[A dusky young man sits by a fire on the side of the road, stirring meditatively, almost ceremoniously, a bubbling cauldron.]
Ah, hello, friend. Where you are going? Come join me by fire and share a taste of the homeland. You look tired and hungry, like wolf staring at meat. Have some rabbit stew. [He goes on, ladling some into a bowl.] Is like Baba make. Eat, it will warm your bones and give strength.
Mmm? Where I am from, you ask? My mother country is Rashemen. I come here on my Dajemma. Is tradition for men of Rashemen to explore the world. So we listen and follow the spirits of the land. But something is not right, my friend. For the spirits are quiet. Not like in my youth. When I was little boy, I think myself clever and wise like in Dajemma, so I go deep into forest to commune with spirits. But young Mladen did not know where was going and got lost. Soon the night comes and the wind howls like wolf at moon. Darkness brings the unknown and the unknown brings fear. So I climb into little tree hallow for refuge. Within, something a little strange. I find a wise spirit that tells me this: “Just as I invite you into my home, do for others. For we all walk the paths of this world and must rest our tired souls.” Is why I always share my fire.
Baba's Secret Recipes
In this book, you see, I share some of Baba’s recipes passed down from many, many moons. But first I give some wisdom. In cooking, we form bonds with spirits of the woods and rivers. Every ingredient we add, every herb and spice, is carrying essences of the land. When we prepare meals with respect, we honor the spirits that nourish us, welcoming them into our homes. Is why I say kitchen is sacred place. As you read pages, you find nourishment for the body and soul. Some ingredients are most difficult to find, this is true, but as Baba says: “The wolf is fed by the legs.”
Rabbit Sausage - A traditional Rashemi dish, savory. Be careful when preparing, for the smell may attract the noses of hungry dogs.
Ingredients:
- Rabbit meat (2-3 pounds)
- Half cup of pork fat
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pinch of salt and black pepper
- 1/4 pinch of thyme
- Dash of allspice
- Drizzle of vinegar or wine
Baba’s Looking Tea - A subtle sweet tea. It calms the mind and is most helpful for convening with spirits of the land.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon dried juniper berries (use special yellow mushroom instead and you will hear spirits better; only found in Cousin Dzierzyslaw's secret hiding place)
- 1 cup water
- Honey or sugar (is good for taste)
- 3 mint fresh leaves (6 if like it strong)
- 4 whole cloves
