A Well-Read Tart

A Food and Book Lover’s Blog

Zucchini Bread (Recipe Inspired by MIDNIGHT AT THE BLACKBIRD CAFE)

It's the height of summer, which can only mean one thing: your garden's overflowing with zucchini, so it's time to make zucchini bread.  I mean, that's what summer means to me.    Why is Zucchini Bread the book-inspired recipe for Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe? I bet you thought I'd make a “Blackbird” (a.k.a., Blackberry) Pie as my book-inspired recipe for Midnight at the Blackbird Café. Blackbird Pie is the...

Strawberry Pie (Recipe Inspired by THE COOKBOOK CLUB)

Who’s obsessed with Strawberry Pie? THIS GIRL. Who didn’t even know it existed until a few months ago? ALSO THIS GIRL. I mean, sure, I’d maybe seen it in a grocery store or at a farm stand sometimes, but it never really caught my attention. That luscious strawberry filling was always hidden by a flaky, golden top crust. Which is not a bad thing, mind you. I love crust. It’s my main reason for eating pie. I’ve never really preferred pie...

Orange Rosemary Shortbread Cookies (Recipe Inspired by THE LOST APOTHECARY)

Tartlets, you have no idea what I went through to bring you today’s Orange Rosemary Shortbread Cookies. For reals. If you only knew how many trial batches of cookies were tossed in the bin…. *sigh* As soon as I finished reading The Lost Apothecary, I knew what my book-inspired recipe would be. Author Sarah Penner included a recipe for Rosemary Butter Biscuit Cookies at the end of the book, and since apothecary Nella knows everything about...

Caprese Farro Salad (Recipe Inspired by MUSICAL CHAIRS)

The Summer of Salads continues with make-ahead marvel Caprese Farro Salad. While my Arugula Salad with Watermelon and Feta is a perfect appetizer for your fancy dinner party, you’ll want to haul along a container of Caprese Farro Salad to your next BBQ or neighborhood potluck.   Why is Caprese Farro Salad the book-inspired recipe for Musical Chairs? One of the things I loved about Musical Chairs was the mood that it sets. Think hot,...

Italian Sprinkle Cookies (Recipe Inspired by THE SUPREME MACARONI COMPANY)

Before I do anything else, I have to thank my blogger buddy Jill at NJFoodventure for letting me use her family recipe for this Italian Sprinkle Cookies post.   Why are Italian Sprinkle Cookies the book-inspired recipe for The Supreme Macaroni Company? Like any respectable book centered around an Italian-American family, The Supreme Macaroni Company abounds with food porn. We’re talking seafood, pastries, cookies, pasta…you name it,...

Peach Ice Cream (Recipe Inspired by THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES)

Peach Ice Cream is one of my favorite ice cream flavors, so I was super-excited to make it as the book-inspired recipe for The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. Until I remembered I had to photograph it. *facepalm* If you're a food blogger, you feel my pain. If you're not, you can go here and read about why photographing ice cream is my least favorite thing to do. But here's the good news, Tartlets: you don't have...

Arugula Salad with Watermelon and Feta (Recipe Inspired by THE MAIDENS)

Freshen up your summer with Arugula Salad with Watermelon and Feta! Honestly, summers are made for salads. Mr Tart and I practically live on them during the hot, humid months. Mainly because we live in New Jersey, where summertime = tons of local, fresh produce. But, it’s also because we want to spend as little time cooking over a hot stove as possible.   Why is Arugula Salad with Watermelon and Feta the book-inspired recipe for The...

Creamy Pesto Pasta (Recipe Inspired by IN FIVE YEARS)

Creamy Pesto Pasta is another book-inspired recipe that was in the works long before I had a book to pair with it. Creamy pesto sauce, IMHO, is so much better than regular ol' pesto sauce. My favorite local Italian restuarant makes a version that's literally had me licking the bowl after I'd wolfed down all the pasta. ' Why is Creamy Pesto Pasta the book-inspired recipe for In Five Years? I've been angling to make my own version of Creamy...

Red Velvet Brownies (Recipe Inspired by THE DEAD GIRLS CLUB)

I’m kinda in love with these Red Velvet Brownies. That deep crimson color? That cream cheese frosting swirl? Hand over a plate of these tasty treats, and I guarantee you no one will be disappointed.     Why are Red Velvet Brownies the book-inspired recipe for The Dead Girls Club? Let’s talk a little bit about how I arrived at this book-inspired recipe for The Dead Girls Club. To me, brownies are reminiscent of pre-teen slumber parties,...

Smothered Chicken and Broiled Broccolini (Recipe Inspired by MEG & JO)

Say hello to your new comfort food dish: Smothered Chicken and Broiled Broccolini.     Why is Smothered Chicken and Broiled Broccolini the book-inspired recipe for Meg and Jo? This book-inspired recipe for Meg and Jo was an easy pick. One of the things I loved about this novel is that it contains no shortage of delicious food. At one point, Jo March is asked to make “family dinner” for the restaurant crew where she works. Jo whips up a...