When I was young and just starting to learn how to cook, I always gravitated to cookbooks based on children’s books that I enjoyed. The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook, the American Girl cookbooks, The Secret Garden Cookbook and the Nancy Drew Cookbook were some of the first I ever read. However, an attempt to recreate… Continue reading Cookbook Reviews
Captive Biscuits
About the Name: I’m not sure if this recipe is referencing a book or not. The first book that jumps to mind is the Captive Witness, #64, but most of the other recipes in this cookbook reference the first 56 books, long considered ‘the’ Nancy Drew books. The majority of people I meet who… Continue reading Captive Biscuits
Red Gate Farm Tomatoes
About the Name: Named after the 6th Nancy Drew book, the Secret of Red Gate Farm. In the book, Nancy and her friends run into a girl seeking work in River Heights. Nancy befriends her and when the girl cannot find work (due to taking place in 1931), Nancy and her friends decide to help… Continue reading Red Gate Farm Tomatoes
Hannah’s Cheese Puffs
About the Name: This recipe is named after Nancy’s housekeeper, Hannah Gruen. Hannah has been a part of Nancy’s household since Book 1, however her relationship to Nancy has changed over the years. In the early books, Hannah is much more a servant, described as an elderly maid of all work. Nancy is calling… Continue reading Hannah’s Cheese Puffs
Ned’s Potato Pancakes
About the Name: This is named after Nancy’s boyfriend, Ned Nickerson. Ned first appears in the 7th Nancy Drew book, The Clue in the Diary. In Yellowback books, he mostly shows up for one or two chapters to take Nancy on a date where she inevitably overhears something relating to her case, then he goes back… Continue reading Ned’s Potato Pancakes
River Heights Fish Dish
About the Name: This is named after Nancy’s hometown, River Heights. There is a River Heights in Utah, though this is unlikely to be the River Heights Nancy comes from. In the early books Nancy could take a train to New York or Chicago on a night train. It also took her a few days… Continue reading River Heights Fish Dish
Old Stagecoach Sausage Loaf
About the Name: This is named after the 37th Nancy Drew book: The Clue in the Old Stagecoach, which sends Nancy to camp to investigate a stage coach. I haven’t read this book in a long time and can’t think of anything to say about it. _______________________________________________________________________ About The Recipe: It’s basically pork meatloaf. Like… Continue reading Old Stagecoach Sausage Loaf
Golden Pavilion Pineapple Ham
About the Name: This is named after the 36th Nancy Drew Book: The Secret of the Golden Pavilion. The book is set in Hawaii and came out in the same year Hawaii became a state, 1959. I’ve never been to Hawaii so I can’t say if the book is accurate in its portrayal. Amazon book reviews… Continue reading Golden Pavilion Pineapple Ham
