With the recent release of Short Stories From Mythnium: Anthology II, I thought it might be fun to interview some of the well-loved folks featured in the sixteen short stories that are captured in the two anthologies.
One thing I rarely do in my books and stories is share a meal. Thing is, I love it when other writers do it in their books. One of my favorite writers that does this is E.L. Haines. In nearly every book he writes, there is a meal. The way he writes those scenes always makes me wish I could sit down and have a bite. Truly fantastic.
Tell me this doesn’t make you hungry!
“My bagel was sliced in half and lightly toasted, just enough to brown the edges while leaving the interior warm and chewy. It had been spread with liberal pat of a soft, mild white cheese, and then overlaid with overlapping slices of hot-smoked salmon. The salmon still had a brilliant pink hue, but a flaky texture and sweet, smoky flavor. To top it off, Arthur had cut papery-thin slivers of red onion and then dusted everything with freshly ground black pepper. A single lemon wedge sat on the plate between the bagel halves, and I gave it a twist—not a squeeze—to release the zesty oil of the peel along with a few drops of lemon juice. I took my first bite, and was mildly surprised by some small, salty morsels that had been hidden beneath the salmon. As I chewed, appreciating the innovative new flavor, I lifted the pink layer and found that Arthur had sprinkled pickled capers over the cream cheese. Those little buds added a touch of saltiness that the cheese and salmon lacked, as well as an exciting, bursting texture, like popping bubble-wrap in my mouth.”
Stranger Back Home by E.L. Haines
So today, I want to ask a few folks from Mythnium what their favorite meals are, and why.
Ready?
Here goes.
•Estryl, thank you for joining us. Would you mind sharing with me, what is one of your favorite meals?
Sure! This is fun! Where I grew up in the caverns tucked into the Silver Isles, most of our dishes revolve around root vegetables and fish that we harvest from the surrounding waters. One of my favorite meals is a fish hash we call Fritzlaff. We fry up fish until the skin pulls off and the meat underneath is white and flaky. Then, we take boiled potatoes, mash them up, fry up the mash in hot oil. I don’t know if you know this, but we dwarves love onions as well. So, we fry some finely chopped onions with the potato mash. I like to add salt. My brother says I add too much. But… I like salt. Once the potatoes and onions have a nice crisp to them, then we toss them with the flaked fish. I like to press the mixture into the oiled pan and fry it until it forms a crust on the bottom. Then, I serve a helping on a plate and drizzle fish oil and freshly chopped herbs on top. Fritzlaff is a common dish for my people. Now, that I’m traveling all over Mythnium, I really miss it. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.
•Thank you, Estryl. That does sound like a great comfort food!
Now, I’d really like to know what the rana like to eat. Derk, I know you have traveled extensively as well. But when you were among your school, did you have a favorite food or snack?
Apples. Rana live along coasts, mostly in marshy areas. Some fruit trees thrive. Most don’t. When I was young, a trader brought a bushel of apples. Most of my people didn’t care for them. Our diets are more protein based. Bugs. Worms. Fish. Eel. Shellfish. Even leaches. And, of course, our diets consist of a lot of marsh grass or seaweed, depending on where the school lives. But, for me, apples were so different. I love the hard yet juicy texture. The hard snap of the flesh. The sourness of the peel. The sweet and the sour depending on the ripeness of the fruit. And I only like them raw. Fresh. I tried a dish that had cooked the apples and put them in a crust. Completely disgusting.
•Huh, interesting. I never would have guessed apples. And leaches? Really? Bleh. Still, thank you, Derk.
Hey, Tuck! What about you? Do you have a favorite meal or food?
Well, hi there! Favorite meal? Hmmm… Okay. Imagine this: A slice of freshly baked bread that cradles the juiciest, sun-ripened tomatoes straight from my wife’s garden. Each bite is a burst of summer sweetness, complemented by a smear of aoli and fragrant herbs. It’s a taste of the land I love so much – simple, honest, and downright satisfying. This tomato sandwich is my midday oasis, a mouthwatering reward for hard work under the scorching suns.
•That sounds really great, Tuck. I enjoy a similar sandwich from time to time. Thank you!
How about you, Virconia? What might your favorite food be?
I, err, yes. Sure. I really like mushroom and root stew. Gathered from our subterranean tunnels, the mushrooms and roots create a hearty, grounding dish. I prefer to simmer them under the glow of bioluminescent fungi. The broth becomes a symphony of subtle earth tones, marrying the essence of the deep caverns I call home with the nourishing elements of the soil. Hints of herbs that only grow below add depth, enhancing the connection to the very earth that cradles our dwellings. It’s not just a meal; it’s a communion with Mythnium.
•Wow, Virconia. That is rather poetic! And sounds delightful! Thank you for sharing.
I don’t know about you, but now I’m hungry. Best part is, I think I have some apples (and caramel), and some tomatoes (and guac) to make some quick snacks for myself. ::wink::
If you want to get to know these characters a little better, you can find Estryl and Virconia‘s stories in Short Stories From Mythnium: Anthology. Derk and Tuck share their stories in Short Stories From Mythnium: Anthology II.
I’d love to share more about Mythnium with you. If you have any questions, or want to get to know any of the characters better, let me know in the comments below.
Until next week,
With hearts as one!
PS… I was curious if there are similar recipes floating around here for us real folks.
Found a couple:
Crispy Smoked Fish Hash – https://www.nzwomansweeklyfood.co.nz/recipes/crispy-smoked-fish-hash-21084
Root Vegetable and Mushroom Stew – https://simplefitvegan.com/root-vegetable-mushroom-stew/