Game of Thrones: Sister’s Stew

Lord Godric waved his spoon toward a chair. “Sit. Before you fall, set. My hall is cold and damp and dark, but not without some courtesy. We’ll find dry clothes for you, but first you’ll eat.” He shouted, and a woman entered the hall. “We have a guest to feed. Bring beer and bread and sister’s stew.”

The beer was brown, the bread black, the stew a creamy white. She served it in a trencher hollowed out of a stale loaf. It was thick with leeks, carrots, barley, and turnips white and yellow, along with clams and chunks of cod and crabmeat, swimming in a stock of heavy cream and butter. It was the sort of stew that warmed a man right down to his bones, just the thing for a wet, cold night.

Davos spooned it up gratefully.

“You have tasted sister’s stew before?”

“I have, my lord.” The same stew was served all over the Three Sisters, in every inn and tavern.

“This is better than what you’ve had before. Gella makes it. My daughter’s daughter. Are you married, onion knight?”

“I am, my lord.”

A DANCE WITH DRAGONS, A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, GEORGE R.R. MARTIN

It’s quite common to find any mention of food in any of my favorite movies and television shows but very few come in such great detail. Sister’s stew was mentioned in, A Dance of Dragons, and was served at the Three Sisters. The stew was described to be perfect on a cold night and by the description itself, it sounds like something I wouldn’t mind having almost every night if I had the choice!

The consistency I was aiming for was a creamy soup but thinner then a chowder. As I’ve said in the recipe below, you can easily adjust the consistency. If you prefer something more thick and luscious (more chowder-like), I would suggest adding another tablespoon of flour to your stew.

I wanted to keep the flavors quite simple to allow the flavors of the crab, cod, and clams to shine. Make sure to season well with salt and pepper and serve pipping hot. It’s a dish everyone will be impressed with and will sure be a hit at any Game of Thrones viewing party. I hope you enjoy it.

Game of Thrones: Sister's Stew

Game of Thrones: Sister's Stew recipe inspired by the HBO show, Game of Thrones, and George R.R. Martin's, A Song of Ice and Fire, book series.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 stalks leeks, white and light green parts 1/2" slices
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 large carrot, peeled 1/2" dices
• 1 large white turnip 1/2" dices
• 1 large rutabaga, peeled 1/2" dices
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup barley
• 3 cups fish stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp all purpose flour
• pinch saffron
• 2 cod fillet approximately 12 ounces total, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 cup roughly chopped clam meat including any clam juice
• 2 cups lump crab meat
• 4 bread bowls

Instructions

 

• in a saucepan over medium high heat, add the butter and oil. Once hot, add the chopped leeks and cook for 3 minutes until tender. Add the garlic, carrots, turnip, and rutabaga. Season with a bit of salt and pepper and cook for another three minutes.
• Add the white wine and scrape off any bits that may have formed on the bottom of the pan. Add the barley and fish stock. Bring the mixture to a boil and then down to a simmer. Simmer for 15 - 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat with the saffron. Bring it just to a simmer and take it off the heat. Whisk in the flour and set aside.
• Mix the cream mixture into the pot and stir to combine. Add all the seafood and let it come to a simmer. Simmer for 5-8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• The consistency I was looking for was a creamy soup but thinner then a chowder. Use your judgement when determining how thick you want your stew. If you want it slightly thicker, ladle a 1/2 cup of soup out and whisk in another tablespoon of flour. Bring the stew to a simmer again.