Sekiro: Pellets

So, you’re awake. Looks like death is not your fate… just yet. I dragged you from a battlefield, dismembered and lifeless, but not yet dead. There is something in your eyes that tell me you have a task yet unfinished. A deed undone. It’s not for me to ask, and to be honest it’s not an interest of mine at all. You walk the path of a shinobi, sworn to protect and follow and sacrifice. But your blessing, curse, your affliction requires more than just sacrifice. For how does one truly serve when one cannot put the ultimate price on the line? How do you rest if you can never rest. Wolf, I don’t have these answers for you. I barely knew the question once, but no longer. I can only set you on your way and hope you find it.

From Software’s newest game, Sekiro, is finally out! If it wasn’t obvious from previous recipes like the estus flask and the pungent blood cocktail, these soulsborne games are my husband’s domain, so I’ll let him talk about it.

For anyone reading who is spoiler averse, you have nothing to worry about here. A blind playthrough of a From Software game is something truly special and something you can only do once, so I’ll never bring up anything spoiler related, story or mechanics or anything in between. What I can comfortably say is that I’m potentially on the back half of Sekiro right now and really enjoying it. In a similar way that Bloodborne took the Souls formula and tried something related but unique with it, Sekiro has been a really great departure from the usual experience. There are things in the game I see and can’t help but grin and say “ahhh, CLASSIC From Software!” while other things have caught me off guard and made me change how I play. If you’ve played any souls games before and enjoyed them, I highly suggest picking Sekiro up. And if you have never touched the series before and think a From Software journey is something you might enjoy, I’d more likely suggest Dark Souls 3 as a starting point, especially if you have friends you can summon if you need any help! I realize at this point that I’m a terrible marker for how hard these games are since I’ve been so submersed in them, but the lack of summoning friends and strangers alike for help makes me wary of suggesting it to new players unless you think you are up to the task.

This week’s recipe is one of the first items you find and perhaps one of the most useful, the pellets. These tiny medicinal balls are chock-full of rejuvenating powers, ready to help sooth the aches your character will inevitably receive on your path through Sekiro. A major influence for this recipe is the elixir recipe from Nioh. Although also a healing item, Nioh’s elixirs came from little forest spirits, kodama, that you often come across. Since this is instead a secret recipe and a lighter appearance, the similar style treat has a different set of flavors and is just as absolutely tasty. Let’s get to it!

Ingredients:
¼ cup macadamia nuts
¼ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup cashews
⅔ cup almond butter
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp almond extract
½ cup ground flax seeds
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp white sesame seeds
½ cup dried cranberries
¾ cup white chocolate chips

Place the macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, and cashews in a food processor. Pulse until the nuts are completely crumbled.

Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until completely combined.

Transfer the mixture into a bowl to make sure you don’t cut yourself with the blade of the food processor. Take about a tablespoon of the mixture and form a ball in your hand. Place on a tray with parchment paper. Repeat this with the rest of the mixture.

Add some white sesame seeds to a ziplock bag. Take each ball and toss it until covered with sesame seeds. Place back on the tray with parchment paper. Repeat this with the remaining balls. Chill for one hour.

Transfer the balls into a airtight container. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.