Sunday, February 28, 2010
January 2010 Host: Jennie
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Summary
This is the story of Fanny Price, as a young child, Fanny is removed from her own impoverished home to live with a more well to do aunt. Fanny is a quiet and passive child and is at first, very homesick. She is living with her aunt and uncle and four cousins, Tom, Maria, and Julia simply tolerate her while Edmund, the youngest cousin, is kind to her and they become very close. Fanny’s second aunt, Mrs. Norris, is critical of Fanny and takes every opportunity to make Fanny aware of her lesser social standing. Fanny eventually grows into a woman with a very clear sense of what is right and wrong and one instance of this is her spurning a rich, but unwelcome suitor who in the past had outrageously flirted with her cousins. As in other Austen novels, this work explores the interrelationships of love, marriage, money, and social stature in nineteenth century England.
Discussion
-This is probably Jane Austen’s least favorite works, only two of us actually finished the novel. This is in part due to the nature of the main character Fanny, she is very passive and different from Austen’s other stronger female characters in her other novels. An introverted protagonist is not Austen’s usual fare. The reading was at times difficult and confusing. The first part of the book was slow reading but fortunately, the last half picked up.
- There is no moral stigma attached to the fact that one of the main characters, Sir Thomas, is a slave trader.
-The two of us that finished the book enjoyed it, especially after the first half. Although it is more serious then her other novels, I would recommend this book as anything by Jane Austen is worth reading and I know that this is a book that I will always remember. The character development was elaborate and very well done.
-There were some lines in the book where you just had to stop and read it again, e.g., one of Fanny’s cousins state: “my selfishness must be forgiven as there is no hope for a cure …”
Menu
Assorted Appetizers
Mushroom Tart
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Swiss Vegetable Medley
Potato Leek Stew
Peanut Butter Tart
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Summary
This is the story of Fanny Price, as a young child, Fanny is removed from her own impoverished home to live with a more well to do aunt. Fanny is a quiet and passive child and is at first, very homesick. She is living with her aunt and uncle and four cousins, Tom, Maria, and Julia simply tolerate her while Edmund, the youngest cousin, is kind to her and they become very close. Fanny’s second aunt, Mrs. Norris, is critical of Fanny and takes every opportunity to make Fanny aware of her lesser social standing. Fanny eventually grows into a woman with a very clear sense of what is right and wrong and one instance of this is her spurning a rich, but unwelcome suitor who in the past had outrageously flirted with her cousins. As in other Austen novels, this work explores the interrelationships of love, marriage, money, and social stature in nineteenth century England.
Discussion
-This is probably Jane Austen’s least favorite works, only two of us actually finished the novel. This is in part due to the nature of the main character Fanny, she is very passive and different from Austen’s other stronger female characters in her other novels. An introverted protagonist is not Austen’s usual fare. The reading was at times difficult and confusing. The first part of the book was slow reading but fortunately, the last half picked up.
- There is no moral stigma attached to the fact that one of the main characters, Sir Thomas, is a slave trader.
-The two of us that finished the book enjoyed it, especially after the first half. Although it is more serious then her other novels, I would recommend this book as anything by Jane Austen is worth reading and I know that this is a book that I will always remember. The character development was elaborate and very well done.
-There were some lines in the book where you just had to stop and read it again, e.g., one of Fanny’s cousins state: “my selfishness must be forgiven as there is no hope for a cure …”
Menu
Assorted Appetizers
Mushroom Tart
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Swiss Vegetable Medley
Potato Leek Stew
Peanut Butter Tart
Ingredients
Serves 4
Flour, for rolling out puff pastry
1 (from a 17.3-ounce package) sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 packages (10 ounces each) white mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 packages (10 ounces) fresh baby spinach
2 ounces soft goat cheese, crumbled
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a floured surface, roll the puff pastry out to a 16-by-10 inch rectangle. Trim uneven edges. Place the pastry on a baking sheet. With a sharp knife, lightly score dough to form a 1-inch border. Using a fork, prick dough inside the border every 1/2 inch. Bake until golden, rotating pan once, about 15 minutes or until tender.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, toss onion with 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt. Cover and cook over medium heat until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir. Continue cooking with cover on for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Set aside.
In a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, heat remaining oil. Add mushrooms; cover and cook until tender and all liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Fold in spinach; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes more. Drain any liquid.
Top dough with mushroom-spinach mixture. Scatter onion and goat cheese on top. Bake until cheese is lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
-1 pound seashell, fusili or rotini pasta
-½ pound Geneo salami, chopped
-½ pound Asiago cheese, diced
-8 ounces provolone, feta, or mozzarella cheese, chopped
-1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
-1 red bell pepper diced
-1 green bell pepper, diced
-3 tomatoes, chopped or equivalent in halved grape tomatoes
-1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian style salad dressing mix
-1 small jar artichokes, chopped, or 1 can drained garbanzo beans
-2 chopped green onions
-1 cup your favorite balsamic vinaigrette dressing
OR you can make your own dressing:
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, and cool under cold water.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Within one hour before serving, pour dressing over the salad and mix well.
Ingredients
-1 pound seashell, fusili or rotini pasta
-½ pound Geneo salami, chopped
-½ pound Asiago cheese, diced
-8 ounces provolone, feta, or mozzarella cheese, chopped
-1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
-1 red bell pepper diced
-1 green bell pepper, diced
-3 tomatoes, chopped or equivalent in halved grape tomatoes
-1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian style salad dressing mix
-1 small jar artichokes, chopped, or 1 can drained garbanzo beans
-2 chopped green onions
-1 cup your favorite balsamic vinaigrette dressing
OR you can make your own dressing:
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, and cool under cold water.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Within one hour before serving, pour dressing over the salad and mix well.
Swiss Vegetable Medley
Ingredients
-1 bag (16 oz.) frozen broccoli, carrots and cauliflower combination,
thawed and drained
-1 can (10 ¾ oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup
-1 cup shredded swiss cheese
-1/3 cup sour cream
-¼ teaspoon pepper
-¼ jar pimento drained, (optional)
-1 can (28 oz.) Durkee French Fried Onions
Combine vegetables, soup, ½ cup shredded swiss cheese, sour cream, pepper, pimento, ½ can Durkee French Fried Onions.
Pour into one quart casserole.
Bake covered, 350 degrees for thirty minutes.
Top with remaining French fried onions and cheese and bake for five minutes longer.
Ingredients
-1 bag (16 oz.) frozen broccoli, carrots and cauliflower combination,
thawed and drained
-1 can (10 ¾ oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup
-1 cup shredded swiss cheese
-1/3 cup sour cream
-¼ teaspoon pepper
-¼ jar pimento drained, (optional)
-1 can (28 oz.) Durkee French Fried Onions
Combine vegetables, soup, ½ cup shredded swiss cheese, sour cream, pepper, pimento, ½ can Durkee French Fried Onions.
Pour into one quart casserole.
Bake covered, 350 degrees for thirty minutes.
Top with remaining French fried onions and cheese and bake for five minutes longer.
Ingredients
3 cups water
1 1.8 ounce envelope white sauce mix (equal to 1/2 cup powder mix)
6 medium red or new potatoes sliced, or cubed
3 medium leeks, sliced
1 1/2 to 2 cups finely chopped Canadian style bacon or ham
1 12 ounce can evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1 8 ounce carton dairy sour cream
Chives or green onions, optonal
In 4 to 6 quart crock pot, gradually stir in water to white sauce mix until mixture is smooth. Stir in
potatoes, leeks, meat, evaporated milk, dill weed and parsley.
Cover and cook on low 7-9 hours or on high 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours.
Turn to high heat setting. In medium bowl, stir sour cream into 2 cups hot soup. Return mixture to crockpot. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Ladle into bowls. Add chives or green onions as desired.
Peanut Butter Tart
Ingredients
FOR THE CRUST
Ten 4 3/4-by-2 1/2-inch graham crackers, broken into pieces
FOR THE FILLING
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 ounces best-quality milk chocolate, plus more for curls
1 3/4 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup cream cheese (4 ounces)
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
Place graham crackers in the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until fine crumbs are formed. Transfer to a medium bowl, and add butter. Stir with a fork until thoroughly combined. Place crumbs in a 13 3/4-by-4 1/4-inch rectangular tart pan with a removable bottom. Press crumbs up the sides of the pan to form the edge of the tart and then evenly over the bottom of the pan. Place in the refrigerator while making the filling.
Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Finely chop chocolate, and place in a medium bowl. Place 1/2 cup cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Pour over chopped chocolate, and set aside for 5 minutes to yield chocolate ganache. Whisk to combine. Set in ice bath until ganache is cool, whisking constantly. Once cool, remove from ice bath, and whisk until ganache is just thick enough to hold its shape; do not overbeat. Spread in the bottom of the prepared crust, and return to the refrigerator until set.
Whip 3/4 cup heavy cream to soft peaks. Add whipped cream to peanut butter mixture; whisk to combine.
Combine peanut butter, cream cheese, and sweetened condensed milk in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
Spoon mixture into prepared crust; return to the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight. Remove tart from refrigerator, and transfer to a serving platter 10 minutes before serving. Whip remaining 1/2 cup cream. Top tart with dollops of whipped cream. Use a vegetable peeler to make chocolate curls for garnish
Ingredients
FOR THE CRUST
Ten 4 3/4-by-2 1/2-inch graham crackers, broken into pieces
FOR THE FILLING
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 ounces best-quality milk chocolate, plus more for curls
1 3/4 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup cream cheese (4 ounces)
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
Place graham crackers in the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until fine crumbs are formed. Transfer to a medium bowl, and add butter. Stir with a fork until thoroughly combined. Place crumbs in a 13 3/4-by-4 1/4-inch rectangular tart pan with a removable bottom. Press crumbs up the sides of the pan to form the edge of the tart and then evenly over the bottom of the pan. Place in the refrigerator while making the filling.
Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Finely chop chocolate, and place in a medium bowl. Place 1/2 cup cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Pour over chopped chocolate, and set aside for 5 minutes to yield chocolate ganache. Whisk to combine. Set in ice bath until ganache is cool, whisking constantly. Once cool, remove from ice bath, and whisk until ganache is just thick enough to hold its shape; do not overbeat. Spread in the bottom of the prepared crust, and return to the refrigerator until set.
Whip 3/4 cup heavy cream to soft peaks. Add whipped cream to peanut butter mixture; whisk to combine.
Combine peanut butter, cream cheese, and sweetened condensed milk in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
Spoon mixture into prepared crust; return to the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight. Remove tart from refrigerator, and transfer to a serving platter 10 minutes before serving. Whip remaining 1/2 cup cream. Top tart with dollops of whipped cream. Use a vegetable peeler to make chocolate curls for garnish
November 2009 Host: Angela
Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin
Summary
Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review. Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse's unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world's second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town's first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts Mortenson's efforts in fascinating detail, presenting compelling portraits of the village elders, con artists, philanthropists, mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious school girls and upright Muslims Mortenson met along the way. As the book moves into the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin argue that the United States must fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education, especially for girls. Captivating and suspenseful, with engrossing accounts of both hostilities and unlikely friendships, this book will win many readers' hearts. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Discussion
-The incredible sacrifices Greg Mortenson made and continues to make in order to build schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan have resulted in over fifty-five schools being built. His story is a testament to what the power of the human spirit can accomplish and all of us enjoyed reading this book.
Menu
-Tea and pastries at the House of Commons in Denver
Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin
Summary
Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review. Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse's unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world's second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town's first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts Mortenson's efforts in fascinating detail, presenting compelling portraits of the village elders, con artists, philanthropists, mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious school girls and upright Muslims Mortenson met along the way. As the book moves into the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin argue that the United States must fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education, especially for girls. Captivating and suspenseful, with engrossing accounts of both hostilities and unlikely friendships, this book will win many readers' hearts. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Discussion
-The incredible sacrifices Greg Mortenson made and continues to make in order to build schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan have resulted in over fifty-five schools being built. His story is a testament to what the power of the human spirit can accomplish and all of us enjoyed reading this book.
Menu
-Tea and pastries at the House of Commons in Denver
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