September 2011: Book Club

THIS MONTH: September 2011

THE HUNGER GAMES

Written by: Suzanne Collins

 Week 1: Prim's Artichoke-Goat Cheese Dip

Week 2: Peeta's Olive Oil Bread


Week 3: Rue's Zucchini & Wheat Berry Salad


Week 4: Katniss' Grasshopper Brownies

True and I have been tossing around the idea of doing a book club themed month for awhile now. The problem was, we couldn't settle on the right story. Then, we read "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins and the inspiration we had been looking for, was right there in front of us.

Many of you have probably read, or at least heard of this book. It came out a few years ago and has since become a favorite among teens, young adults...and not so young adults alike. In it, Collins creates a post apocalyptic world where resources are scare and once a year the government chooses two children from each district in the country and drops them in a "survivor- like" setting and where they are forced to battle to the death in what is known as "The Hunger Games."

Its a pretty dark concept, but Collins manages to keep the mood full of hope through plot twist after plot twist. She also manages to tempt the palate with her descriptions of  the lavish food being eaten in the Capital, which is where we drew some of our inspiration

If you haven't read this book, give yourself this month to give it a try. You can follow us each week as we release a new recipe. Each one is inspired by one of the characters in the book. Together, they would be the perfect menu for a book club discussion night with some of your friends!

-True & Blue

THE HAYMITCH COCKTAIL

Makes 2 drinks...or one if drink like Haymitch does

 Ingredients

 1/2 Cup Spiced Rum

1/2 C club soda

2 TB lime juice (about 2 limes)

2 TB sugar

1/4 Cup water

3 inch knob of ginger, peeled & cut in 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

8 ice cubs
2 chilled glasses

-In a small sauce pan, combine the water, sugar, ginger and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil and simmer until the sugar dissolves and the syrup thickens slightly. Remove from the heat. Remove the ginger from the pan and allow to cool completely.


-In a martini shaker, combine the rum, ice cubes, lime juice and cooled syrup. Shake vigorously until well mixed. 


-Pour into chilled glasses and top off with a 1/4 Cup club soda in each glass. Garnish with lime wedges.