The Nguyens Send Their Regards

We really should be used to it by now.

It’s been nearly 8 years since George R.R. Martin released A Song of Ice and Fire and we’ve been anxiously waiting for his next book installment ever since.

(COME ON GEORGE!!! You’re killing us, Smalls!)

So when HBO released the final episode of season 7 of the Game of Thrones TV series back in August 2017, we should’ve known that the wait for season 8 would also be excruciatingly long.

Apparently, we know nothing…..

But HOLY CRAP! 595 days is just torture — particularly in this day and age of instant video streaming. You cruel, cruel men – George, D.B. and David.

My sibbies and I were so damn excited once the long awaited premiere date was FINALLY announced. As Northerners (we are Minnesotans and all) – how could we not be?

It didn’t take long for me to convince them to get together to watch the premiere and of course make a few GoT themed dishes for us to nosh on. And although it kind of sounds like one of our monthly Fam Dins, it wouldn’t be an official one since a few of us would be missing.

Don’t worry, we made them amply jealous.

As the date drew nearer and nearer, we (and millions across the world) found ourselves in a GoT frenzy! The excitement was crazy and I got a bit carried away.

In addition to planning which dishes we’d make, I found myself (thanks to the powers of the interwebs) in full DIY mode making decorations for a tablescape for that night.

You may be thinking – tablescape?

And we say, OF COURSE! Feasts in the Seven Kingdoms always appeared elaborate. Though we weren’t really having a “party”… well not exactly.

My sibbies and I are devoted GoT enthusiasts and although an elaborate themed event with lots of guests and costumes would be fun, it would get in the way of us being able to concentrate on the show. And let’s be honest–we would’ve gotten extremely annoyed at people talking and asking questions during the show. I might have had to pull out Joffrey’s crossbow or one of Jaqen H’ghar blow-darts.

BECAUSE WE WAITED 595 DAYS!

I came up to seester’s house early that weekend so that we could hang out and prepare for our GoT celebration. Sure, there were times that we couldn’t help but laugh at ourselves while we prepped. For a “non party”, we sure were putting some effort into things. But what can we say? When we start something, we go for it!

And yes – along with an Iron Throne, House bunting, flying dragon cutouts with flames – there was a Kill Board.

This is the final season of GAME OF THRONES! It would be in poor taste not to!

I believe the munchkins call it “being extra”. And I don’t disagree.

Though I definitely don’t hear any of them complaining when we combine our powers to throw their parties. In fact, I spy some “extra” tendencies growing in each of them too! It’s a Nguyen gene –they can’t avoid it!

I’d also like to say that it could’ve been A LOT more EXTRA. This was on the tamer side considering some of our other endeavors.

One of my besties, T, did snag a coveted invite – but after 22+ years, she’s my family. And most importantly, T is a GoT fanatic who doesn’t talk during the show.

Priorities people!

(Oh Bella…the perpetual photobomber.)

Let’s get on to the feast, shall we?

GoT has never shied away from libations with references to ale, rum and even Tormund’s sour goats milk. And characters always appear to be sipping on wines. Dornish Reds? Arbor Golds? How about some of that Lannister soldier’s homemade Blackberry Wine?

So when I saw the Game of Thrones wines from vintner, Bob Cabral, I had to get my hands on some! These were 2016 Chardonnay and 2017 Pinot Noir. 

We also discovered that each cork is emblazoned with different house sigils! We only opened two that night (hey-there are 5 more episodes!) and got House Stark and House Martell.

And the libations didn’t stop there because like Tyrion says….

We drink …and we know things.

Oh that Cersei.

I just love to hate her–don’t you? Conniving, ruthless, smart, ambitious…and that woman sure does love her vino.

In her honor, we made Cersei’s Sangria. It’s seemingly light and fruity but packs a punch thanks to a douse of Armenian Brandy I added.

And then I found these….limited edition whiskey – White Walker by Johnnie Walker.

“In celebration of the final season of the critically-acclaimed HBO series, Game of Thrones, Johnnie Walker is proud to introduce White Walker by Johnnie Walker. This new blend perfectly reminds Johnnie Walker and Game of Thrones fans alike that “Winter is Here.” The limited edition bottle utilizes thermochromic ink to give fans a frosty surprise message when frozen. With flavor notes like caramelized sugar, vanilla, and fresh red berries, White Walker by Johnnie Walker makes for a delicious serve. The new blend is best served ice cold, inspired by the White Walkers beyond The Wall.”

I HAD TO HAVE THEM because:

1. This girl likes her whiskey.
2. This girl loves GoT.
3. This girl is a major sucker for marketing and branding items.

Bonus? I got them on an insane clearance sale (WHAT?!?! I know!) and gave some to the sibbies as non-party/party favors.

We enjoyed the White Walkers over ice (because Winter is here and all) and I also made up a batch of White Walker Whiskey Sours. I love a good Whiskey Sour and the egg white made for a nice frothy “wintry” look.

We used avocados to serve as Dragon Eggs for the evening.

We also paid homage to Guest Rights which is the sacred law of hospitality in Westeros. Per the Wiki of Ice and Fire:

“When a guest, be he commonborn or noble, eats the food and drinks the drink off a host’s table beneath the host’s roof, guest right is invoked. Bread and salt are traditional provisions. When invoked, neither the guest nor the host can harm the other for the length of the guest’s stay. For either to do so would be to break a sacred covenant that is believed to invoke the wrath of the gods. both old and new. Even robber lords and wreckers are bound by the ancient laws of hospitality.”

And as we all remember (and you bet as heck the North Remembers….), Walder Frey broke what was considered one of the most sacred laws of gods and men during the Red Wedding when he allowed the slaughter of the Starks and their bannermen after having ceremonially sharing bread and salt with them.

For that night, our “bread” was Kings Hawaiian Rolls and our “salt” was Maldon Sea Salt Flakes.

Since Braavos plays a significant role in GoT (it’s where Arya trained to become a Faceless Man and is home of the Iron Bank), we had Braavosi Coins in the form of Oreo cookies. Nabisco was brilliant partnering with GoT to come out with a limited edition series that featured special packaging and four different imprinted designs honoring House Stark, House Lannister, House Targaryen and the Knight King. They even made its own GoT title sequence using Oreo cookies!

Of course that marketing scheme totally worked on me and when the release date for the cookies came, we were on a mad hunt! Nearly a dozen stores later, I got my hands on a full case of them! (Yup, I shared those, too.)

We made Deviled Dragon Eggs — though the Mother of Dragons may not have been pleased with that decision.

I attempted to color them green, yellow and black in honor of Rhaegal, Viserion and Drogon but had mediocre results.

They were still rather pretty though.

Although he was so freaking smarmy, his endless machinations were at the core of the entire GoT chaos. And since chaos is a ladder, these twisted parmesan cheese straws were a nod to that twisted Little Finger.

I admit this is rather childish humor but after all that Theon did to betray the Starks, I kind of had to go there. So I made meatballs in marinara sauce and called them Theon’s Balls.

Nina wanted me to call them Unsullied Balls but those poor men had gone through enough.

Remember that spineless Walder Frey? By the Old Gods that man was terrible! And it was such sweet, sweet poetic justice when Arya carved up his sons, baked them into a pie and served it to him.

“Where are my damn moron sons? Black Walder and Lothar promised to be here by midday.“- Walder Frey

“They’re here, my lord.” – Arya Stark

Seestrah T was inspired to bake Frey Pie based on Arya’s Revenge. She made two filling versions— there were two Frey sons after all.

One was beef bourguignon based and the other was ground turkey-Italian sausage based.

Since she was feeling cheeky, she used fingerling potatoes to serve as their fingers and pearl onions to be their eyes.

Who knew Black Walder and Lothar could be so tasty?

At one point I felt a bit guilty and thought we needed some greens. And since House Tyrell hails from a land of abundance and is known for their bountiful crops, a Highgarden Salad seemed appropriate.

The Wildlings (or Free Folk) have no love for the men of the Night’s Watch and call them “crows”. And what better way to depict that then by serving Roasted Crow.

Seester N marinated a bunch of quail in five spice, soy and blood magic before deep frying them. And to drive the theme home, she impaled them on skewers.

Yeah, eldest sis may look nice but there’s savage streak to her too.

Nini’s Roasted Crow still had a tiny heart intact!

The Thenns are one of the tribes of the Free Folk known for cannibalism as they feast on the flesh of their enemies.

Which motivated me to make a few slabs of Thenn Ribs.

Okay, they were pork baby back ribs … because Costco was all out of Thenn.

And finally there was what I considered the Valyrian steel of cakes – this jaw dropping showstopper.

Munchkin Nini also got caught up in the GoT craze and when she heard that there were specialty Oreos, she decided to make a chocolate-Oreo cake in honor of Drogon.

We named it Dracarys.

Not only was it delicious (Chocolate with Cookies & Cream!) but her decorations was just stunning. She created a beautiful gradient hue with the buttercream and piped out Drogon’s tail. She then meticulously placed the sprinkles one-by-one on the “scales” for depth.

Told ya that “extra” gene was hereditary.

And the surprise of the night? We discovered who ends up ruling the Iron Throne!

Queen Leia Le of House Pug,

Queen Bella Nguyen of House Puggle, and

Queen Millie Bulaon of House Morkie.

First of their Names, The Untrained, Queens of the Snuggles, Queens of Treats, Khaleesis of the Great Duvet Comforters, Protectors of the Realm, Ladies Regnant of the Seven Pupdoms, Breakers of Winds, and Mothers of Chew Toys.

Our Queens would like to remind you that:

“When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives…”

ps. They would like steaks for dinner.

Needless to say, we had an awesome time.

And we watched the premiere episode 3 times that night. The first time, no one was allowed to talk or ask questions. The second time, we paused and debriefed whenever anyone had questions, comments or new information. And the third time, we kind of fell asleep.

Hey-it was late and we were so full!

I know what you’re thinking….if we did this for the premiere what are we going to do for the series finale?!?

GAH! We don’t wan’t to think about it coming to a close so soon!

In the meanwhile…check out this quick recap video where you might see something “magical” at the very end.

Until next time….

Valar Morghulis