Sneak Peek: Bertrand's First Cookbook

My daughter Rebekah, a pastry chef, is on a creative cookbook roll right now.

On Saturday, she and Bertrand the Mouse collaborated to to whip up his very first cookbook while I slaved away on my second writing retreat (more on this tomorrow) and tate-tested.

We hope it will be ready by early November. Here are a few photo highlights. The cookbook will features twelve recipes in all. 

The chocolate mice truffles at the bottom are my favorite. The chocolate part is a mixture of chocolate sandwich cookies and cream cheese. The inside is cherry. 

The recipes will either have mouse-shapes, be made with cheese, or be both. There are snack recipes as well as recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.

Rebekah's first cookbook (all werewolf-themed recipes) is out now. You can buy it here.

And for those wondering why we didn't release any Bertrand books this year, you will be happy to know we have two in the "works" - just in time for holiday giving.

Tomorrow Night

I have not one, but TWO pieces of news to share this morning.

Enjoy chef-created appetizers and desserts, along with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, tomorrow night at WriteOn Joliet's third anthology release party at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

Details of the four desserts, along with event information, are HERE.

But here's one to get you started:

Spiced apple pie shooter: Flaky homemade pie dough with a filling made with apple cider syrup, apple puree, chunked apples and cinnamon.

Except for a pinch of sugar in the pie dough, all the sugar in this dessert derives naturally from the cider and apples.

This will be served in tiny parfait glass (shooter). Serving size is one to two bites.

In addition, my variation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is now available through Amazon.

Alas, I will only have the proof copy with me tomorrow night.

However, you may order it at special price at the party tomorrow night and have it delivered to your home in time for Christmas.

Looking forward to meeting you tomorrow night!

Below is a photo from last year's event.

For Book Lovers

This Friday at The Book Market in Crest Hill, WriteOn Joliet will host its third anthology release party.

This drop-in, after-hours event will feature copies of the anthology (a fundraiser that supports literacy and the efforts of local writers), copies of books by individual members of our group, a chance to browse and buy from The Book Market, and FREE chef-created refreshments by my son Timothy (until all the food is gone).

In fact, Timothy is dedicated to this event, he plans the menu in advance and donates all the food and supplies (a cost of several hundred dollars, go Timothy!).

How does this menu grab you?

* Spiced Apple Pie Shooter

* White Chocolate Peppermint Bark 

*Vanilla Strawberry Cheesecake 

* Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies 

* Meat and Cheese Tray

* Savory Herbed Cheese Log

We'll also serve FREE coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and water.

The event is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at The Book Market, 2365 Plainfield Road in Crest Hill.

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.

Photos of Chef-Prepared Birthday Dinner

The chefs, of course, being my son Timothy Baran and his girlfriend Kristyn Granahn, served up to Rebekah on July 14, the eve of my 56th birthday.

The dinner was special not simply because the food was fantastic or prepared with love but because it was the first time (barring their practical finals as students) I'd ever eaten the type of food they've learned to prepare as culinary professionals.

Here's the recap of that wonderful meal. First, of course, is the menu.

On an elegantly set table with Daniel's rose napkins (My youngest son has adopted napkin-folding as a hobby. Don't ask).

Next, the appetizer: creamy summer squash with vine-ripened tomatoes (a play on ratatouille) served with homemade cracker bread.

Followed by slow-roasted onion soup with rosemary oil and whole wheat croutons. The flavor, for some reason, reminded me of Christmas.

Next, the salad: butter bib and red oak, charred summer corn, pickled watermelon, grapefruit yogurt, toasted almonds, herb vinaigrette. Timothy forgot that "grapefruit" and "yogurt" were no-nos for me, so he quickly whipped up a substitute: an apple cream cheese something that tasted delicious.

The "center of the plate" entree was a rare twice-cooked beef tenderloin, home-style mashed potatoes, salt-roasted beets, bacon-braised greens, natural au jus, mushrooms. By now, I was extremely full (My fault for making a small meal of the appetizer), but the leftovers heated up very nicely two days later (and the tenderloin was still rare)

Lastly, chocolate lava cake for dessert. This included a chocolate ganache, vanilla-orange ice cream, and marinated strawberries, kiwis, and blackberries. I made it last over a couple days, mmm...

And lest he feel left out, a portion for Bertrand, who also joined us at the table (to my right).

And we had two other guests, although they merely hung out. Photo bombs courtesy of Midnight and Faith.