It has been quite a while since I’ve done one of these posts, mainly because I don’t have a lot to report, reading-wise. I read a very long (almost 1000 page) book, and then NaBloPoMo started and I’ve been spending waaay more time than usual reading blogs. But I do have two books to share! First of all, I finished this one:
So, so good. I love this series so much, and this one was possibly my favorite. Robin goes undercover to investigate a cult, and it was fascinating, suspenseful, and just so well-written.
It’s always hard to pick the next book after an experience like that, so I fell back on Louise Penny.
I’m slowly making my way through her series. Now, I’m going to say something possibly controversial: I don’t love Louise Penny. I like her books, but I don’t love them. There’s something about her writing style that irritates me- I think it’s the constant use of fragmented sentences. I keep coming back to her because I know I’ll like the book well enough, and this one was good. It’s a solid mystery that takes place in Three Pines around Christmas, which is always fun. It had a nice, satisfying ending.
I might get the next one in the series if they have it at my library BECAUSE I’M HAVING A LIBRARY CRISIS. They did something to their website and now it won’t recognize my card number/PIN, which means I can’t place any holds, ACK! I have to get over their ASAP to get this straightened out.
Okay, eating! I may not have been reading as much but I’ve definitely been eating plenty.
This first one does not look appetizing but it was delicious. It’s the Caramelized Onion- Butternut Roast with Chestnuts from Isa Chandra Moskowitz’s Veganomicon cookbook.
It was so, so good- my only complaint would be, it tasted like a delicious Thanksgiving side dish, but with a main course effort level. The weird triangular thing on the plate was the most delicious focaccia from this recipe. This focaccia was AMAZING! It deserves a better picture:
Next up, chili! I used this recipe that I heard about on The Girl Next Door Podcast. I subbed tempeh for the meat, and used vegetable broth.
Here’s how the conversation went that day- Husband: “What’s for dinner?” Me: “Chili…” Husband: “Again? Didn’t we just have chili?” Me: “…and cornbread.” Husband: “Ooooh! Okay!” I’ve learned that I can get away with almost anything when cornbread is involved.
This was our meal the night before Halloween, and when I texted a photo to my sister, she replied that to complete the look, our utensils should be made out of bones.
Lastly, here’s an oldie but goodie. I can’t remember where I got this recipe from- it was either Suzanne or Birchwood Pie. I get a lot of dinner ideas from them! The recipe is for Szechuan sauce which I use for a stir fry. The reason this is a go-to is that my daughter actually likes it- so I fall back on it anytime I can’t think of anything else to make.
What are you reading right now? Have you read either of these books?
Do you have an easy go-to recipe?
Header photo by Blaz Photo on Unsplash
31 Responses
We had roasted tomato basil soup tonight, with grilled cheese. My husband is low carb and cheese messes with his stomach, so I made one of my go to dishes, which he made up and likes…chicken thighs (clearly a no for you), onion, garlic, mushrooms, canned diced tomatoes, and bok choy. He sometimes adds artichoke hearts, but I forgot.
Your chili looks amazing. I love chili.
I’m currently reading (listening to) The Covenant of Water, which I am enjoying but boy is it long. Not 1,000 pages long, but long nonetheless.
I don’t think I’ve heard of that book! I don’t know if I’m up for another long book now… with all the blogging activity of NaBLoPoMo, I would probably neer get through it.
I don’t generally read mysteries. I haven’t read either of these books. I’m currently reading The Dutch House. I love it. So good. If anyone in our family rolls their eyes at dinner, but I mention that we are having bread along with it – the mood shifts.
I read The Dutch House! And yes… it’s not just cornbread. Any bread will do.
Team husband! Anything with cornbread is fantastic!
And the same applies to focaccia, especially if it looks as good as yours.
My sister-in-law adds olives to her focaccia, which makes it even more delicious (although I know not everyone likes olives).
I LOVE OLIVES and that’s an amazing idea. I’ll add olives next time.
My book club friend is raving about the Comoran Strikes series but I. have not yet given it a try.
Did you know that the author is an acronym from Joanne K. Rowling?
I love that stir fry. Looks like something I would enjoy for dinner.
And I have been thinking I should do some chili one of these days. But because I want some cron bread mainly. I have never done a chili sin carne so that may be a nice change.
Oh yes- “Robert Galbraith” is JK Rowling. I’m not sure what the point is, since everyone knows it’s her.
I liked the Gamache books MUCH BETTER as audiobooks.
Your pumpkin bowl–so adorable. I almost bought a set plus a tureen from At Home. Maybe next year…
I’ve actually been wanting a pumpkin tureen! That would have been a much better way to serve the chili, rather than putting the whole pot on the table.
That pumpkin bowl it sooo cute, Jenny. Love it! And I don’t think I can ever have too much chili (or cornbread). Both are just delicious. I might actually make some cornbread tonight now that you mention it because, wait for it, WE’RE HAVING CHILI (and I’m making rice in the rice cooker, obviously!, and roasting broccoli from frozen because that’s how I roll).
Oh, I love that whole dinner. Roasted broccoli is another thing everyone- including my daughter- loves.
I really relate to the library crisis. When I moved here and couldn’t get a card, it felt so weird.
My easiest recipe is tortilla wraps, it is silly-easy. But last week I tried a coconut rice/ roasted vegetable recipe that was everything in the oven, and it was really simple and really good.
Mmmm…. coconut rice and roasted vegetables? That sounds delicious!
I am 200 pages in to The Running Grave and all I can think is that JKR needs an editor. There’s so much of this book that could have been trimmed. I like it, but I am not nearly as immersed as I was in the last one in the series. I am over knowing that Strike poured some whiskey and then vaped and then stared at the window and then poured the whiskey down the sink and then finally looked at the case files. Just get to the point. There’s some degree of mundanity that I adore (did you ever read the Alphabet series by Sue Grafton – every time Kinsey goes to the library to do research, I was giddy), but what I’ve read is 200 pages that could have been half that. *end rant*
I lost my library card once and they replaced it very quickly, but I lost ALL MY HOLDS. It was devastating. You need to go get this sorted out!!
I felt this way too! It needed an editor so badly. Not only all the extra stuff — I laughed at your example because it is so apt — but there were so many places where words were used twice in quick succession or sentences could have been cleaned up or where there were actual errors. YUCK. Maybe the editor got bored? Or maybe it is really hard to edit a book that thick? Or (my personal theory) maybe when you are JK Rowling, your publisher shrugs and says, “People will read it” and doesn’t invest in a real editor?
Also, I love the Alphabet series so much.
Sorry Jenny for hijacking your comment section!
I know Suzanne had the same opinion about this book, but none of that bothered me! All I can say is… wait a little longer and then get back to me. Once Robin goes into the cult, I found it so absorbing. And yes- I loved Sue Grafton’s books and I know exactly what you mean.
Wait what- that comment was meant for Engie. Now I’ve really messed up the comments. Okay Suzanne, I also had no problem at all with the book and never once thought it needed editing! But you and Engie obviously agree on this, so I believe you. I still thought the story was incredible.
My library requires an in person visit to renew library cards – I forget if it’s every year or every two years BUT IT’S TOO MUCH PEOPLE.
Suzanne must be the source for the stir fry, because the only recipe that I use with Chinese 5 spice is the Rainbow Plant LIfe braised tofu which is absolutely my favorite recipe of the year. But now that I’m looking at the Szechuan recipe, I think I’ll have what y’all are having because it look fabulous.
It is good! We had it again tonight. And I think I’ve made that braised tofu recipe- it sounds familiar.
I made a trip to the library today and hopefully this whole situation is straightened out!
I have read all of the Louise Penny books. The first 4-5 are probably “just ok” but then they get really really good. And I say that as a person that isn’t really drawn to mysteries. I love the through line in the books and adore Inspector Gamache.
The library card issue would be tragic for me, although we are there almost every Saturday so I would be able to fix it pretty easily if that happened to me! Right now I am reading “How to Stay Married.” It’s a memoir written by a guy whose wife cheated on him. I had heard a lot of buzz about the book but I hadn’t heard that a) the author is a humorist and b) it’s very faith-forward. Well, I did hear about the faith-forward aspect very recently but that person made it sound like it was just a passing reference but it’s definitely heavy on the God squad sort of vibe (nothing against that – just something a person should know going in). I’m drawn in but some of the humor seems a bit forced? It’s still worth reading but I’m kind of like – ok buddy, you don’t need to make this situation humorous. Your wife just asked for a divorce because she’s cheating on you – we do not need to heavily rely on humor right now. But I’m only about 15% into it so there is a lot of time for me to change my mind.
I ended up getting the next Louise Penny book! Apparently I like them better than I thought. It is nice to just keep reading a series where you already know all the characters.
You’ll have to give us an update on How to Stay Married when you get further into it!
I am still working myself through the Outlander series, so there haven’t been book-updates from me in a while (and no, I have not read either of the books in your blog post).
I had to chuckle about “to complete the Halloween look, your utensils should be made out of bones”. Here you go :https://www.amazon.com/Skeleton-Plastic-Silverware-Set-Plasticware/dp/B07J55BVCF (it exists!)
I am really looking forward to more soups and chili this fall/winter. My go-to is a lentil detox soup right now – 8 vegetables, so satisfying!
Hahahahaha…. I’m totally ordering that. How did I know you could find it on amazon???
I adored that Galbraith book. I love reading about cults and this was so well done. I enjoy, too, how Galbraith takes her time and really fleshes out the details. Even though the book was super long, I would have read more!
That Szechuan sauce is one of my favorites! I’m glad your daughter likes it.
Your husband’s cornbread appreciation made me giggle.
I hope you get your library crisis under control! how awful!!!!
Ah, I’m glad someone agrees with me! I would have been happy if the book had been even longer.
Oooh, cornbread. Yumm… now, do I have cornmeal, is the question…
Secret Life of Sunflowers is what I’m reading.
Your post makes me hungry.
Easy – flavored cooked sausage, frozen colored peppers., rice..
Oh no, hope you get your library situation sorted out!! I’ve been doing nothing but reading and eating as have been on holiday! Well, some run/walking as well thank goodness but mainly the other two.
Haha, that’s so cute that your husband was all about the chili after you said there was cornbread. Mmm, cornbread!
I am currently reading Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison and enjoying it. I don’t know if I’m learning anything NEW but it is at least reiterating what I already know.
love seeing your vegan food. I never asked, how long have you been vegan? what made you into vegan? are your family vegan too?