How do I cook a dish that grants temporary extra speed in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To cook a dish that grants temporary extra speed in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to understand the game's cooking mechanics and the specific ingredients that provide speed boosts. Speed-boosting dishes are incredibly useful for traversing the vast world of Hyrule more quickly, whether you're exploring, completing quests, or fleeing from enemies. Here's a detailed guide on how to create these dishes, along with tips and strategies to optimize your cooking.

First, let's discuss the mechanics of cooking. In Breath of the Wild, cooking is done by combining ingredients at a cooking pot, which can be found in towns, stables, and some camps. To create a dish with a speed boost, you need to use ingredients that have the "Hasty" effect. These ingredients include Fleet-Lotus Seeds, Swift Carrots, and Swift Violets. When cooked, these ingredients will grant a temporary speed boost, allowing Link to move faster for a limited time.

To start, you'll need to gather the necessary ingredients. Fleet-Lotus Seeds can be found in the ponds around Kakariko Village and the East Reservoir Lake near Zora's Domain. Swift Carrots are commonly found in Kakariko Village, often growing near houses or in gardens. Swift Violets are rarer and can be found on cliffs and high-altitude areas, such as the Gerudo Highlands or the cliffs around the Dueling Peaks. Once you have these ingredients, you can begin cooking.

To cook a speed-boosting dish, approach a cooking pot and select the ingredients you want to use. For a basic speed-boosting dish, you can use one or more Fleet-Lotus Seeds or Swift Carrots. For example, combining five Fleet-Lotus Seeds will create a dish called "Hasty Simmered Fruit," which grants a significant speed boost. Alternatively, you can mix Swift Carrots with other ingredients to create dishes like "Hasty Veggie Cream Soup." The more speed-boosting ingredients you use, the stronger and longer-lasting the effect will be.

It's important to note that cooking with monster parts or critters will create elixirs instead of dishes. If you want a speed-boosting elixir, you can combine a Hasty ingredient with a monster part, such as a Bokoblin Horn or a Lizalfos Tail. For example, combining a Fleet-Lotus Seed with a Bokoblin Horn will create a "Hasty Elixir." However, dishes are generally easier to make and more effective for speed boosts, so focus on cooking unless you specifically need an elixir.

One common mistake to avoid is using non-Hasty ingredients in your recipe. If you mix a Hasty ingredient with something that has a different effect, such as a Hearty Radish or a Spicy Pepper, the resulting dish will not have a speed boost. Always double-check the effects of your ingredients before cooking. Additionally, avoid overcooking by not leaving your dish on the fire for too long, as this can result in dubious food with no beneficial effects.

For advanced techniques, consider combining speed-boosting ingredients with other beneficial effects. For example, you can create a dish that grants both a speed boost and extra stamina by adding Endura Carrots or Stamella Shrooms. This is particularly useful for long-distance travel or climbing. Another optimization is to use a critical cook, which occurs randomly and results in a dish with enhanced effects. To increase your chances of a critical cook, try cooking during a blood moon or using high-quality ingredients.

Preparation is key to efficient cooking. Stock up on Hasty ingredients whenever you come across them, and store them in your inventory for later use. You can also grow Swift Carrots in your garden at Link's house in Hateno Village, which provides a steady supply of speed-boosting ingredients. Additionally, consider using the Sheikah Sensor+ to locate specific ingredients more easily.

Alternative approaches to gaining a speed boost include wearing armor sets that enhance movement speed, such as the Sheikah Set or the Barbarian Set. These armor sets can be upgraded at Great Fairy Fountains to further enhance their effects. Combining speed-boosting dishes with these armor sets can make Link incredibly fast, allowing you to traverse Hyrule with ease.

In specific scenarios, speed-boosting dishes can be a lifesaver. For example, when completing the "Rushroom Rush" side quest in Kakariko Village, a speed boost will help you collect Rushrooms more quickly. Similarly, when fleeing from Guardians or Lynels, a speed boost can give you the edge you need to escape safely.

In conclusion, cooking speed-boosting dishes in Breath of the Wild is a straightforward process that requires the right ingredients and a bit of preparation. By gathering Fleet-Lotus Seeds, Swift Carrots, or Swift Violets and cooking them at a cooking pot, you can create dishes that grant temporary extra speed. Avoid common mistakes like mixing incompatible ingredients, and consider advanced techniques like critical cooking or combining effects for optimal results. With these strategies, you'll be able to move through Hyrule faster and more efficiently, making your adventure all the more enjoyable.