Feast like a Hunger Games champion

The fight for their lives has begun. Katniss, Peeta and 22 other characters from The Hunger Games series will fight for their lives on the silver screen. How will they survive? And more importantly, what are they going to eat?

Eat like your life depends on it

Get it now

The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook (Amazon.com, $12)

Even though the books are set in the future, there is no reason you can’t feast like a champion now! In the new The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook by Emily Ansara Baines, there are more than 200 pages of recipes (and it even contains Katniss’ family book of herbs). It’s the perfect compilation of all the dishes you read about in Suzanne Collins' masterpiece -- everything from basic district food to elegant and rich Capitol meals.

Throughout The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook, Baines just doesn't give us the recipes -- she gives us a story. She explains the emotion and feelings that she believes the characters associate with each meal. The Buttery Parsley Mashed Potato recipe is described as a perfect pre-game dish. "As only the best comfort food can, the warmth of these parsley mashed potatoes helps lighten Katniss' down spirits before the opening ceremony. The potatoes and herbs likely make Katniss think briefly of home before Cinna dresses her for the evening."

In celebration of the new release of Lionsgate's The Hunger Games, feast on recipes you'll likely see in the film! These delicious recipes will make you feel like you are alongside your favorite tributes while they are trying to survive the hardest game of their lives.

Katniss's favorite lamb stew recipe with dried plums

Katniss's favorite food from the Capitol is the delicious lamb stew recipe with dried plums. It's no coincidence that this is her favorite dish. Soups and stews are common foods in the Seam, and this healthy and filling dish likely reminded her of the home and family she desperately missed.

Serving size 8-12

Ingredients:

• 5 pounds lamb fillet, shoulder or leg (2-inch pieces)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 cups beef stock
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 3 teaspoons brown sugar
• 3 cups carrots (diced)
• 1 cup zucchini (diced)
• 1-1/2 cups celery (diced)
• 3 potatoes (cubed)
• 5 cups dried plums
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 3 teaspoons fresh rosemary (chopped)
• 2 teaspoons fresh basil (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley (chopped)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup ginger ale

Directions:

1. Place lamb, salt, pepper and flour in a large mixing bowl. Toss to coat meat evenly.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pan and brown the meat, working in batches if you have to.
3. Remove lamb to a side plate. Pour off fat, leaving 1/4 cup in the pan. Add the garlic and onion and saute until the onion becomes golden. Deglaze frying pan with the 1/2 cup water, taking care to scrape the bottom of the pan to stir up all the tasty bits of meat and onion. Cook to reduce liquid slightly, and then remove from heat.
4. Place the lamb and garlic-onion mixture in a large stockpot. Add beef stock and sugar, stirring until sugars are dissolved. Bring mixture to a boil, cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours.
5. Add the vegetables, dried plums, herbs and ginger ale to the pot. Simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until meat and vegetables pierce easily with a fork.

Milk chocolate honey brownies recipe with a kick

Even the smallest bite of these brownies packs a quiet punch, much like a conversation -- or almost any interaction with Katniss.

Serving size 24 brownies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 (12 ounce) bag high-quality semisweet chocolate chips
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 8 x 8-inch baking pans.
2. In a medium sized bowl, melt butter and chocolate chips in microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave, and stir with fork. If not completely melted, heat in microwave (on low if possible) for another thirty seconds. Continue the process until chocolate is thoroughly melted but not burned.
3. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Set aside.
4. Stir in sugar, vanilla and eggs one at a time into the chocolate mixture, followed by honey. Slowly mix in flour mixture. Pour brownie batter into pans.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of brownies comes out clean.

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Photo credit: Lionsgate/Murray Close