Grilled Fennel Salad and A Book Review #LitHappens

Slices of fresh fennel bulb grilled to tender, sweet perfection, tossed in a lemon vinaigrette, and topped with the fennel fronds.  A gorgeous and delicious salad.

I was inspired to make this salad after reading the memoir Fireproof by Chef Curtis Duffy......

Preserved Lemon Scones and a Book Review #BreadBakers

These flaky, slightly sweet but more savory scones come together quickly using a food processor.  They have a deep tartness from the preserved lemons.  

 The Bread Bakers are sharing Scone recipes today......

Carrot Cake Muffins and a Book Review #MuffinMonday

Delicious, tender muffins chock-full of freshly grated carrots.  Who says you can't enjoy cake for breakfast?

It's time for Muffin Monday......

Brunswick Stew, an Invitation, and the Weekly Menu #LitHappens

Happy Independence Day!!  I think today is a great day to introduce a very funny, yet serious book about the Country in which we live today.  

This novel will make you laugh and make you cry, but most importantly, this novel will make you pause and think.  

Madeleines au Citron #CooktheBooks #LitHappens

 Tender, lemon-scented, little cakes inspired by the novel, A Bakery in Paris by Aimie Runyon.  

Sourdough Sandwich Bread and the Weekly Menu #LitHappens

This Sourdough Sandwich Bread is simple to make, but it does require an overnight rise so you need to plan ahead.

I was inspired to bake this bread while reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.

Brioche French Toast Casserole, A Book Review and The Weekly Menu

Buttery egg bread soaked in custard, studded with raspberries and almonds, sprinkled with brown sugar, and baked to warm, toasty perfection.

I was inspired to make this delicious dish while after reading The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny......

Avocado and Bacon Bagel, a Book Review, and the Weekly Menu #LitHappens

I was inspired to make this bagel breakfast sandwich after reading Table for Six by Rosemary Willhide. The Bagel was delicious and the best thing that came from my reading this novel.

Apple Cranberry Pie, A Book Review and the Weekly Menu including Christmas #LitHappens

Apples, Cranberries, and Streusel Topping....This may be the perfect Christmas Pie.

Our Thanksgiving, The First Thanksgiving and the Weekly Menu starting with Leftovers #LitHappens

We had a very nice Thanksgiving with a large gathering of Family and Friends.  It was a festive, casual affair filled with love and laughter.  And some tears....for those we love who could not share the day with us due to work, distance, or other commitments and for those who are watching down from Heaven whom we miss more during the holidays, it seems.

The holidays are always bittersweet as you reminisce about days of yore and create new memories that will be shared long after you are no longer present except in spirit.  

Apple Avocado Salsa, a Book Review, and the Weekly Menu

I finished the 11th book of the Gamache Series, The Nature of the Beast. This novel inspired me to create this fun, seasonal salsa featuring apples and avocados.

Venison Cutlets, A Book Review and the Weekly Menu #LitHappens

Venison Cutlets are dredged in seasoned flour and fried to a crisp golden brown on the outside and a perfect medium rare on the inside. 

I was inspired to make this dinner while reading our Lit Happens selection for last month......

Apple Banana Muffins and a Book Review #LItHappens

These muffins were inspired by the novel, North Woods, which I had chosen for our Lit Happens Book Club.

These muffins, filled with apples and bananas, are flavorful and delicious.  They make a wonderful breakfast or snack.

Sour Cream Cookies and a Book Review

These cake-like cookies sprinkled with cinnamon sugar remind me of Snickerdoodles with the cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top before baking.

I was inspired to make these cookies while listening to the 3rd book in the Red River Valley Series, "A Land to Call Home".

Sausage and Wild Mushroom Quiche, A Book Review and the Weekly Menu

Crumbled pork sausage, wild mushroom mixture and Boursin cheese flavored with Garlic and Chives is the base for this Quiche that creates its own crust as it bakes.

I was making this dish while reading A New Day Rising, the second in the Red River Series.....

Honey BBQ Chicken and a Book Review

Woohoooo, it's grilling season!!!  I love summer meals.  During the Fall and Winter, we eat a lot of stews, soups, roasts, pastas, and casseroles.  Come Spring and Summer our tastes and meals get lighter. Meats are grilled and placed onto salads or served with sides of garden fresh vegetables.

Mastering the Art of French Hot Chocolate #CooktheBooks

I just finished reading a fun murder mystery starring chef, Julia Child. The novel was purely fiction but portrayed the chef as a good friend of the protagonist in the story.

The title of the book is, of course, a take on the title of Julia Child's world-renowned cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Croque Monsieur and a Murder at the Matterhorn

Toasted slices of French Bread smothered with slices of Ham, Gruyere Cheese, and Bechamel.  Ooh La La......

This sandwich is a great way to use up some of your leftover Easter ham this year.......

Hawaiian Pork Roast and a Book Review of Moloka'i #LitHappens

I just finished listening to our Lit Happens selection for March.  This year we are concentrating on Historical Fiction set in different areas of the USA. 

Camilla of Culinary Cam is hosting this month and chose the novel Moloka'i.

Drop Biscuits and a Book Review #LitHappens

These super simple Drop Biscuits are perfect for breakfast with some Sausage Gravy, split open for lunch and filled with Virginia Brand Ham or as a side dish to a Virginia Brunswick Stew.

I was inspired to make these Biscuits after reading our Lit Happens selection for this month......