The Unofficial Narnia Cookbook: From Turkish Delight to Gooseberry Fool - Over 150 Recipes Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia

by Dinah Bucholz

From the author of the New York Times bestselling and wildly popular The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook comes a new culinary and literary children's treat Featuring all the delicious delicacies of The Chronicles of Narnia and many more besides, author Dinah Bucholz takes readers on a mouth-watering journey--from the Lamppost to the Castle at Cair Paravel. Included are recipes for:

- Turkish Delight
- Rich Plum Cake
- Treacle Tart
- Christmas Biscuits
and many more

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Books About Books, Food and Drink, Reference

233 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2012

About the author

Dinah Bucholz is the official author of The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook. Dinah was born to a large family and grew up in a small New York City suburb called Monsey. The most exciting things that happened in her childhood were getting her pony tail pulled by various brothers, also getting teased by the same, and enjoying spectacular good times and spectacular fights with her twin sisters.

Dinahs first experience with baking occurred when she received for her ninth birthday a toy mixer from her mom that actually worked. She mixed up a chocolate cake batter without following a recipe and then poured the brown glop into plastic bowls and set them in the oven. Thankfully, she forgot to turn the oven on.

Dinah went on to bake many more chocolate cakes and it wasnt long before she was making fine desserts and cooking delicious food had become a passion second only to eating it.

Today, Dinah lives in Philadelphia with her husband, and to the sorrow of her four children, no pets. She spends her time cooking and writing and wearing a professional-looking white chefs apron when she remembers to put it on."

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say that I love this book would be putting it lightly

My family adores me - and in part that's due to the frequency that I rely upon this book for recipes. I have such a enjoyable time trying these recipes that I end up begging to make the family's meal. (And the meals turn out so good that my sibling doesn't even mind that I usurped her position as family favorite).

After delving into the Bucholz's The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook, I knew that I had to try another of hers. Ergo, I totally read the entire Chronicles of Narnia series to "earn" this cookbook. That's right. Seven books in order to read one. Seems about fair (ha!).

And let me tell you, this book is fabulous. The instructions are simple and efficient, there aren't too many hard-to-get ingredients and the recipes are absolutely fun. Each recipe in the book starts with a passage quoted from one of the seven Narnia books and then goes into how to make it as close as possible to what it was in the book. Sometimes there are sidebars with further information regarding some of the more unusual techniques or ingredients.

After reading this book, I am so pumped to cook. Every meal I've tried so far - from Cornish pasties to roasted chicken to tea cakes - has turned out delicious. Highly recommended for Narnia fans - or just for fans of good flavor.

I can't wait for Bucholz to tackle another series.

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[Laura DeLuca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing I loved about this book is how it looks! I know that you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I do, and this cover will sell anyone, it’s beautiful! The names of the recipes are absolutely fantastic as well, my daughters had the greatest time ever going through these recipes with me and anticipating the name of the next one. Some of our favorite recipes in the book (so far):

Hard-Boiled Egg Sandwich

Shepherd’s Pie

Scrumptious Strawberry Ice

Mediterranean Cold Sliced Chicken

Frothy Hot Chocolate

Toad In The Hole

Strawberry Banana Orange Drink



My oldest daughter loves the Narnia movies, it was great fun to have a “movie night” and eat some meals inspired by the movie. Definitely a great book to get the whole family together and do something fun! My kids thoroughly enjoyed cooking these fantastic recipes with me.


***Reviewed by Jackie for New Age Mama - Free copy was received in exchange for an honest review***

[Taun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully nostalgic, traditional recipes I’m fairly familiar with, given that the book is largely Irish/Scottish recipes. Some simple to create, some requiring a bit of skill, all of them fun for fans of Lewis’ masterpiece literature.

[Hadassah Buie · Rating 1 out of 5]

No pictures. A cookbook is so much better with them.

[Gigi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm. So after reading the Narnia books, she takes every mention of eating and bases a menu on that part of the book. Not a bad premise, but most of the recipes turn out to be from the Middle Ages, or the 1800's. Very repetitive.

Also, because she is kosher, many of the recipes are things she can't eat, and I couldn't help but think, "can you really trust a cookbook where the author didn't test the recipes herself?"

And finally, COOKBOOK PUBLISHERS: putting instructions with WHITE FONT on a WHITE PAGE in a LIGHT GREY BOX makes it UNREADABLE.

[Anna K · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Note- I haven't tried any recipes yet)
This book is incredible, the author has recreated all the foods in the books and put together feasts you can prepare! Many of the ingredients would be difficult to find but she was going for authenticity with medieval-era cooking and British ingredients

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really good recipes.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a long time Narnia fan (and someone that loves cooking and baking), when I saw this book, I knew I had to pick it up. The cover is gorgeous and it just screams, "PICK ME! PICK ME!"

This book is very well researched in that she does take the time in looking what a Victorian meal would probably consist of; HOWEVER, that meal is of an aristocrat mainly, not the typical everyday person (lamb chop was expensive so it was most definitely not a typical Victorian dinner!)

I will note this book also does contain meals that would probably only suit the adventurous (eel stew, cold roast venison, fried kidneys and pigeon stew with wood sorrel are a few that come to mind) here in America as this is an American published book. I, for one, an a rather picky eater and am rather glad I checked this out from the library as most of the recipes aren't to my picky tastes.

However, if you happen to be a lamb chomp, bone-in chicken, scone, Turkish delight, fish eating person, this might be worth looking into. (And, I mean, I'd rather get Jell-o pudding and not spend two hours making it.)

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

My speedy perusal of this book resulted in the hasty conclusion that I would probably never try any of these recipes. However, my sixteen year old actually read the introduction and carefully paged through the book. She says we need to own all of Bucholz's books. So be it. Despite there being absolutely no photographs or illustrations, the recipes are well researched and a valuable instruction manual for preparing less familiar meals.

Here chapters are: "Beautiful Breakfasts", "Snacks, Teas, and Meals on the Run", "Lunch and Dinner Menus", and "Fabulous Feasts".

My teen summarized with this remark -- "She needs to tackle the Redwall series. Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT read Redwall on an empty stomach."

I didn't know.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s a lot of recipes here – some even look mildly interesting – but there is very little link to the Narnia books.

I suspect copyright issues, but given how awesome The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook was, I confess myself thoroughly disappointed with how hard Bucholz dropped the ball.

Overall, just embarrassing to watch as she makes a right little fangirl fool of herself.

[Favbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner! Incredible research, fantastic writing, mouthwatering recipes, and the perfect dash of humor to tie it all together. Dinah Bucholz serves up another wonderful treat. Whether you're in the mood to whip up something delicious, or just to snuggle up on the couch to enjoy a great read, this is the book for you. Narnia fans will be transported to that magical kingdom, and those who have never read the books will want to be transported too - to the nearest library/bookstore to savor the series - and keep this great cookbook handy in case you get struck by the urge to try some of the tempting foods as you read about them!

[NECaruso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it and look forward to making snacks and recipes to go along with our current bedtime story regimen (reading through the Narnia books at the moment). Not quite as good as the Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook by the same author which was so excellent I've given copies away to friends and use it regularly to cook non-themed meals.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this cookbook! The Narnia books are my favorite series and a friend of mine who works at the library gave me the heads up on this book. Lots of fun recipes for all cooking skill levels. If you are a Narnia fan and like cooking/baking then take the time to check this out!

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

great cookbook about the foods in narnia!

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahhh, Narnia. Will definitely own this when I have kids one day!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

For professional review

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful cookbook with fun ideas for meals and recipes inspired by the Narnia series.