Lembas Bread Recipe

Lembas (Sindarin: lemn “journey, way” and mbass “bread”) is an Elvish cornbread described in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. First crafted by Yavanna, a godlike Vala who tended all growing things in nature (similar to the Greek Demeter), lembas was gifted by the Valar to the Elves of Middle-earth to sustain their westward departure to Aman. This paradisiacal land’s crops infused lembas with life-strengthening properties, sustaining travelers for months if wrapped in the preservative leaves of the Elven mallorn tree (although banana leaves would work just as well, for you humans out there).

In The Fellowship of the Ring, a generous supply of lembas bread is gifted to the Fellowship by Galadriel, queen of the Elven realm of Lothlórien, before they set off down the River Anduin. It is also relied upon by the hobbits Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee in The Two Towers and The Return of the King, serving as the sole food source, providing sustenance for their arduous journey to the malevolent land of Mordor. Whether you’re a fan of Tolkien or not, this waybread’s crispy texture, cornlike sweetness, olive-y bitterness, parsley, and hint of chili heat will whisk you off to the majestic land of Middle-earth and imbue you with the fey comfort of the Elves.

Supplies needed:

• 8 inch square cake pan

• Sifter

• 2 large bowls

• Wire cooling rack

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup cornmeal

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 tablespoon superfine sugar

• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

• Handful of fresh chopped parsley leaves

• 1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 beaten eggs

• 1 cup buttermilk

• (optional) banana leaves for wrapping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.

2. Oil 8 inch square cake pan.

3. Sift the flour, cornmeal, salt and baking powder into a large bowl; stir in the sugar, Parmesan, parsley and chili.

4. In a separate bowl, mix together the olive oil, eggs and buttermilk before gently stirring into the dry ingredients until thoroughly combined.

5. Pour the mixture into cake pan and bake until golden, about 30-35 minutes.

6. Remove from oven and transfer to wire rack; allow to cool before cutting into 16 squares.

7. For an authentic Elven experience, wrap bread in banana leaves just as the Elves preserve their lembas in mallorn leaves.

For the original recipe, check out Robert Tuesley Anderson’s Recipes from the World of Tolkien or The Elven Cookbook for a similar dish.