Mothers throughout the village cooking their children’s favorite meal.

Truthfully, a written recipe can only go so far at attempting to capture that kind of familial affection, so just consider this a starting point and feel free to add in whatever else you’d like.

Click ‘Continue Reading’ below for the recipe, and happy cooking, everyone! :]

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