Verte Riseil and the Emerald Goddess

Whenever I was sad as a little girl, I would sneak to the servants' kitchen and ask Evol to make me my favorite dish. I loved watching her carefully prepare the vibrant green dish. Eating it always made me feel better.

~Queen Lokahina

Verte riseil is a fairly common dish that many people of Huggleland enjoy. There are several variations of the dish as it has been adapted to local cuisine and personal tastes. There is one official version of the dish, and its origins go back before Huggleland itself.

The Emerald Goddess

Huggleland laid dormant, and void of life. The land sat barren, and the oceans remained still. To some, it was a blank canvas, ready to be turned into art. The Goddess Daeelrm was one of the “artists” painting the world. She contributed many things, but some of her favorite things were the vibrant green produce and herbs that she spread across the land. Sometimes while “painting” she would snack on some fresh spinach or place mint and thyme in her hair, perfuming the air around her as she moved. While building the world, she found a baby rose ruber snuggled in a bed of tarragon. She looked around for the little bird's family but, came up empty-handed. She scooped the tiny creature up and took it with her to take care of it. The new caretaker, named the ruber, Ertev, and they became inseparable. Ertev loved the fresh herbs and plants Daeelrm brought her and grew quickly with care and love. All the fresh vegetation caused Ertev's wings to turn from pink and white to bright green as she matured. Daeelrm spoiled Ertev daily, however, her favorite thing to make was a special dish using some of Ertev's favorite ingredients and flavors. The dish was named Verte Riseil after a bright-green base with soft, salty cubes of dairy. Legend has it, when Ertev was nearing the end of her days, Daeelrm refused to leave her side and spoon-fed her beloved pet until her last breath. When Ertev passed, the goddess laid her to rest in the same field she was found. She cried the most brilliant emeralds until she fell asleep in the bed of tarragon. When she awoke, she asked the Goddess Naiva to gift the world some Verte Ruber in honor of her lost friend. Naiva agreed, and Daeelrm is said to have left her recipe for Verte Riseil with members of the four Elvin tribes to ensure the verte ruber could have their favorite treat for generations to come.

The Official Verte Riseil

Ingredients

• 10 oz fresh baby spinach leaves

• Pinch of salt

• 12 oz Small curd Ricotta Cheese

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium Green tomato — diced

• 2 medium shallots — diced

• 6 garlic cloves grated

• 1/2 inch piece of ginger grated

• 2 bay leaves

• large pinch of white pepper (can use black as well)

• half teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon tarragon

• 1 teaspoon oregano

• fresh basil for garnish

How to

Wash and rinse the spinach in cold water to remove sand and dirt.
Place the ricotta in a cheese cloth or clean tea towel and ring it out. Place to the side.
Bring a pot of water to boil. Add spinach leaves with a pinch of salt to the hot water and cook for 2 minutes. While the leaves are cooking, add cold water to a large bowl/basin. Add ice cubes to ensure the water is cold. As soon as the 2 minutes are up, scoop the spinach leaves into the ice water bath and submerge them completely. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a sauté pan on medium. Add shallot, garlic, and ginger. Cook until shallots are translucent.
Add the pan mixture to a blender. Scoop the spinach leaves out of the cold water, squeeze them lightly, and add to the blender with ½ cup cold water from the bowl. Add the diced tomatoes and blend into a very smooth purée.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the same sauté pan on medium-low. Add bay leaves, tarragon, oregano, and pepper. Once fragrant, reduce heat to low and add the purée to the pan. Mix well.
Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the rung out ricotta along with a pinch of salt and the paprika. Cook on medium low for another 2 minutes until heated through.
Remove from heat, and serve hot.
Excellent alone or with breads and pastas.

^{Daeelrm by Roxanlita via Imagineme}

^{Queen Lokahina's Favorite Meal by Roxanlita}

All art in huggleland is used with full permission and/or ownership by Roxanlita