Category: Uncategorized

A young co-ed falls in for her older professor and eventually marries and has children with him.  British novel goes back and forth from the present when the older man is dying and the relationship between the husband and the wife. Interesting read.

PJH: ****1/2

Smoked Sausage Cassoulet

In Good Time, 123 Slow Cooker recipe – Weight Watchers

• 2 bacon slices
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 (15-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 pound lean boneless pork loin roast, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 pound reduced-fat smoked sausage, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 8 teaspoons finely shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
• 8 teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; crumble. Add onion, thyme, rosemary, and garlic to drippings in pan; sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in crumbled bacon, salt, pepper, and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Remove from heat
• Place half of beans in a large bowl; mash with a potato masher until chunky. Add remaining half of beans, pork, and sausage; stir well. Place half of bean mixture in a 3 1/2-quart electric slow cooker; top with half of tomato mixture. Repeat layers. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours. Ladle into bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

We usually just throw everything into the slow cooker, skip the bacon, don’t sauté anything – and it turns out just fine

The story of Mazie in the early 1900’s. A ticket window clerk on the lower east side of Manhattan. Told from entries of her diary and recollections from different people who knew her. Enjoyable read. 

PJH rating: ****1/2

This is my Mom’s iconic purple cole slaw that I made a week or so ago for the first time. Simply the best. We traditionally have it with grilled turkey and corn on the cob in the summer.  My Mom reports that it was from a recipe in a California newspaper more than fifty years ago.  Don’t leave out the bacon!

For 1.1/4 c dressing: 

• 1 c sour cream
• 2 t. salt
• 1 1/2 t sugar
• 1/2 t paprika
• 1/4 t. pepper
• 1/4 c. white vinegar

Combine sour cream, salt, sugar, paprika and pepper. Gradually stir in vinegar. Cover and chill. 

• 4 c. shredded green cabbage
• 2 c. shredded red cabbage
• 1 c. chopped green pepper
• 1 c. shredded carrot
• 1/2 c sliced radish
• 8 slices bacon; cooked & crumbled

20-40 minutes before serving mix with dressing and chill

A young Pakistani fresh out of Princeton joins a cut throat NYC firm.  9/11 happens into his first year which makes him question his motives.  Told from flash back as he is being questioned by an American in Pakistani – never quite certain what his current state is.  Interesting quick read. I just read that they recently made this into a movie – doesn’t make any sense how that can be given the nature of the novel.

PJH rating: ****

Two academic couples meet while they are starting as Instructors at U of Wisconsin in the 1930’s and become lifelong friends.  The novel, told from the point of view of one of the husbands, apparently very autobiographical, jumps around the decades starting and ending in the 1970’s during the death of one of the four.  Such great writing and story telling.  Very emotional.  Written in 1987 this was Stegner’s last novel, written when he was in his late 1970’s.  I’ve never heard of him – I wish I remember where I read to read this.  Brilliant.

PJH Rating: **** 1/2 (and 3/4)

A family has been dealing with the disappearnce of their 11 year old boy for four years when he miraculously is found and has been kidnapped and abused during that time.  Told from the viewpoint of the parents, and brother, it’s a nicely written story dealing with a difficult subject.

PJH ****

A 70’s year old widow knocks on the door of her neighbor, a 70’s year old widower and asks him if he would be interesting in sleeping over a few nights a week as she is lonely.  An interesting courtship / family dynamics tale ensues.  This was Haruf’s last novel before he died last year.  I enjoy his sparse novels, the simple language, and while this is not one of his best, it’s a nice quick enjoyable read.

PJH Rating: ****