A Well-Read Tart

A Food and Book Lover’s Blog

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...

Super Easy Ground Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry (Recipe Inspired by THE HOLLOW PLACES)

Ground Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry is your go-to recipe for a quick weeknight dinner.   Why is Ground Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry the book-inspired recipe for The Hollow Places? There’s a lot of Chinese take-out happening in The Hollow Places, which made my horror-loving heart very happy. One of my favorite things to do is order Chinese take-out for dinner and settle down with a good movie or TV show. Sadly, I don't live in an area where I...

One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta (Recipe Inspired by WOW, NO THANK YOU)

Ooey, gooey, cheesy goodness is coming your way in the form of One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta. I know we’re nearing the end of comfort food season, but after an especially trying 13 months, I think we’re allowed a little over-indulgence, don’t you? One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta is the exact warm, comforting, culinary hug you need in your life.     Why is One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta the book-inspired recipe for Wow, No Thank You? Imagine my...

Pantry Staples Recipes: A Coronavirus Meal Planning Survival Guide

Hello, Tartlets! We interrupt our regularly scheduled book review and book-inspired recipe posts to bring you this specially curated list of Pantry Staples Recipes, designed to help you figure out what the heck to cook each day while you're spending 24/7 with those you love...with, um, rather limited resources. My grandmother always kept a well-stocked pantry and freezer in her basement. Whenever I would visit her, we would go downstairs and...

Steak Tacos (Recipe Inspired by DEATH IN THE COVENANT)

Steak Tacos are easy to marinade, easy to cook, and so delicious to eat!     Why are Steak Tacos the book-inspired recipe for Death in the Covenant? I know what you're thinking: Steak Tacos don't sound like quintessential Mormon food. You would be right. Clearly, I've taken some liberties with my book-inspired recipe for Death in the Covenant. Trust me when I say you're gonna thank me for it. Food plays a large part in Death in the Covenant...

Smoked Gouda Burgers with Onion Jam (Recipe Inspired by DESPERATE GIRLS)

Anybody in need of a good cry? Because these Smoked Gouda Burgers with Onion Jam will do the trick. No, not because you’ll cry at how good burgers with this jam taste. I mean, you might. I almost did. It's just that the amount of raw onion slicing required will certainly bring a few tears to your eyes – and to anyone within a 10-foot radius of your kitchen.     Why are Smoked Gouda Burgers with Onion Jam the book-inspired recipe for...

Cottage Pie (Recipe Inspired by AN IRISH COUNTRY COTTAGE

Choosing Cottage Pie as my book-inspired recipe for An Irish Country Cottage was practically a no-brainer. For years, I've called this dish "Shepherd's Pie," which I think is the name that most of us know it by. At some point, though, I learned that Shepherd's Pie is traditionally made with lamb – hence, the “shepherd” part. This is all fine and good, but I’m not a huge fan of lamb. I prefer the beef version of this dish, which is called...

One-Pot Swedish Meatball Pasta (Recipe Inspired by HORRORSTOR)

Everyone knows that the best part about Ikea -- apart from it not being a haunted Orsk store -- is the in-store restaurant. There's just something exciting about grabbing that tray, standing on the line cafeteria-style, and being ladled up a giant spoonful of steaming Swedish meatballs smothered in gravy. That's what makes an Ikea trip so great -- you can spend the entire day there, wandering around and being fed a hot meal without ever...

Lazy Man’s Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce

Gyro. Jy-roh? Guy-ro? Year-roh? I’ve been to Greece, and I still don’t know how to pronounce this word correctly. (To be fair, I didn't see gyros on any menus there, so I didn't have the opportunity to inquire about its pronunciation). I think it’s the last one (year-roh), but please do NOT quote me on that. I have not a drop of Greek blood in me. But, you know who does? Calliope Stephanides, from Middlesex. This title ended up in my last...

Cincinnati Chili (Inspired by FOOTBALL!)

It's Cincinnati Chili Season, everyone. My favorite time of year. We're well into September now, and that means it's time for crunchy falling leaves, taking cozy sweaters out of storage, all things pumpkin spice and apple related, and...the return of FOOTBALL! And the return of Cincinnati Chili, the unofficial football of Tartlet Cottage.    A love story about food and football I can't even believe I'm writing this post. If you knew...