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“Redwall Feasts” is the inspiration I need to bring a lot more scones and nut cheeses into my life
As a tween, I was deeply obsessed with Brian Jacques’ Redwall series. The books, published between 1986 and 2011, read like historical adventure novels, replete with old rivalries, new romances, and heroic bravery from humble men and women, all centered on the residents of a peaceful Abbey who find themselves drawn into protecting themselves and the surrounding areas. There’s one twist: the heroes, wise mentors, goofy sidekicks, and villainous criminals are anthropomorphic animals — the book focuses most on mice, but there’s also kind otters, moles, hedgehogs, and badgers, plus sinister foxes and weasels.
Jacques clearly drew some inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien. Many of the characters speak in elaborate regional dialects, which make the book a particular delight for parents to read to their kids. And then there’s the food. With rare aquatic exceptions, the residents of Redwall Abbey eat almost exclusively vegetarian cuisine, often venturing into seemingly prescient vegan territory such as various nut cheeses. The ingredients seem to be local, mostly foraged, from berries to mushrooms. The cooks at the Abbey often prepare elaborate feasts that are described for…
