Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
2010 Challenge Archive
>
From Page to Table Challenge
date
newest »
newest »
I'd love to do this. I've got several cookbooks I've read or going to read recently. But I've also found alot of fictional novels that include recipes. I read a YA book, Hattie Big Sky and it had two recipes in the back. There are many culinary mystery book series that include recipes. The Mitford book series spawned it's own Mitford Cookbook. I copied recipes from it to try. Now I have to read a few of the Mitford books. The Quilter's Kitchen I'm reading right now is a novel with several recipes at the end of every chapter. The Aunt Dimity mystery novels all have a recipe at the end of the book that was featured in the story. I've made her Oatmeal Raisin cookies that were featured and they're good. I recenlty read one of the Tales from Grace Chapel Inn called Recipes and Wooden Spoons. One of the 3 main characters found their mothers cookbook and throughtout the book she tried making her mothers recipes and shared about a dozen in the book with readers. (Some were so fancy I wouldn't try to make them, like chocolate leaves.) Debbie Macomber is coming out later this fall with a Cedar Cove Cookbook to go along with her series.I don't know how well it would work within a challenge. We could just try to aim for trying 1 or 2 recipes a month (depending on our schedule) that are either found in a book or inspired by a book and then post our progress and possibly the recipe. I am concerned though about reprinting the recipes here as I don't know if that will be a copyright violation or not.
With this being an international group, conversions might very well be necessary for other to understand or follow either recipes we post or those they find in books.
This is a link for a World Wide Recipe Conversion website. http://www.wwrecipes.com/convert.htm
It includes measurements, oven temperature, ingredients and substitutions.
To get it started, here's a link to all the Aunt Dimity recipes that are printed at the end of each of her books. They are all available on the authors website.The recipe I baked is Beth's Oatmeal Cookies. I recently whipped up a double batch of these and my kids sold them at our garage sale. I made 6 1/2 dozen of these cookies and they sold out in one day. Selling the cookies and bottles of water they made $53.
Thanks, Briansgirl! Yes, excellent point about the copyright.Tentatively, then, it might work like this. Each month, people could post:
- What they're going to make/cook
- What book(s) inspired this food
- If the recipe is available online, ie. as with the Aunt Dimity recipes, or if you are have used online recipe sites to source a recipe for a meal in a book that doesn't include a recipe, post the link to the recipe, or maybe link to a GR record for a cookbook you used
- Any feedback you want to share about progress, how delicious it was (or otherwise), maybe any changes you made to the recipe?
And maybe people could set their own limits as to how many they want to try?
Some might want to try a lot of different recipes, some might just want to try different versions of the same basic meal to get it tasting just right!
Sounds good Danielle. As for the recipe I tried, Beth's Oatmeal cookies, one of the reasons they come out so good is that the raisin's are boiled for 5 minutes in water and left to cool. This plumps the raisins and softens them. Then some of the cooled raisin water is added to the recipe. I've started using this trick to boil the raisins quickly to soften and plump them for other recipes that are baked with raisins.
Ok, I haven't read the books but I am definitely trying Carrie Vyne's Calico Cookies - toffee bits and cranberries, yum!My first challenge meal is going to be Potato Soup, as read about in Iron Lake, a mystery novel by William Kent Krueger. The novel was set in snowy Minnesota and as we are well into winter here now, the thought of a tasty pot of soup is very warming.
I'm going to try two different recipes from two vegetarian cookbooks on my shelves; one with caraway seeds, dill and leeks (Vegetarian Epicure) and one with cream and fresh herbs (Meals Without Meat: Vegetarian Recipes).
There's a fabulous book with extracts from children's books and related recipes, Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer A Golden Treasury of Classic Treats by Jane Brocket.Last month, a group I'm involved with, celebrated 40 years since the Children's Literature Association of NZ was formed, and we had food inspired by children's books, with a relevant quote. I made parkin and saffron cake, from my favourite book, The Little White Horse.
I'm such a children's & young adult librarian...
In kids' books, you could also try Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath, recipes included.
I have to mention this book in this thread.The Book Lover's Cookbook - Recipes Inspired by Celebrated Works of Literature, and the Passages That Feature Them
I found this at my local library. I found it very interesting. The recipes were inspired by books that featured meals in them but not books that included recipes. The recipes were then found that approximated what was in the book, along with the passages reprinted that inspired them. Although I found the book interesting, most of the recipes in the book were not something my family would eat.
Hymmm.... I mostly read fiction and there's usually little food and it's rarely explicit. And I'm staying away from cookbooks. But I could post from time to time when I stumble upon a book that raves about food, or had me salivating about something...
I mostly read fiction too but for some reason any scene where people have something nice-sounding to eat tends to stick in my mind. My first dish will be from a mystery novel where the soup got a one-line mention but I've never tried to make it before, and it's so cold here at the moment, that it appealed. When I thought of the challenge I hadn't realised that there were actually a lot of novels out there with recipes in them.Cheers for everybody's links, they looks great! I wouldn't mind trying some historical recipes sometime, too.
I remember Sunshine made me crave pastry, and Anita Blake books: coffee. Knowing that I'm kinda afraid to read Chocolat - I'd probably end up stuffing my face with chocolate every time I reach for that book.
Your note Kasia reminded me of my used copy of Like Water for Chocolate A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies by Laura Esquivel. Each chapter starts with a recipe.
Like Water for Chocolate - I have plans to read that too....
Speaking of craving coffee, I've been reading a lot of books with tea in them and especially when I listened to I Am the Messenger, I found myself craving tea with milk and sugar every time they talked about it. Yum. I don't read a lot of books that inspire regular recipes though.. so I'm not sure what I'd come up with for this challenge.
Kristen wrote: "Speaking of craving coffee, I've been reading a lot of books with tea in them and especially when I listened to I Am the Messenger, I found myself craving tea with milk and sugar every..."oooh.... tea. lol
I've done the same thing. My fiance is british and I've watched alot of british comedy on tv, and read many books lately with tea in them. I actually bought a teapot, a teacup and saucer, and set about learning how to make a good cup of tea. I think america's biggest problem is not having decent tea to start with. I've got loose tea to try but started with tea bags. But our tea just isn't as good of quality as that found in big tea drinking nations like England. I did learn though how to make it. In short... boil water. While that's being done, heat up the teapot with hot tap water (or the cold teapot will absorb the heat from the boiling water making lukewarm tea). Empty pot. Dry off. Put boiling water in teapot (1 cup per person) and add 1 teabag per person plus one for the pot. How long to steep the tea is kinda personal preference. I havn't noticed alot of difference to the taste of the tea but adding a cube of sugar, but milk definetly makes it better. I havn't managed to make tea I can take more than a few sips of though. lol Just not used to it. My fiance said next time he flies over he'll bring some real english tea and make it for me so I can see what it's suppose to taste like and why they drink so much of it. Can't wait.
Mmm real english tea. The best we have right now is imported japanese tea. Not the best to use with milk though, I've found. I've been stuck using regular lipton bags for my milk and sugar kind of tea. It's not great, but it's what I grew up on when I was sick.
See -errr- now I crave tea! Bad Kristen, bad Kate.**stumbles off to the kitchen to brew a new cuppa**
Now that's better.
I tried P.G. Tips. Box says it's England's No. 1 tea and a british friend in France said that's probably as close to english tea as I'm gonna find here.
I read a series by Joanne Fluke they are about a character named Hannah Swensen who owns a Cookie shop and solves murders in her spare time. Every book contains the recipes for what she made in the book. there is also a website:-www.murdershebaked.com
Everytime I emerse myself in Stephanie Plum books I find myself baking Pineapple Upside Down Cake...
It's my favourite anyway!
Looks like I could start a tea selling business, although i'm in Scotland, not England... We're Tetley drinkers, not a huge fan of PG Tips!
Briansgirl wrote: "Kristen wrote: "Speaking of craving coffee, I've been reading a lot of books with tea in them and especially when I listened to I Am the Messenger, I found myself craving tea with milk..."Very precise instructions! Unfortunately most of us skip the teapot bit and make it in a mug!
Do you have a Teacosy?
If we're talking tea, I drink nothing but Dilmah if I can help it, I love their English Breakfast tea. Perfection in a cup.Kasia, I too remember the pastries in Sunshine and know what you mean about Anita Blake and coffee - though it's confusing for me, as I hate coffee. Love the smell, hate the taste. I'm a tea-drinker all the way, but it's easy to come by good tea in NZ.
Briansgirl wrote: "Your note Kasia reminded me of my used copy of Like Water for Chocolate A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies by Laura Esquivel. Each chapter starts..."I adored that story! I bawled my eyes out all the way through it. Such an exquisite story. Whenever I used to shelve near it I'd always pull it off the shelf and rub the cover and smile and then pop it back. Yeah, we library ppl are an odd bunch. Danielle/Annie can confirm we're quirky. When the movie came out I made sure to watch it and then howled all the way through that, too. Aww good times LOL
Ok, I'm not a cook - but I'm going to follow the discussion. And then prob get hungry as a result sheesh
Michelle wrote: "Looks like I could start a tea selling business, although i'm in Scotland, not England... We're Tetley drinkers, not a huge fan of PG Tips! "I'm not a huge fan of it so far either. lol But I was trying to find something that resembles authentic english tea instead of all the odd flavored stuff we got here.
Michelle wrote: "Briansgirl wrote: "Very precise instructions! Unfortunately most of us skip the teapot bit and make it in a mug! Do you have a Teacosy?
I don't have a teascosy. I'd have to make one. I know I could skip the teapot and use a mug but I wanted to pour tea and drink from a china cup. I don't use them for anything else! lol The experience is part of the fun. And I love scones! Cinnamon scones are my favorite.
Michelle wrote: "I read a series by Joanne Fluke they are about a character named Hannah Swensen who owns a Cookie shop and solves murders in her spare time. Every book contains the recipes for what ..."Always looking for new cozy mysteries. Thank you! I checked and between regular, large print and audiobooks my library has 20 of her books. (If I check out the audiobook will also have to check out a paper version as well so as to copy the recipes!) I checked out the authors website and discovered the photos of mini cheeseburger cookies. My 3 sons saw the photo and all want me to make them!!! So I'll have to check out some of these books.
From her website (on the recipe index page):
Breaking news -- Jo will be writing a cookbook with ALL of Hannah's published recipes, the ones on this list, plus a generous sprinkling of new never-before-published recipes. Kensington plans to release it in October of 2011, just in time for holiday baking and gift-giving. Now all Jo has to do is test every one of the recipes all over again -- let's hear a big "Awwwww! Poor Ruel!" for her chief taste-tester.
Did discover I have an anthology she has one book in called Sugar and Spice.
I love to cook so this is definetly the thread for me. My fiance has suggested I write a cookbook and a friend has suggested a few times I should open a restaurant. While that's too much work, I am seriously considering the cookbook idea. I found several used books from amazon online on how to write a cookbook. (I listed them all as one of the make your own boxed sets.)
Briansgirl wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I read a series by Joanne Fluke they are about a character named Hannah Swensen who owns a Cookie shop and solves murders in her spare time. Every book contains the ..."I hope you enjoy them! The first one isn't great but they get better (that seems to be normal for a series right enough). After the first few she included a conversion chart for the UK, much better for me than a cup of... Just need to buy some cookie rack's and i'm all set. Some of the recipes sound amazing!
When you write a cookbook I'll buy a copy :)
Get your Fiance to bring you a selection next time, my Mum loves Twining's English Breakfast tea. I don't like Coffee at all, my Gran still gives me tea in a china cup! It does taste different. Do you dunk your biscuits in?
Michelle wrote: "When you write a cookbook I'll buy a copy :) Get your Fiance to bring you a selection next time, my Mum loves Twining's English Breakfast tea. I don't like Coffee at all, my Gran still gives me tea in a china cup! It does taste different. Do you dunk your biscuits in? "
Thanks Michelle! I have Twining's English Breakfast Tea but havn't tried it yet. I don't drink coffee either. I havn't dunked yet. I'm still not used to tea at all so just taking a few sips figuring I'd get used to it. Adding milk made a huge difference but I honestly couldn't taste any difference adding a cube of sugar. I figure part of the reason we americans don't like traditional tea is that either we don't make it right or don't have good tea to start with (or both). And don't mention Iced Tea or sun tea to a british tea drinker! lol My fiance said he'd bring me some tea and make it for me (to show me how) and after I've had a good cuppa he said I'd understand why the english drink so much of it.
As for my cookbook... it's a long process. I read just enough to know about recipe copyrights. You can't copyright ingredients but you can the written directions. To make it your own, you need to rewrite the directions and change at least 2 (or 3?) of the ingredients or quantities slightly. I've come up with the theme of my cookbook (Good ol' fashioned country cooking on a budget) and now just collecting and testing recipes. My fiance didn't understand why I wanted to test each recipe. But if my name is gonna be on it, I want to know that every recipe in the cookbook is something either I or my family will eat and likes. Lots of testing... lol Right now it's kinda a hobby with a direction. Not close enough yet to do anything with it. Research and testing is a big time consumer.
Briansgirl wrote: "Michelle wrote: "When you write a cookbook I'll buy a copy :) Get your Fiance to bring you a selection next time, my Mum loves Twining's English Breakfast tea. I don't like Coffee at all, my Gr..."
You need two sugars for it to taste any different. I'm just milk but my Hubby takes milk and two sugars. It can also depend on whether you like it hot or cooling down! It can take a lot of time and patience to discover your favourite way to drink tea, it's a bit like your Recipe hunt. I understand why you want to try everything first, I would be the same to be honest!
And quite frankly, not all recipes are for all people. And not everyone who writes a recipe is a good cook. lol Then again, some good cooks can't write down exactly how they make something either. Older recipes need conversions to be made with newer ingredients, measurements, etc. Our local newspaper has a recipe contest every fall with winners in each category. I've won 3 times now (every 2 years). Some of the recipes entered.... lets just say I'm never gonna try sauerkraut cookies!! lol
I'm reading Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes and she discusses food and fruit throughout the book. What I'm pleasantly surprised to find are some recipes in the book. I just ran across two and I see flipping ahead more in the back of the book. I'll let ya know if I decide to attempt any of them.
I made the Aunt Dimity Calico Cookies! I'm still not sure I used the right kind of oatmeal - I tried a type of oats found in the porridge aisle of the supermarket - and I used dried cranberries, slivered almonds and mini M'n'Ms. They were great but maybe might be better with finer oatmeal?
There are two types of oatmeal - old fashioned oats and quick oats. Many recipes call for the quick/instant oats, which are rolled thinner to cook quicker. I don't remember that particular recipe to know which one it calls for. If you used one and weren't happy, try the other.
Sort of related to this... while reading about all the food and wine in Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes, I'm opening some wine this evening (I'm basically a non-drinker so it's a big deal for me to have a glass of wine) while lighting Tuscan Herb inscense I found today. She mentions tons of food and has a handful of recipes in the book. Although they all sound delicious, I havn't tried making anything. Many recipes have boar, rabbit, or kid (lamb) in them, so it just isn't possible.
I won!!I like to check out cookbooks from the library (saves me buying all of em) and search for new recipes. Earlier this year I checked out Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich. My local newspaper has an annual recipe contest each fall. I won in the main dish category with a recipe from the above cookbook: Breast of Chicken in a Light Lemon-Herb Sauce.
Lidia's official website is http://www.lidiasitaly.com/welcome . This particular recipe isn't on the website but she does have quite a few recipes available online.
Congrats!!! I love borrowing cookbooks too - just reserved Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey after drooling over it (well not literally) at Borders! Looks really interesting. I've just been reading Firethorn, a fantasy novel set in a medieval-type society, with some interesting food. The main character has spent some time living rough in the woods and supplements her pretty awful peasant diet with plants and roots she finds in the wild.
Thanks Danielle. The cookbook I checked out right now that I havn't had a chance to look at yet is Debbie Macomber's Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Cookbook, a companion cookbook to her Cedar Cove series.
I scanned down through the posts...and wanted to post that there were several pastry recipes in the book Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult.
i finished reading it a little while ago, but A Redbird Christmas (Fannie Flagg) had several recipes in the back
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
A Redbird Christmas (other topics)Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Cookbook (other topics)
Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey: 150 New Recipes Evoking the Flavours of the Far East (other topics)
Firethorn (other topics)
Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen: A Cookbook (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Joanne Fluke (other topics)Joanne Fluke (other topics)
Joanne Fluke (other topics)
I was wondering if anyone else would like to join me in creating some sort of challenge based on cooking something new each month, inspired by a dish or a meal found in a book you're reading? This could be anything from trying out a new soup recipe to trying to concoct something fantastical only previously found in the pages of a paranormal romance!
I don't have a lot of spare time and energy to cook, but I reckon I could easily tackle one or maybe two new things a month? It would be fun to share good recipes along the way, too.
Would anyone else be interested in that type of challenge, and could help me come up with some guidelines? I wouldn't want to make it too restrictive as you never know what kind of food is going to come up in your current TBR, so it's kind of a potluck meal :)