A Well-Read Tart

A Food and Book Lover’s Blog

Savory Thyme and Caraway Biscuits (Recipe Inspired by HAMNET)

I’m gonna be honest with you, Tartlets: I’m not sure that these Savory Thyme and Caraway Biscuits turned out exactly like they’re supposed to. But, I thought they were really tasty. And Mr Tart thought they were really tasty. So, I decided to bite the bullet (or biscuit) and give you these savory bundles as the book-inspired recipe for Hamnet.   Why are Thyme and Caraway Biscuits the book-inspired recipe for Hamnet? I decided to make...

Tex-Mex Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas (Recipe Inspired by THE HACIENDA)

I'm so excited to share my recipe for Tex-Mex Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas with you today, Tartlets. If you've come to my house for a Super Bowl party over the past decade, then there's a good chance you've tried this dish. If not, well, today's your lucky day to try these enchiladas for yourself.  At your own home, just to be clear. I'm not cooking for everybody.    Why are Tex-Mex Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas the book-inspired recipe for The...

Easy Coq Au Vin (Recipe Inspired by GREENWICH PARK)

Move over, Julia Child. There's a new coq au vin recipe in the house. And it's way easier to make than you think.    Why is coq au vin the book-inspired recipe for Greenwich Park? There’s a lot of drinking in Greenwich Park, especially when it comes to main character Rachel. This pregnant woman is often found with a bottle in her hand, much to the alarm of those around her. Because, well, PREGNANT.  (The fact that Rachel's totally okay...

Classic Victoria Sponge (Recipe Inspired by GAD’S HALL)

I polished off this entire Classic Victoria Sponge in about a week. Yes, I gained five pounds afterward. Yes, it was worth it.  Worth it, do you hear me?    Why is Victoria Sponge the book-inspired dessert for Gad's Hall?  The Thorley family welcomes a lot of visitors to Gad's Hall. It feels like they're always hosting dinners or having tea, which means they're usually eating some kind of delicious-sounding treat. I bet you that many a...

Simple Tomato, Corn, and Torn Basil Salad (Recipe Inspired by OLD COUNTRY)

We're keeping it short n' sweet with this Simple Tomato, Corn, and Torn Basil Salad, Tartlets.  As you saw earlier this week, this salad was served up with my Grilled Rosemary Balsamic Steaks. This side dish is another Old Country book-inspired recipe that pays homage to cooking with fresh, homegrown ingredients.   A Simple Salad... Just like with the grilled steaks, rustic is the name of the game when it comes to making Tomato, Corn, and...

Grilled Rosemary Balsamic Steaks (Recipe Inspired by OLD COUNTRY)

It's your lucky week, Tartlets. Since Old Country was such a fantastic book, I've decided that it deserves two book-inspired recipes. Two Recipes. It's like the new Five Stars of ratings. First up is the main dish: Grilled Rosemary Balsamic Steaks. The recipe for the side dish you see in the photos is Simple Tomato, Corn, and Torn Basil Salad.   Why is Grilled Rosemary Balsamic Steaks the book-inspired recipe for Old Country? This...

New England Blackberry Cobbler (Recipe Inspired by THE SPARROW SISTERS)

We're almost in September, Tartlets, but you can keep the summer vibes going with this delicious and fresh Blackberry Cobbler.  There were a lot of book-inspired recipe options for The Sparrow Sisters. Patience, Nettie, and Sorrell grow their own vegetables, fruits, and herbs, and Patience and love interest Henry often share bowls of freshly picked blackberries. Since Patience's garden plays such a pivotal role in the book, I thought a New...

Quick and Easy Black Bean Burgers with Peach Guacamole (Recipe Inspired by BEST SERVED HOT)

I've been making Black Bean Burgers for years now, and I didn't think I could love them any more.  Then, I put Peach Guacamole on them. **mindblown** Prepare yourself, Tartlets, because you're never going to look at burgers the same way again.    WTF? Peaches in guacamole???  The first time I had fruity guacamole was at a Mexican restaurant called Toloache in midtown Manhattan. The guac contained pomegranate, not peach, but it blew my mind....

Iced Dirty Chai Latte (Recipe Inspired by A NOVEL OBSESSION)

I’d never had an Iced Dirty Chai Latte up until a few weeks ago. Now, I’m craving it all.the.time. This book-inspired recipe for A Novel Obsession comes straight from the novel – this refreshing, not-too-sweet treat is main character Naomi’s go-to order at the Brooklyn coffee shops where she stalks Rosemary. And, after tasting a dirty chai latte for myself, I can see why.   You may remember that I’m not a huge fan of chai. But I...

Easy Homemade Granola with Fruit and Nuts (Recipe Inspired By Lockdown On London Lane)

No lie: this Easy Homemade Granola with Fruit and Nuts is what I eat for breakfast every day. AND I LOVE IT. I've eaten granola for years now, but up until recently I always used the store-bought kind. The idea to make homemade granola often occurred to me -- I could save so much money, it's so much healthier, etc. -- but there was always a reason to put it off. I mean, why make something from scratch when it’s so easily available at the...