january book club
I look forward to Book Club every month. Even if my month is crazy-busy, I still make it a priority never to miss Book Club. It is one evening devoted to good friends, good food and good discussion. For January, we read Paris to the Moon. This was originally scheduled to be discussed in November but, due to the madness of the holiday season, we wisely rescheduled for a calmer time.
Paris to the Moon is a series of essays and journal entries written by one of my favorite writers from The New Yorker, Adam Gopnik. The book chronicles the romantic-comedic adventures of an American family leaving New York to live in Paris for 5 years. I love Gopnik's comments on French life although his musings on French government can get a bit tedious. If that happens to you, I suggest skimming over those pages while munching on a bar of exceptionally high-quality Belgian chocolate – I like Cote d'Or with hazelnuts. I digress...
We met at my house this month and the theme, not surprisingly, was French. I made Ina Garten's Bouef Bourguignon and served it with crusty bread. I do believe there is a misprint on this recipe – 1-1/4 hours of cooking is not nearly enough time for the meat to fall apart. I suggest raising the oven temperature to 325 and cooking it for at least 2 hours. The sauce is delightful – I would like to bathe in it. But then, you really can't go wrong with lots of red wine and Cognac.
My friend, Andrea, made the most amazing Meringue Cupcakes with creme fraiche and a strawberry rhubarb compote. They were divine (and I don't even love meringue!).
I also whipped up the easiest chocolate bundt cake in honor of two of my friends' birthdays. This is my go-to-in-a-pinch cake. It is quick to make, always turns out perfectly, and wins rave reviews due to the massive amount of chocolate ganache frosting on top. I suggest once-and-a-halving the frosting recipe – there's nothing better than a pool of chocolate ganache to scoop out of the middle of the cake! I think it would be a lovely addition to any family Valentine's dinner.
01.25.2010
Reader Comments (11)
Too cute for words! Sorry I couldn't come.
i loved paris to the moon! + found his experience with "take out' (on real china) so so so charming.
Hi Angie..
Have you read his other book "Through the Children's Gate"? It's about raising his kids in New York City and I LOVED it. It made me wonder if we've made a big mistake moving from the city and raising our kids elsewhere.
Love your Book Club posts, we're reading Rebecca this month.. somehow I had never read it before. I highly recommend.
I read this book for a book group as well. I didn't like it at first, but have since reread it again and thoroughly enjoyed it. (I reread it, because as usually happens at our book groups, I end up liking a book even more after discussing it.)
Onoe of my all time favorite essay compilations. His French gym membership adventure had me it fits of laughter. He's a great writer. That cake looks insane. xoxo
Hi Brooke,
I loved "Through the Children's Gate" as well and wondered the same thing as you about leaving NYC to raise children elsewhere!
Will have to read "Rebecca". Is it by Daphne Du Maurier?
Ca va
Lovely reading. Lovely party! And I'm going to copy your water bottle labels next July 14 when we host our annual Bastille Day party. (Everybody's busy on the 4th, so we say: Let's celebrate independence a bit more globally, non?) Merci!
Angie
Love the cup cake. I am making it for Sunday dinner!
D
p.s.
I'm sure the book was good too.
That is one of my favorite books and Gopnik tells the story so well! Hope you enjoyed it.
I found you today via The Kitchn -- but I wish I'd found you earlier this week. I made Ina's Bouef Bourguignon on Wednesday, and I thought that the recipe was just a tiny little bit off. The beef was better on the second day. I will try a longer cooking time next time I use it. Thanks for the tip.