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?

Shiro report

This month's book was Shiro: Wit, Wisdom and Recipes from a Sushi Pioneer by Shiro Kashiba, a local chef and personality.

We all very much enjoyed his wonderful attitude, determination to do his best, and all the hard work he put into learning and mastering his craft. 

There wasn't a ton to discuss about this book, except Shiro's life and the beautiful book design.  If you didn't get a chance to read it, you should at least take a peek...it is gorgeous! 

We are still talking about trying to do a dinner out at his restaurant.  Bring your calendar to the next meeting, and we will try to pick a date.

Our meal was just delightful!

Julie D. - tuna poke and rice crackers


Laura H. - smoked salmon and cheese and crackers




 Katie W. - Manila clams Steamed with Sake  (How did I not get a photo of this treat?!?)


Katie S. - Handmade sushi rolls



Heather McN. - sushi rice in tofu packets


 

Dawn R. - Asparagus with Sesame Miso

Emily - delightful candy sushi and some ice cream mochi.

Vanessa  brought some more yummy Japanese treats:

Next month we are taking it easy and reading a kids book, Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles by Rupert Kingfisher.   Think French, silly, and tasty!

We are also taking up a collection to thank the church for letting us use their wonderful dining hall and kitchen for our group, so please bring some cash to chip in!

Pioneer Woman report

This month's book was The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story by Ree Drummond (not her cookbook, which one member read instead ;)

This book had a pretty mixed reaction from the group.  Some found it a bit on the fluffy side, others where enchanted by her blissful naivete.  There was a bit of speculation from those who had watched her show about where all the money came from that afforded her such a fancy ranch...as the book made it sound like the ranch barely broke even each year.  But her father was a doctor, and she has certainly made an industry out of being the Pioneer Woman!  One part of the book that really seemed to annoy the ladies was her obsession with what other people thought of her, and her insistence that there was no sex before the wedding.  We felt this was doubtful for a variety of reason.  She had already lived with a man for 4 years, so it was highly unlikely she was a virgin.  With all the hot "make-out sessions" they had, it is hard to imagine a couple of mature(ish) adults holding back.  The best bets we had was that she was just trying to look good for her Christian readers and relatives, or maybe he wanted to wait.  But you can tell our book group has been together quite a while now...this conversation got pretty rowdy!

A few of us had gotten her cookbook from the library The pioneer woman cooks : food from my frontier, and found it quite enjoyable. It has terrific step by step photos for each recipe and lots of delicious things we all wanted to try cooking.  Our only complaint was that they were all designed to feed people who have been working their butts off on a ranch all day, and were soaked in butter, cheese, and all kinds of other high-calorie goodness.

Here is what everyone made: 

Katie W - Tagliarini Quattro Formaggi (Four Cheese Pasta)

Emily - Pasta with Pesto Cream Sauce 

 

Katie S -  Drip Beef

 

Laura H. - homemade pizza 

 

Dawn R. - Brie Stuffed Mushrooms 

 

Debby S. cilantro slaw 

 Julie - Perfect Potatoes au Gratin

Next month we are discussing

Shiro : wit, wisdom & recipes from a sushi pioneer : a memoir

by local sushi chef Shiro Kashiba.  All of Sno-Isle's copies are checked out, but you can find this used on the Internet for under $7 (including shipping), and KCLS has 9 copies available, too.

We will also be planning an outing to go to Shiro's restaurant in downtown Seattle sometime in July.  Details to follow!

The Lacuna report

Hello everyone!   I didn't have time to read the book this month, so Heather was kind enough to write up our notes:

"Hello literature lovers, here is May's book club report...It seemed to come up quickly this time, I guess because the first was a Wednesday. The subject was "The Lacuna" by Barbara Kingsolver a fascinating mix of historical fiction and pure fiction. The book proved daunting to most, only a few women got through the whole thing, (politics can be kinda boring it seems) although some vowed to finish the novel.

The time frame spans 1929-1951, with the story taking place in Mexico and America. It shed light on the McCarthy hearings and what was going on with the imagined communism threat, a shanty town that sprung up around the white house in Washington dubbed "Hooversville" during the great depression, the intimate workings of  the marriage between Diego Rivero and the love of his life Frida, and the time Leon Trotsky lived with them. World War II figures into the tale, as well as the unusual lingo of the 40's. and America's art treasures of the time. Transcripts, letters, book reviews and first and second person accounts all intertwine to fascinate the stubborn reader who vows to wade through all 507 pages. An excellent and interesting read, and the Mexican food was to die for! "

 Laura - guacamole and chips



Heather M. - Chicken Enchilada Casserole, just like mom used to make!









Julie - roasted veggies





Katie S. - Mexican grilled corn and watermelon agua fresca




Debby S. - Angel Food Pineapple Cake (1 angel food cake mix, 1 20oz can crushed pineapple, bake for 30 min. in a lightly greased 9x13 on 350!)




  Our next book is The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, A Love Story by Ree Drummond about how a big city girl falls in love (and cooks for) a cowboy in Oklahoma.     What is not included in this is how she made her blog into a book into a media empire!  But you can see it all here and on her show!   If you haven't picked up the book yet, there are three copies still available through the library system...place your hold today (it is a pretty quick read).

Our meeting is Wednesday June 12th at 6:30pm, in our usual location.

Blood, Bones & Butter report

This month we returned to our cozy home in the basement of the church (thanks again to Heather for hosting at her home while this space was otherwise occupied!)

The book had mixed responses this month.  Some folks were really drawn to it, and I think others of us are finding chef autobiographies are starting to sound all the same ;)  Everyone was pretty appalled by the neglect and poor boundaries Gabrielle received as a teenager.

(I've misplaced my notes, but want to get this posted, so I'll come back and fill in more when I find them...please add in the comments if you have more you'd like to share with everyone who couldn't make it!)

Deborah S. - Made a wonderful Cheddar/Chille Bread, which we are encouraging her to submit for the Pillsbury bake-off!

Katie made super yummy eggs on biscuits (like the author used to eat on the stoop when she first moved to NYC) and delicious Rum-Raisin Sauce to go on ice cream.  So tasty!

In tribute to the family's giant yearly party, I made a variation on Lima Bean Salad. (Martha Stewart's recipe and photo...I appear to have forgotten to take my own!)


Laura brought the author's Braised Chicken Legs with Shallots and Vinegar.

Julie brought something tasty and baked that for the life of me I can't recall what it was called.  Spice cake maybe?

Heather brought delicious strawberries and cream:

I apologize for this being the worst report ever!  Next month I'll jump on it right away ;)

Next month's book is The Lacuna a novel by Barbara Kingsolver, who we read long ago with her nonfiction Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. The book takes place in Mexico, so plan for a fiesta!  Most of the books are checked out already, but the library does have 7 copies of the 19 hour long audiobook available...just enough time to listen to it before the meeting on Wednesday May 8th!