While working on this novel, I was flipping through a cookbook when my eye caught on a pie recipe. It called for a certain type of apple: Northern Spy. I loved that contrast in the name, between the domestic and the political, and instantly knew it would be my book’s title.

Tessa cooks this recipe in Chapter Five—it’s called a pancake, but is closer to a popover or Yorkshire pudding. I like to eat it with apples, Northern Spy if you can find them.

Pancake Ingredients
3 eggs
½ cup flour
½ cup milk
½ tsp. salt
4 tablespoons butter

Topping Ingredients
3 apples
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup butter
cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Blend eggs, flour, milk, and salt until the batter is smooth.

3. Put butter in a ten-inch skillet and place in the stove. Once the butter has melted, pour the batter into the pan, and stick the pan back in the stove. Bake for about 25 minutes—it will be ready once it has puffed up and turned golden.

4. While the pancake is cooking, cut the apples into thin slices and cook them in a pan over medium heat with the sugar, butter, and lots of cinnamon.

5. Top the pancake with the apples and enjoy!