I am a little late getting started, but finally picked up a copy of our February Book Club Book – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Although I staked out the library for a few weeks, this book is popular and new, so I was not able to get it there. I finally broke down and bought it at Borders, hence only having 2 weeks to read it. I was also trying to finish up Seven Years in Tibet, but that is so not happening. I’ll be happy to finish that one by 2010 (although it is good and getting better as he gets closer to meeting the Dalai Lama). Even though it stinks to pay $22 for a book I don’t know if I like, there is something wonderful about reading a book in hard cover (and owning it). I picture myself sitting in my study/library one day with all my hard cover books around me, drinking tea, and relaxing (because I am so rich I have quit working, of course). What a nice relaxing visual a hardcover book conjures up for me.
We had a fabulous weekend, lots of social engagements! Friday night we went to a wonderful performance by Robert Black. He played a bunch of short pieces and didn’t stop for applause between them. It was weird to listen to a whole recital without clapping once. And to have one piece flow into the next was really cool. On Saturday, we had some new (outside of work) friends over for Game Night. I sampled the Irish Red Ale from Thomas Hooker Brewery and it was delicious (look for a brewery tour review coming soon)! Sunday, we went to a hilariously fun get together at a (relatively) new book club member’s house and the Superbowl actually held my attention past halftime.
Last night’s dinner idea came from accidentally buying gorgonzola instead of bleu cheese for the Superbowl dip. We made Gorgonzola-Walnut Fettuccine with Toasted Breadcrumbs. It was really light and yummy. We added chicken and are considering create a cream sauce for it next time.
My current “want” is some sort of neat, creative, fun, quirky way to store my recipes. I am on the lookout for a mini dresser with little wooden drawers, so that I can keep desert recipes in one, crock pot recipes in another, and so on. My “on deck” project is to organize my recipes and purge ones I don’t use, etc. I have a feeling finding fun storage for them will help me get motivated for this little project.
Gorgonzola-Walnut Fettuccine with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
- 1 slice day-old hearty white bread (such as Pepperidge Farm), torn
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
- 3 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Preheat oven to 250°.
Place bread in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 2/3 cup. Place breadcrumbs on a baking sheet. Bake at 250° for 30 minutes or until dry.
Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic, and cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Remove garlic mixture from heat, and let stand 5 minutes. Return pan to heat. Stir in breadcrumbs; cook 6 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring mixture frequently.
Cook the fettuccine according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain. Place fettuccine in a large bowl. Add the breadcrumb mixture, parsley, Gorgonzola, walnuts, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper; toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)
The True Story of What Was 
Your “little dresser” want reminds me of my favorite piece of furniture in my house. We have one of the original card catalogues from the Yale University library. Though we use it as an accent table in our living room, all the little drawers would be a perfect recipe organizer. I’ve heard that you can find card catalogues on craigslist occasionally. You might want to check that out. Its a unique way to hold your goodies. Just a thought…
The pasta sounds delicious. I love gorgonzola cheese.
And I’m in the same exact position with the book. I’ve gone to 3 bookstores, picked it up and put it down, waiting for the library.
I think I’m gonna go tomorrow and just buy the darn thing.
:)