Who doesn’t like curling up with a good book and a cuppa comforting tea…or perhaps a scrumptious scone (or three)? This blog post is for you, o seekers of creature comforts. Read on!
The Teashop Mysteries by Laura Childs have one obvious pairing: tea. But why not matcha the book-a with the-a corresponding tea-a? (/phony Italian accent and bad puns.) And while you’re at it, maybe whip up some yummy treats from the recipes in the backs of her books. (Tea-smoked chicken, anyone?)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis has yet another obvious pairing: Turkish delights. These sickly sweet treats can be found covered in chocolate from stores like World Market. Or you could travel the ‘Zon and buy rose, pistachio, lemon, mint, strawberry, vanilla, and other flavors. This sweet goes a long way. Might I suggest pairing it with a bitter hot cocoa? (Trivia: I have made Turkish delight with a broken candy thermometer and no candy-making knowledge. It turned out all right, albeit a bit hard and chewy around the edges.)
The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling would go nicely with a pumpkin pasty and a frosty (or hot and frothy) butterbeer. There’s an unofficial cookbook by Dinah Bucholz. Or, if you’re feeling more frugal, get onto Pinterest, where recipes for both abound. As far as the pasties, I recommend a buttery short crust pastry for the casing as opposed to a knock-off flour and oil one.
The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien has a meal close to the beginning. Bilbo Baggins of the Shire is sitting down at his table in his hobbit hole to partake of his evening meal, when there are many knocks at his door, interrupting his peace and troubling his digestion, no doubt. Perhaps some toasted bread would suffice if you’re feeling just a mite peckish. But perhaps that is too low-class (and breakfast-y) for your liking. Mushrooms! They go with every meal, so you’ll need some of those. Maybe sautéed in butter with fresh garden herbs or served in a nice stew. No mushrooms? How about steak and ale pie? More a veggie person? Although they were not consumed in England during the Medieval Era, Tolkien included taters (poh-TAY-toes), so why can’t you? (A great-looking cookbook: An Unexpected Cookbook by Chris-Rachael Oseland.)
The Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan: pair with any blue food. Blueberries, blue candy, blue Cherry Coke, and blue chocolate chip cookies. Take that, Gabe!
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott could pair with pink ice cream, a gift from old Mr. Lawrence. Or perhaps toast scraped with currant jam or preserves (poor Meg! Seriously, though, black currant preserve tastes like red raspberries and is scrummy) served with a steaming cup of your favorite black tea. I own two cookery books that pay homage to the beloved book: The Little Women Cookbook with Wini Moranville, and The Little Women Cookbook by Jenne Berstrom and Miko Osada.
Emma by Jane Austen. A nice, thin gruel, anyone?
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What about you? What books have you hankering for something to sink your teeth into?
Keep your nose in a book—and please pass the tea!
Beth
Beth Overmyer 