A Well-Read Tart

A Food and Book Lover’s Blog

Potato and Onion Knish (Recipe Inspired by THE MATCHMAKER’S GIFT)

Today’s post is for all my fellow carb lovers out there. What do you get when you wrap mashed potato and caramelized onions inside a pastry dough crust? HEAVEN. Also known as the Potato and Onion Knish.   Why are Potato and Onion Knish the book-inspired recipe for The Matchmaker’s Gift? Main character Sara in The Matchmaker’s Gift makes a match between two rival NYC knish delis. I loved this detail in the novel, and given my love for a...

Lobster Tortellini Salad (Recipe Inspired by THE SUMMER CLUB)

Indulge in your Decadence Era this summer with Lobster Tortellini Salad.   Why is Lobster Tortellini Salad the book-inspired recipe for The Summer Club? Since The Summer Club takes place at a swanky New England country club, there’s a lot of high-end meals going through main character Flick’s kitchen. I was delighted to see lobster and steak appear numerous times on the dinner menu, along with various salads and sandwiches for lunch that...

Simple Shepherd’s Salad (Recipe Inspired by THE JINN DAUGHTER)

Simple Shepherd's Salad is another book-inspired recipe for The Jinn Daughter. This classic Mediterranean/Middle Eastern side dish pairs super well with my Mushroom Shawarma Grain Bowls, and is a more traditional version of my Chickpea Shepherd's Salad.     Why I love Shepherd's Salad The reason I love Simple Shepherd's Salad is right in the name: it's simple.  This crisp, refreshing dish involves just a few ingredients: tomatoes,...

Mixed Berry Spinach Salad with Blackberry Vinaigrette (Recipe Inspired by THE VASTER WILDS)

Hello, my name is CJ, and I’m addicted to this Mixed Berry Spinach Salad with Blackberry Vinaigrette. How addicted am I? I had leftover noodle soup in the fridge I could have eaten for lunch. Instead, I went out to buy more spinach. So I could eat this salad again for lunch. I IGNORED CARBS IN FAVOR OF SALAD. Who even am I? Why is Mixed Berry Spinach Salad with Blackberry Vinaigrette the book-inspired recipe for The Vaster Wilds? The girl in...

Lemon Spinach Basmati Rice (Recipe Inspired by FORGOTTEN SISTERS)

As you read earlier this week, Tartlets, Lemon Spinach Basmati Rice is another book-inspired recipe for Forgotten Sisters. While this side dish would work great with a bunch of different main courses (see below), I absolutely love it served with Baked Sea Scallops.   Why do I love Lemon Spinach Basmati Rice? If you’ve made my Halal-Inspired Chicken and Rice, you know how delicious basmati rice can be. The grains fluff up individually and...

Baked Sea Scallops (Recipe Inspired by FORGOTTEN SISTERS)

Tartlets, I’m bringing you recipe 1 of 2 today for Forgotten Sisters: Baked Sea Scallops. You’ll see in the photos below that they’re served with Lemon Spinach Basmati Rice, and the recipe for that dish will post later this week.   Why are Baked Sea Scallops the book-inspired recipe for Forgotten Sisters? So much in Forgotten Sisters revolves around water and the sea. The sisters in the book are obsessed with The Little Mermaid, which...

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad (Recipe Inspired by THE CLOISTERS)

This book-inspired recipe for The Cloisters is an amalgamation of all my lunchtime favorites. We're talking Chicken Caesar Wraps with hearty pieces of white meat chicken. We're talking Caesar Salads with creamy, dreamy dressing. And, we're talking cool and refreshing pasta salads.  What's a girl to do when she can't decide what to have for lunch? You have it all with Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad.    Why is Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad the...

Savory Thyme and Caraway Biscuits (Recipe Inspired by HAMNET)

I’m gonna be honest with you, Tartlets. I’m not sure that these Savory Thyme and Caraway Biscuits turned out exactly like they’re supposed to. But, I thought they were really tasty. And Mr Tart thought they were really tasty. So, I decided to bite the bullet (or biscuit) and give you these savory bundles as the book-inspired recipe for Hamnet.   Why are Thyme and Caraway Biscuits the book-inspired recipe for Hamnet? I decided to make...

Simple Tomato, Corn, and Torn Basil Salad (Recipe Inspired by OLD COUNTRY)

We're keeping it short n' sweet with this Simple Tomato, Corn, and Torn Basil Salad, Tartlets.  As you saw earlier this week, this salad was served up with my Grilled Rosemary Balsamic Steaks. This side dish is another Old Country book-inspired recipe that pays homage to cooking with fresh, homegrown ingredients.   A Simple Salad... Just like with the grilled steaks, rustic is the name of the game when it comes to making Tomato, Corn, and...

Chilled Seafood Salad (Recipe Inspired by WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING)

My herby, tangy, and refreshing Chilled Seafood Salad is the perfect dish for a light summer meal. I don't know about you, but once June rolls around, all I can think about is having an icy glass of lemonade, reading lots of books instead of working, and wishing I lived by the beach instead of in the mountains. And this year, after my adventures in Charleston where I ate ALL THE SEAFOOD, I just wasn't ready to let go of that shellfish...