Book Club: Commonwealth

Books that make for the best discussions are ones that people can relate to their own lives.  Books about families over generations lend themselves to many conversation topics.

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett is novel that tells the story of two families joined together by a chance meeting and the dysfunction that reveals itself over decades.  This book has it all: infidelity, divorce, blended families, sickness and love. Definitely read this book  and examine your own family dynamics.

The Cocktail

A classic gin and tonic

·       2 ounces gin

·       4 ounces tonic water

·       Lime wedge

Serve over ice.

The Appetizer

Baked Crab Dip

This creamy dip is a perfect started when served with crackers or toasted baguette.  

Here is a similar recipe to the one that was served.

The Dinner

Salad Greens with Feta, Dried Cranberries and Vinaigrette

Fish Stew

The Dessert

Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Buttercream Frosting

It was as delicious as it looks and gluten free!

Future Book Club Members

Next up will be Skylar hosting a brunch.  The book will be The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. 

It is a quirky romantic comedy.  One of the best types of novels!

Thanks for the fun Laura.

Book Club: The Japanese Lover

For February's book club we wanted to pick a book that was a love story. If you have read The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende you know it is not a typical happily ever after love story. It is a beautiful love story just the same. We all really enjoyed the read and would highly recommend it to others.

Skylar hosted the group and themed it based on some of the settings and characters in the book so the food and drinks were a mix of Polish, Japanese, and a little San Francisco. What a combination! 

Latkes with Sour Cream and Apple Sauce

Blood Orange Martini

The cocktail was a blood orange martini and included polish vodka, fresh squeezed blood orange juice, and simple syrup. They were a big hit! They were easy to make by the pitcher so you don't also have to be making cocktails all night. You can find the recipe here. 

On the menu:

Latkes served with sour cream and applesauce

Broccoli bites served on San Francisco Sour Dough

Homemade Pierogis

Salad

Japanese Cheesecake

Broccoli Bites on San Francisco Sour Dough

If you have never had a Japanese Cheesecake before it is a must try. It is a not too sweet, nicely fluffy and all around delicious. Serve with a nice glass of champagne and you have the perfect end to a great night.

You can find the Japanese Cheesecake that Skylar made here. 

Book Club: The Girl on the Train

When you hear over and over about how great a book is you eventually have to give in and read it. November’s book club pick, The Girl on the Train, was hosted by Skylar. So many books have been written recently that have a “twist” at the end it is becoming harder to trick the reader. However, either our book club was off their game or Paula Hawkins did a nice job of keeping us guessing. Read this book before it becomes a movie!

The Cocktail

Skylar had to go with Gin and Tonics. She knew that no one would really want to drink them out of a can (as the main character did) so she just went with mixing them up! 

Overall, there was not a lot of eating in the book that would have made a good themed meal. On the other hand there was a lot, and we mean A LOT, of drinking so we went with it!

Each course included alcohol from Limoncello, Vodka to Brandy.

Shrimp Bruschetta with Limoncello

The Menu

 (links included)

Shrimp Bruschetta with Limoncello

Baby Greens Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

Pasta with Vodka Sauce

Drunken Honey Cookies

Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

Pasta alla Vodka Sauce 

Drunken Honey Cookies made with local Valley's Honey

We promise next book club we will not be reading another suspense! We may thrown in something with a few tears... stay tuned. 

Book Club: The Promise of Stardust

For us book club has been about getting together and keeping in touch... Oh and wine! Ok. Throw a book in there too! This gathering, hosted by Katie, was a prime example.  Both Katie and Ella were in town from out of state and it was like no time had lapsed at all.  The book The Promise of Stardust  by Priscille Sibley was not a favorite for most of us.  Read it if you like a lot of medical detail and stories of sadness and loss.  Katie prepared a fabulous Paleo Chicken Piccata which redeemed the night.

The Menu

Fresh Green Salad

Herb Roasted Potatoes

Chicken Piccata with Capers

Click the link above for a chicken recipe similar to Katie's.  The potatoes make a great, easy side dish.  Chop small yellow potatoes into quarters, toss in olive oil, add crushed garlic and sprinkle with sea salt, pepper and herbs such as rosemary and thyme. Spread the potatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast at 350 degrees for approximately an hour.  Stir with a spatula a couple of times during the roasting process.  The potatoes should be brown, soft and slightly crispy. This a great dish for entertaining because you can have it prepared in advance and pop in the oven before your guests arrive.

The peach pie Katie served for dessert was definitely not Paleo approved but is was delicious! 
Thanks to Katie and Ella for making it a priority to get together when they visit.   Also, thanks to Jamie for letting Katie use her kitchen!

A Book Club Brunch: All the Light We Cannot See

Skylar was the host for All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.  This is an amazing book that everyone should experience. Stories like this make for wonderful discussion and, of course, Skylar always does fabulous menu.  She focused on cultural menu items rather than foods that were mentioned in the book because food was pretty scarce throughout the story.

Blueberry Jam Prosecco

The Cocktail

Makes One

§  1 ¹⁄₂ tbsp. blueberry jam
§  ³⁄₄ oz. fresh lemon juice
§  1 ¹⁄₂ oz. vodka
§  3 oz. Prosecco 

In a cocktail shaker, combine the jam, lemon juice, and vodka with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds and then strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Top with prosecco and garnish with fresh blueberries.

The Menu

Apple Strudel

Sage Sausage

The cheese plate consisted of a wild mushroom Brie, a double cream Brie, and a Chèvre with blueberries. Skylar also served a mint and feta frittata (recipe here) along with the apple strudel and sage sausage. 

Really! Read this book.  You will be thankful you did.  Next up is Jamie hosting a discussion of  The Rosie Project by Graeme C. Simsion. Thanks to Skylar for the wonderful brunch.