A Feast at Bag End

A Feast at Bag End: A Hobbit Birthday

As summer begins to fade into fall and the fields and gardens of the Shire are brimming with a bountiful harvest, the hobbits look forward to a very special celebration. With the War of the Ring now behind them and peace restored to Middle-Earth, the joint birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins feels more joyful than ever! Both uncle and nephew are now keen to celebrate with the friends and family who saw them through darker days.

In honour of the hobbits' shared birthday on September 22nd, we can imagine Bilbo and Frodo preparing for a gathering of friends from across Middle-Earth. As each member of the Fellowship and other old friends travel to the Shire they bring with them a taste of their local cuisine.

Pippin's Mini Mushroom Galettes

We begin our feast with Pippin's offering: a platter of mini mushroom galettes. Given Pippin's legendary appetite and love of mushrooms, we can be sure that we will enjoy these tasty, savoury tarts. With a buttery pastry crust, these galettes are filled with Worcestershire glazed onions, sharp cheddar cheese, and a pile of garlicky sautéed mushrooms. Hopefully Pippin didn't have to raid Farmer Maggot's crop to make these flavourful mini mushroom galettes!

Gandalf's Smoky Rosemary Maple Roasted Nuts

Gandalf's beloved pipe-weed is the inspiration for this salty snack. A blend of mixed nuts are roasted with sweet maple, fragrant rosemary, and a dash of smoked salt. Ideal for munching while sharing a hearty drink or a pipe of long bottom leaf, these smoky rosemary maple roasted nuts make for a delightful snack before Bilbo and Frodo's birthday feast!

Aragorn's Horseradish-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

Aragorn's kingly offering for this feast is a decadent roast beef tenderloin. Though the heir of Isildur has retaken the throne of Gondor, hints of his past as a ranger in the North can be seen in the bold and earthy horseradish, mustard and herb crust. Roasted until rosy pink inside and served with a creamy mustard chive sauce, this horseradish-crusted beef tenderloin is the crowning glory of Bilbo and Frodo's birthday feast!

Gimli's Cheddar Ale Mashed Potatoes

Inspired by Gimli's love of hearty fare and malt beer, these cheddar ale mashed potatoes are the ideal side dish to serve alongside a hearty roast. Buttery potatoes are mashed with a splash of malty ale and sharp cheddar cheese. A tangy, slightly sweet ale, shallot, and mustard reduction balances the savoury richness of the mashed potatoes. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh chives, these hearty cheddar ale mashed potatoes are the perfect dwarven addition to Bilbo and Frodo's birthday feast.

Legolas' Tarragon Green Beans with Lemon and Pine Nuts

Making use of the last of summer's green beans, this delicately seasoned vegetable dish is inspired by the woodland realm that Legolas calls home. The beans are lightly cooked before tossing in a buttery sauce flavoured with fragrant tarragon and bright citrus. Topped with golden pine nuts foraged from the forest pines of Legolas' home, these tarragon green beans with lemon and pine nuts are the perfect elvish side to add a burst of fresh flavour to Bilbo and Frodo's birthday feast.

Samwise Gamgee's Cider Roasted Carrots with Walnuts and Sage

It is hardly surprising that Frodo's faithful gardener and loyal friend Samwise would turn to his beloved garden for this rustic side dish. Tender carrots are tossed with a generous splash of apple cider, honey, and mustard and roasted until sticky and glazed. The sweet and tangy glazed carrots are then topped with buttery toasted walnuts and fragrant sage. The earthy, saltiness of the walnuts balances the sweetness of the cider roasted carrots in this humble garden side dish that is perfect served alongside the more elaborate offerings at Bilbo and Frodo's birthday celebration.

Faramir and Eowyn's Soft Barley Bread with Peach and Bay Leaf Jam

Faramir, with Eowyn by his side, brings with him offerings from the pantries of Gondor and memories of the brave and noble Boromir. Braided soft barley bread, made from grains grown in the windswept fields of Rohan, is slathered with butter and topped with fruity jam. Peaches plucked from orchards in warm, sunny Gondor are simmered with fragrant bay leaves in this delicious peach and bay leaf jam.