Monday, September 13, 2010


Neary's Book Club is One Year Old!

September 13, 2010:

It is hard to believe that we are beginning the second year of our Book Club. We met once again at my house, and although it rained on my plans to meet outside, it didn't dampen our spirits. Diana, Miggy, Irene, Mary, Yvette, Millie, Maria P., Maria R., Nicole, Lourdes, and of course me - all met at my house for a great discussion about Bryce Courtenay's The Power of One.

We began by, of course, eating! Then we listened to Bryce Courtenay speak about himself, and his "doorstop book". We also read about him on his website, and learned the book is semi-autobiographical. Some of us loved the book cover to cover, while others felt bogged down in parts, or that it was long and sometimes dragged (NOT ME, though!). I am happy to say that I think at least we could all appreciate some of the important messages from the book.

Once again we were able to discuss racism - though this time on a different continent. We could even compare and contrast a bit with last year's first book, The Help. Each book had a very important child caretaker who was black, and both were full of examples of racism throughout. We talked about stereotypes - both Born Again Christian, and Jewish, stereotypes. Did we speak from "the head or the heart"? Perhaps sometimes a bit of both. Maria R. felt that when one is young, s/he needs to speak first from the head, but later in life, more from the heart!
Maria P. shared some of her favorite descriptions comparing God to a cactus. As a hiker, I particularly loved some of Courtenay's description of Peekay in the mountains with Doc. I hope to inspire some of YOU - my book buddies - to join me on some upcoming Neary hikes.

From the bottom of my heart (a case of first the heart, then the head!) to all of you, thank you for continuing to make the book club so much fun, and for taking time out of your busy lives to treasure the time we share together once a month!
L'chaim (to life)!
XXOO

Robin

P.S. Check out the 1 minute video below, and the recipe for Apple Walnut Cake and Israeli Couscous.








Teddie's NY Times Apple Cake
(with adaptations by Robin)
INGREDIENTS

Butter for greasing pan
1 1/2 C unbleached flour
1 1/2 C stone ground whole wheat flour
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup baby food (sweet potato or butternut squash)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 + teaspoon vanilla
3 cups cored and thickly sliced tart apples, like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith (DON'T PEEL - the skin is healthy!)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-inch tube pan. Beat the oil, baby food, and sugars together in a mixer (fitted with a paddle attachment) while assembling the remaining ingredients. After about 5 minutes, add the eggs and beat until the mixture is creamy.

2. Sift together 3 cups of flour (unbleached white and whole wheat), the salt, cinnamon and baking soda. Stir into the batter. Add the vanilla, apples, walnuts and raisins and stir until combined.

3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan before turning out. Serve at room temperature with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
YIELD Serves 8


Israeli Cous Cous



INGREDIENTS



5 tbsp butter or olive oil, divided

2/3 C pine nuts (about 3 1/2 ounces)

2/3 C finely chopped shallots

2 C (16 oz.) Israeli toasted couscous

1 large cinnamon stick

2 fresh, or dried, bay leaves

3 3/4 C low salt vegetable broth

1 tsp. salt

1/2 C minced fresh Italian parsley



PREPARATION



Melt 1 tbsp butter or olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium low heat. Add pine nuts and stir until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Transfer to small bowl.



Melt remaining 4 tbsp of butter or olive oil in same pan over medium heat. Add shallots, and saute until golden, about 10 mins. Add couscous, cinnamon, stick, and 2 bay leaves, and stir until couscous browns slightly, stirring often, about 5 mins. Add broth and salt and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until couscous is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Stir in parsley and pine nuts. Season with black pepper. Transfer to serving dish.



ENJOY!







2 comments:

  1. Thank you Robin for recharging us with your enthusiasm and love for reading once again. I'm sure that our book club's second year will be as enjoyable and exciting as our first. It is always a treat for me to spend quality time with my reading buddies. I truly loved reading the Power of One and will always remember it as one of the best books I ever read. I guess if we all saw life from Doc's point of view, our world would be a much better place. Absoloodle!
    The food and the desserts were scrumptious!
    You are the best!
    XOXO
    Maria P.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Robin
    Happy Anniversary bookworms!!
    The blog was great Robin, the video was fun to watch. Thank you for setting up the blog. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I must say overall this blog is quite impressive. This was a good book to kick off our second year. It gave the opportunity to realize the power of one within us. Pekay embodied strength (physical and mental) good insight and perseverance. Robin your house is lovely, warm and inviting. I am sorry that we weren't able to share the meal in your garden, it was obvious there was much preparation. I enjoyed the healthy food and delicious desserts. I am fascinated by all you women. You give freely of your time to host. Your sharing, laughter and honest sharing is a gift. I am thrilled that we have started our second year and am honored to be part of this book club.
    Take care and may "angels be among you."
    God Bless!
    Mary

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