by: Alison Walsh

“When I sat down to write A Literary Holiday Cookbook, I wanted to create a cookbook both food lovers and fiction lovers could enjoy. It was important to me that this book welcome readers of all culinary skill levels,” Alison Walsh.

I love to read as much as I love to cook so you can imagine how excited I was when I found A Literary Holiday Cookbook. All of the recipes are grouped by holiday and then novel. A Christmas Carol, The Hobbit and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow are just a few of the novels that inspire these great recipes.

Duchess Potatoes: Inspired by A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

The first word I would use to describe these potatoes is WOW! They tasted very decadent and look like you spent hours on them, even though they are fairly simple to make.

The recipe was very easy to follow. I did have a little malfunction with my piping tip – so I switched to a Ziploc bag and cut the corner off of it to pip the potatoes. These would be great for a party.

Melton Mowbray: Mini Pork Pies: Inspired by The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The mini pork pies are tasty and very filling. I have made homemade crust before but never a hot water crust and it was the best crust I have ever eaten. The instructions were very clear and it took me about 45 minutes to get them ready to go in the oven. It is important to cut the circles for the top smaller than the bottom circles – I cut mine about 3.5″. I would also recommend being mindful of much egg wash you put on the top as it sat on top a few of my mini pork pies making them look a soggy on the top in spots.

I will definitely make these again.

A Literary Holiday Cookbook is quickly becoming one of my favorite cookbooks. I love the whole premise of the cookbook – it makes you feel closer to the novels you have read. There are so many recipes in this cookbook that I want to make. I am especially looking forward to making the London Fog Mystery cookies inspired by Sherlock Holmes. Check out this cookbook and let me know what it inspires you to make and read.