food + fiction

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

Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn Inspired by Erin Morgenstern's 'The Night Circus'
Easy Homemade Caramel Popcorn Inspired by Erin Morgenstern's 'The Night Circus'
The enticing aroma and salty-sweet crunch of caramel popcorn is literally the taste of the circus. You can easily make a batch in about half an hour — plenty of time to escape into the magic of 'The Night Circus.'
Cuban Picadillo with Plantains Inspired by Leonardo Padura's Novel 'Havana Fever'
Cuban Picadillo with Plantains Inspired by Leonardo Padura's Novel 'Havana Fever'
This picadillo recipe is homey, earthy, a little bit exotic, and tastes even better when it's shared with the people you love. Fire up the stove, crank the timba music, pour a cuba libre, and dance in your kitchen.
Swedish Meatballs Inspired by Mikael Niemi's Novel 'Popular Music from Vittula'
Swedish Meatballs Inspired by Mikael Niemi's Novel 'Popular Music from Vittula'
How about a delicious meal to go with your immersive reads?! This is just the recipe to give you a taste of Sweden. It's comforting with luscious contrasts between hot, cool, tart, sweet, and savory in every bite.
Chicago-Style Hot Dogs Inspired by Erik Larson's 'The Devil in the White City'
Chicago-Style Hot Dogs Inspired by Erik Larson's 'The Devil in the White City'
Treat yourself to a recipe for homemade Chicago-style hot dogs! It's an all-beef dog 'dragged through the garden' with colorful toppings for a taste explosion, inspired by Erik Larson's brilliant romp through history.
Russian Nibbles & Vodka Inspired by the Novel 'A Gentleman in Moscow'
Russian Nibbles & Vodka Inspired by the Novel 'A Gentleman in Moscow'
Zakuski, cold snacks enjoyed with vodka (or black tea), are a Slavic celebration of this life, this day, this moment with the people you hold dear. Grab your besties, this book, and raise a glass. Za vashe zrodovye!
Moroccan El Minzah Orange Salad Inspired by the Novel 'Tangerine'
Moroccan El Minzah Orange Salad Inspired by the Novel 'Tangerine'
This colorful salad combines sweet oranges, cool fennel and mint, and salty olives for a taste that's bold and a little exotic. It's a tribute to 'Tangerine,' a taut noir thriller set in 1950s Tangier, Morocco.
A Classic Tom Collins Cocktail Inspired by 'The Last Cruise'
A Classic Tom Collins Cocktail Inspired by 'The Last Cruise'
The Tom Collins is the ultimate highball, a combo of gin, simple syrup, lemon, and bubbly water. This classic is effervescent and refreshing — the ideal go-along for a literary thriller set on a retro luxury liner.
Scotch Eggs Inspired by Val McDermid's 'Broken Ground'
Scotch Eggs Inspired by Val McDermid's 'Broken Ground'
Bake a batch of Scotch eggs and get caught up in a police procedural that travels from a peat bog in the Scottish Highlands to beautiful Edinburgh. Sure, there's murder afoot, but that's no excuse to go hungry.
Mexican Hot Chocolate Inspired by 'The True History of Chocolate'
Mexican Hot Chocolate Inspired by 'The True History of Chocolate'
Forget everything you know about hot chocolate! This luscious recipe is rich, creamy, and not too sweet — the perfect thing to sip while you snuggle up with a book. Ready in minutes, no paper packet of brown powder in sight.
Zucchini Noodles Aglio et Olio Inspired by 'The Gifts of Imperfection'
Zucchini Noodles Aglio et Olio Inspired by 'The Gifts of Imperfection'
This recipe for slinky, garlicky noodles is about as laidback and easy as it gets, the kind of food you make while wearing pajamas and losing yourself in an excellent book. They're basically a hug in a bowl.
Mole Meatballs Inspired by 'Like Water for Chocolate'
Mole Meatballs Inspired by 'Like Water for Chocolate'
The pages of 'Like Water for Chocolate' burn with the various ways humans can love each other: passionately, platonically, painfully — and food is a full-fledged character in this lush, satisfying family saga.
Gyoza Meatballs Inspired by 'The Great Passage'
Gyoza Meatballs Inspired by 'The Great Passage'
These tender pork meatballs are packed with umami — like gyoza without the noodle-wrapper. Dig into them while you read this lovely, poignant novel of love, friendship, and the power of words in Japan.
Russian Teacakes from 'Betty Crocker's Cooky Book'
Russian Teacakes from 'Betty Crocker's Cooky Book'
Russian Teacakes are like butter bombs of happiness. The original recipe in this classic cookbook is the hands-down, best-ever holiday cookie. If you've never tried these fluffy white puffs of joy, now is the time.
Roasted Carrot-Caraway Soup Inspired by 'Where the Wild Things Are'
Roasted Carrot-Caraway Soup Inspired by 'Where the Wild Things Are'
Being crowned king of the wild things and dancing at the wild rumpus can be exhausting. This comforting soup will fill your kitchen with a delicious aroma to restore your spirits and make you happy to be at home.
Sweet & Briny Shrimp Salad Inspired by the Novel 'Death By Water'
Sweet & Briny Shrimp Salad Inspired by the Novel 'Death By Water'
It's never smooth sailing when the Honorable Phyrne Fisher is involved — but it is always a lot of dangerous and delicious fun. Dine on this delightful shrimp salad while catching up on Phryne's high seas adventures.
Vanilla-Maple Shortbread Inspired by 'The House Between Tides'
Vanilla-Maple Shortbread Inspired by 'The House Between Tides'
Every character in this vividly rendered historical novel needs a restorative cup of tea and homemade shortbread to help them chill out. Here's a killer recipe for shortbread, in case you need a sweet treat, too.
Cranberry Waldorf Salad Inspired by Sam Sifton's 'Thanksgiving'
Cranberry Waldorf Salad Inspired by Sam Sifton's 'Thanksgiving'
This slender, charming books lays out all you need to know for your perfect Thanksgiving with maxiumum joy and minimum stress — and this non-traditional recipe is just the thing to liven up your table on turkey day.
Moroccan Meatballs Inspired by 'A Street in Marrakech'
Moroccan Meatballs Inspired by 'A Street in Marrakech'
Twisty alleys, boisterous markets, trained monkeys, exotic spices, and world-class leather — Morocco feels both magical and mysterious. This fragrant recipe serves Moroccan intrigue at your table.
Hainanese Chicken With Rice Inspired by 'Take-Out'
Hainanese Chicken With Rice Inspired by 'Take-Out'
This Chinese dish is almost a character in the short story 'Have you eaten'? by Rob Hart. We devoured the story, then created this recipe: tender chicken, spicy sauces, and savory rice. It's dangerously delicious.
Victorian Seed Cake Inspired by 'Jane Eyre'
Victorian Seed Cake Inspired by 'Jane Eyre'
Our heroine Jane Eyre is much put-upon, but during her first day at Lowood School, the harsh privations of the place are tempered by the kindness of a teacher named Miss Temple and her secret stash of seed-cake.
Vampire-Fighting Pork Stew Inspired By Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'
Vampire-Fighting Pork Stew Inspired By Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'
Stoker's Dracula is the OG vampire: intelligent, cunning, and even a little sexy. But you do not want that bad boy visiting your bed chamber! Simmer a big pot of this delicious, vampire-repelling magic.
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