It’s potluck season! If you need inspiration for your next big batch bake, check out the podcast’s Facebook page. From cream pies to Diplomat Cake, Preheaters have great suggestions for crowd-pleasing treats. Andrea and Stefin are intrigued and inspired, and have set aside several ideas for upcoming shows — thanks everyone, and stay tuned!
One dish that probably won’t be gracing either of their potluck (or “garden party”) tables soon is the Almond Butter Blossoms. Both hosts had a very frustrating experience with these no-bake cookies. From texture to taste, they just weren’t winners. If you’re in the market for a no-bake bar cookie that both hosts did love, check out the Chocolate Oatmeal Peanut Butter bars the duo reviewed last summer in Episode 43. (And if you had a successful experience with the Almond Butter Blossoms, please let us know!)
Here’s hoping this week’s recipe, the Lemon Crunch Bars from The View from Great Island, will restore the duo’s faith in a no-bake cookie. With a substantial amount of lemon juice and cream, and a gingersnap cookie crust, it’s already sounding promising. (Both hosts loved TVFGI’s Cold Chocolate Snacking Cake way back in Episode 4!) “Assemble” along with us for our last no-bake treat of the month, and share your pictures to Facebook and/or Instagram.
Finally, the Preheated Book Club is back in session. Andrea’s still looking for her first five-star book of 2018, but is enjoying That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam. She’s also looking forward to The Cake Therapist by Judith Fertig, in which the protagonist can “taste” feelings (hint: it’s fiction).
Stefin recommends the Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard — a four-book series that follows a large London family before and during WWII, and can’t wait to dive into the (very dramatic) Bread Alone by Judith Ryan Hendricks — the saga of a woman who leaves it all behind to rediscover her dreams of baking in … Seattle!
Stefin and Andrea also enjoy reading cookbooks and have found Irish author Marian Keyes’ Saved by Cake to have some fun and engaging recipes. Andrea was shocked to discover she had all the ingredients on-hand to bake up a tamarind, date and sour cherry muffin, full of “wonderfully intriguing sourness.” Both hosts think the recipes are approachable and down-to-earth, with Marian’s trademark poignant wit. (Marian is a prolific author, so check out any one of her fiction books for a great summertime read, too.)
Listeners recommended some great foodie reads, too: Lynda suggests What Would Mary Berry Do? by Claire Sandy; Kristie says Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler; Jennifer enjoyed The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah (and also likes her memoir Mastering the Art of French Eating) if you like travel and food writing. Finally, Amy notes that despite its title, Good Grief by Lolly Winston, features lots of baking.
Not a reader, or just looking for a good food-related movie? Andrea recommends director Ridley Scott’s 2006 underrated gem A Good Year, starring Russell Crowe as a British investment banker who inherits his uncle’s vineyard in Provence and learns the true meaning of love and life with a little help from Marion Cotillard.
Listeners, what are you reading and watching this summer?
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