Considering Romeo and Juliet is based in Renaissance Italy, I wanted to include at least one menu item that the characters would have likely eaten in that time period. Though focaccia has seen a rise in popularity in recent years, the current form of the dish first became popular in Romeo and Juliet’s day. I love this particular recipe because the dough doesn’t need to rise, and it’s got great herbed flavor and fun texture. The star shape, of course, is a tip of the hat to Verona’s famous star-crossed lovers.
10 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Avid Readers
I’ve always closely associated Valentine’s Day with books. Last week, I did a guest post for Real Life at Home explaining why. So if you’re stumped as to what to get your special reader this Valentine’s Day, you’ve come to the right place. I’m always keeping tabs on the latest literary gifts! Here are my Top 10 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Avid Readers, sure to please the bibliophile in your life:
- This awesome scarf
Photo via Uncommon Goods
Poison-Tipped Daggers: Chicken Kabobs with Pesto Dip (An AWR Original Recipe © )
When I first decided to make a Romeo and Juliet menu, I knew I wanted to include the fateful dagger and poison, but finding a way to do it was tricky. Then I took my cue from our Robber Stakes from last year’s Dracula menu and decided to make dagger kabobs. The preparation is super simple, and the “poison” dipping sauce adds a fun punch of color and flavor. It’s reminiscent of two classic Italian recipes (Caprese salad and Margherita pizza), but I swapped out the tomatoes for red peppers, which are more grill-friendly.
Big Important News!
Hey there, everybody! I’ve got some exciting news: I just became a guest writer for Real Life at Home! My first post is a recipe for Heart Petit Fours with Raspberry Cordial Jam. It’s a mash-up of some previous Alison’s Wonderland recipes you might recognize (Hearts of Gold and Raspberry Cordial Ice Cream). And just in time for Valentine’s Day! You can view the post here or by clicking the images in this post.
Bacon Roses: A Rose by Any Other Name…
Welcome to February, folks! In honor of Valentine’s Day I decided to make Romeo and Juliet our new Book of the Month (technically a play, but I figure it still counts). Bacon may not be the first thing that springs to mind at the mention of Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy. Bacon ROSES, on the other hand, couldn’t be more appropriate.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside…Let’s Pick a New Book to Read!
The snow started just before I went to bed last night. Though we’ve been expecting a snowstorm, I figured it would do most of its damage during the night, and before drifting off I made a vague mental note to clear off my car in the morning. Eight hours later, the Mister and I woke up to find not only eight inches of snow but that the storm was MUCH STRONGER…and it still is.
Healthy Dessert Pizza for the Super Bowl: Featuring Chobani!
Today we’re going to depart from the norm a little bit and make us some good ol’ Super Bowl food! Earlier this week, I got an email from the folks at Chobani asking me to take part in their #deliciousbowl recipe project, which made me feel like this:
The Witch’s Hot Chocolate
Yay for bonus recipes! Since January has an extra week in it, we’re finishing up our Narnia menu with a fifth recipe: the White Witch’s hot chocolate, a companion drink to the Turkish delight she presents to Edmund in her sledge. Technically, we don’t know what the Witch gave Edmund to drink, only that it was “very sweet and foamy and creamy, and warmed him right down to his toes.” This homemade hot chocolate recipe developed by Martina at Eat Your Kimchi fits that description to a T.
Lemon Turkish Delight
UPDATE: You can find a new version of this recipe in my cookbook, A LITERARY HOLIDAY COOKBOOK.
You knew it was coming. How could a Narnia menu end with anything else? I can’t be the only person who immediately thinks of the White Witch when I hear the words “Turkish delight.”
The Dwarves’ Scotch Eggs
I’ve been saving this recipe for almost a year now. Scotch eggs have always sounded like such a fun recipe to try, and when I found out they were a favorite traveling snack of the dwarves of Narnia, they secured their place as the side dish in this menu. I’ve said before how much I love dwarves, and I can see why they love scotch eggs so much. These eggs are hearty with just a touch of spice—a truly great snack. 🙂