Potatoes and Molasses: Molasses and Soy Glazed Potatoes

Posted September 12, 2024 by Alison's Wonderland Recipes in Book of the Month Recipes / 0 Comments

Last year I watched OVER THE GARDEN WALL and loooved it. If you haven’t heard of the show, it’s a cartoon mini series aimed toward adults in which two young brothers, Wirt and Greg, are lost in an eerie, magical forest called the Unknown. Considered by many to be a modern retelling of Dante’s INFERNO, the show follows the boys as they try to find their way home, encountering danger, monsters, and new friends along the way. OVER THE GARDEN WALL is known for its strong use of symbolism and old-timey art style (which reminded me of the 1929 Walt Disney short Skeleton Dance), as well as its autumnal aesthetic, muted color scheme, and hauntingly beautiful folk Americana music. It’s an annual autumn rewatch for many fans like me, so I decided to make a menu for it!

There’s lots of food in the show, but perhaps the most iconic dish is potatoes and molasses, which is served during Episode 3 in a schoolhouse attended by small animals. Greg sees how sad the animals are eating plain mashed potatoes every day for lunch, so he comes up with the idea to add some molasses and sings them a song about it.

Lots of food blogs have already made film-accurate versions of potatoes and molasses (I especially like this recipe by Feast of Starlight), so I decided to make a re-imagined version. I liked the idea of doing fried potatoes with a sweet and salty glaze, kind of in the style of Korean gamja bokkeum, so I went in that direction. I coated my potatoes with cornstarch to give them a delicate crispness when fried, then tossed them in a glaze of molasses, soy sauce, and garlic.

They’re sooo satisfying: sweet and salty on the outside with a warm and tender center. The perfect snack to sustain you as you travel through the Unknown in OVER THE GARDEN WALL!

Donwell Abbey Strawberry Tea

Posted August 29, 2024 by Alison's Wonderland Recipes in Book of the Month Recipes, Teas / 0 Comments

Since there’s an extra Thursday this month, I get to do a bonus post! Sometimes I make a cocktail, but this time I decided I really wanted to make a new tea blend. I haven’t made one since my Twenty Thousand Leagues Tea last year, and I miss it a lot. So let’s get brewing!

If you’re new around here, you may not know that I have a set of custom tea blends on Adagio Teas (of which I am an affiliate member). I used to make a new one for almost every menu, but now I have over 50 blends! So these days I only make a new tea if I feel truly inspired.

Since this tea is inspired by EMMA, I instantly knew that I wanted it to be strawberry flavored, as a nod to the afternoon Emma spends picking strawberries at Donwell Abbey. I added summer rose because it evokes a sense of romance and Regency elegance. To round it all off, I included a bit of cream tea for balance. And Donwell Abbey Strawberry Tea was born!

With both the flavor and the aroma, you get a strong combination of strawberry and rose with a hint of creaminess in the background. Just right for tea time in the summer sun with your favorite Jane Austen novel!

Sound delicious? You can order it here!

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

Posted August 22, 2024 by Alison's Wonderland Recipes in Book Events and Tours, Book of the Month Recipes, Uncategorized / 0 Comments

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!

Strawberry Syllabub

Posted August 15, 2024 by Alison's Wonderland Recipes in Book of the Month Recipes / 0 Comments

Deciding what to make for my EMMA dessert was difficult—but in a delightful way. I knew I wanted a Regency-inspired strawberry dessert as a nod to the afternoon Emma spends picking strawberries at Donwell Abbey, but there were so many wonderful options it was hard to choose!

The Regency era boasts a plethora of delicious desserts, many with adorable names like “flummery,” “fruit fool,” and “syllabub.” I already made strawberry fool for the new extended edition of my cookbook, A LITERARY PICNIC, so I decided to do a twist on syllabub for this post. I took some inspiration from Max Miller’s Everlasting Syllabub on Tasting History and the elderflower whipped cream from my Poppy Eyebright Wedding Cake recipe.

Most syllabubs contain whipped cream (or sometimes egg white), slightly sweet alcohol, citrus, and sugar. If fruit is involved, it’s usually set on top or layered with the syllabub. That reminded me too much of strawberry fool, so I decided to make a strawberry jam and fold it through the syllabub. This resulted in a beautiful light pink pigment. I love how it turned out!

Savory Baked Apples: Sausage-Stuffed Apples with Sage and Onion

Posted August 1, 2024 by Alison's Wonderland Recipes in Book of the Month Recipes / 0 Comments

Today’s EMMA recipe is inspired by the scene in which the verbose yet lovable Miss Bates rambles on and on about baked apples. After receiving a gift of Donwell Abbey apples from Mr. Knightley, she can’t seem to stop singing the praises of baked apples, which made me think they would be a perfect addition to my menu.

There was a catch, though—I didn’t want to make a sweet version. I’ve made sweet baked apples many times (including for the Little Women menu in A LITERARY HOLIDAY COOKBOOK), so this time I wanted to try something different.

When I imagined taking the recipe in a savory direction, I immediately thought of sausage. Apple and sausage pair beautifully, and adding a protein would make these apples a perfect side dish. I seasoned the sausage with onion and sage, and voilà: super easy savory baked apples!

These turned out so good I did a little dance when I tasted one. The combo of sage, onion, and sausage reminds me of Thanksgiving stuffing, which pairs so perfectly with the sweetness of the apple. I’ll definitely be making these again!

Mini “Pigeon” Pies

Posted July 18, 2024 by Alison's Wonderland Recipes in Book of the Month Recipes / 0 Comments

I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry. There’s absolutely NO pigeon in this pie (it’s chicken!😁). Today’s recipe is a freebie from my new cookbook, A LITERARY PICNIC: EXTENDED EDITION, which includes a menu inspired by the works of Jane Austen. Pigeon pie was a popular meal in Jane Austen’s day and is served in EMMA, so I decided to make it the entrée for both my Austen cookbook menu and my EMMA blog menu.

In these mini pot pies, the shredded chicken is mixed with a few veggies and an ultra flavorful broth seasoned with garlic, lemon, sage, ginger, and . . . mead! Jane Austen was an enthusiastic winemaker, and the Austen family recipe for homemade mead survives today. If you want to be really hardcore, you can use it to make your own mead for your pigeon pies.

Let’s get cooking!

Mr. Robert Martin’s Honey Walnut Date Scones

Posted July 4, 2024 by Alison's Wonderland Recipes in Book of the Month Recipes / 2 Comments

Some of you may recall I finished my first Jane Austen book (NORTHANGER ABBEY) last year and loooved it. After finishing NORTHANGER, I was eager to jump into my next Austen read, so after careful consideration, I chose EMMA.

Is it possible I love this book even more? I can see why EMMA is so many people’s favorite Austen book. I think it’s where Austen’s strengths as a writer—wit, social commentary, dynamic characters, and realistic relationships—truly shine.

So of course I had to make a menu for EMMA! We’re starting off this menu with an homage to Mr. Robert Martin, who made what I consider to be one of the most underrated romantic gestures in a Jane Austen novel: walking 3 miles to gather walnuts, just because he heard Harriet Smith liked them. In honor of Mr. Martin’s devotion, we’re making walnut scones! I decided to add some honey and chopped dates too, since I love the honey-walnut-date flavor trio.

These scones are tender and buttery with a touch of both savory and sweet. They’d be perfect with a generous schmear of honey butter or blackberry jam!

Happy Book Birthday to My New Book . . . Time for a Sneak Peek!

Posted July 1, 2024 by Alison's Wonderland Recipes in Book Events and Tours, Uncategorized / 0 Comments

Today is publication day for my new cookbook, A LITERARY PICNIC: EXTENDED EDITION! You can now find hardcover version on Amazon. How about a sneak peek of what’s inside? Below you’ll find pics from the Anne of Green Gables menu, along with descriptions of the recipes. This was the very first menu I added to the extended edition, and I LOVE how it turned out. Let’s take a look!

THE ANNE OF GREEN GABLES MENU

DELIGHTFUL APPLESAUCE. Named in honor of the White Way of Delight, an avenue of blossoming apple trees Anne sees when she first arrives in Avonlea, this homemade applesauce is flavored with a touch of orange and ginger.

CURRIED CARROT & CHICKEN SANDWICHES. These homemade buttermilk biscuit sandwiches are filled with curried carrot chicken salad—very similar to coronation chicken, a popular dish in Anne’s day.

FRENCH CARROT SALAD. Called “carottes râpées” in it’s native French, this carrot salad is simple yet elegant. After a taste of this, even Anne Shirley might learn to love carrots!

MARILLA’S PLUM PUFFS. This is one of my favorite desserts in the whole book, and it’s super easy. Sweet, tart, and super buttery!

RASPBERRY CORDIAL ITALIAN SODA. Homemade raspberry cordial mixed with club soda and half-and-half to create an elevated sipping experience.

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A LITERARY PICNIC is now available to order on Amazon!

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June Cookbook Update: Publication Date Announcement!

Posted June 27, 2024 by Alison's Wonderland Recipes in Book Events and Tours, Uncategorized / 0 Comments

Hi, everybody! I’m back with another update on the publication process for my upcoming cookbook, A LITERARY PICNIC: EXTENDED EDITION. I decided to wait to share this until the publication date was finalized. Now it has been, and it’s VERY SOON! Here are all the details:

PUBLICATION DATE. After weeks of waiting for proof copies and final approval, my book has finally passed the Amazon KDP review process! It will publish on Monday July 1st. Next week! 🥳🥳🥳 I’m sooo excited, but also I little nervous. I haven’t seen the proof copy of the absolutely final version of the book (I didn’t realize I wasn’t allowed to order any more proofs after the submission process was finalized 😬). However, I only made a couple formatting changes in the final version, so there shouldn’t be an issue. I’m still going to order a copy as soon as the order page goes live so I can see it in person, but I don’t anticipate any problems.
AMAZON EBOOK AND INGRAMSPARK HARDCOVER/EBOOK. I’m currently finishing up the submission process for the Amazon ebook, which should be available the same day as the hardcover (the review process for ebooks is shorter since there are no proof copies involved). Once that’s done, I’ll submit my manuscript to IngramSpark. The Ingram catalogue is how most bookstores and libraries order books. This way, if you’d rather not buy through Amazon, you can ask your local bookstore or library to order through Ingram. Just be aware the price will be different, since IngramSpark requires a wholesale markup. I’ll be sure to share on social media when it’s available through Ingram (you can find me on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter/X, and Facebook).
CARROT APPLE HAND PIE RECIPE FIXED. While editing, I noticed an error in one of the book’s original recipes and fixed it. If you have the original mini ebook of A LITERARY PICNIC, be aware that the Peter Rabbit recipe for Carrot Apple Hand Pies doesn’t tell you to gather and re-roll the scraps of dough to cut out more shapes. Granted, it’s probably obvious when you’re making it that you need to re-roll the dough to get the required number of shapes, but I still fixed it so it won’t cause confusion.
PUBLICATION DAY SNEAK PEEK. On Monday (publication day), I’ll post a sneak peek of one of the menus with a link to the Amazon page where you can order A LITERARY PICNIC.
That’s it for now! I’ll close out with a pic of these super cute book page roses I got from Etsy and used in the centerpiece for the Anne of Green Gables tablescape in the book:

See you Monday!

Mouse’s Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted June 20, 2024 by Alison's Wonderland Recipes in Book of the Month Recipes / 0 Comments

The moment has come! It’s time to wrap up this menu with a recipe from the titular book of the IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE series. Of course it was always going to be chocolate chip cookies, but I wanted a way to make them just a bit different. Then I thought: mouse-sized cookies!

This was my first time making mini chocolate chip cookies, but not my first time playing with scale. I’ve made giant chocolate cookies before (once for The Hobbit and another time for Where the Wild Things Are), but mini cookies are a whole different animal. For a giant cookie, you want it to be a bit more poofy and and cakey, since it needs enough structural integrity to hold up to being cut into slices. Mini cookies, on the other hand, should be less cakey to help them retain moisture, since it’s easy to over bake them.

Using my giant cookie recipe as a jumping off point, I scaled down and adjusted the proportions to create a soft, chewy cookie–one that wouldn’t be prone to dryness, even if it’s over baked a minute or two.

I’m very happy with the flavor and texture, though I think they came out a little pale. I think I’ll try refrigerating the dough for a day or two next time. I’ve heard aging the dough like that produces a more golden brown cookie (and more complex flavor!).