Our first meeting of 2016 was to discuss Cutting
for Stone by Abraham Verghese.
Verghese is an Ethiopian born medical doctor who provides a lot of
detail in this novel. This is an eye
opening read that most, not all, of our group enjoyed. Jamie hosted a lovely evening.
The Drink: The Madras
1 ½ ounce vodka
4 ounces cranberry juice
1 ounce orange juice
½ cup ice
Lime wedge
Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker but the lime
wedge. Shake. Pour into glass and garnish with lime. Makes one drink.
The Menu
Salad Greens with Feta and Dried Cranberries Topped
with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Stuffed Tortellini with Creamy Pesto
Jamie searched Ethiopian recipes and found that the ingredients may be a bit hard to find in Idaho along with the fact that the food sounded a little too adventurous. She did serve a delicious meal anyway! Find our recipe below for homemade pesto and get to planting your basil. It is the perfect time!
Our
Favorite Pesto Recipe
· 2 cups fresh
basil leaves
· 1 cup fresh
grated
· ½ cup toasted
pine nuts
· 4 large chopped garlic
cloves
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· ½ cup good olive
oil
Combine the basil, cheese, pine nuts, garlic and salt in a food
processor. You could also use a blender.
Process until a paste forms and then slowly add the olive oil. If you do not
have pine nuts you can substitute toasted almonds or walnuts.
To toast the nuts put them in a pan over low heat and stir
occasionally until golden brown. Watch
them because they burn easily. Make sure
they are completely cool before making the pesto or the sauce will be gummy.
Our next book club post will feature Skylar hosting The Japanese
Lover: A Novel by Isabelle Allende. Thanks for the fun evening Jamie!
