Edmund's Delights (and other bookish food)

The White Witch & Edmund

"It is dull, Son of Adam, to drink without eating," said the Queen presently.  "What would you like best to eat?"

"Turkish Delight, please, your Majesty," said Edmund.

The Queen let another drop fall from her bottle on to the snow, and instantly there appeared a round box, tied with green silk ribbon, which, when opened, turned out to contain several pounds of the best Turkish Delight. Each piece was sweet and light to the very centre and Edmund had never tasted anything more delicious.  

excerpt,  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.


As BuzzFeed gains stamina for readers who want to know random lists of information, I have found myself drawn to the clever site like a bug to the fire.  Quick snapshots of 20 things I didn't know about Paris? Sure!  30 April Fools Pranks? Of course!

Turkish Delights, from SprinkleBakes

But the one that has really grabbed my attention, from their book side, is the 11 Recipes for Bookworms!
Who wouldn't want to learn to make the infamous meals from our favorite novels?

Of course, I perused the list quickly, seeing which I would recognize and try first.  Much to my surprise, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe made it on there with Turkish Delight!  I have always wondered what this sweet goodness was all about, and even as I read ingredient labels on pre-packaged treats, I've never quite grasped the concept.  However, now that there is a recipe available - and a quite simple one at that - I will certainly be trying my hand at creating some of the deliciousness Edmund is fooled by.

What about you?  Have you ever created a dish inspired by a favorite novel?
I'd love to know how it turned out!


Turkish Delight Recipes found here: SprinkleBakes, About, AllRecipes
An interesting article on Americans' take on Turkish Delight found here: ChristianityToday

Top 5 C.S. Lewis Books

Christianity Today recently posted something that caught my eye - Alister McGrath's Top 5 CS Lewis Books (If you don't know who Dr. McGrath is, I suggest a quick google search or click his name for an impressive feed of accomplishments - one of which includes a new book CS Lewis: A Life which is sitting on my shelf, waiting to be read!).

Of course I took this as a challenge to figure out my top 5 books.  If I had to choose (although it's highly unlikely that anyone would ever demand such a thing), I suppose it would go something like this:

1. Mere Christianity - Not only was this the first book I ever read by Lewis (and, let's face it, I'm nostalgic) , but it has had tremendous significance in my own spiritual life.  The way he articulated certain aspects of faith helped bring to life what I believed more than anything I had ever heard.  Each time I pick up this book, I find more incredible ways Lewis speaks to my own understanding of Christianity.

2. The Magician's Nephew - My nostalgia peeks through with this book, too, as it is the only Narnia book I had ever read until a few years ago.  I am taken aback by the incredible way Lewis paints creation to his reader.  More than by reading Genesis, I feel as if I am there, witnessing God work.  The bits of humor, the curious children, and the talking animals all speak to me (pun intended?) as I flip page after page, soaking in the words.

3. The Screwtape Letters - Seriously one of the most impressive bits of work on Satan I have ever read.  The way Lewis is able to get into character and write from the Devil's perspective is truly a gift as he shines a light on what evil is after.  It provokes so much thought to grasp what is occurring, but it truly makes the reader question if they have fallen into some of Screwtape's traps in life.

4. Till We Have Faces - Like Lewis, I am a fan of Greek mythology.  Unlike Lewis, I am not a scholar of such works.  However, I appreciate his retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche in this novel.  I love the character development and the humanity that shines through these Greek gods & goddesses.

5. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - How could this not be on the list?  Maybe I am not as nostalgic towards this book (because I didn't read it until I was in my twenties!), but it truly is a classic.  The fact of the matter is that Lewis is able to weave in moral and faith-based truths throughout his fictional books.  I believe I have often gained more of an idea of Jesus's sacrifice through Aslan's sacrifice than I do sometimes by reading Scripture.

Lewis has a way of writing that truly shows creativity and sensitivity towards his readers.  He takes Biblical truths and shares them through words and analogies that make sense.

So what are your top 5 Lewis books? Are you a fiction-lover or a novice non-fiction reader (or split, like me)?

I'd love to hear from you!