January Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns
December 29, 2009
I think it would be a great idea to begin our year with a book suggested by a few members. I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book. Let’s give it a try!
By Khaled Hosseini
If you have any suggestions for February, make sure and leave a comment on the “Suggestions” page (see the links on top!)
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Oh YESSSSSS! This is a great book!
Holy Cow! I read this book in three days! Could not put it down! I’ve got so many important things to say about it but have to come back to do it later. I just want you all to know – WOW! Thanks Poolie!
Sun-dried Tomato Bruschetta
Ingredients:
chopped 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
6 roma (plum) tomatoes
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup fresh basil, stems removed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 French baguette
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven on broiler setting.
In a large bowl, combine the roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.
Cut the baguette into 3/4-inch slices. On a baking sheet, arrange the baguette slices in a single layer. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly brown.
Divide the tomato mixture evenly over the baguette slices. Top the slices with mozzarella cheese.
Broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
This was the most powerful, gut-wrenching novel I have read in a long time. It broke my heart over and over and over again. Mariam and Laila are two of the most unforgettable characters I have ever been introduced to within the pages of a book. I absolutely loved this one.
There is so much that I want to say about this book. But I really needed to walk away from it for awhile after I read it because the thoughts of people living that way is just so overwhelming.
Having had a college roommate, in the late 70s, from Iran, I know a smidgen of the oppression of muslim women. My roommate’s sister, who came to visit and wanted to stay but was unable to, was so depressing. And they weren’t under the rule of the Taliban.
Can you imagine? Unfortunately, this book gave me so much help in imagining what it’s like to be this oppressed and to live in this kind of fear. We are truly lucky to have been born where we were born and when we were born. This book gave me a whole lot of gratitude for my freedom.
And that is just the beginning of how I feel. What an incredibly powerful work of historical fiction. My god.
The dish I want to share is one that I learned to make from the Iranian cookbook my Iranian friend gave to me. I love this but haven’t made it for awhile. It’s time! The combination of beef, onion and cinnamon – yum!
Kukune Gusht (Meat Casserole)
3 tbsp. butter
1 lb. ground beef
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 cup spinach, chopped
1/2 cup leek or green onion, chopped
1 1/4 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. curry powder
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Pepper
5 eggs
Melt the butter in a skillet. Sauté the meat and the onions for 15 minutes.
Clean, wash, and chop the spinach and leek. Add chopped vegetables to the meat. Add seasoning and mix well.
Beat eggs slightly and add them to the meat and vegetable mixture. Mix well. Grease the bottom of a 9” pie pan. Pour mixture in the pan and cook in 325 degree preheated oven for about 30 minutes. Serve with plain yogurt.