Jennifer Moorman's Blog, page 26

Cooking Through Fiction: The Catcher in the Rye

[image error] The Catcher in the Rye, written by J. D. Salinger, was published in 1951 and was originally meant for adults, but its popularity rose among teenagers due to its rebellious, angst-driven themes.
Holden Caulfield, the protagonist and narrator, is a sixteen-year-old, six-foot-two-and-a-half-tall cynical, foul-mouthed young man who despises all things phony. And yet, he is still one of the most loved characters of the 20thcentury. He’s one of my favorites as well. But dang, that boy has the mouth of a sailor on a bad day. [image error]
In an attempt to waste time and prolong telling his parents that he’s received the ax again, Holden takes a table at a little sandwich bar.

“I was supposed to be on this diet where you eat a lot of starches and crap, to gain weight and all, but I didn’t ever do it. When I’m out somewhere, I generally just east a Swiss cheese sandwich and a malted milk. It isn’t much, but you get quite a lot of vitamins in the malted milk. H. V. Caulfield. Holden Vitamin Caulfield.” (Salinger, J. D., The Catcher in the Rye. Little Brown and Company. New York: 1951, p. 140)

Grilled Swiss CheeseServes 1Level of Difficulty: zero
Ingredients3 slices of Swiss cheesebutter2 slices of white bread
How to MakeHeat a cast iron skillet on medium.Butter both sides of the bread.Layer cheese in between bread slices and toast until desired doneness is reached.

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Malted MilkServes 2Level of Difficulty: as easy an drinking both servings at once
Ingredients1 pint premium chocolate ice cream¼ c whole milk2 tbsp malt2 tbsp chocolate syrup
How to MakePlace the ice cream, milk, malt, and syrup in a blender and process on low speed for 30 seconds.Pour into 2 tall glasses and serve each with a straw and long-handled spoon.

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Dark Chocolate Oreo Tart

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Oreos were first introduced in 1912. They’ve been warming hearts, creating smiles, and causing debates for more than one hundred years. There are those who will never agree whether or not to dunk a cookie into milk, twist the sandwich cookie apart first, or shove a whole cookie into the mouth without twisting or milk. But there won’t be much debate on whether or not people love Oreos.

After a late night conversation, Beatrice realized her close friend Mary Margaret suffered from the winter doldrums and a lonely heart. Beatrice, owner of Bea’s Bakery, whipped up a dark chocolate Oreo tart that she knew would not only find Mary Margaret’s smile even if the sky was gray, but also it would give her heart a jolt of happiness.

For some of us the winter drags on too long, and the skies are so gray that we forget what the warmth of sunshine feels like against our cheeks. On days when our hearts are lonely for more than we care to admit, nothing finds your smile and warms your heart faster than a slice cut from a dark chocolate Oreo tart. Eat a piece now, and take one home for later. Your heart will thank you.
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Dark Chocolate Oreo TartServes: 18Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Oreo Crust:12 oz (1 package) Oreo cookies½ c butter, melted
For the Dark Chocolate Filling:2 c heavy cream16 oz dark chocolate1 c butter
To Decorate:about 4–5 halved Oreo cookieschocolate chips
How to MakeTo make the crust, using a food processor, pulse Oreo cookies until the texture resembles crumbs.Add the melted butter and blend until well combined.Place the mixture into a round fluted tart pan, and press onto the b...

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies

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Valentine’s Day in Mystic Water is a red-and-pink paper hearts, cupid-shooting-arrows, and overload-on-chocolate kind of day. People leave anonymous valentines pinned beneath windshield wipers, kids shove suckers and conversation hearts into handmade Valentine’s Day shoeboxes, and townsfolk rush into the bakery for chocolates and sweets of all kinds.

Anna’s red velvet cream cheese brownies will soften the heart of anyone, even those who loathe Valentine’s Day. So spread love and a lighthearted...

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Hidden Heart Pound Cake

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During the month of February, the bakery in Mystic Water becomes a whirlwind of crimson hearts, iridescent sugar pearls, and dark chocolate candies. The wind carries the scent of melting sugar, and the air sparkles like tossed pink confetti.

The townsfolk come into Bea’s Bakery looking for what only Anna can bake, and they leave with boxes and bags full of treats that will lighten their hearts, put a spring in their steps, and renew hope in their dreams.
One of Mystic Water’s February favorites...

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

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When it comes to baking, there are victories and there are failures. Sometimes the cakes don’t rise, and sometimes they rise like lopsided mountains. Sometimes cakes stick so badly to the pan they have to be eaten with a fork and never make it to the cake plate. Being a baker means accepting that your recipes (and you) will never be 100% perfect every time.
Each new year brings new resolutions to be better, stronger, kinder, thinner, happier, etc. People strive to start over and be a newer ver...

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Chocolate Donuts with Peppermint Bark

During the month of December, it seems as though sweets are waiting for you around every corner. Cookies spring up like daisies in the spring. Cakes lie around beneath glass domes and entice us to them. Truffles and candy canes and sufganiyot crowd inside gift bags for your enjoyment.

Bea’s Bakery in Mystic Water fills to bursting with sweets and treats of all kinds during December. Townsfolk flock to the glass cases from morning until closing time to fill their bellies with gingerbread cookie...

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Oreo Truffles

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Poet Pablo Neruda wrote, “Laughter is the language of the soul.” When was the last time you laughed? Can you remember when you last laughed so hard that your face and your stomach ached, when tears rolled down your cheeks?
If you can’t immediately recall when laughter burst from your smile, then you need to stop by Bea’s Bakery in Mystic Water and order at least a half dozen Oreo truffles.
If you haven’t closed your eyes, leaned back your head, and felt a laugh rise from deep in your belly, fel...

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Peanut Butter Truffles

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Ever felt like a hamster on a wheel? Or like just another rat in the rat race? Ever feel as though one day leads into another, leads into another, leads into another, and you’re tired of being tired?

Sounds like you need a vacation, a place to rest and relax, or at the very least, a visit to Bea’s Bakery in The Baker’s Man. Anna O’Brien can whip up just what you need to feel rested, rejuvenated, and like your old self again (back when you had energy and you were excited about every new adventu...

Cooking Through Fiction: The Giver's Red Apple Pie

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Can you imagine living in a seemingly ideal, although colorless, world of contentment and conformity? Your freedom of choice and your independence are non-existent. Instead, you are surrounded by sameness, but you don’t even know everyone is all the same.

Imagine not knowing the vibrancy of colors, not knowing what sunshine feels like as it warms your face, or the pelt of rain against your cheeks. Imagine never feeling pain or sadness, but in giving up the difficult emotions and experiences, y...

Author Interview: Matthew Peters

Today I’m excited to introduce you to Matthew Peters. Matthew, an engaging novelist and lover of history, agreed to an interview on the day of the release of his latest novel, The Brothers’ Keepers. I’m thrilled to have him here.



Quick! Give us the title and genre of your series and a 30-word or less tagline.The Brothers’ Keepers and subsequent Nicholas Branson novels are religious thrillers. I’ll opt to do the 30-word or less tagline for the first volume in the series, The Brothers’ Keepers:...