Stuffing Spinach and Finding Family

An absorbing novel on surviving family life after the death of one's mother, finding one's birth mother and birth sister, wanting to have a real family, dealing with rejection, managing the teenagers of one's boyfriend, and much more, The Survivor's Guide to Family Happiness, by Maddie Dawson.  Terrific stuff, with tongue in cheek good humor.

Of course, it's probably easier to manage teens if they're not related to you.  Must be why she did such a good job in that corner at least.  I loved the story, back story and development of all the characters.   Here's a quote, from when Nina is on her way to the re-cycling place after her mother's death.

"And then I went outside and got into my Honda Civic that held the portable commode and the IV pole and the shower chair, all of which I'd spent an hour wrestling into the backseat before leaving the house, and I jerked the car into reverse, pressed on the accelerator - and immediately got my tires stuck in the pile of snow by the curb.
     I did everything you're supposed to do - cursed, banged my hand on the steering wheel as hard as I could, and then, when that didn't work, I rocked the car back and forth, pressing on the gas, then turning the wheel - but it got progressively worse with every attempt.  The tires kept burying themselves deeper and deeper in, and what had been snow under the tires was now turning to slick ice. There was a squealing noise, and after a while, the smell of something burning.
     I mashed on the accelerator so hard that the car lurched forward, and the commode in the backseat took the opportunity to jump into the front seat and pin me down with its aluminium legs.
     Sometimes when you're moving from the old to the new, the universe likes to remind you who's in charge by spinning your tires on ice and then throwing a toilet at your head.
     At least that's the lesson I took away from it."



That's my review, as per usual, I don't go in for lengthy ones, just short recommendations, maybe a quote or two. But, here's a bit more from the Publishers:

"Three women, three lives, and one chance to become a family…whether they want to or not.

Newly orphaned, recently divorced, and semi adrift, Nina Popkin is on a search for her birth mother. She’s spent her life looking into strangers’ faces, fantasizing they’re related to her, and now, at thirty-five, she’s ready for answers.

Meanwhile, the last thing Lindy McIntyre wants is someone like Nina bursting into her life, announcing that they’re sisters and campaigning to track down their mother. She’s too busy with her successful salon, three children, beautiful home, and…oh yes, some pesky little anxiety attacks."

That's the book , which I do think is worthwhile, enjoyable reading.  As for my recipe of the day, it's also a tale of taking what's available, and using it creatively.  The Pacific spinach which I've posted about before, with its huge, heart-shaped leaves, does well here, and being a perennial, you don't need to keep re-planting.  My collards are like that.  They just keep going, so collard leaves or cabbage leaves could also be used in this recipe.  Just blanched a bit longer at the start. This is served in a reduced braising sauce over noodles (or potatoes if you like) and topped with a sauce of yogurt, garlic and mint.

Stuffed Pacific Spinach Leaves

Ingredients (for 2-3 servings)

6-7 large leaves of Pacific spinach, cabbage or collards, washed and thick stems trimmed off
Stuffing:
1/2 lb. ground beef or lamb
1 teas. garlic, finely minced
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/2 medium tomato, rinsed and roughly chopped
1 teas. ground coriander
5 or so sprigs cilantro (or parsley) chopped
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teas. salt
1/2 teas. harissa )or seasonings you prefer
black pepper to taste
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs or left-over cooked rice (I've also used quinoa)
1 egg

Sauce:
2 cups chicken or beef broth
1./2 cup white wine
2 tablespoons butter
Topping: (Just mix it all together)
1 cup yogurt, kefir or sour cream
1 tablespoon mint, minced
1 small clove garlic, crushed
1/4 teas. salt

Preheat oven to 350F
Bring a pot of water to boil add 1 tablespoon salt (don't dump it out after, as you can use it to boil the noodles later) and blanch the leaves for about 1 minute (Collards or cabbage for 3-4 minutes).  If using Pacific Spinach, add 1 teas. vinegar or lemon juice to the water.  Then drain well and let rest on some clean kitchen towels until ready to stuff.

Mix the stuffing ingredients together well in a bowl, then put about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture on the bottom portion of each leaf,  roll forward, tucking in the sides, and place in a baking dish.  If you have extra, smaller ones, they can be used to round out any uneven parts. When finished, pour over the broth, cover and bake for 30 minutes.  While it's cooking, you can whip together the Yogurt Garlic Mint Sauce and put aside for serving.

Carefully drain the broth off into a saucepan.  Cover the rolls and set aside in a warm place.  Add the wine to the cooking broth and reduce until it starts to thicken.  You might cook your noodles while that's happening.  Turn off heat, then stir in the butter, a bit at a time, then pour over the rolls and serve over noodles with the Yogurt Mint Sauce to top.

We enjoyed this meal, I just had some sliced, fresh tomatoes with salt and olive oil as a side.  Perfect!  A great combination altogether.  This post will be linked over at Beth Fish Reads for her Weekend Cooking event, and with Heather at the June edition of Foodies Read Challenge, where you are all invited to join in, or to browse for good food and book ideas.