Gingersnap

This month we shared Patricia Reilly Giff's Gingersnap, a kids' historical fiction that took place during World War Two.  Most of the food was either very simple soups (which Madeline did a lovely job replicating both a basic meat one and a fruit dessert one), or baked goods made with rationed supplies.  Karen's mock apple pie made with Ritz crackers captured this perfectly!  And Katie S. brought a snack right out of the book...hot dogs and (homemade) orange soda!

It was refreshing to do a quick read, and this was a book none of us had read before, so that was nice too.  Our first impressions of the book were that it was very likable, sweet, feel good, a bit sad (but not a weeper) and very imaginative.

It was the details that really endeared the book too us, such as the almost-authentic-Ming vase, that suffered such tragic consequences.  Other heartwarming bits:  Jayna thinking it was perfectly reasonable to travel with a turtle; and how Elise and her bestie were connected by the book that fell on the ground, and became part of Jayna's heritage.

 What we were less impressed by was though Jayna was no doubt forced to mature some in her years in foster care, there were times she sounded much too adult in her narration.  And we weren't too wild about the ghost/voice...too undefined, unresolved, and not at all scary ;)

As usual, our potluck was a huge success!

 

Barbara W. - brownies and wine

 

 

Dawn – leftover-to be split pea soup, gingersnaps

Heather McN – Mashed potatoes and pumpkin apple pie 

 

  Julie D. – My Mother In Law's Salad = greens, endive and brussel spout salad and rolls 

 

 Karen T. – mock apple pie (with ritz crackers!) 

 

Katie S. –  homemade orange soda and hotdogs and mustard 

 

Katie W. - Baked Potato Soup w/ bacon, sour cream, and cheddar cheese 

Laura H. –  Lentil soup 

Madeline -  Mini Meatloafs and stone soup, stone girls, and Welcome Home Soup 

 

Sonja K-G – Pumpkin Dump Cake + breadsticks

 


 
Also attending, two newbies:  Katie's cousin Emily, and Heather's roommate Nikita.

Next month we will be reading  "Don't Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from an Allergic Life" by Sandra Beasley, and doing a holiday cookie exchange!  There are two copies of the book being held behind the Mountlake Terrace Library desk for bookgroup members.  Looks to be a quick read, so perfect for the busy holiday season!

We will be meeting at 6:30 on Wednesday December 11, 2013.

Don't forget, we are on Facebook, too!  Join us here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/foodiebookgroup/

Night Circus

This month we read the beautiful and mysterious book The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.  Overall it was enjoyed, but we felt it was not without some issues.


Overall we found the book to be intriguing, though some expected it to get boring.  But the descriptions were all so fun and fabulous, and the characters full of life, that it made for a fun, fanciful romantic gothic read.  On the downside, some felt it was too jumpy in the beginning, and didn't have enough conflict to be compelling.  The writing reflected that of a first author who has room for improvement.  A particular peeve was using some words way too often, such as "elegant" which was used to the point of exhaustion.  But overall a fun page turner.

Madeline provided us with ambiance that matched the book!

Our favorite parts:

• Circus descriptions.
• Clock delivery and clock.
• The magic...her actual magic.
• Marco returning to his original face.
• The people who woke to reality and then fell asleep again.
• Community of red scarf.
• Dare in the tree...return to childhood.

What made us drool?  Puff pastries. Oysters. Chocolate mice. Hot chocolate.

Unfortunately, we didn't make any of those food items, but did have a wondrous feast anyways.


 Barbara W. - Black and White Pizza



Dawn – salad




Julie D. – chicken fried rice






Madeline - Beef with Broccoli in the crock pot



Rachel R. - bread and cheese and pork rillettes from the wonderful The Calf & Kid in Seattle

Marsha - black sticky rice









 Laura H. – Carmel Apples and fried chicken

 Lynn - Angel Food cake

 Katie W. - Crème Brulee

Next month we will be reading Patricia Reilly Giff's Gingersnap, a kids' historical fiction.  There will be lots of  soup, and of course gingersnaps! 

We will be meeting at 6:30 on Wednesday November 13, 2013.

Don't forget, we are on Facebook, too!  Join us here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/foodiebookgroup/

Yes Chef

This month we discussed Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson.

Overall, this book was a big hit with the group.  The book didn't have any recipes, but he has great cookbooks (available from the library) and a ton of recipes available online.

Those who listened to the audiobook were particularly taken with his voice.  Everyone thought he was a great guy and one member admitted that she is "a little bit in love with him".

Many of us enjoyed the randomness of his story, and how it took the reader all over the world.  But some of the favorite stories were just the little life stories, such as how Marcus and Mats met, and how Marcus's mom would dj for their disco parties (with only girl guests).   People also loved how the Blatte soccer teams found each other.  It is inspiring that despite from being from all over the place and different races, soccer brought them together.  Which made it all the more devastating when he was cut from the team without even a warning from his coach.  How satisfying to later learn he was a year younger than they realized, and not just small for his age!

Ok.  He's a hottie.

The food descriptions were just amazing, making the book really heard to read when hungry...left us salivating.   It was sad that his African restaurant didn't work out, especially due to untrustworthy backers, and through no fault of the food.

We also loved how he explored NYC by bike and skates.  His willingness to see the genuine and learn about various people's and cuisines is inspiring. And his unique perspective on race made was fascinating.

We were hugely frustrated that he had to buy his own name back from his partner, after working so hard to establish himself.

Favorite quote:    The part of me that says "I can" is always a just a little bit louder than the part of me that say "I can't".

Katie W. - Chipotle Chicken Skewers




Madeline - homemade smoked mackerel





Katie S. - lamb stew with sauteed morning glory





Dawn - Massaged Kale Salad - off his website - because we never have enough green!







Heather- spiced quinoa, apple cake #1 and mojitos - "New American Table"

Laura H. - apple cake #2







Next month (October 9th) we will be discussing the not-particularly-foodie book
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.  There are some yummy food descriptions, and lots of room for creativity! 

Katie S. found this great link with a list of all the food in the book to get you started.

Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles

This month we enjoyed our yearly light summer kids book, and took a literary trip to Paris with Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles by Rupert Kingfisher.

The group found it very refreshing, and was surprised how "not PC" it read, as though it were written decades before...really it could have been anywhere from the 30s to 70s!  The illustrations were universally adored, for their great expressions and humor.  Some folks were reminded of Lemony Snicket books, with terrible parents (how could they just shuttle her off for the summer like that?), uncle (such a poser), and awful things in general happening to the child in the book.  The food descriptions were probably by far the best part.

What was really liked was the message, about being heartfully connected with what you do, and how it is transformative in nature. We enjoyed how the people who could cook were special/magical.  This reminded us of the fantasy element of "the chosen one". We agreed that the book really captured how when you are in the flow cooking, you can be connected with the process and go beyond over-thinking. 

We discussed if Madame Pamplemousse is a witch, and concluded if so, she is clearly a good one.

The library does own the sequel: Madame Pamplemousse and the Enchanted Sweet Shop.

Katie S. - Croque Madame muffins from the Little Paris Kitchen and croissant s'mores.








Barbara - Potato and Pear Galette with Gorgonzola (also from the Little Paris Kitchen cookbook)



Dawn R. - french cheeses and bread (Fourme d'Amber, St. Nectaire, Canal)







Heather McN. - deluxe liverwurst sandwiches, stone fruit tart

Madeline C. - Pistou/pesto


Marsha - boursin and crackers


Katie W. - Beef Bourguignon 


Discussion went all over the place after we talked about the book.  Strong recommendation went out for Country Farms on 99, across from Ranch 99.

Next month we will be discussion Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson on Wednesday September 11, 2013.

Parody Cookbooks

Other than a momentary "ha ha" or for publisher to cash in on a current trend, what is the point of parody cookbooks?

First we had Fifty Shades of Chicken:


















 Now there is The Snacking Dead:



Seriously? Why would anyone buy these?