Like Water for Chocolate

A random recommendation from a 20 year old book addict...

My 11th grade English teacher was insane. She claimed to have been a part of the witness protection program because her ex husband had tried to burn down her house. She chose her new last name because it "looked even"-- whatever that means. In my time in her class I learned the importance of the plants used in Shakespeare's play (which I've actually learned cannot be applied to life at all) and the random items that could be related back to sex (a fork, she said, was a male utensil because you stick it into things).

One of the optional book choices for that 11th grade class, and the only book I finished during my time in high school, was Laura Esquivel's timeless novel "Like Water for Chocolate" (o "Como Agua Para Chocolate"). Sensual and heartfelt, the story follows the life of Tita-- the youngest daughter of a family who spends her days cooking and dreaming of love (with the exception of the cooking part, it sounds like me!). Like the movie "Simply Irresistible" starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, whatever emotions Tita feels while she cooks go into her food and become the emotions of those who consume the food.

The beginning of each chapter offers a different recipe that becomes the backbone of the story. I once tried to recreate a soup recipe for a class project. The recipe called for veal and, not knowing what it was or that it was the centerpiece of the meal, I left the ingredient out. Despite the unfortunate bland taste of the soup post-leaving out veal, I got full credit for the assignment. The babes of this blog would make better use of Tita's meal options than I did, I'm sure.

The story is majestic and mesmerizing. Through Tita's search for love, revenge, and happiness the reader becomes entranced in the life of turn of the century Mexico and craves to feel such full emotions like Tita-- as well as eat such full and delicious meals!

Salivating,

Nicole

Can You Keep a Secret?

A random recommendation from a 20 year old book addict...

Since 10th grade I have been fascinated and enchanted by Sophie Kinsella's books. My love for the author began with "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and its series. For years I had forgotten how much I adored Sophie Kinsella. This last year sparked a new urge to devour all of her books. I believe I have only left one unread. Other than the original Shopaholic book, one has stuck out primarily as one of the funniest books I have ever read-- "Can You Keep a Secret?"

Emma Corrigan is a girl that seeks approval from those around her by refusing to tell them the truth about her life. She doesn't hide major details... just minor ones like whether or not she likes the opera or can do math in her head. Simple things like that. At the beginning of the book she finds herself on a crashing plane plummeting to the end of her life. Not wanting to leave the world a liar, Emma divulges ALL of her secrets to the man seating next to her. A man whom, unbeknown to her, is the CEO of the company she works for!

Kinsella places Emma in some of the most awkwardly hilarious situations that had me LAUGHING OUT LOUD TO MYSELF the entire time! Seriously. I'd be reading in a crowded place giggling to myself. But I was not ashamed because all of the laughs were well deserved. It is a frivolous read but one with which you should treat yourself.

Using laughter as my medicine,
Nicole

Cutting for Stone

Menu: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

As previously mentioned, Oskar, the nine-year-old boy in this book is a vegan.  Now I can finally implement my professional vegan-cooking skills into my personal life by utilizing my recipes to share among friends.  Oh glorious use of my job!

By the way, this book has made me laugh, cry, laugh some more and then weep in a corner of my room while shoving my face with licorice.

In this menu I am using like ingredients in all of the dishes to cut on costs:

Appetizer-  Sundried Tomato-Basil Hummus served with Crudites

In a food processor, blend

• 1 clove of garlic
• 2 tsp tahini (tahini is blended sesame seeds..if you don't have it, use 1 tsp peanut butter)
• 1 can of garbanzo beans
• 1 tbsp FRESH squeezed lemon juice (whoever invented the plastic-bottled lime and lemon juices should be jailed)
• 2 oil-packed sundried tomatoes
• Handful of fresh basil (usually a "handful" means a handful)
• Dash of salt  (usually a "dash" slightly exceeds a pinch)
• Drizzle of olive oil (usually a "drizzle" doesn't exceed a tablespoon)

Salad- Pesto Quinoa
Quinoa- make according to boxed directions then cool and set aside

Blend in processor or blender:

• two handfuls of basil 
• one garlic clove
• 1/4 cup of cashews
• juice of half lemon
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Mix with quinoa

Add chopped tomatoes, spinach, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, peppers...anything your taste buds desire-- more garbanzo beans

Entree- Baked Pasta

Boil pasta of your choice (i'm using quinoa rigatoni) three minutes under instructed time

Faux Ricotta-  Crumble firm tofu with "dash" of dried oregano, basil and thyme (or 3 dashes of Italian Seasoning)

Mix with jar of your favorite tomato sauce, veggies such as zucchini, chopped and wilted spinach, ripped basil, and the faux soy Italian sausage.  Mix in "al dente" pasta, pour in casserole dish and bake covered on 350 for 20 minutes.

Dessert courtesy of my friend Jen:  Guilty Chocolate Chip Fudge Heaven Muffins

• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup raw sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 3/4 cup oat flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup semisweet vegan chocolate chips
• 1 dash cinnamon

Mix in ONE BOWL!!! That's the best instruction EVER given to someone who can't bake.  Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes in a nonstick or sprayed muffin sheet rotating halfway through.


Voila!  Vegan food is delicious....although ice cream, cheese and pizza with sausage will never allow me to delve into that diet completely.

Snacking on vegan chocolate chips,
Danielle

The Shadow of the Wind

A random recommendation from a random girl--
Provided by a 20 year old book addict.

Throughout the last 3 years of college I have heard numerous classmates create homage to the idea that alcoholism is not a problem until after college. But for me, alcoholism won't ever be a problem. I don't plan on getting addicted to alcohol-- because I am, and always will be, addicted to books. I don't read for class, I never have. I don't do homework or study for tests. Rarely have I been seen doing either of those activities. It is with a random book in my hand every few days that people recognize me.

No one has time to start a book club with me while at school-- so I get my book recommendations from a 70 year old receptionist in the housing office. As I've learned from this blog, age is not a barrier when it comes to a common love of books. In the words of the late, great Aaliyah-- age ain't nothing but a number, baby.


The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon was a book offered to me not by my receptionist friend but by another book addict. Although I was originally taken back by its length I was immediately mesmerized by its content..
Few books have ever captivated my attention quite as fast and fully as The Shadow of the Wind. It was all I could think, dream, or talk about.
The story of a bookseller's son, The Shadow of the Wind follows the main character on a journey to unravel the mystery of the author Julian Carax and the obliteration of Carax's books. As the story unfolds it becomes clear that Carax's life is no clear tale but one of deception, heartbreak, and backstabbing lies.

By far one of the best reads this addict has read in a long time (maybe since A Wrinkle in Time in 6th grade), I jump at the opportunity to have it be the first book I recommend to the devoted babes of this blog.


Awaiting my next dose,
Nicole

Review: Water for Elephants

Meeting Destination:  Santa Monica Pier for carnival-esque shenanigans.

Please remember that one member of Babes for Books, Jr. is allergic to cats, so as much as I love creating a menu for our meetings, we still cannot accommodate an in-house gathering. Therefore the menus are for you, my readers...all 13 of you.

We ate at a nearby pub with an array of food that can be considered "slop" (so appropriate).  It also did not serve ice, so the plastic cups filled with lukewarm water really engaged us in the "water for elephants" frame of mind. 

Water for Elephants rated high among us.  Its visual imagery struck a chord with all of our imaginations and the tender theme tugged gently at our heart strings.  Jacob's re-telling of his journey as a young man swept us through both the history of vintage circus' and of the struggles entering manhood.  Jacob's development of relationships between workers and the animals is unique to other books I've personally read.

I also read the screenplay, which is currently being filmed, and am excited for what could possibly be a great adaptation; a very seldom and what appears to be a trying occurrence.  (I once started a "Movie Book Club" and began with The Other Boleyn Girl, one of my most beloved books; one of my most loathed movies...the club only lasted one meeting because we agreed movies taint books therefore the meetings would all be much the same).  Unfortunately, Robert Pattinson is playing Jacob and I am saddened by this choice because I hoped for someone with more depth.  However, Christoph Waltz as the tyrant animal trainer is so SPOT ON I can hardly contain myself.

After filling ourselves with grub and discussing an incredible book, we partook in arcade fun.  Our mission: win enough tickets to redeem a prize that represents us.  All hail our mascot:

Our next pick is Mennonite in Little Black Dress: A Memoir Going Home.  There are already talks of Amish Cuisine and of course all adorning little black dresses to wherever we shall meet. 

And the read goes on,

Danielle

Menu: Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants is set on a circus train.  For meals, the circus employees are fed slop.  To spare the members of the book club, I suggest not serving slop, and instead take a different route and feed them carnival food.  Unless you don't like your book club-- then you can feed them slop.

Beverages: "Water" for Babes

Set out a bucket of ice with a bottle of champagne (the three main characters drink it on several occasions) and beer.  Fill another bucket of waters and sodas for the designated drivers.  Buckets are used in the book to serve the animals... Do the same for your babes (depending on how many bottles of champagne are consumed, they may just turn into animals)! 

Appetizer:  Individual Paper Bags of Popped Corn 
Fill individual bags with a variety of popcorn including kettle corn, butter flavor, fat-free, etc.   Popcorn and champagne.  Mmmm..tasty, ain't it?

Dinner: Carnival Food

Live a little and stray from healthy food (I love healthy food more than anyone, but am too keen on indulging here).  It's a circus!  Have you ever seen a snack vendor walk the aisles selling salads and fruit bowls? 

---Corn Dogs (if you want them healthy, cut them up and toss them with mixed greens.  You can make a balsamic dressing with mustard).  Buy them from the store and heat them in the oven; crispy on the outside warm and juicy in the middle.

---  Pretzels Purchase the "original" flavor at the store and jazz them up to your liking. 
Bake in oven topped with: 1) Parmesan and mozzarella cheese; 2) melted butter with 'italian seasoning"; 3) dip in water then hard rock salt.

FOR ALL serve with a selection of dips:  Mustard, melted cheese, ketchup, marinara.  Set out an array and let the babes have at it.

Dessert: Ice Cream Bar
Serve in waffle bowls with a variety of toppings including hot fudge, caramel, sprinkles, crushed candies, whipped cream...and please, don't forget the cherry on top!

Let your eyes eat and read your way through the book.  It's such a charming experience to become a character in the book, even if that means stuffing your face with corn dogs.  

On her way to Hot Dog on A Stick for a quick fix,

Danielle