Jennifer Moorman's Blog, page 27

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

[image error]
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

[image error]
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

[image error]
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:...

Cooking Through Fiction: Frankenstein's Cake

When most people hear the name Frankenstein, they immediately imagine the monster depicted in the movies. The tall, grotesquely built lump of flesh given life by whom….? Victor Frankenstein.


Frankenstein isn’t the monster stitched together with human remains; he’s the monster’s creator. After reading the novel many times and even watching the movies, I think people are right in thinking that Frankenstein isthe monster in Mary Shelley’s novel, but only if they’re referring to Victor. He becomes...

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Critters

  [image error]
If you’re passing through Mystic Water on a Tuesday, you should stop by Bea’s Bakery. On Tuesdays, Anna creates a few animal-themed treats that the after-school kids love as well as the adults.
[image error]
Feeling tired? Out of sorts? Heart-weary? Anna has a cure for you on Tuesdays. She makes turtles and bears and critters, oh my! Customers in need of a boost of happiness buy dozens of turtles (chocolate-covered pecans) every Tuesday. Those who need peace in their weary hearts buy bears (chocolate-covered walnuts).
But sometimes customers need peace, happiness, andenergy. Anna prescribes half a dozen critters as the remedy. For those who need an extra dose, purchase an even dozen.

Chocolat...

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Chocolate Hazelnut & Peanut Butter Cream Donuts

[image error] I love surprises (of the good variety), but it’s difficult to surprise me. I tend to pick up on people’s shifty behavior, and I seem to know when something amiss is afoot. I don’t like to ruin surprises, honest, but if you keep acting weird around me because you’re trying to surprise me, I’ll figure it out. Your goal: play it cool, and I won’t notice a thing!

Anna, Mystic Water’s baker extraordinaire, oversleeps one morning and wakes to the smell of donuts cooking. She runs downstairs to her b...

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": Double Chocolate Chip Pancakes

[image error]
Most people have Saturday rituals, such as two cups of coffee before breakfast, reading the newspaper at the table, or sitting on the back porch watching cardinals.


I like to sleep past 6:00 a.m. (what a rebel!), think about what I’m going to eat for breakfast, and relish being a rebel who sleeps past 6:00 a.m.


Others like to rush to Bea’s Bakery on Saturdays because it’s a chocolate lover’s fest. If I lived in Mystic Water, this is exactly what I’d do on Saturdays. I’d probably find a corner booth by the window and people watch while stuffing my face full of sweets.

“Saturdays meant a hodgepodge of chocolate treats—chocolate peppermint cocoa, chocolate flavored coffees, éclairs, tarts, turtles, truffles, cookies, fudge, and mini cakes. Chocoholics came in on Saturdays just to indulge.” (The Baker’s Man, p. 79)

I’ve heard that a case of the lonelys can be cured by eating a stack of double chocolate chip pancakes. I’ll have two orders please, thank you very much.
[image error]
Double Chocolate Chip PancakesServes: 10 pancakesLevel of Difficulty: easy as eating two pancakes in less than a minute
IngredientsFor pancakes:1⅓c all-purpose flour3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder2 tsp baking powder¼ c sugar¼ tsp salt3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted1 tsp vanilla1¼ c unsweetened almond milk½ c dark chocolate almond milk1 egg½ c miniature semisweet chocolate morsels
For chocolate sauce:¾ c heavy whipping cream1 tsp butter1 c miniature semisweet chocolate morsels
How to MakeFor the p...

Cooking Through Fiction: Percy's Blue Cheesecake

[image error]
When I need comfort, there are a few items or activities that spring to mind. Just to name a few: 1) my twin-size Mickey Mouse quilt that used to be on my dorm bed in college; 2) my too-big Northwestern sweatshirt with frayed arm cuffs; 3) a long walk in nature; 4) laughing with friends and family; and 5) watching one of my favorite romantic comedies.

Food offers comfort of its own. For me, nothing quite beats a home-cooked southern meal. And then there’s homemade pizza. And melty double choco...

Cooking Through "The Baker's Man": American Flag Cake

[image error]
There are a couple of events to celebrate this week. First, the US Men’s National Team faces Belgium in Round of 16 at 2014 FIFA World Cup. Go USA!

The second event to celebrate is my birthday. Happy Independence Day America (and happy birthday me)! What better way to celebrate than with cake?
If I was a character in The Baker’s Manand I lived in Mystic Water, Anna and I would be great friends. This might be because we have a lot in common or because I would be a constant patron at her bak...