A Literary Tea Party
Alison Walsh’s 2018 literary cookbook, A Literary Tea Party: Blends and Treats for Alice, Bilbo, Dorothy, Jo, and Book Lovers Everywhere, is one of the best books I stumbled upon at my public library last year. Published by Skyhorse Publishing, Walsh’s book combines beautiful pictures with easy-to-follow recipes inspired by some of my favorite stories. I appreciate Sara Letourneau’s perspective, as she states in the book’s introduction: “Food can provide insights into our favorite heroes, heroines, and mischief-makers. (Remember when Aunt Polly caught Tom Sawyer sneaking jam in the pantry?) It can evoke smells and flavors that bring a setting to life and stir up emotions that deepen a reader’s connection in the story” (1). I savor the humanity an author constructs for her characters, and it is often through food and drink that characters find their link to “real” life.
I read the entire cookbook and copied several recipes down for future use (like hot cross currant buns from one of my childhood favorites, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden, and raspberry cordial from another personal favorite, Anne of Green Gables). Before returning the new book to the library I did manage to make lavender earl grey truffles (inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Naval Treaty”). The recipe was easy to follow and I am now very pleased to know that making truffles is not a hidden art, but one I can successfully accomplish.
Much to my delight, Walsh begins each recipe with the literary quote that led to the recipe that follows. For example, the hot cross buns recipe is preceded by:
“‘The morning that Dickon… went behind a big rosebush and brought forth two tin pails and revealed that one was full of rich new milk with cream on the top of it, and that the other held cottage-made currant buns folded in a clean blue and white napkin, buns so carefully tucked in that they were still hot, there was a riot of surprised joyfulness. What a wonderful thing for Mrs. Sowerby to think of!” (Hodgson Burnett as quoted by Walsh, 60).
I so enjoy the snapshot into this delightful story’s narrative that Walsh’s cookbook provides, and I very much look forward to making her hot cross buns while I envision Mary and Dickon playing among the wildness of the secret garden.
If A Literary Tea Party seems up your alley, also visit Walsh’s food blog Alison’s Wonderland Recipes. There you will find all sorts of fun recipes inspired by many of your favorite stories.
