food + fiction

When we travel, we always pack a great book and emergency chocolate.

Hollywood Classic Cobb Salad Inspired by the Glamorous Mystery 'Valentino Will Die'
Hollywood Classic Cobb Salad Inspired by the Glamorous Mystery 'Valentino Will Die'
The smell of power and starlets' perfume wafted through the dining of The Brown Derby during the '30s and '40s. Everyone who was anyone ate there and brokered deals. And one night, they invented a timeless recipe.
Irish Boxty (Potato Pancakes) Inspired by Timothy Egan's 'The Immortal Irishman'
Irish Boxty (Potato Pancakes) Inspired by Timothy Egan's 'The Immortal Irishman'
It's a well-known fact around the world that you can't really go wrong with potatoes and butter. These Irish boxties are a simple, hearty riff on that adage: tender-crisp pancakes that taste of rebellion and love.
Traditional Irish Stew and Irish Soda Bread Inspired by 'That Old Country Music'
Traditional Irish Stew and Irish Soda Bread Inspired by 'That Old Country Music'
We've got the makings of a cozy evening for you: a collection of atmospheric stories to transport you to western Ireland, a comforting bowl of Irish Stew, and a hot-from-the-oven slab of Irish Soda Bread with butter.
Pennsylvania Dutch Whoopie Pies Inspired by the memoir 'An American Childhood'
Pennsylvania Dutch Whoopie Pies Inspired by the memoir 'An American Childhood'
Is it a cookie? Is it a cake? A whoopie pie is two large, soft chocolate cookies held together with a luscious buttercream filling. Its origin may be in dispute, but we can all agree that it's a truly American treat.
Vietnamese Pho Bo Inspired by the Novel 'The Beauty of Humanity Movement'
Vietnamese Pho Bo Inspired by the Novel 'The Beauty of Humanity Movement'
Pho is Vietnam's national dish, a comforting bowl of spice-infused broth, rice noodles, beef, and fresh herbs that tastes like love. We recommend you simmer a pot of broth and take a virtual trip to Hanoi, Vietnam.
Homemade English Muffins Inspired by the Novel 'The Dining Car'
Homemade English Muffins Inspired by the Novel 'The Dining Car'
Forget everything you know about English muffins. These homemade muffins are yeasty, light, and riddled with oh-so-irresistible nooks and crannies. And bonus: They're super-easy to make. Break out the butter and jam!
Peruvian Lomo Saltado Inspired by the Memoir 'Turn Right at Machu Picchu'
Peruvian Lomo Saltado Inspired by the Memoir 'Turn Right at Machu Picchu'
The stir-fry dish known as Lomo Saltado is the perfect representation of Peru's fusion cuisine where East meets West, a flavorful, savory recipe that combines Peruvian chile peppers and pisco with Chinese soy sauce.
Snack Like a Peruvian with Crispy Andean Popcorn and a Smooth Pisco Sour
Snack Like a Peruvian with Crispy Andean Popcorn and a Smooth Pisco Sour
Forget corn chips and margaritas! We're about to upgrade your snack time with irresistibly crunchy-salty corn from Peru, washed down with a tangy, zingy pisco sour. This is snacking, Peruvian-style. Cheers to you!
Nigerian Jollof Rice and Fried Plantains Inspired by the Novel 'Butter Honey Pig Bread'
Nigerian Jollof Rice and Fried Plantains Inspired by the Novel 'Butter Honey Pig Bread'
Jollof rice is a delicious staple of Nigerian cuisine. Seasoned with tomatoes, red pepper, and chiles, it's simultaneously spicy, sweet, complex, and comforting — much like the heroines of 'Butter Honey Pig Bread.'
Nigerian Suya Inspired by the Memoir 'Looking for Transwonderland'
Nigerian Suya Inspired by the Memoir 'Looking for Transwonderland'
Fact: Meat-on-a-stick is always the best meat. In Nigeria, skewered meat is called suya. Seasoned with garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and peanuts, it's street food you can make at home.
Persian Jeweled Rice Inspired by the Memoir 'Searching for Hassan'
Persian Jeweled Rice Inspired by the Memoir 'Searching for Hassan'
This traditional rice dish is a feast for the eyes, glistening with spice-infused butter and gem-colored fruits. It's a celebration of hope and life and family, a delicious way to bring a taste of Persia to your table.
Persian Kabob Koobideh Inspired by the Novel 'Darius the Great is Not Okay'
Persian Kabob Koobideh Inspired by the Novel 'Darius the Great is Not Okay'
We can all agree that meat on a stick surpasses every other kind of meat. This recipe for Persian kabobs is easy to make and will transport you into the world of Darius, a teenager who's yet to recognize his greatness.
Pumpkin-Spiced Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Inspired by the Novel 'Small Spaces'
Pumpkin-Spiced Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Inspired by the Novel 'Small Spaces'
Roasted pumpkin seeds are a rite of passage at Halloween time, and this recipe elevates the seasonal standard to something truly spectacular. The perfect crunchy go-along to this delightfully creepy horror novel.
Pumpkin Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling Inspired by 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'
Pumpkin Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling Inspired by 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'
In addition to social-climbing tendencies, scarecrow-like appearance, and ability to annoy the dead and undead, Ichabod Crane is also known for gluttony. With a sweet-and-spicy cake like this, who can blame him?!
New Zealand Fairy Bread Inspired by 'The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep'
New Zealand Fairy Bread Inspired by 'The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep'
The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is a suspenseful fantasy novel set in Wellington. What better way to take a snack break than with the NZ treat called Fairy Bread?! Like the novel, it's sweet and a bit surprising.
Beef-and-Cheddar Pie Inspired by 'Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All'
Beef-and-Cheddar Pie Inspired by 'Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All'
What's not to love about a pie that fits in your hand, is golden and flaky, and is filled with a savory meat-and-cheese filling that will power you through your day and make you as happy as a Kiwi in New Zealand?!
Reading is Even Sweeter with Salted Caramels Inspired by 'The Giant's House'
Reading is Even Sweeter with Salted Caramels Inspired by 'The Giant's House'
We love a character that's got a salty side to balance the sweetness, and that's just what we get in Peggy, the librarian. These caramels are a tribute to her ability to give her whole heart when it matters the most.
Bake Like an Alaskan with a Rum Cake Recipe Inspired by 'The Whale and The Cupcake'
Bake Like an Alaskan with a Rum Cake Recipe Inspired by 'The Whale and The Cupcake'
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a person desiring to experience the food of Alaska, must be in want of cake. For your consideration, we submit this cake: buttery, sweet, gooey, and rich with tradition.
A Colorful Moroccan Salad Platter Inspired by the Crime Novel 'The Godmother'
A Colorful Moroccan Salad Platter Inspired by the Crime Novel 'The Godmother'
Look, if you're a strong woman ready to step into a man's world like our heroine Patience, you're gonna need to eat your veggies. These vibrant recipes from North Africa make getting vitamins and minerals a treat.
Eating Our Way Through Paris, Plus a Recipe for a French Potato Chip & Chive Omelet
Eating Our Way Through Paris, Plus a Recipe for a French Potato Chip & Chive Omelet
This is a love letter to the unforgettable meals we've eaten in Paris — and we share a recipe for a dish that perfectly captures the high-low spirit of French cuisine. Great ingredients + imagination = pure pleasure.
Turkish Chopped Salad and Best-Ever Hummus Inspired by the Novel 'Crescent'
Turkish Chopped Salad and Best-Ever Hummus Inspired by the Novel 'Crescent'
The fictional Nadia's Café is the heart of its Arab community, and our heroine Sirine, the Iraqi-American chef, is its soul. These recipes bring some of that kitchen magic to your table to share with your favorite people.
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