Two years ago, I was lucky enough to have one of my cookbooks mentioned on the EAT LIKE A HEROINE podcast, hosted by Lorilee Craker and Jenny Williams. I love that there’s a whole podcast out there devoted to the role of food in fiction! When I discovered they were publishing a book named for their podcast, I contacted them right away to see if I could write a review.

EAT LIKE A HEROINE is part literary analysis, part cookbook. Each chapter focuses on a different way food is used in fiction (such as to provide hospitality or comfort) and ends with a recipe that fits the theme of the chapter. I especially enjoyed the chapter about fictional picnics, since that is the theme of my latest cookbook, A LITERARY PICNIC. I also love that the book is not just designed to be read but used; it has interactive sections like journal pages, activity ideas, and personal challenges to help you get the most out of the book.

But, of course, this is a recipe blog, so you probably eager to hear about the recipes! I had such a hard time choosing which one to make. Louisa May Alcott’s Apple Slump sounded so yummy, and the Jane Austen-era Marizpan Hedgehog sounded adorable! But I finally decided on Mrs. Barry’s Humble Pie inspired by ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. I chose it partially because I have an ANNE OF GREEN GABLES menu in my picnic cookbook, but also because I looove chocolate pies. I’ve made French silk pie in the past, which is very similar to this pie recipe, so I was curious to see which I liked better.

This pie was easy to throw together and super delicious: rich, chocolatey, and unbelievably light. In fact, I think it will become my new go-to chocolate pie, since it’s just as delicious as the French silk recipe I use, but easier and faster to make. I’ve included the recipe below so you can give it a try yourself. With the coziness of fall just around the corner, now is the perfect time to read about fictional food and bring some of it to life.

EAT LIKE A HEROINE is out now and available through Amazon, Commonplace Books, and End Game Press.

P.S. All the artwork in the book is done by co-author Jenny Williams, and her style fits the tone of the book so well: light-hearted, fun, cozy, and thoughtful. It’s just too good not to mention. Now let’s make some pie!

 A

Mrs. Barry’s Humble Pie from EAT LIKE A HEROINE

“What exactly does Humble Pie taste like, we wonder? Of course, it can’t be any good: lukewarm, bitter, unsatisfying, probably. But what if, for our purposes here, we redeemed all those qualities and turned them into something cold, chocolatey and decadent instead?”

— Eat Like a Heroine

 

INGREDIENTS:

 

Makes 1 humble pie

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a small pot, melt the chocolate chips on low heat on the stove (you can also microwave them in a microwave-safe bowl for about 4-5 minutes, until the chocolate is stirrable). Set aside to cool.
2. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter and 1 cup of sugar until fluffy (about 1-2 minutes). When melted chocolate is cooled, drizzle it over the butter/sugar mixture. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract. Turn your mixer to a medium speed and over a period of about 15-20 minutes, add in the eggs, one at a time, leaving about 5 minutes between each egg addition.
3. Once the pie filling is well mixed, pour it into the baked pie shell, scraping the bowl well. Smooth out the pie filling and place pie in the refrigerator to chill for at least two hours (although, longer is best).
4. Serve with a generous dollop of whipped cream on each slice.

   

A

A

If you like this recipe,
you might also like my new cookbook,
A LITERARY PICNIC: EXTENDED EDITION!