The Book Club Cook Book – Literary Monday

One of my favorite books from 2011 was the Mad Men Cookbook.  I mean, who wouldn’t love the drinking and retro-cool food from the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Apparently, one of the authors of the Mad Men Cookbook, Judy Gelman, had an earlier book titled The Book Club Cookbook.  This book was right up my alley.  I love to read.  I love to cook.  I love to drink.  Well, the book had two of out three so not bad and there are a few drink recipes.  But, seriously, literary inspired recipes.  This was even better than the food and drink fest than my book club hosts to accompany each month’s gathering.  This was literally food selections driven by actual food consumed in the book, themes from the book or food from the country where the book was situated.  I loved the idea!  I love theme parties.

Not only is the idea for this book superb, so were the recipes.  Like the recipes in the Mad Men Cookbook, the recipes, themselves, were straight forward and easy to follow with readily accessible ingredients.  Each recipe was listed with the book that is accompanies.  Each entry includes a brief overview of the book, the recipe and the reasoning behind the selection of the recipe.  The recipes in the book come from the authors of the books, book club members from around the country and the authors of the Book Club Cookbook, which results in an eclectic mix of sweet and savory treats to try! 

For fans of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, try the Glogg.  It will simultaneously help to warm you up and calm your news.  Who could forget the Potato Peel Pie in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.  The Caramel Cake in The Help made me want to board a plane and head for Jackson Mississippi.  And, to top it off, a trip to the Plaza Hotel to drink Mint Juleps, just like the gang from the Great Gatsby.

If you love books and cooking or if your book club is looking for a great way to expand its repertoire, then give The Book Club Cookbook a try.  I have this book sitting on my shelf next to the great books that I have read over the years that included recipes to try (Like Water For Chocolate is my favorite).  This book was a great addition.