First Meeting

The first session of Cooks & Books was a success!  Of the eleven who signed up, eight were able to attend and the library provided bottled water, tea & coffee. There were also some catered baked goods from a local bakery.

The meeting was informal and focused on us getting to know each other and getting an idea of what is on the horizon for cookbook club.  All the members seemed excited to be there and enthusiastic about what is to come. Next month’s theme is comfort food, so we will have to wait and see how that goes. More to come later!

Welcome Meeting

Last June, I came to my manager with an idea: a cookbook club at the library. Well, after 6 months of looking and planning and figuring out all of the nit picky details, tonight Cooks & Books: a cookbook club will meet for the first time at the library where I work.

Ever since becoming an adult, I have enjoyed cooking. It is therapeutic to me, it allows for creativity, and I am usually successful in what I create.  Cookbooks are a major interest of people who visit the library. There are cookbooks on practically everything and the library has quite the variety.

Cooks & Books will have a different theme each month. One month might be comfort food while the next spring salads. I will pull cookbooks from the library for each themed month (pull books for February in January, books for March in February and so on).  We can review the recipes and then the next month, everyone will come with a recipe to share and discuss according to the theme. Tonight I want to be an introduction meeting to get to know everyone and we are going to do a brainstorming activity for future cookbook club themes.

I had eleven people sign up so I hope that they all brave the weather to come. Lastly, I intend on taking pictures of all the delectable goodies everyone brings each month and posting the recipes too!

Beer and Sausage Stew

Last week I made a delicious and cheap stew that is perfect for those super cold nights. It is called

Beer & Sausage Stew and the recipe is as follows...

Ingredients

2 lb red potatoes, chopped

1 cup celery, chopped

1 onion,chopped

Italian sausage (sliced)

1 tsp black pepper

4 cups chicken broth

12 oz beer of choice (I use Yuengling)

Directions

Set a slow cooker to low and then add the first 5 ingredients. Gently pour in the chicken broth and beer and let cook on low for at least 8 hours.

Cooking tips!

Experiment with adding a bay leaf, white pepper, oregano or parsley for a slightly different twist.  For a creamier stew, add 4 oz of cream cheese during the last 30 minutes before serving.

Finally, this stew reheats very well and makes some stellar leftovers! 

Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Pork

I use my crockpot a lot. At the very least, I make a meal in it every Tuesday so that my husband will have a meal waiting for him when he gets home; even though that is the night I work late each week. Most of the meals I make are alright, but every once in a while, I stumble across one that is exceptional. The following is one such meal.


1 onion, sliced
4-5 small potatoes, sliced
1 large pork loin roast

Layer all three of these ingredients in the crock-pot. I highly recommend using a Slow Cooker Liner; it makes life easier. Next, make the sauce

1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup
black pepper, salt and garlic powder to taste
a few dashes hot sauce

Mix all of the above ingredients and pour over pork loin, potatoes and onion.
Set your crock-pot to low and cook for 8-10 hours. It will turn out juicy, delicious, and completely satisfying. For the original recipe, see below.

http://www.food.com/recipe/tangy-slow-cooker-pork-roast-150875

Tuna Pizza

Okay, this recipe sounds a little strange, but it has become a staple in my house. My husband loves it and it is quick and easy for lunch or dinner.

1 ready made pizza crust
2 cans tuna (drained)
1/2 red onion chopped
1 container spreadable cream cheese
1 package shredded mozzarella cheese
crushed red pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread cream cheese over pizza crust. Next, layer tuna on top of cream cheese, sliced red onion over tuna, and shredded mozzarella on top.  Finally, sprinkle with crushed red pepper and bake for 20 minutes. Enjoy. So quick and so good!

Beef Stroganoff with a Twist

Instead of using noodles for this stroganoff, use rice and it is an easy one pot dish. Although it is not much to look at, it taste delicious

Ingredients

1-2 lb Beef Tips
1 can Golden Mushroom soup
1 package sliced mushrooms
1 onion sliced
1 package onion and chive cream cheese
2 cups rice, uncooked
1 can beef broth
1 cup water
salt and pepper to taste
sprinkle of minced garlic


Directions

Line crock pot with slow cooker liner. Place sliced onion and mushrooms in bottom of crock pot. Next layer on beef tips. Top with golden mushroom soup, beef broth and water. Sprinkle pepper, salt  and minced garlic over top. Top with dollops of cream cheese. Turn crock pot to low and simmer for at least 6 hours.  I left mine on for 8 hours and it was fine.

The rice soaks up all the delicious juices as it cooks and it becomes a filling comfort food that is perfect for a cold night!  It is also a good thing to make if you have a busy night or want to come home to a ready made meal! Try adding sliced peppers, sauerkraut or cabbage for an additional boost of veggies.

White Wine Pork Roast

Ingredients

1-3 lb pork roast
1 package baby carrots
1 onion
3-4 potatoes
1/2 cup white wine
2 cups water
1 can cream of mushroom soup

To taste
Basil
Garlic Powder
Ground black pepper

This recipe is great if you are going to be gone all day.

Directions

Slice onion and potatoes into bite sized chunks and put in bottom of slow cooker. Place pork roast on top and dump baby carrots over slow cooker. Sprinkle with garlic powder, black pepper and basil. Add cream of mushroom soup, 2 cups water and white wine. Turn on low and cook 6-9 hours. The white wine really brings out the taste in this recipe!