Book Club: Arrowood

October is Cindy’s favorite month to host book club.  She loves spooky books, decorating, and having one final gathering outside before the weather turns too chilly.  The book was Arrowood by Laura McHugh.  If you loved R.L. Stine’s Fear Street stories when you were young here they are all grown up. The night was perfect. We had cocktails and a fire bowl outside.

The Cocktail: Caramel Apple Martini

1 ounce caramel vodka

2 ounces vodka

3 ounces unfiltered apple cider

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake. Serve in a martini glass. Makes one.

These are SO good which means they are dangerous.  Enjoy accordingly!

The Appetizers

Pumpkin salsa served with pumpkin tortilla chips

Pumpkin shaped deviled eggs

Salty cured meats and cheeses

Black olives…. A Halloween Staple

The Menu

Salad Greens with Roasted Butternut Squash. Cranberries, Feta and Walnuts with a Shallot Vinaigrette

Pumpkin and Sage Crème over Fresh Papperdelle

Pumpkin Cheese Cake

This salad was a huge hit! Roast the cubed butternut squash until soft then let cool. The vinaigrette was shallots, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and white balsamic vinegar. The pasta is a twist on traditional Alfredo and the added pumpkin lowers the fat and adds great flavor. If you are not a fan of sage try basil instead.

Thanks to Cindy for a wonderfully spooky evening.  Love book club!