I have been playing World of Warcraft since Burning Crusade, and my love for the game has never dulled. Due to my huge love for this game, and the countless hours I've played, my wonderful fiance bought me this cookbook for Christmas. I will say, hands down, this is likely one of the best cookbooks I've ever read, and I've read countless cookbooks in my mission to gather as many delicious recipes as I possibly can.
This cookbook features seven categories that separate the delectable recipes. Spices and Basics, The Way of the Nibble, The Way of the Loaf, The Way of the Broth, The Way of the Entree, The Way of the Sweet, and The Way of the Tankard. These categories, minus Spices and Basics, are a reference to the Mists of Pandaria cooking branches and its subsequent achievement. The recipes in Spices and Basics are various sets of spices used in actual recipes from the game throughout various expansions. Northern Spices, Holiday Spices, Autumnal Herbs, and Ancient Pandaren Spices. Pie dough, icing, and whipped cream are also included as such things are not used in the in-game recipes.
Every recipe besides pie dough, icing, and whipped cream are recipes directly from World of Warcraft. I was giddy with excitement as I opened the cookbook, and I was blown away to see the infamous Westfall Stew, Chocolate Celebration Cake, and Fel Eggs and Ham, but my favorite aspect of the cookbook was actually the delightful images of the actual food item from the game in the top right-hand corner shown alongside the level of cooking difficulty, prep time, cooking time, and what the recipe would pair well with.
One of the biggest problems I've seen people mention is the ingredients themselves. So far, I haven't had any difficulties with attaining ingredients, and I live in a small town in which it is utterly impossible to find several ingredients, but Amazon was a godsend for locating things such as Jupiter Berries and Blue Cornflower Petals. The rest of the ingredients were relatively easy, and the recipes themselves didn't require any substitutions.
My issue with the cookbook was the sheer amount of alcoholic beverages in The Way of the Tankard. It isn't a problem most people would have, but for me, it is a general annoyance that I have come to expect with any themed cookbook. The focus on alcohol in nearly every beverage recipe, aside from Roasted Barley Tea, Pearl Milk Tea, Honeymint Tea, and Garr's Limeade, was generally disappointing, however, I fully understand it as the cookbook is based on a medieval focused game where alcohol (never forget the dwarves and pandas) plays an important part.
Personally, I was delighted to see Kungaloosh as it was one of my favorite quest chains from Wrath of the Lich King so it was a matter of great importance that I find a way to successfully alter the recipe into a non-alcoholic beverage. In fact, through some research, I managed to turn each of the drink recipes into non-alcoholic beverages safe for children and those who wish the abstain from alcohol for religious or personal reasons.
Now onto the recipes for food I've tried. So far I have made Mulgore Spice Bread, Dragonbreath Chili, Graccu's Homemade Meat Pie, and Honey Bread. The two bread items were a blast to make, and incredibly delicious. I have made Mulgore Spice Bread multiple times, and I swear it gets better each time. Dragonbreath Chili was frightening at first as I could smell the heat wafting from the chili as it cooked despite the relatively small amount of peppers, but my god, it was incredibly delicious. Countless bowls were devoured until the entire pot was annihilated. It was the same for Graccu's Homemade Meat Pie, a complicated but amazing dish that actually created not one, but two pies! I haven't had a bad experience with this cookbook yet, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves World of Warcraft or interesting themed food!