chatting with hallie durand about no room for dessert

Put on your favorite bibs, Hallie Durand is here!

Those of you familiar with the indescribably delicious early chapter books featuring the irrepressible Dessert Schneider (who is synonymous with fun, surprises, a little mischief, lotsa spunk and –*wait for it* — fondue), are in for a treat.

You may remember when I featured Dessert First, where we first met this enterprising third grader who loves all things sweet and tries to convince her parents (who own a fondue restaurant) that they should eat dessert before dinner. Remember how she scarfed down an entire pan of double decker chocolate bars?  Clearly a book with my name written all over it. In Just Desserts, Dessert forms the Annoying Siblings Club, since as the eldest of four kids, she’s more than qualified to lead the charge against pesky brothers and sisters.

Continue reading

big friendly grub, or, the great pea soup adventure

We’ve had lots more Dahlish excitement here in the alphabet soup kitchen. The other day, the copy of  The BFG  I’d won in Becky Levine’s recent giveaway arrived. WooHoo! I was absolutely thrilled because, love Dahl though I may, I did not own a copy of  his personal favorite. Now I can hardly wait to reread it, that is, if I can get my hands on it long enough.

You see, there’s this little matter of the Paddingtons. Over 30 of them live here, and they all love Becky. That’s because she voted them her favorite bear over Pooh a couple years back (Pooh who?).

A crowd of Becky worshippers gathers.

They cheered when they saw her name on the padded mailer and then, I’m sorry to report, there was a little furry kerfuffle over who should read The BFG first. I wasn’t even in the running, and couldn’t distract them with a freshly made marmalade sandwich. Continue reading

author/illustrator recipe archive

A

Addasi, Maha – Bread Pudding

Agodon, Kelli Russell – Lucky Pea Soup

Alley, Zoe – Willa Mae’s Chocolate Cake and Frosting

Andersen, Sandy (Roald Dahl) – Split Yellow Pea Soup

Angelou, Maya – Corn Bread

Angelou, Maya – Moroccan Stew

Appelt, Kathi – Pecan Pie

Aronson, Sarah – Matzo Ball Soup

Ashman, Linda – Orzo with Spinach, Feta and Olives

Atkins, Jeannine – Dried Fruit Scones

Atkins, Jeannine – Hermit Cookies

Atkins, Jeannine – Raspberry Muffins

Auberle, Sharon – Caribbean Black Bean Soup

Austen, Cassandra – Bread Pudding

B

Baie, Linda – Grandmother’s Biscuits

Bates, Amy – Julia Child’s Sauces

Becker, Helaine – Fried Fish in the Jewish Fashion

Bennett, Doraine – Easy Quiche

Bergstrom, Adriana Hernandez – Cheese Flan

Black, Robyn Hood – Oatmeal Jam(a) Bars

Blackaby, Susan – Baked Eggs with Vegetables Various

Bono, Sonny – Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Border, Terry – Egg Casserole

Brackenbury, Alison – Quaker Oat Scones

Branch, Susan – Best Biscuits

Branch, Susan – Christmas Coffee Cake

Branch, Susan – Cranberry Apple Crisp

Branch, Susan – Cranberry Tea Cake

Branch, Susan – Lemon Butter Cookies

Branch, Susan – Potato Chip Cookies

Brande, Robin – Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Brisson, Pat – Lemon Pound Cake

Brown, Susan Taylor – Buffalo Tri-Tip in Harissa and Yogurt Marinade

C

Calderaro, Martha – Blueberry Muffins

Chin-Lee, Cynthia – Grandma Wong’s Almond Cookies

Cliff, Cynthia – Blackberry Crumb Cake

Coombs, Kate – Hot Chili Dip

Corcoran, Jill – Carrot Cupcakes

Crooker, Barbara – Applesauce

Crooker, Barbara – Spritz Cookies

Crooker, Barbara – Chocolate Shortbread

Crooker, Barbara – Pie Crust

Crooker, Barbara – Strufoli

D

Dahl, Sophie – Orange Raspberry Victoria Sponge

Davis, Tanita S. – Easy Tofu Lime Cheesecake

Davis, Tanita S. – Tea Cakes

Davis, Tanita S. – Pia’s Cabbage Slaw

Davis, Tanita S. – Peach Apple Crisp

DeCillis, Diane – Panna Cota

DeCillis, Diane – Sittu’s Hummus

Degroat, Diane – Peaches on Toast

Dempsey, Kristy – Brazilian Brigadeiro

Denise, Anika – Grandma Rose’s Chocolate Cake

Detlefsen, Lisl – Cranberry Pie

Dickens, Charles – Punch

Dickinson, Emily – Rice Cakes

Dickinson, Emily – Coconut Cake

Dotlich, Rebecca Kai – Sugar Cookies

Dunham, Terri Hoover – Mammy’s Egg Nog

Durand, Hallie – Double Decker Chocolate Bars

Durand, Hallie – Peanut Butter Buckeyes

Durand, Hallie – Gingerbread Cutout Cookies

Dylan, Bob – Perfect MeatBalls

E

Edmisten, Karen – French Bread

Engle, Margarita – Batido (Mango Smoothie)

Esenwine, Matt Forrest – Vegan Banana Bread, Gorton

Esenwine, Matt Forrest – Salted Chocolate Chip Cutouts

Etlin, Barbara – Chocolate Pots de Crème

F

Fineman, Kelly R. – Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Fineman, Kelly R. – Lumberjack Cookies

Florence, Debbi Michiko – Hamburger Stroganoff

Florence, Debbi Michiko – Microwave Mochi

Florian, Douglas – French Toast

Frazee, Marla – Fudge Pie

Frost, Helen – Oatmeal Bread

Furman, M.E. – Pineapple Macadamia Bars

G

Gash, Sondra – Rugelah

Gerwin, Gail – Stuffed Cabbage

Ghigna, Charles and Debra – Ghost Bites

Gilbert, Melissa – Very Veggie Soup

Gilbert, Melissa – Good Old Rice Pudding

Golembe, Carla – Seafood Stew

Graham, Joan Bransfield – Cherry Delight

Graham, Joan Bransfield – Spicy Roasted Rosemary Potato Wedges

Gregorio, Renée – Skillet Eggplant Parmesan

Gulotta, Nicole – Apple Crumb Muffins

Gulotta, Nicole – Earl Grey Shortbread

H

Hagar, Erin – Arroz con Pollo

Hahn, Mary Lee – Apple Crisp

Harshman, Terry Webb – Strawberry Muffins

Harter, Penny – Moon-seeking Soup

Harter, Penny – Chicken Cottage Pie Casserole

Hartland, Jessie – Crepes

Hayashi, Leslie Ann – Guava Jello Squares

Hill, Judyth – Perfect Fudgy Brownies

Hill, Melanie Heuiser – Mom’s Whole Wheat Bread

Hillegas, Kendyll – Apple-Peach-Raspberry Pie

Himes, Rachel – Black-eyed Peas

Hodge, Deborah – Blackberry-Raspberry Parfait

Hodge, Deborah – Blueberry Muffins

Holmes, Sara Lewis – Angel Biscuits

Holmes, Sara Lewis – Oatmeal Coconut Crisps

Hussain, Nadiya – Peach and Cherry Upside-Down Cake

Hussain, Nadiya – Very-Berry Muffins

I

Iwai, Melissa – Garden Pizza

Iwai, Melissa – Snowy Day Vegetable Soup

Iwai, Melissa – Graveyard Cups

J

Jackson, Alison – Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Jazmon, Andromeda – Homemade Fig Bars

Jenkins, Emily – Raspberry Fool

Jenkins, Emily and Zelinsky, Paul O. – Latkes

K

Kenny, Adele – Bluemisu (Blueberry Tiramisu)

Kenny, Adele – Staffordshire Irish Stew

Kim, Aram – Kimchi Pancakes

Klostermann, Penny Parker –  Stick House Treats

Kono, Erin Eitter – Chocolate Truffles

Kulling, Monica – Banana Oatmeal Cookies

L

Larios, Julie – Tortas Mexicanas

Larkin, Eric-Shabazz – Kenyan Fried Collard Greens with Ugali

Latham, Irene – Cheesy Confetti Frittata

Latham, Irene – Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

Lebo, Kate – Classic Apple Pie

Lee, B.J. – Alligator Pie

Levy, Debbie – Guacamole

Lewis, J. Patrick – Sticky Goo Buns

Lin, Grace – Gingerbread Cupcakes with Candied Ginger Icing

Ling, Nancy Tupper – Black Bean Salmon

Lockward, Diane – Mushroom Soup

Lockward, Diane – S’Mores Cookie Bars

Logghe, Joan – Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Lowe, Natasha – Coffee Cupcakes with Coffee Buttercream Frosting

M

MacCulloch, Jone Rush – Graham Cracker Pie

Macken, JoAnn Early – Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins

Madden-Lunsford, Kerry – Skillet Corn Bread

Magliaro, Elaine – Almond Gateau

Magliaro, Elaine – Salmon Tartare with Horseradish Sauce

Mandel, Charlotte – Mint Poached Peaches

Matthies, Janna – Basil Pesto

Mayr, Diane – Almond Bars

McCallum, Ann – Invisible Ink Snack Pockets

McCallum, Ann – Southern Plantation Hoe Cakes

McCartney, Paul – Super Vegetable Salad

McClure, Nikki – Apple Pie

Medley, Lesa – Asparagus Pasta

Miller, Pat Zietlow – Mushroom Casserole

Mordhorst, Heidi – Lasagna

Muir, Leslie – Witch’s Jambalaya

N

Namioka, Leslie – Chinese Chicken Salad

Newman, Lesléa – Chocolate Coconut Cookies

O

O’Connor, Barbara – Molasses Cookies

Ode, Eric – Grilled Open Face Mozzarella Sandwich

Oleson, Jessie – Nanaimo Bars and Hummingbird Cake

P

Park, Ginger and Frances – Hot Milky Chocolate and Hot ‘Mo Chocolate

Park, Ginger and Frances – Chocolate Breakfast Muffins

Park, Ginger and Frances – Rainbow Pasta

Park, Linda Sue – Bee-Bim Bop

Paschkis, Julie – Apple Cake

Paschkis, Julie – Kulich (Easter Bread)

Perkins, Lynne Rae – Wintercake

Perkins, Mitali – Bengal Red Lentils (Masoor Dal)

Pincus, Gregory K. – Paprikash

Pincus, Greg – Chocolate Chess Pie

Pluta, Lill – Pita Pocket Sandwiches

Polark, Kelly – Pasta Salad

Potos, Andrea – Baklava

Potos, Andrea – Greek Koulouria Cookies

Potter, Ellen – Eggless Chocolate Cupcakes

Price, Mara – Mexican Chocolate Brownies

Q

Quattlebaum, Mary – Pirate Pie

Quattlebaum, Mary – Quick M&Ms Bars

R

Rae, Philippa – Carrot, Fennel and Potato Medley

Ramsey, Becky – Pear Tart

Ransom, Candice – Raisin, Butterscotch Meringue, Chocolate Meringue, Egg Custard Pies

Ransom, Candice – Preacher Cookies

Reich, Susanna – Julia Child’s Cucumber Soup

Rich, Susan – Chanterelle and Goat Cheese Pastry Puffs

Riehle, Mary Ann McCabe – Broccoli Casseroles

Roberts, Kim – Pineapple Lassi

Rockliff, Mara – Spicy Ginger Snaps

Roden, Claudia – Thick Hot Chocolate Drink

Roemer, Heidi Bee – Vegetarian Lentil Soup

Rosenberg, Madelyn – Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Ross, Heather – Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

S

Salas, Laura Purdie – Brickle

Saldana, Rene – Migas con Huevo

Sauer, Tammi – Coconut Cake

Sayre, April Pulley – Waldorf Salad

Scanlon, Liz Garton – Barley Stuffed Acorn Squash

Scanlon, Liz Garton – Cookie Cutter Cookies

Schaub, Michelle – Gooseberry Pie

Schroeder, Lisa – Monster Cookies

Scott, Nancy – Beef Paprikash

Seeger, Laura Vaccaro – Jude’s Pumpkin Cookies

Seeger, Pete – Strawberry Shortcake

Shaw, Stephanie – Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men

Shearin, Faith – Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Shovan, Laura – Blizzard Soup

Shovan, Laura – Matzo Candy

Sidman, Joyce – Blender Mousse

Singer, Marilyn – Lunch Salad

Slesarik, Ken – Chocolate-Avocado Mousse

Sorenson, Margo – Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Sorenson, Margo – Fried Rice

Sorenson, Margo – Limoncello

Sorenson, Margo – Mango Shortbread

Sorenson, Margo – Pennette AI Quattro Formaggi

Spinelli, Eileen – British Brown Betty

Stohr-Hunt, Tricia – Raspberry Crescents

Swaim, Jessica – I-Scream Cake

Sweet, Melissa – Quick Quesadillas

T

Thomsen, Susan – Chicken Spaghetti

Toht, Patricia – Merk’s Coffee Cake

Toht, Patricia – Skeleton Finger Cookies

Toht, Patricia – Spritz Christmas Trees

Tolin, Rosanne – Granola

Tudor, Tasha – Lentil Soup

Tudor, Tasha – Applesauce Cake

U

Urbanovic, Jackie – Cold Beet Salad

V

Valiant, Kristi – Pumpkin Pie

VanDerwater, Amy Ludwig – Pineapple Slices

Varon, Sara – Brownies

W

Wang, Andrea – Coconut Sticky Rice Cake

Wardlaw, Lee – Kitty Litter Cake

Wardlaw, Lee – Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Waters, Charles – Black Bean Chili

Waters, Charles – Raw Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Center (Vegan)

Wayland, April Halprin – Charoset

Wayland, April Halprin – Lemon Waffles

Weaver, Tara Austen – Nikujaga (Japanese Meat and Potatoes)

Weibel, Erik – Split Pea Soup

Weibel, Erik – Stuffed Tomatoes

Weis, Carol – Chunky Tomato Sauce

Wendell, Julia – Cheese Soufflé

Wendell, Julia – Peanut Butter Pie

Wendell, Julia – Seizure Salad

Wilder, Laura Ingalls – Chicken and Dumplings, Apple Upside-Down Cake

Wilder, Laura Ingalls – Gingerbread

Wilder, Laura Ingalls – Apple Slump

Wolff, Alan – Oatmeal

Wolff, Ashley – Blueberry Muffins

Wolff, Ashley – Spiced and Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds

Wong, Janet – Almond Cookies

Y

Yavas, Traci – Biscuits

Yeatts, Tabatha – Concerto Cheese Puffs

Yee, Lisa – Yin-Yin’s Fried Wontons

Yolen, Jane – Carrot Soup

Yolleck, Joan – Baby Brioche Buns 

Yun, Erin – Kimchi-jjigae (Korean Stew)

Z

Zax, Helen Kemp – Vegetable Soup

Zimmer, Tracie Vaughn – Cheatin’ Shells

Zunon, Elizabeth – Chocolate Celebration Cake