Frankenstein The Feast
BY Alison Wiebe
Embark on a gothic culinary adventure with recipes that tell the terrifying and tragic tale of Dr. Frankenstein and his doomed creature with Frankenstein the feast.
A Gothic Culinary Journey
In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley weaves a tale of creation and ruin – and most importantly, hunger. Hunger for knowledge, power, love, companionship, and vengeance. To honour this gothic romance masterpiece, we are following the journey of Victor Frankenstein and the creature through food – from Victor’s days as an inquisitive scientist to his ultimate poetic ruin by the will of his unbridled creation.
Each recipe leads us through Dr. Frankenstein’s and the creature’s story – the frozen Arctic, a candlelit laboratory in Bavaria, the alpine woods and its cozy cottages, and the ultimate final act of vengeance enacted upon Dr. Frankenstein’s bride by the creature. These recipes draw on the landscapes and unique circumstances of the characters, reflecting the dualities defined by Frankenstein – isolation and familial warmth, love and vengeance, innocence and hubris. We invite you to devour these recipes either one at a time, at an autumnal gathering, or at your next book club!
Roasted Garlic Soup with Cheesy Croutons
A simple and comforting creamy roasted garlic soup topped with cheesy croutons is inspired by the opening scenes of Frankenstein when Victor is brought on board a ship in the Arctic and fed hot soup as he begins to tell his story.
Wine Braised Beef with Bacon
Tender wine braised beef with bacon is served to Victor while he works away in isolation as a student in Bavaria, inching closer to unlocking the secret of life.
Buttered Spaetzle
Doughy fried buttered spaetzle is the perfect side dish to soak up the sauce of the wine braised beef with bacon that Victor devours while working away in his study at University in Bavaria.
Elixir of Life Cocktail
The herbs of the alps combined with botanical gin and a hint of smoke represent the formula used by Victor to create a spark of life and awaken the creature.
Maple Roasted Acorn Squash with Cranberry Sauce
A maple roasted acorn squash topped with tangy cranberry sauce and toasted hazelnuts is exactly what the creature would have enjoyed as he wandered the woods foraging for acorns, nuts and berries.
Caramelized Onion Cheese Toast
Simple and flavourful, a golden toast is topped with sweet caramelized onions and gooey melted cheese in honour of the family living in an alpine cottage that the creature quietly watches and longs for from the shadows.
Oatcakes
While Victor works away in a remote part of Scotland, building a companion for the creature, he subsists on only a few indulgences which includes the local oatcakes – topped with cheese and preserves for the perfect nourishing treat.
Cranberry Mulled Pear Pavlova
Inspired by Victor’s bride, Elizabeth, this sweet and delicate meringue topped with crimson spiced cranberry mulled pears is symbolic of her happy wedding followed by her tragic demise at the hands of the creature.
