2017 06-24 The Sharper the Knife the Less YOU Cry hosted by Brenda

"The Sharper the Knife the Less you Cry" by Kathleen Flinn was the discussion for this meeting. If you didn't make this meeting you lost out big time. 

One of favorite Chef's Brenny along 
with her friend Chef Gabriella Vacca cooked 
us a homemade meal. OMG  We all figure that Jennifer was biting her lips that she couldn't be here for this meeting. 

The menu was 

Beouf Bourguignon (Brenda's adapted recipe)

Homemade Egg Noodles 

Homemade French bread

Summer Salad 

Crepes (probably strawberry and Nutella) with homemade whipped creme

Yum 

And she even had some wine. Imagine. Well worth the drive. Between the food, the friendship and discussions it was a great afternoon. 
Cliff was there and I think we amused him with all the conversations going on about everything and about the book. As always the conversation strayed from the book.

How many of us could do what Kathleen Flinn did? She lost her job as a middle manager, took her life savings at the encouragement of her boyfriend to fulfill a life long dream of going to the famous Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris to become a Chef. I personally am not so sure I could handle the down right blistering sarcastic criticism those Chef's handed out during the class. And the language barrier to boot. One thing I'd want to do is video tape the class. LOL I don't think I could remember everything and my notes would be scribbles trying to keep up.
A bonus in the book is all the recipes she shares. Not sure how many I will try personally but I know there's a few of you who will try them out.
The book is about her journey not so much about the other characters in the book. And what a journey she had. We get to follow along as she learns to chop, dice, fillet, saute, braise and plate. And her description of poking out the fish eyes, the guts, the skinning of the rabbits, the screaming Chef's, the drinking after class gave us a ring eye view of a student at the famous cooking school. Everyone who had read or still reading really liked the book. It is a fun read for anyone who likes to read, cook and eat. This why Brenda chose this book, she thought it would be fun.
Moral of the story: Cooking is all about the ingredients and definitely become friends with your butcher. 

Thank you Brenda for hosting in your home and going to great lengths to provide us such a tasty meal. Oh Thank you Gabriella for your part in the cooking and prep. Glad you could join us. It was nice meeting you.
I wasn't exactly ready as I planned but Barbara was so I let her go ahead and announce her book.
And Barbara's choice was... Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Our next meeting will be Thursday August 16th and the location will be determined later
Next to choose will be Carla, Cheryl, Deborah, Denise, Diana, Ed or Gaye.
I'm gonna go find my book now before it gets packed away and put it with the door prizes I was supposed to hand out at the last meeting for the first three to RSVP. So Jan Brenda and Cheryl... eventually you'll get your deserved door prize. GRR I seem to have lost what little mind I had. Hugs y'all

Until the next meeting... Books are not furniture but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house~

Your forever unofficial secretary/photographer