Iron Rations

Join me as I make Iron Rations from Heroes’ Feast: The Official D&D Cookbook for the first time! Heroes’ Feast: The Official D&D Cookbook by Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, and Michael Witwer and published by Ten Speed Press on October 27, 2020. You can buy a copy here: https://amzn.to/3GMAlXF

You won’t last long anywhere in the multiverse without a few basic things: a trusty sword, a full waterskin, and some iron rations. Sometimes referred to as “journeyfood,” this staple provides essential nourishment for adventurers of all sorts, from trail-tested travelers of Ansalon to the dungeon-delving explorers of the Flanaess. While ingredients frequently vary depending on region, these ratios tend to be lightweight, protein-packed, and preserved to last days or even weeks on the road, featuring ingredients such as cured meats, fried fruits, nuts, and cheeses with biscuits, crackers or hardtack. Godspeed and good eating fair adventurer.

Serves 4

1 ¼ pounds semifirm or firm cheese, such as Manchego, Asiago Fresco, Gruyere, Comte, Jarlsberg, Gouda, Monterey Jack, or Cheddar,cut into bite-size cubes
10 ounces Hard Salami; cured sausage, such as hard chorizo, Calabrese, peperoni, or sopressata; or beef or turkey jerky cut into bite-size pieces
12 pitted dates, dried figs, or dried apricots
1 cup roasted nuts, such as almonds, pecans, cashews, pistachios, or a mixture
4 handfuls of wheat crackers
4 whole pieces fresh fruit, such as apples, pears, bananas, oranges, or 4 small bunches grapes

If dining in, divide the cheese, salami, dried fruit, nuts, crackers, and fresh fruit among four plates, and serve. Alternatively, if you’re eating on the trail, combine all the ingredients in a large container or bag (or divide evenly among four individual containers) to take with you.

Cook’s Note

If combining in a container or bag, use dried beef or turkey jerky instead of salami to prevent the mix from becoming too moist due to the high fat content of the meat.

Transcript

Cold Open

Let’s put this recipe in context due to its simplicity.

Intro

Today I am making Iron Rations from Heroes’ Feast: The Official D&D Cookbook. If you have made this recipe, share your thoughts in the comments below!

Discussion

With such a simple recipe to prepare, I thought it would be beneficial to see what situation you would need Iron Rations for. In this case, hiking up the Wasatch Mountains in the snow. First I collected the ingredients: One and one-fourth pounds Gruyere, would have been insanely expensive, not to mention the size of these rations would be astronomical for four people, so instead I decided to make a single portion. Ten ounces of beef jerky from a local supplier, this is the best jerky we have ever had by the way, twelve dried apricots, one cup roasted and lightly salted almonds, four handfuls of wheat thins, and four bunches of grapes. Again, I decided to only make a fourth of the total recipe due to the sheer volume involved, and rather than prepare it as a charcuterie board which is one presentation option, I chose the bagged trail mix style. This will alter the type of cheese, fruit, and meat you decide on.

I began by cutting up approximately a third of a cup worth of cheese into bite sized chunks. Next I took approximately a fourth of the jerky and cut it up into bite sized chunks, setting each aside. Then I set aside some of the dried apricots with a fourth a cup of roasted almonds. Then I added one handful of wheat thins, and finally one bunch of seedless grapes. Lastly I separated the grapes from the vine, adding them to the container, and added in the rest of the ingredients. Again, this is one-fourth the total recipe and it’s really enough for two or three people depending on the excursion you are taking. After mixing it all together, I packed it in my backpack and took my dog with her own snacks and water to the trailhead.

It was a beautiful morning with the snow just lightly falling. The view was obscured, but I didn’t mind at all. And always remember, as important it is for you to have food and water when you are hitting the mountains, never forget about your animal companions. They get just as hungry and thirsty if not more so than you do.

This was a surprisingly delicious combination that I didn’t expect would work together at all, but I am happy to be proven wrong. I would highly recommend this to other hikers and backpackers, and I will be trying the charcuterie board option nextl.