J’s Comments (group member since Dec 21, 2013)

J’s comments from the CPL's Book a Week Challenge group.

The Food Lab sounds like a great read! I must put it on my to read list. Thanks for the book rec.

So sorry I'm late. It was definitely a super busy March for me. I didn't make many of my reading goals. Now we are already eight days into April and time continues to fly.

No worries - this month the cookbook challenge is BREAKFAST foods. I love breakfast, it makes for a good meal even at dinner. I will be making pancakes for the family tomorrow and using my secret ingredients - butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and almond extract (these pancakes are a diabetics worst nightmare - but man are they delicious).

Enjoy preparing breakfast this month with your family. Coming soon: a link to CPL cookbooks.

Sorry to hear about your grandfather passing. You are in my thoughts.

The death that sticks with me is Leslie's in Bridge to Terabithia. I was so devastated when I read this story at 10.

Ingrid wrote: "I am now drooling over fried corn. Yum!"

Trust me - there is much drooling in our home when someone decides to cook Fried Corn :)

Ingrid wrote: "Was pretty interesting because it had all the Swedish traditions regarding food. I like that part better than the recipes"

I also enjoy cookbooks that talk about the traditions and culture behind the recipes. It is nice to know how the recipes came about. Maybe there is an interesting Swedish Side Dish you would like to share with us this month? I can't think of anything I have ever tried that is Swedish - what are some yummy dishes?

I think I may continue with the Fairy Tail series this month and read a couple of books - they are funny. Thanks to Tom at the South Norfolk Library for the recommendation.

Ingrid wrote: "I'm reading the first Secret Circle book. Same author as The Vampire Diaries. Have you ever read a book and then felt like you had already read this book? Since this was also a television show, I can't figure out if it's familiar because I watch the show or if I actually have read this book before. "

I both read that series and watched the show - I can honestly say that parts of the show are similar to the book but the book was definitely different - so it is possible that you watched the show and it feels vaguely familiar because of that.

A free library in the yard! That is exciting - my daughter's school has a free library out front for children and parents to checkout. It is nice.

Side dishes and Salads - YUMMY! I can't wait to explore all the different side dishes you can create to go with a meal. I am definitely tired of broccoli and carrots. It is time to step it up and find some new and unique foods to eat with my main dish.

I always forget how much I enjoy a nice salad until I'm eating one. What about you? Do you love salads? Got a great side dish recipe to share?

My favorite side dish is fried corn. This was a staple at all of our family gatherings and the best thing is that the dish is simple and delicious.

Fried Corn:
2 lb frozen corn
1 lb Bacon (Not turkey bacon)

Fry 1 lb of bacon until crisp. In the left over bacon grease add the 2 lb of frozen corn. Fry for ten minutes until slightly brown then turn and fry an addition ten minutes. Crumble cooked bacon into corn and continue to stir every 5-10 minutes until corn is slightly browned. Let cool and eat.

Check out our collection of cookbooks at infopeake.org - most cookbooks have a side dish chapter but here are a few links to side dishes and salads.

Side Dishes

Salads

Happy Reading! Happy Cooking! Happy Eating!

I just finished book 8 of the Pretty Little Liars series titled Wanted - I'm a little disappointed because I have really enjoyed listening to the series using Overdrive but books 9 - 16 have not been recorded. Insert mad face here >:(

I'm still trying to finish my February Dewey Decimal Challenge - Ghosts of Virginia's Tidewater - which if I buckle down I should be able to finish this evening.

I'm also still in the middle of two of my personal challenges - AlphaBio challenge - this is where I select two letters each month and read a biography on someone with those letters. February was W and H - I finished Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy for W and began reading Bombshell: The Life and Death of Jean Harlow - I'm about a quarter of the way finished. The second challenge was to read a book with a duo - whether it be lovers, friends, a mother and daughter, or a superhero and sidekick. For this challenge I picked The Beach Quilt - it is about the lives of two best friends and their mothers dealing with a teenage pregnancy.

Unfortunately both books will not be finished by this evening but that's okay - I will keep at it.

Currently Reading
and

Nathan wrote: " Will be substituting Icelandic skyr in place of the sour cream, so looking for..."

Is the Icelandic Skyr similar to Greek Yogurt? I must admit I am not a fan of Greek Yogurt but think it is fine for chili's - I'm totally curious to know how fabulous your chili came out!

I am currently reading Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy, The Beach Quilt, Ghosts of Virginia's Tidewater, and Pretty Little Liars Heartless.



ETA: Just finished Heartless and Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy

Crab and Corn Chowder

1 Poblano Pepper
1 Tbs Butter
1 Onion
3 Stalks Celery, chopped
1 Red Pepper, chopped
2 Potatoes, cubed
2 Tbs Old Bay
¼ Tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 Tsp Flour
2 oz Sherry
32 oz Fish Stock
16 oz Crab (Claw Meat)
3 Ears Corn, cut away from the ear (about 1.5 cups frozen)
2 cups Fat Free Half and Half
Juice for 1/2 Lemon
2 Green Onions, chopped

Place a large soup pot over high heat. Add poblano and cook, turning occasionally, until the skin begins to blacken and blister - about 5 minutes. Remove the pepper and chop.

Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the onions and cook until they begin to soften. Add the celery, red pepper, potatoes, old bay, cayenne, and flour. Stir to coat the vegetables and spices. Cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes begin to soften, stirring occasionally. Add the sherry and scrape up any bits of vegetables that stuck to the bottom of the pot. Add the fish stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and cooked through. Add the crab, corn and half and half. Heat through. Stir in the lemon juice. Garnish with green onions and additional Old Bay, if desired.

Don't forget National Chili Day is February 25th. Eat more Chili! It's good for you - I think.

Everyday I get to the library and remember that I forgot the Corn and Crab chowder recipe - that stinks - I hope I remember to bring it with me tomorrow to post for all you fine people.

Here's an update on the Chili/Chowda cook-off I participated in at the beginning of February:

My chowder did not win :( - I tried a new recipe - and while it was delicious (Sausage, Potato and Corn) the other chowders beat me. In their defense - they were award winning!

My husband took over my chili duty and created his own to enter into the competition - and wouldn't you know it he won People's Choice Chili. That "Luck"y man - you know since our last name is Luck - HA!

Hope you all have had a fine February and enjoyed researching Chili, Chowder, and Gumbo recipes - since there are not many books with those titles.

Feel free to share your favorite recipes for Chili, Chowder, and Gumbo here - and keep a look out for next months challenge.

I didn't get to the book I had planned to read for this challenge - :( it's okay though - maybe next time!

I am reading Ghosts of Virginia's Tidewater this month - it is a quick read so I should be finished soon!

Here is a link to Goodreads Listopia with several different lists of romance books - Happy reading!

Romance Listopia

I will be reading a Nicholas Sparks book for another challenge I'm working on - read a book from the New York Times from the 2010's - and since Sparks books are usually full of love I assume this one will fit in this challenge too. Here's hoping - otherwise I will have to find a favorite historical romance author to pick up too.

Can do - be on the look out - I will post it asap!

Ingrid - I have a great recipe for a Corn and Crab chowder! - It's not from a book but it won people's choice two years ago at the Chili/Chowda cook-off I participate in yearly. Some chowders that I have tried are not that great - I particularly dislike chowders that have chucky potatoes - blah. Good luck with chili for your Superbowl cook off.

I have not actually tried a Gumbo before so I'm really looking forward to trying a Gumbo out this month - happy reading and happy cooking y'all!

Not sure what I will pick for this month - but it will probably have to do with Supernatural or Dreams and Mysteries :)