Hanna's Daughters

As a book club, we really enjoy reading books about other countries and cultures. The book for October, 2002, was Hanna’s Daughters, featuring Swedish characters and Swedish family life. Several years later I was able to travel to that area and see for myself the beautiful countryside and friendly people.( Loved talking with the taxi drivers…very informative!)

"Sweeping through one hundred years of Scandinavian history, this luminous story follows three generations of Swedish women—a grandmother, a mother, and a daughter—whose lives are linked through a century of great love and great loss. Resonating with truth and revelation, this moving novel deftly explores the often difficult but enduring ties between mothers and daughters, the sacrifices, compromises, and rewards in the relationships between men and women, and the patterns of emotion that repeat themselves through generations. If you have ever wanted to connect with the past, or rediscover family, Hanna's Daughters will strike a chord in your heart. . . "
Margie and Debbie M made delicious Swedish meatballs

• Cook Time:

  25 min

• Level:

  Easy

• Yield:

  approximately 30 meatballs, 4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep

30 min

Inactive Prep

--

Cook

25 min

Total:

55 min

Ingredients

• 2 slices fresh white bread
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons clarified butter, divided
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• A pinch plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 pound ground chuck
• 3/4 pound ground pork
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.

Tear the bread into pieces and place in a small mixing bowl along with the milk. Set aside.

In a 12-inch straight sided saute pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and sweat until the onions are soft. Remove from the heat and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the bread and milk mixture, ground chuck, pork, egg yolks, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and onions. Beat on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes.

Using a scale, weigh meatballs into 1-ounce portions and place on a sheet pan. Using your hands, shape the meatballs into rounds.

Heat the remaining butter in the saute pan over medium-low heat, or in an electric skillet set to 250 degrees F. Add the meatballs and saute until golden brown on all sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the meatballs to an ovenproof dish using a slotted spoon and place in the warmed oven.

Once all of the meatballs are cooked, decrease the heat to low and add the flour to the pan or skillet. Whisk until lightly browned, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the beef stock and whisk until sauce begins to thicken. Add the cream and continue to cook until the gravy reaches the desired consistency. Remove the meatballs from the oven, cover with the gravy and serve.

If any of you are Swedish and could give us some authentic Swedish recipes, we would be so grateful and would feature them with the next Swedish book we read. (We have already read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo...)

Here are some of the pictures I took on my recent trip to Sweden:

                                      Visby, Sweden

                         2 shots of my favorite tree in Sweden

 

                                    Beautiful architecture

                            My friend Janet and I in the Stockholm

                                             airport

My Baltic sea adventure last year was a blessing- and coincidentally, the next blog is about a book called Blessings by Anna Quindlen...

Beach House

September 2002- the second road trip- to Sanibel Island, Florida, USA. Joanne opened her family’s beautiful home to us for our book club meeting and road trip. We read Beach House by James Patterson, so what a perfect spot for us to congregate and play! Joanne, Debbie H and Susan held a Hawaiian luau where we all dressed in our beachy best…the culmination of the evening was a surprise re-enactment of the kidnapping that took place in Beach House. Each guest was told to go in the basement to get dressed in character for a mock trial. In reality, the hostesses ambushed each one individually as they came downstairs. We were tied up and blindfolded and stuffed in the back of the van. Once all the guests were captured, we were taken on a wild ride through the neighborhood. Happy the police weren’t called!!

Barnes and Noble says about this book:

Jack Mullen is a driven student of the law. His brother Peter is a servant of the rich, parking the cars of the Hamptons' elite-and perhaps satisfying their more intimate needs as well. Then Peter's body is found on the beach. Jack knows the drowning was no accident, but someone's unlimited power and money have bought the cops, the judges, the system. Now Jack is learning a lesson in justice he never got in law school ... and his astonishing plan to beat the billionaires will have you reeling-and cheering-to the very last page.

Joanne, Debbie H and Susan kept our beach theme going with a delicious menu of rumaki (Joanne's famous appetizer that I have already given you the recipe for- hope you have tried it!!), pineapple and cream cheese spread, fruit kabobs, Bibb lettuce salad, shrimp bowtie pasta, and cheesey bread. For dessert- key lime pie.

Shrimp Bowtie Pasta

1 Tbsp garlic pulp (smash cloves of garlic)
1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
3 Tbsp lemon juice
8 oz. bow tie pasta
3-4 plum tomatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup whipping cream (heavy cream)
3 oz. goat cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup capers, drained
1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/3-1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp dried crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
asparagus tips- partially cooked (optional)

Bring 2 quarts water and lemon juice to a boil in a Dutch oven. Add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Add shrimp and cook 2 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Drain.
Toss together pasta and shrimp with garlic pulp, chopped tomatoes, and rest of ingredients. Serve with extra grated parmesan cheese.

The door prize was a decorated Book Club nightshirt...

We had a blast on our 4 day weekend in Sanibel- although Lisa and I almost missed the plane! Fun times for all...
Next blog will feature a book called Hanna's Daughters...

FORGIVE THE MOON

This month we had our first author attend our book club- Maryanne Stahl who wrote Forgive the Moon. In August of 2002 we had the time of our lives getting to share a meal and discussion with the actual author of our book selection!
EMAIL to Maryanne:
"Dear Ms Stahl,
 I just wanted you to know that I picked up your book at Barnes and
Noble a few weeks ago as I was looking for a selection for our book club. The title drew me- I am a songwriter and love words and "Forgive the Moon" piqued my interest. I loved the book and decided to make it my selection for August. I did not realize you taught writing at Kennesaw University right down the street until I finished the book. We would love to have you join us for dinner and discussion on August 20th at my home. We always do a meal based on the book so it will be crab cakes. If you can't join us, we understand , but would love to discuss the book with you.Thanks again for an enjoyable read.
                                                                        Donna"
EMAIL to Donna:
"Dear Donna,
I'm delighted Forgive the Moon "struck your eye" and delighted you have chosen it for your book club selection. Yes, I would love to join you, crab cakes sound lovely. I will be out of town for a few weeks, but August 20th suits my schedule so lets plan on it. Looking forward to meeting you all, Best, Maryanne"

'During a vacation on Long Island, Amanda Kincaid hoped to sort out the many changes in her life, including her crumbling marriage. Instead, she discovers some shocking things about the past-and meets a wonderful man. Forgive the Moon is a novel of family and forgiveness, betrayal and renewal-and the many ways the seasons of our lives can change.'

Donna and Joanne decorated with a beach theme, lots of sand and candles and tiny beach chairs.
The door prize was a beach tote bag with a beach towel, sunglasses, a book, and jewelry. Donna's friend, Monika, also made our Dinner and a Book, est 2001, chalkboard for us to write the book and author down and display with our appetizers...I will put a picture of it up later...

The menu was crab cakes, creamed corn, Lisa's famous salad (recipe in an earlier blog), and pound cake with fresh berries and whipped cream.

Donna's Crab Cakes

1 pound crabmeat, picked free of shell
1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers
3 green onions, finely chopped (use all)
1/2 cup finely chopped red or green bell pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 egg
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dry mustard
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
Dash of cayenne pepper
Flour for dusting
1/2 cup peanut oil

Mix all ingredients together except flour and oil. Shape into patties and dust with flour. Panfry in hot peanut oil over medium heat until browned, for 4-5 minutes. Flip and panfry other side until golden brown. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

Tartar Sauce
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped dill or sweet pickle
1 cup mayonnaise
salt, pepper, and garlic salt to taste

Combine and mix well.

                                                                  Jeanne and Joanne

Next blog will be about our second road trip( to Sanibel Island, FL). Look for it soon....

Here's the Scoop

Many of you have asked me about the ladies in my book club- ok, so here is the latest info:
Lisa- great cook, loves tennis, she and her husband own 2 restaurants in Atlanta,GA, flower arranger extraordinaire
Joanne- works full time, loves people, sweet soul, great cook also
Debbie H- works full time, great organizer, the reason our neighborhood goes to the best high school in the county
Margie- our realtor, past President of our homeowner's association, even though her husband is a fabulous cook we know she is also (several desserts she has made for book club)
Vicki- our computer expert, loves all the classic books, sensitive spirit , hope she writes a book soon
Jaye- our school teacher, loves all the kids she works with, cannot park her car on the street ( another story for another time) gentle spirit
Debbie M- insurance agent, close to her family, fabulous cook and decorator ( her table decorations for book club are inspired)
Susan- works full time, career lady, tried to get us into yoga?!?,
Roxanne- family comes first, has a reputation for changing her mind a lot (but I don't believe it), fabulous
Italian cook
Jeanne- the ultimate volunteer, has 3 children, always busy, great friend to all, her husband rivals Roxanne for the best Italian cook in the neighborhood
Donna- that's me, piano teacher, wife of the most wonderful husband in the world,
mother of 3 children, 2 stepchildren, 7 grandchildren, loves to scrapbook and blog

As a group we have many children and several grandchildren, so we know a lot about life...
We share a bond of 10 years together- not many people can claim that...going through happy times, sad times, loss of loved ones, new babies...experiencing life with friendships that have been built over time.
I would like to encourage any of you readers to pull together a group of friends, read a book, cook a meal and enlarge your world.

GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING

This is a must-read for you all- loved this book!
Also made into a movie- have not seen it...so can't recommend it....
"The unknown subject of a Vermeer masterpiece is the basis for this remarkably evocative novel. The illiterate young Griet, held captive by the strict social order of 17th-century Delft, becomes a maid in the household of Johannes Vermeer to help support her family. She knows her role well: tend the laundry, keep up with the housework, and make sure Vermeer's six children stay out of the way. Griet even thinks she can handle Vermeer's shrewd mother-in-law, his bitter, neglected wife, and the family's jealous servant. But what no one suspects is that Griet's quiet manner, uncanny perception, and fascination with her master's paintings will draw her inexorably into the painter's private world. And as Griet witnesses the creative process of a great master, her long-suppressed passion becomes the catalyst for a scandal that irrevocably changes her life."
Johannes, Jan or Johan Vermeer (Dutch pronunciation: [vərˈmɪər]; baptized in Delft on 31 October 1632 as Joannis, and buried in the same city under the name Jan on 15 December 1675) was a Dutch painter who specialized in exquisite, domestic interior scenes of middle class life. Vermeer was a moderately successful provincial genre painter in his lifetime. He seems never to have been particularly wealthy, leaving his wife and children in debt at his death, perhaps because he produced relatively few paintings.^[3]
Vermeer worked slowly and with great care, using bright colours and sometimes expensive pigments, with a preference for cornflower blue and yellow. He is particularly renowned for his masterly treatment and use of light in his work.<sup>[4]

Debbie H tells me that the Girl With A Pearl Earring looks like my daughter, Lindsay. I would have to agree...
Debbie M and Margie treated us to a delicious meal of grilled salmon, roasted asparagus, and a neighborhood favorite recipe of horseradish carrots.
Debbie covered her tables in brown paper splattered with paint. Napkins were tied with raffia with an artist paintbrush attached. A framed print of Girl With A Pearl Earring was hung in the study for us to enjoy. And the door prize was a bronze bucket containing a pair of pearl earrings and a print of the Vermeer painting.

Debbie's Roasted Asparagus
2 pounds fresh asparagus
olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Break off tough ends of asparagus. Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat asparagus completely.
Spread in single layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and return to oven for few minutes till melted.

Horseradish Carrots (This recipe is a favorite neighborhood recipe, from a friend we lost several years ago, Cheri Enfinger)
1 pound carrots, cut into julienne strips
      Cover with water and cook until crisp tender. Drain and save liquid.
1/2 cup liquid
2 Tbsp grated onion
1-2 Tbsp prepared horseradish
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Combine in saucepan and heat until creamy. Pour over carrots in shallow baking dish and top with 1/4 cup buttered bread crumbs and a dash of paprika and dried parsley flakes. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
(This can be made ahead 1 day and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before baking)</sup>

Dinner and a Book Club (minus Debbie M)

Look for my next blog covering our August 2002 selection-Forgive The Moon. This was our first time having the actual author come and join us for dinner and discussion! What fun we had! I felt like Oprah...

WHITE OLEANDER

·        " IN EVERY CONCEIVABLE MANNER, THE FAMILY IS A LINK TO OUR PAST AND A BRIDGE TO OUR FUTURE" (ALEX HALEY)

           Definition of white oleander-OLEANDER is an evergreen shrub cultivated for its showy flowers and handsome foliage. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. In warm regions it grows outdoors all year.

·         The book- White Oleandar by Janet Fitch, was not really about a shrub, but about a dysfunctional family. This seems to be the topic of many of the books we read-don’t know why???

·         I told you many books we pick are later made into movies, and this is one of them, although the book is way better than the movie (trust me on that!)

"When a woman murders a former lover and is imprisoned for life, her daughter must navigate a new reality — that of a series of foster homes, each its own universe, each with its own limits and dangers."

Lisa and Lois served up a fine meal of beef filets ( the only time I ever get these is at book club! Thanks girls!), Lisa's garlic mashed potatoes and her famous salad...

Lisa's Garlic Mashed Potatoes

4-6 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1/3 cup milk
2-4 Tbsp butter (I like more, you may want less)
Sour cream
Salt and Pepper
Roasted garlic*

Make roasted garlic ahead. Take 1 head garlic, cut off top so cloves are visible, put on a square of foil, drizzle with olive oil, salt to taste and seal foil bundle. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. When cooled, squeeze to remove roasted cloves to add to potatoes.
Boil potatoes in salted water 25-30 minutes til tender. Drain and put back in pot. Combine milk and butter and microwave til butter is melted. Add to potatoes, plus add the roasted garlic you made earlier. Mash by hand or with mixer- salt and pepper to taste. Add sour cream to the desired consistency. Check seasonings. Yummy!

The door prize was a plant, sunglasses, and a scarf.


Because of the dual nature of the oleander plant – being both beautiful and poisonous, toxic and healing – it is not surprising that it is the emblem of caution. Beautiful and poisonous perfectly describes the mother in this book- hence the title.

Our next book ( for July 2002) is Girl With A Pearl Earring (and guess what our door prize was...)