Cooks' Books by Lisa Messinger

"A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook" by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Sariann Lehrer (Bantam, $35).

You need not have visited, nor ever even have heard of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros to be a major fan of its cuisine. All that takes is a few minutes in the kitchen with the new "Game of Thrones" cookbook, the official companion to the popular and award-winning HBO medieval fantasy television series currently in its second season.

Adapted from the series of novels by George R.R. Martin (who writes the cookbook's introduction) about dueling dynasties' violent attempts at control of the "iron throne," the program has developed a loyal following and has been renewed for a third season.

The cookbook on its own deserves a wide fan base. It is written by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Sariann Lehrer, who created the "Inn at the Crossroads" food blog based on "A Song of Ice and Fire," the name of the series for which "A Game of Thrones" was the first book. The recipes are lush. And the gorgeous food photographs (many of which were taken by the authors) are equally so. The pictures are shot with serving ware and accompaniments that look like Lord Eddard Stark, his wife Catelyn and their five star-crossed kids will be elegantly munching at any moment.

First, your guides will teach you to stock a medieval kitchen with ingredients such as lamb (subbing for goat), beef or bison (for aurochs, a now extinct bovine species), duck or other dark meat poultry (for pigeon) and game hens (for quail). Savory, Aleppo pepper, saffron and other spices make appearances. And cabinets should feature wares such as deep-pie plates and pudding molds.

The recipes provide reason enough to stock up on new staples that provide old flavors. There are numerous selections you won't find elsewhere that are rich in flavor and standout in presentation. Family dinners will come alive and when entertaining, especially, guests should be wildly impressed.

Fortunately, though, not in fear for their safety, as the show's characters so often are.

A whole trout is wrapped in bacon. A cold fruit soup sings with apples, almond milk, honey, sandalwood powder, saffron and poudre douce (a medieval spice mix). "Snitched" tarts feature sweet red wine, figs, dates, candied nuts, red-wine vinegar, homemade pastry and more from the poudre family of spices

Featuring both exceptionally researched medieval and modern versions of many recipes, suggestions for full menus and excerpts from centuries-old cookbooks make this tome a treat for reasons well beyond its connection to the TV series.

MEDIEVAL COLD FRUIT SOUP

2 firm, tart apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1 cup almond milk

1 / 3 cup honey

1 tablespoon sandalwood powder (or enough red food coloring to tint the soup a light red)

Pinch of saffron

Pinch of salt

Poundre douce (recipe follows) or cinnamon sugar for serving

Yields 2 servings.

Boil the apples until they become mushy, then drain them. Press the apples through a sieve or whiz them in a food processor until they are mostly liquefied. Pour the apples into a saucepan and add the almond milk, honey, sandalwood, saffron and salt. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until the soup thickens to a desirable consistency.

Place the soup in the refrigerator until it is chilled through, then serve it with poundre douce or cinnamon sugar on top.

POUNDRE DOUCE

4 1 / 2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon grains of paradise

Pinch of nutmeg

Pinch of galangal

1 cup sugar

Yields about 1 1 / 4 cup.

Combine all the ingredients and store in a small airtight jar.

Lisa Messinger is a first-place winner in food writing from the Association of Food Journalists and the author of seven food books, including "Mrs. Cubbison's Best Stuffing Cookbook" and "The Sourdough Bread Bowl Cookbook." She also writes the Creators News Service "After-Work Gourmet" column. To find out more about Lisa Messinger and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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