Tag: cooking

The Blog Wants to Know: Nov. 2025

We’re heading into the season that celebrates family, gratitude, and most importantly, food! 

What’s something that you’d like to cook or bake but have never tried? Perhaps this is a family recipe, something you’ve seen in a cookbook, or even something you’ve seen on a baking or cooking show.  What are some dream recipes that you’d like to try if you had the time/tools/ingredients, etc.? 

Hannah, Assistant Director: I’ve always wanted to try making croissants from scratch. I’ve seen videos of bakers making them and always marvel at how jiggly they are when they are fully proofed. But the skill and time it would take to laminate the dough intimidates me!

Ashley, Interlibrary Loan and Cataloguing: I would love to make a really good Cornish pasty.  I have done steak and stout pies, Yorkshire puddings and shepherd’s pie but I have yet to try my hand at the pasty.  My dad made some several years ago that were excellent.  I had several pasties on my last trip to London and they are just the perfect on-the-go meal plus being very filling.

Alyssa, Adult and Teen Services Coordinator: My boyfriend loves New York-style cheesecake so I really want to try making that for him some time, but I’m super intimidated by all of the steps and the delicacy of it. I’m also a big fan of Indian food so I’d love to try making my own vegetable curry!

Baya, Youth Services: I’ve always thought that one day I’ll try making macarons. They’re delicious gluten-free cookies made with almond flour. The fillings can come in so many different flavors between two airy cookies. My favorite so far has been peach. Macarons have to be made just right, but it’s really satisfying to watch the process.

Now it’s your turn! What’s something that you’ve always wanted to try making? Let us know in the blog comments below!

What’s Ashley Reading?: Above the Bay of Angels

Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen

First line: If Helen Barton hadn’t stepped out in front of an omnibus, I might still be sweeping floors and lighting fires at an ostentatious house in St. John’s Wood.

Summary: Bella Waverly was raised by a disinherited member of the aristocracy. She was taught to speak well and have good manners. However, when they fall on hard times she is forced to work as a servant in the home of a wealthy Londoner. Then one day she witnesses the death of a young woman with a letter of introduction to work in the Buckingham Palace kitchens. Taking on a new name she enters a new world and finds that life as a cook is maybe what she has been looking for her whole life.

My Thoughts: I first heard about this book when I went to an author event at Watermark Books in Wichita. My mother is a huge fan of Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series. When Ms. Bowen started telling us about her new stand-alone book I was immediately interested. I love the PBS show Victoria so this sounded like my cup of tea.

I found the book to be a light and quick read. It was a mixture between historical fiction and mystery. The first 80% were surrounding Bella and her work in the kitchens but then disaster strikes in the royal family and a mystery appears. I loved how the food took center stage though. I was constantly Googling the items to see what they were. I ate a lot while reading this because everything sounded so good.

Then there is the location. I have never been the south of France but it sounds like a magical place. The Hotel Excelsior Regina is still standing but has been converted to apartments. I would love to visit and see the hotel that was built for Queen Victoria.

And the author brings in one of the most intriguing characters from the time period and Queen Victoria’s reign, “the Munshi”, Abdul Karim. He was the Indian servant and advisor to the queen. But he was disliked by many of her family and staff. Very little was known of him until the last 10 years when his journals came to light. If you want to get a more sympathetic and dramatic view into his story then try the movie Victoria and Abdul. I just rewatched it after finishing the book and it was a lovely story.

FYI: This is a perfect summer read. It is light and fun but with a little intrigue.