A Well-Read Tart

A Food and Book Lover’s Blog

Apple Crumble Galette (Recipe Inspired by THE CITY BAKER’S GUIDE TO COUNTRY LIVING)

This Apple Crumble Galette is about as close as to making a pie as I’m ever going to come. And, I’m TOTALLY okay with that. My husband asks me to make apple crumble every autumn. We love to go apple picking, and we usually end up with more apples than we know what to do with. But, I always know to set aside some apples to make my All Day Apple Butter and an apple crumble. This year, I think a new fall tradition has been born with this Apple...

Lemon Herb Chicken (Reciped Inspired by THE SILENT COMPANIONS)

Get ready, Tartlets. I’m serving up the perfect fall meal with my Lemon Herb Chicken. It feels like it’s been awhile since I’ve gone into the kitchen to make a proper meal. It's been a low-key summer, living on lots of quick and delicious salads, grilled burgers, and refreshingly cool drinks. Now that it’s October, I’m craving all things cozy. This Lemon Herb Chicken is the ideal transition meal from summer food over to comfort food,...

Chickpea Shepherd’s Salad (Recipe Inspired by BEAUTIFUL BAD)

We only have a few more days until it's officially fall, so I'm squeezing in one last summery recipe with this Chickpea Shepherd's Salad.     Why is Chickpea Shepherd's Salad the book-inspired recipe for Beautiful Bad? Although Beautiful Bad  was a DNF for me, it definitely delivered in one aspect: FOOD. Main characters Maddie and Joanna often met up to share a meal, even though they lived in different countries. Each time, they made sure...

Coconut Iced Caramel Macchiato (Recipe Inspired by I OWE YOU ONE)

It may be September, but I’m hanging on to summer like whoa with this creamy, dreamy Coconut Iced Caramel Macchiato. About a year ago I found myself with some time to kill before an appointment, so I ducked into a nearby Starbucks. I spied a gorgeous photo for a Coconut Iced Caramel Macchiato, and my tongue practically unfurled onto the floor. I looooove all things coconut. Plus, a quick look at the calorie count display (which I love and hate...

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...

Greek Chicken Orzo Salad (Recipe Inspired by CIRCE)

As I was making this Greek Chicken Orzo Salad, I realized something: for someone who doesn't really like mint, I sure am making a lot of recipes with mint these days. Mint is just so fresh tasting. It brightens up any savory dish with an unexpected zip, and it imparts a refreshing coolness to sweet desserts. Can you really blame me for over-using it this summer? Nope. I didn't think so. Spoiler alert: this Greek Chicken Orzo Salad contains...

Mint Chocolate Cake (Reciped Inspired by THE MOTHER-IN-LAW)

I really should call this Mint Chocolate Cake the “Hot Mess Cake.” Because that's totally what it looks like until the cake comes out of the oven. It’s just a whole bunch o’ ingredients dumped unceremoniously into a food processor that magically becomes one of the most delicious, moist, and mouth-watering cakes you’ll ever taste. Even though The Mother-in-Law wasn't inspired by author Sally Hepworth's mother-in-law, my book-inspired...

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...

Veggie Pizza (Recipe Inspired by SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES)

What recipe does one pair with a book set in a crematory? I admit, this book-inspired recipe was a real stumper. I wanted something that relates to Smoke Gets In Your Eyes as closely as possible. And, yes, some recipes did come immediately to mind. However, I had to nix them pretty early on because, silly me, I also wanted something that wouldn’t completely gross out my readers when they finally realized the inspiration for the recipe. I'm all...

Pineapple Mint Agua Fresca (Recipe Inspired by THE UNHONEYMOONERS)

Fair warning, Tartlets: once you taste a Pineapple Mint Agua Fresca, it will be your new summer drink obsession. #SorryNotSorry I know a lot of people prefer alcoholic summery drinks (Rosé all day, and all that), but we at the Cottage aren't really a booze-lovin’ bunch. That said, I still enjoy a good refreshing drink, especially when I’m reading under my pergola during the sweltering New Jersey summers.     What is the book-inspired...