In this entry, I am focusing on the famous Anderfels Ham and ham-related recipes. We will break down the reference, where is it from in Thedas, and check out some ways you can have your own Anderfels Ham at home. "Now how exactly is this vegan?" you may be asking. And I have an answer for you: wheat-meat. Seitan! The vegan eater's despair-less ham. The... Joyful ham. The uplifting ham! Or- Er- um, that's all I really have, so let's move on.
Let's begin with the first mention of the strange dish in game. The Anderfels Ham is first mentioned by an elven servant in the Dragon Age 2 DLC, Mark of the Assassin. While trying to locate a key to obtain entry into a castle keep, your Hawke approaches a servant passing hors d'oeuvres. The servant, in a thick yet whispy Orleasian accent, offers a tray, asking, "Can I interest you in some Antivan olives? Or I have some smoked 'am from the Anderfels. They say it tastes of despair."
Tallis, your heist leader and Qunari spy in disguise, asks, "Wait, does it really? How can ham taste of despair? Why would anyone eat it if it did?"
"That's what the importer said. They all talk like that."
It's marketing at it's finest, if you ask me.
If you select the causal dialogue option, your Hawke asks in jest, "Who needs more despair in their diet? What is that good for?"
To which the elven servant, and arguably the star of this scene, replies, "I have heard artists are fond of it."
The second in-game mention comes from your party companion, Dorian, in Dragon Age: Inquisition. After completing the quest Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, when you speak to Dorian, he mentions that the scene at the Winter Palace in Orlais felt an awful lot like noble-class parties in his home country, Tevinter. He also says, "I hope you tried the ham they were serving, by the way. Tasted of despair. Fascinating." This to me, indicates that Tevinter and the Anderfels don't engage in trade very often, probably as a result of ages old grudges.
The Anderfels Ham of Despair has always struck me, mostly because while playing it felt like something so random and obscure but also provided depth to the world of Thedas. It adds a layer of immersion to the game. However, it may very well be a mere TV pop-culture reference. The ham that tastes of despair is apparently a "Better off Ted" reference, or so Reddit tells us.
The Anderfels is known in Dragon Age lore as a nation of harsh climates and ruthless people. Farming is said to be nearly impossible because the land and soil are difficult to work with due to dust storms. I imagine four blights throughout the area's history hasn't improved the situation much. But it seems pig farming is not as daunting. If you are interested in more Anderfels lore, YouTube channel Ghil Dirthalen covered the Anderfels in her Nations of Thedas video series. It is a fun watch for a general overview of this unique nation.
Fun factoid about the Anderfels I always loved: There are two statues of Andraste in the Anderfels. One is Our Lady of the Anderfels carved into the Merdaine, a remote and treacherous place but the statue is described as being a magnificent sight. The other is the Red Bride's Grave, formerly known as the Red Bride's Shrine. This statue is described in the novel Last Flight as a tall, red-rock Andraste with lotus flowers and is said to have inspired Our Lady of the Anderfels. The Red Bride's Grave is located in an even more remote and treacherous place beyond the Wandering Hills. Sadly, the Anderfels Ham is not mentioned in the novel.
So what about you and yours? How can you enjoy the fascinating taste of despair at home? Be assured, dear reader, we have Pinterest available for such a circumstance. Here are a couple ham recipes my family enjoys, from my ever-growing trove of recipe Pins on Pinterest:
Orange Honey Glazed Ham (about as non-vegan as you can get) from The Slow Roasted Italian and
Slow Cooker Honey Marmalade Mustard Ham (also about as non-vegan as you can get) from Good Life Eats
For vegans who enjoy meat substitutes, or despair-less ham, there is seitan. You can purchase seitan at your local vegetarian/vegan friendly food mart or big-box supermarket (though I encourage you to support whatever local business you have nearby that caters to vegetarians and vegans). Or you can make it homemade! I prefer homemade and find mixing and kneading this joyful wheat-meat a lot of fun. I have a couple recipes from Pinterest and I will be writing a seitan Personal Favorites entry at a later date:
Pineapple Mustard Seitan from Plant Power Couple and
Steamed White Seitan from Genius Kitchen
Homemade sietan can seem daunting, especially for a newly-transitioned vegan or kitchen novice, but I encourage you to give it a try. And when it doesn't work out, give it another try. Seitan is very hands-on and you can get a good feel for how you can shape the taste and texture of the wheat-meat as you make it more. And as mentioned above, I will post a recipe for you to make and enjoy in the future.
If the trend holds, we may see or hear of the (in)famous Ham from the Anderfels in future Dragon Age games or media. I certainly hope thatif when World of Thedas Volume 3 is released, it will include some kind of a despair-themed ham recipe for us to enjoy be fascinated by weep over.
Like what you are reading? Great! There's more to come in the next few weeks. Please follow and share widely!
Have any friendly suggestions or cool ideas? Please feel free to comment below. You can also email me at foodsofthedas@gmail.com, message me at AGSamuels on Reddit, or tweet me at Essem_Jay on Twitter.
You can also follow me on Instagram at gourmetveganthedas.
Walk always in the Maker's light.
__
Text Sources:
Dragon Age Wiki: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Age_Wiki
Dragon Age Wiki, Mark of the Assassin: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Mark_of_the_Assassin
Dragon Age Wiki, Dragon Age: Inquisition: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Age:_Inquisition
Dragon Age Wiki, Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Wicked_Eyes_and_Wicked_Hearts
Dragon Age Wiki, Anderfels: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Anderfels
Dragon Age Wiki, Last Flight: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Age:_Last_Flight
Reddit, Dragon Age Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/dragonage/
Reddit, Dragon Age Subreddit, Dorian just asked me if I tried the ham...: https://www.reddit.com/r/dragonage/comments/2ve3ws/dorian_just_asked_me_if_i_tried_the_ham/
Callum Masson: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWBryS839KeCeeYOObdlIjQ
Callum Masson, Despair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnXfLGcENnI
Ghil Dirthalen: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUWYiR2a5iD0cZktuODPoVw
Ghil Dirthalen, Anderfels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O08hc1wVEQ4&index=7&list=PL-YksST7-Pynvag-TEJM-JrAK7W89P7Xr
Ghil Dirthalen, Nations of Thedas: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-YksST7-Pynvag-TEJM-JrAK7W89P7Xr
Video Sources:
jason horth: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcG_dLub25kOY8_T_XnSJXg
jason horth, Dragon age 2 - Mark Of The Assassin- Best moments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8RxQ5dWHM8
Video Game Sophistry: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEvNGwLX3AKUAZRwTqrhhSQ
Video Game Sophistry, Dragon Age: Inquisition "Post Winter Palace" Dorian LOVES the Ham of Despair (5th Convo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrU0KoHN_es
Recipe Sources:
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/
Orange Honey Glazed Ham: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/533184043360936563/
The Slow Roasted Italian: http://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/
The Slow Roasted Italian, Orange Honey Glazed Ham: http://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/2015/03/orange-honey-baked-ham-recipe.html
Slow Cooker Honey Marmalade Mustard Ham: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AaBh3LCDJ0r_51ow9xrO8RtzqMnk_boYQvEjYMb_tsSU-X394epxedbVETs0ocQQ2CTip3sYwmLtZX_ozep1TTI/
Good Life Eats: http://www.goodlifeeats.com/
Good Life Eats, Slow Cooker Honey Marmalade Mustard: http://www.goodlifeeats.com/slow-cooker-ham-with-honey-marmalade-mustard-glaze/?pp=1#_a5y_p=5900057
Pineapple Mustard Seitan: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/533184043379270855/
Plant Power Couple: http://www.plantpowercouple.com/
Plant Power Couple, Vegan Seitan Ham W/ A Pineapple Mustard Glaze: http://www.plantpowercouple.com/recipes/vegan-ham/
Steamed White Seitan: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/535506211920966475/
Genius Kitchen: http://www.geniuskitchen.com/
Genius Kitchen, Steamed White Seitan: http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/steamed-white-seitan-fake-chicken-or-pork-446028
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Tallis, your heist leader and Qunari spy in disguise, asks, "Wait, does it really? How can ham taste of despair? Why would anyone eat it if it did?"
"That's what the importer said. They all talk like that."
It's marketing at it's finest, if you ask me.
If you select the causal dialogue option, your Hawke asks in jest, "Who needs more despair in their diet? What is that good for?"
To which the elven servant, and arguably the star of this scene, replies, "I have heard artists are fond of it."
(Video from YouTube channel jason horth, Dragon age 2 - Mark Of The Assassin- Best moments)
The second in-game mention comes from your party companion, Dorian, in Dragon Age: Inquisition. After completing the quest Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, when you speak to Dorian, he mentions that the scene at the Winter Palace in Orlais felt an awful lot like noble-class parties in his home country, Tevinter. He also says, "I hope you tried the ham they were serving, by the way. Tasted of despair. Fascinating." This to me, indicates that Tevinter and the Anderfels don't engage in trade very often, probably as a result of ages old grudges.
(Video from YouTube channel Video Game Sophistry, Dragon Age: Inquisition "Post Winter Palace" Dorian LOVES the Ham of Despair (5th Convo))
The Anderfels is known in Dragon Age lore as a nation of harsh climates and ruthless people. Farming is said to be nearly impossible because the land and soil are difficult to work with due to dust storms. I imagine four blights throughout the area's history hasn't improved the situation much. But it seems pig farming is not as daunting. If you are interested in more Anderfels lore, YouTube channel Ghil Dirthalen covered the Anderfels in her Nations of Thedas video series. It is a fun watch for a general overview of this unique nation.
Fun factoid about the Anderfels I always loved: There are two statues of Andraste in the Anderfels. One is Our Lady of the Anderfels carved into the Merdaine, a remote and treacherous place but the statue is described as being a magnificent sight. The other is the Red Bride's Grave, formerly known as the Red Bride's Shrine. This statue is described in the novel Last Flight as a tall, red-rock Andraste with lotus flowers and is said to have inspired Our Lady of the Anderfels. The Red Bride's Grave is located in an even more remote and treacherous place beyond the Wandering Hills. Sadly, the Anderfels Ham is not mentioned in the novel.
So what about you and yours? How can you enjoy the fascinating taste of despair at home? Be assured, dear reader, we have Pinterest available for such a circumstance. Here are a couple ham recipes my family enjoys, from my ever-growing trove of recipe Pins on Pinterest:
Orange Honey Glazed Ham (about as non-vegan as you can get) from The Slow Roasted Italian and
Slow Cooker Honey Marmalade Mustard Ham (also about as non-vegan as you can get) from Good Life Eats
For vegans who enjoy meat substitutes, or despair-less ham, there is seitan. You can purchase seitan at your local vegetarian/vegan friendly food mart or big-box supermarket (though I encourage you to support whatever local business you have nearby that caters to vegetarians and vegans). Or you can make it homemade! I prefer homemade and find mixing and kneading this joyful wheat-meat a lot of fun. I have a couple recipes from Pinterest and I will be writing a seitan Personal Favorites entry at a later date:
Pineapple Mustard Seitan from Plant Power Couple and
Steamed White Seitan from Genius Kitchen
Homemade sietan can seem daunting, especially for a newly-transitioned vegan or kitchen novice, but I encourage you to give it a try. And when it doesn't work out, give it another try. Seitan is very hands-on and you can get a good feel for how you can shape the taste and texture of the wheat-meat as you make it more. And as mentioned above, I will post a recipe for you to make and enjoy in the future.
If the trend holds, we may see or hear of the (in)famous Ham from the Anderfels in future Dragon Age games or media. I certainly hope that
Like what you are reading? Great! There's more to come in the next few weeks. Please follow and share widely!
Have any friendly suggestions or cool ideas? Please feel free to comment below. You can also email me at foodsofthedas@gmail.com, message me at AGSamuels on Reddit, or tweet me at Essem_Jay on Twitter.
You can also follow me on Instagram at gourmetveganthedas.
Walk always in the Maker's light.
__
Text Sources:
Dragon Age Wiki: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Age_Wiki
Dragon Age Wiki, Mark of the Assassin: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Mark_of_the_Assassin
Dragon Age Wiki, Dragon Age: Inquisition: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Age:_Inquisition
Dragon Age Wiki, Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Wicked_Eyes_and_Wicked_Hearts
Dragon Age Wiki, Anderfels: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Anderfels
Dragon Age Wiki, Last Flight: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Age:_Last_Flight
Reddit, Dragon Age Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/dragonage/
Reddit, Dragon Age Subreddit, Dorian just asked me if I tried the ham...: https://www.reddit.com/r/dragonage/comments/2ve3ws/dorian_just_asked_me_if_i_tried_the_ham/
Callum Masson: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWBryS839KeCeeYOObdlIjQ
Callum Masson, Despair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnXfLGcENnI
Ghil Dirthalen: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUWYiR2a5iD0cZktuODPoVw
Ghil Dirthalen, Anderfels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O08hc1wVEQ4&index=7&list=PL-YksST7-Pynvag-TEJM-JrAK7W89P7Xr
Ghil Dirthalen, Nations of Thedas: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-YksST7-Pynvag-TEJM-JrAK7W89P7Xr
Video Sources:
jason horth: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcG_dLub25kOY8_T_XnSJXg
jason horth, Dragon age 2 - Mark Of The Assassin- Best moments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8RxQ5dWHM8
Video Game Sophistry: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEvNGwLX3AKUAZRwTqrhhSQ
Video Game Sophistry, Dragon Age: Inquisition "Post Winter Palace" Dorian LOVES the Ham of Despair (5th Convo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrU0KoHN_es
Recipe Sources:
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/
Orange Honey Glazed Ham: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/533184043360936563/
The Slow Roasted Italian: http://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/
The Slow Roasted Italian, Orange Honey Glazed Ham: http://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/2015/03/orange-honey-baked-ham-recipe.html
Slow Cooker Honey Marmalade Mustard Ham: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AaBh3LCDJ0r_51ow9xrO8RtzqMnk_boYQvEjYMb_tsSU-X394epxedbVETs0ocQQ2CTip3sYwmLtZX_ozep1TTI/
Good Life Eats: http://www.goodlifeeats.com/
Good Life Eats, Slow Cooker Honey Marmalade Mustard: http://www.goodlifeeats.com/slow-cooker-ham-with-honey-marmalade-mustard-glaze/?pp=1#_a5y_p=5900057
Pineapple Mustard Seitan: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/533184043379270855/
Plant Power Couple: http://www.plantpowercouple.com/
Plant Power Couple, Vegan Seitan Ham W/ A Pineapple Mustard Glaze: http://www.plantpowercouple.com/recipes/vegan-ham/
Steamed White Seitan: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/535506211920966475/
Genius Kitchen: http://www.geniuskitchen.com/
Genius Kitchen, Steamed White Seitan: http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/steamed-white-seitan-fake-chicken-or-pork-446028
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