Sunday Salon - Catching Up and a Cornucopia of Blessings

A Cornucopia of Blessings

Well, it's certainly been awhile.  I believe the last time I posted the volcano was in eruption mode and I scared some folks with my close up views!  That still goes on, and off.  Sunday Salon is where Deb Nance of Readerbuzz, our charming hostess, has set aside as "a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. (For me, it's been a bit longer than that!)  It's also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there."  

Leading off with my favorite plant (of the week anyway)! The native Hawaiian Varigated Banana, aka Musa x paradisiaca 'Ae Ae', in its just planted stage, two years ago.  Then there's now, with a bunch of variegated bananas!

Harvested yesterday, oh joy!  They're similar to plantains and nice fried up in a bit of coconut oil or butter.

Another planting of interest in my garden is Dragon Fruit.  Here are some blooming in my friend's greenhouse.  And, what the fruit looks like, though comes in several colors.

 And, voila!  The installation of a Dragon Fruit stronghold in my garden.  They like to be in cinders, and on rock.  Plants,  like people are very particular.  Thanks Brian for a wonderful addition to my space!

Gatherings

                                      Friends, family and neighbors are important and I enjoy hosting.

Before any Books of Interest I'm going to finish with this gratitude list, and some of the many blessings God has showered on us!

 Today's harvest of Winged Beans, dill & Pineapples from yesterday - it's the season for pineapples!

The recently heavily pruned lychee tree, with lots of good mulch for the garden!  Maybe now it will get back to bearing fruit, other than just 2 or 3!  There's a wake up call for you! :) 

 

A new Kale plant                                                      Flowering Galangal ginger

    Tropical Oregano                Lemongrass

with cranberry hibiscus in back

                                      Curry tree with berries    Water Lillies & Water hyacinths in the pond

And we do have some books to mention!

I almost don't know where to start.   I'd better limit myself to the more recent ones, of special merit or interest.

The Last Detective by Peter Lodvesey.  From the Publishers: "The irascible, corpulent, cynical Chief Superintendent Peter Diamond of the Avon and Somerset murder squad attributes Britain's decline as a world power to the abolition of capital punishment in 1964. Spurning computer gadgetry, he sticks to common sense, index cards and gumshoeing: `Knocking on doors. That's how we get results.' The belated identification of the victim as actress Geraldine Snoo, written out of a BBC soap opera two years before, leads to one surprise after another."

A good Detective novel in the time honored tradition, though new to me.  I will be reading more of his books.

The Comfort of Ghosts, by a favorite author of mine, and her last in the series featuring Maisie Dobbs, Investigator/Psychologist,  and an intriguing conclusion for a beloved heroine.  

Bleeding Heart Yard, by Elly Griffiths.  This is turning out to be something of a round-up of favorite authors!  A stand-alone by Griffiths, and on the chilling side, but good.

The Dying Day by Vaseem Khan is a wonderful novel featuring a newly installed female policewoman, Inspector Persis Wadia, in 1950 Bombay.  She has a lot to put up with, as you can imagine!  I look forward to reading many more of her adventures by this excellent author.

This is one, loved by many, but myself, not so much!  It was our Cook the Books pick for June/July, which will have a roundup posted soon of reviews and food inspired by the novel.  My review is a few posts back here at:https://honeyfromrock.blogspot.com/

Well folks, that's it for now.  I'll try to be a more frequent participant here, but enjoy a wonderful weekend full of good food, books and get togethers.

Savory and Unsavory Tales of the Midwest

We, over at Cook the Books, have been reading and posting our reviews and food inspirations based on Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal, and hosted this round by Simona of Bricole fame!  I'm on the late side here with my take on it.

I absolutely hated this book from the get go, well, at least after Lars' passing. "When Lars Thorvald’s wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine—and a dashing sommelier—he’s left to raise their baby, Eva, on his own. He’s determined to pass on his love of food to his daughter—starting with puréed pork shoulder." (from the Publishers) He was pretty amusing as he prepared gourmet baby meals for little Eva in the first section, Lutefisk.  Including the best kind of olives for a newborn.  Lutefisk brought back memories of a Norwegian friend of ours many years ago.  After hearing a description of that treat, we would threaten to bring him some in time for Christmas.  

Anyway it was downhill after Lars left the scene, but I pressed on with reading.  Then went over the novel once more.  We are committed here at Cook the Books.  Some things were better the second time around, but not everything.  Especially from the second chapter on to The Dinner chapter.  The language, often crude and ignorant, with people to match.  The early period full of Eva being bullied, adolescent trains of thought, attitudes and unsavory activity all around her.  The story ends well, but getting there was difficult for me.  We humans are sort of like snowflakes in some respects, each very unique!  So it's normal to have different opinions about things like food and books!  

On the upside, and in between, there were many mentions of food and recipes I wanted to try, so lots of inspiration in that department.  For instance, I ordered the special Koroneiki olive oil from Greece that Eva chose, and mentioned in the novel, to see how it compared with my own bottle of Moroccan sourced high polyphenol rich oil from Dr. Gundry.  

Yay!  I was able to do a taste test, admittedly my humble palate not being as sensitive as Eva's fictional one, which I do have my doubts about.  After all those searingly hot chili peppers that she ingested early in her career, would there be any sensitivity left?  In the real world, but, this is fiction of course.  The Moroccan variety had a rounder, mellow, slightly more savory flavor, less pungent than the Koroneiki, which was more robust, with a bit of astringency on the after taste.  

As for the meal inspiration, I was quite taken with the description of her Succotash.  Luckily, it being the right season, I was able to source organic, farm fresh corn, actually the day picked!  And to which I added my garden fresh, green, winged beans, rather the green beans Eva used.  A truly fabulous dish!  I will be making this again, whenever I can get that corn!  You need to call ahead and see if it's in.

Succotash Recipe

Servings: 4 servings

Prep time30 minutes
Cooking time: 15minutes

Ingredients

5 slices bacon, cut up in 1 inch pieces

1/2 medium yellow sweet onion, diced

1 teaspoon salt, divided

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 cups fresh corn kernels (or frozen, thawed)

1 cup chopped winged beans or green beans 

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped 

¼ teaspoon black pepper

5 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved, or 1/2 large tomato, chopped 

¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil

Directions

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon until crispy, about 5–8 minutes.

Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and leave the drippings in the pan.

Add the diced onion and ⅛ teaspoon salt to the pan. Cook for about 4 minutes until the onion softens.

Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Add the corn, winged beans or green beans, bell pepper, black pepper, and the remaining salt. Stir and cook for about 3 minutes until the corn and vegetables are tender but still have a bit of crunch.

Remove from heat. Stir in the tomatoes and sliced basil.

Crumble the crispy bacon over the top just before serving.  Always cool bacon on paper towels so it stays crisp.  Add tomatoes and basil only at the end to keep the dish fresh and vibrant.

Then, to top it all off a nice glass of Pinot! 

 There is a Round-up of everyone's opinions and meals coming up, so look for it at Cook the Books Club, during the first week or so of August. 

 Our next selection will be the August/September edition, Claudia (moi) (Honey from Rock) has chosen the novel Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford. Announcement coming soon.

A Toast to Call of the Camino

Our latest - April/May -  Cook the Books Club selection has been Call of the Camino by Suzanne Redfearn, and hosted this round by Debra of Eliot's Eats.  This is Redfearn's latest novel, and as such was not in our library.  I got my copy through Amazon.

Here's the story via the Publishers: From the bestselling author of In an Instant comes a deeply moving novel following the transformative journeys of two women walking entwined paths on a legendary route across Europe a generation apart.

Reina Watkins lost her father when she was eight. Seventeen years later, she still carries that grief. When her budding journalism career takes an unexpected turn, it leads her to the ancient five-hundred-mile Camino de Santiago in Spain. Now she finds herself embarking on the same pilgrimage that her father made at her age, unaware of how profoundly it will change her.

Back in 1997, Isabelle Vidal is a teenager on the run. Fleeing from her boarding school, she heads straight for the Way of Saint James. She’s heard the Camino will provide. And so it does, in the form of a handsome young American and the promise of a new life. But it could all fall apart if her troubles catch up with her.

As for my thoughts, and research, I'm starting with the back story of Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James.  There were three disciples by that name, none of whom ever made it to Spain, dead or alive.  The Apostle Paul planned to go to Spain, and had also said he was resolved not to go where the gospel had already been preached.  See Romans 15:20-24. One St. James was the brother of the Apostle John and early on was slain by Herod.  The other James was the author of the book of James in the New Testament, written about A.D. 45-50, and had a leading role as head of the early church, mainly in Jerusalem to the Jewish believers.  Paul's main outreach was to the Gentiles, hence his many journeys. 

Enough of the background history on this legendary walk.  Legend being the operative word.  I focused on that mainly because the book itself was not appealing to me.  The two story lines, and time lines were distracting and difficult to follow.  The characters were not sympathetic and didn't engage my interest.  From this novel, I do understand that many people going on the walk have a wonderful time, meet people they become friends with, and even experience spiritual dimensions.  I wasn't tempted to take the journey myself.

I took cooking inspiration from the Sangria Isabella mentioned that her mother was famous for.  "Her secret is that she adds a dash of brandy, green apples and blueberries  -- a combination that tempers the sweetness and makes the drink deep, dark mulberry.  She allowed me a taste each time she made a batch, and it's one of my favorite treats." They were sharing glasses of Sangria in one of their favorite villages on the walk, Najera.

Friends came over for a Cinco de Mayo dinner, for which I made a Mexican Lasagna, as well as a pitcher of Sangria.  It was indeed very delicious and thoroughly enjoyed by all.  Mine also had the dash of brandy, pieces of green apples and blueberries, as well as some tangerine segments.

Stay tuned for the Round-up, which should be posted shortly after the first of June.  Linked to Cook the Books and Weekend Cooking, hosted by Marg, the Intrepid Reader and Baker.

Something Good to Eat from Miss Eliza's English Kitchen

                                                                 

We at Cook the Books Club, have been reading and posting some inspired cooking for this, our February/March selection, Miss Eliza's English Kitchen, by Annabel Abbs.  The current round is hosted by Amy of Amy's Cooking Adventures. I enjoyed the novel immensely, so true to life, it's close to being a memoir. The characters, flaws and all, are well developed and inspiring. It also helped that the story is close to my own heart for gardening, cooking and finding new uses for the plants and herbs God has so magnificently provided us.

From the Library Journal Review..."the brilliant real-life story of Eliza Acton and her assistant as they revolutionized British cooking and cookbooks around the world. Before Mrs. Beeton and well before Julia Child, there was Eliza Acton, who changed the course of cookery writing forever. England, 1835 London is awash with thrilling new ingredients, from rare spices to exotic fruits. But no one knows how to use them. When Eliza Acton is told by her publisher to write a cookery book instead of the poetry she loves, she refuses - until her bankrupt father is forced to flee the country. As a woman, Eliza has few options. Although shes never set foot in a kitchen, she begins collecting recipes and teaching herself to cook. Much to her surprise she discovers a talent - and a passion - for the culinary arts. Eliza hires young, destitute Ann Kirby to assist her. As they cook together, Ann learns about poetry, love and ambition. The two develop a radical friendship, breaking the boundaries of class while creating new ways of writing recipes. .... Based on the true story of the first modern cookery writer, Miss Eliza's English Kitchen is a spellbinding novel about female friendship, the struggle for independence, and the transcendent pleasures and solace of food."

There was a good amount of food to be inspired by, as you might imagine, and mine came at the very end of the book.  Eliza is visiting her sister, for the first time in her new home, as a married woman.  She is shocked at the awful state of the basement kitchen, never visited by the lady of the house.  Waking very early one morning she goes into what has become her own favorite place at home, the kitchen, and begins putting together some potato rolls that Ann had told her about.  "A bread her mother made using potatoes rubbed, quite hot, through a coarse sieve."

And, of course, there had to be soup to accompany those rolls.  I thought a big pot of Minestrone would be perfect.  And friends over to share it all!  The rolls were delicious and so was the soup and company!  Here is the recipe I used, though you could use regular yeast if you don't have a sourdough starter.

Soft Sourdough Potato Rolls

yield: ABOUT 17 ROLLS
prep time: 25 MINUTES
cook time: 15 MINUTES
additional time: 10 HOURS
total time: 10 HOURS 40 MINUTES

Ingredients
100g (1/2 cup) active sourdough starter (100% hydration)
120g (1/2 cup) whole milk, scalded and cooled*
75g (1/3 cup) salted butter, softened
50g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
105g (1/2 cup) mashed potatoes (or 22g
1 large egg, beaten
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
440g (about 3-1/4 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour (may need more or less)
1½ tablespoons melted butter for brushing the rolls after baking

Instructions:

Add sourdough starter, cooled milk, softened butter, sugar, mashed potatoes, beaten egg, salt, and flour to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook or cookie paddles (reserve the 1-1/2 T melted butter for later).
Mix until a smooth dough forms. Add additional flour a little at a time if your dough is too sticky. The dough should pull away from the sides and bottom of the bowl when you have enough flour. No additional kneading is necessary.

Transfer your dough to a large oiled bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Allow the bowl to sit on the counter at room temperature for 4 hours.
At this point, you may leave the dough out for 4 more hours if you're baking the same day, or transfer it to the refrigerator to bake after 24 hours-3 days. 

Pull your bowl out of the fridge one hour before forming your rolls to allow the dough to come back to room temperature.
Form the dough into about 17 rolls. For uniform rolls, weigh each ball of dough on a kitchen scale and make them 58 grams a piece.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap, and allow to proof in a warm area for about 2 hours or until the rolls look "poofy."
Bake on the center rack in a 375°F oven for 12-15 minutes or until rolls are lightly golden.
Brush the warm rolls with the 1½ T. melted butter.
Serve warm. Allow any leftovers to cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze.
Notes. *heat milk to 180°F, then allow to cool

Be sure to stay tuned to Cook the Books for the coming Round Up at the end of March featuring all our posts. 

From Rambutans to Risotto for Bite by Bite

 

Well, I haven't posted for a bit, lots going on here, between cleaning off the fine dusting of volcanic glass, called locally Pele's hair and trying to keep up with my gardening, singlehanded almost.  The first time I remember Volcanic ash coming all this far down the mountain.  Also, hosted a a lovely gathering of ladies today demonstrating how to make wine with local fruits.

Anyway, our current book selection for Cook the Books Club has been, Bite By Bite, Nourishments & Jamborees by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and hosted this round by Simona of Briciole.  The Anthology is a delightful, poetic compilation of short essays about food and the author's memories associated with various fruits and meals she has enjoyed over the years.  Everything from Rambutans to Risotto!

From The Booklist Review: Nezhukumatathil's prowess as a poet infuses this unique memoir-meditation on the foods that mean the most to her. In addition to familiar U.S. fare, she walks readers through fruits exotic to North America, like mangosteen and rambutan, and foods like bangus (fish) and lumpia, common in the Philippines, where her mother hails from. Each chapter weaves facts, trivia, mythology, and personal stories together, linking Nezhukumatathil's food subjects through space and time in a meandering fashion. Her meditation on strawberries, for instance, mixes personal anecdotes about the fruit--reminding readers of the artificial strawberry scent applied to Strawberry Shortcake dolls in the 1980s--with trivia about historical uses and lore (the ancient Romans used strawberries as a cure for depression). She ties it all up with vivid prose that recalls the excitement of a mother anticipating her child eating their first handpicked berry. This whimsical and soothing work will appeal to fans of food writing, memoirs, intercultural stories, and poetry.    

For cooking inspiration, I was especially taken with her tantalizing description of a Mushroom Risotto she and her husband enjoyed in the Swiss Alps.  And, of course I had to make it!  Hard to say if it was as good as the one in Aimee's memory, but damn good all the same! A fresh salad of slivered kale and cherry tomatoes was a perfect contrast.  The recipe from Ina Garten on Food.com is the one I used.  Adding all the various mushrooms I could lay my hands on.

I just posted this in the very nick of time, as today is the deadline!  Be sure to check in for Simona's Roundup of everyone's posts and cooking inspirations, which should be online at Cook The Books a few days from now.  As well as a preview of our upcoming new book selection.