The Hungry Bookworm

reading + eating

Subscriber Box Review: Literati Book Club - Roxane Gay's Audacious Book Club

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I have been eying the Literati Book Club for a while, and when I was offered the opportunity to try it out, I jumped at the chance. I didn’t know much about it before I joined, but it’s really cool. Let me tell you about it:

  1. There are a ton of book clubs to pick from — 13 in fact. And they’re all curated by people with unique perspectives, called Luminaries. You can chose your favorite (maybe an author you love or an activist you respect) and you’re in! If you’d like to try another book club next month, you’re welcome to switch it up. They even give you a preview of the upcoming books to help you choose.
  2. Once you pick a book club, they mail you that month’s book.
  3. Then, you can join the conversation on their app. The luminary of your chosen book club will post thoughts and other readers will share theirs. 
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Arsenic and Adobo + Ensaymada

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Mia P. Manansala’s debut novel, Arsenic and Adobo, is the first book in a new culinary cozy mystery series. Though I’ve never read a cozy mystery, I have always been intrigued by them — especially since there seem to be a lot of culinary cozy mysteries where food is front and center. When fellow blogger, Elizabeth from Dinner and a Novel, suggested we do a buddy read and each cook something to go with it, I didn’t hesitate! Not only is Arsenic and Adobo my first cozy mystery, it’s my first culinary buddy read too. 

Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon

In the story, Lila moves back home from Chicago to help her Tita Rosie save her restaurant. Right away, a local food critic heads into the restaurant to cause trouble and then drops dead at a table — oh, and he happens to be Lila’s ex-boyfriend too. Lila is quickly caught up in the investigation and trying to conduct her own so she can clear her and her family’s name. 

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Kids Edition: Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball + "Dirt" Pudding Cups

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We received Sometimes I Like to Curl Up Into a Ball second-hand. I didn’t realize it’s part of a Little Wombat series and is quite popular! Either way, it is quickly becoming popular in our house. Henry will often grab it and bring it over to have it read to him, and with the fun story and cute pictures, we are more than happy to oblige. 

Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball by Vicki Churchill and Charles Fuge
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon

In it, a wombat takes children through his day, where he plays with his friends — all sorts of animals including a koala, turtle and rabbit. He likes to make funny faces, jump as high as he can, play in the mud, and of course, sometimes, he likes to curl up in a ball. 

I drew inspiration from the page where the little wombat plays in the mud with his friends:

“Sometimes I like to get in a real mess, 
with mud on my feet and my hands and my chest.” 

In the illustration, he is sitting in the middle of a garden with his friends a rabbit, frog and a worm. He is completely covered in mud and smiling. 

It reminded me of a dessert I made once as a kid — we called it a dirt cup. It was actually pudding with crushed Oreos on top and some gummy worms too. 

I found a recipe that required no cooking or hot ingredients, so Henry could help me make it.

First, I made the pudding, which I did by whisking 2 cups of cold milk into a packet of instant pudding and allowing it to thicken for 5 minutes. Then, I combined it with the thawed Cool Whip. (This is where I let Henry help, though I gave him his own small bowl and spatula.)

He also, of course, wanted to help me mix the big bowl of pudding.

Once the pudding and Cool Whip were mixed, I scooped it into clear cups.

Pudding Cups

I topped it with crushed Oreos, which I crushed by breaking them up in a large Ziploc bag. (This could be a great activity for older kids, or more interested toddlers — I tried to have Henry help but he wasn’t very into it.) 

"Dirt" Pudding Cups

Then, I added a couple of gummy worms to make it look like the messy scene in the book.

"Dirt" Pudding Cups with Worms

Not only was this an easy-to-make snack, it was delicious too. A perfect pairing for this charming children’s story.

Dirt Pudding Cups inspired by Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball
"Dirt" Pudding Cups with Worms
Print Recipe

"Dirt" Pudding Dessert Cups

Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Dessert, Snack

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cold milk
  • 1 3.9-ounce package instant chocolate pudding, 4 serving size
  • 8 ounces frozen whipped topping such as Cool Whip, thawed
  • 1 1/2 cups crushed sandwich cookies such as Oreos, about 16, divided
  • Gummy worms

Instructions

  • Whisk together the milk and instant pudding for 2 minutes, until pudding is completely dissolved. Let stand 5 minutes to thicken.
  • Stir in frozen whipped topping and 1/2 cup of the crushed cookies.
  • Spoon into individual (clear, if possible) cups.
  • Sprinkle remaining crushed cookies over the pudding mixture. Top each cup with 2 gummy worms. Chill for at least 60 minutes or until ready to serve.

Notes

From: The Spruce Eats

The Midnight Library + Broccoli and Ricotta Toast

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Like so many hyped books before it, The Midnight Library excited me and gave me pause. I was immediately drawn to it from the description — a story about multiple lives lived and making right on past regrets — but the over-enthusiasm I saw everywhere pushed me away. I was, of course, afraid it wouldn’t live up to the hype. Ultimately, though, I knew I would regret not picking it up, and so I did. It was amazing.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon

Matt Haig created a novel about a library in which every book contains another life Nora Seed could’ve lived. She is free to explore as many lives as she chooses, until she finds one that suits her, where she’s fulfilled, and then she will stay. In one life, Nora is famous; in another, a scientist; and in another, she just eats toast. In some lives, she is married or single, a mother or not. Family and friends who have died are now alive, and sometimes those who were living have passed on. When picking a regret to correct, Nora never quite knows what will happen in the new story of her life — she must open the book and live it. 

I loved the concept. I loved the execution. Of course, I also loved that inside every book was a different life to live. And that Nora had a wonderful librarian to guide her in her journey. I was absolutely riveted and finished the entire novel within 24 hours. It made me think and feel… lots and lots of emotions. 

“Librarians have knowledge. They guide you to the right books. The right worlds. They find the best places. Like soul-enhanced search engines.” 

The Midnight Library, Matt Haig

The life where Nora eats toast is literally one line in the novel — "In one life she only ate toast." — but it stood out to me in a story where food wasn’t paid much attention. 

The other exception being a life in which Nora has a husband who "tended to put a whole bulb of garlic in every meal he created." (Sounds like an excellent husband to me!) In that same life, she enjoys "a great garlicky pasta-and-broccoli meal." Together, these things brought me to my recipe: Broccoli and Garlic-Ricotta Toasts.

If you love roasted garlic and roasted broccoli and snackables, you will love this recipe. I couldn’t get enough and was really sad when they were gone. Thankfully, making them was easy; I fully plan to make them again.

First, I toasted the baguette slices and roasted the broccoli and garlic. I sliced the baguette into thin (half inch) cuts on the bias and made sure the broccoli was cut into smallish florets so they would fit on the toasts later. 

Broccoli and garlic for roasting

Once the bread was golden, I took it out of the oven and let the broccoli continue roasting.

Toasted baguette slices

When the broccoli and garlic were done — a little brown on the edges — I pulled the pan out and let it cool enough to handle the garlic. While it cooled, I quickly mixed together the drizzle, which was just honey, white wine vinegar and red pepper flakes. Then, when it was cool enough, I squished the garlic out of the peel and into a bowl. 

Roasted garlic and hot-honey sauce

I mixed the garlic with ricotta cheese to make the spread for the toast.

Roasted garlic and ricotta spread

Then, I assembled the toasts. I spread each piece generously with the garlic-ricotta mixture, placed 2-3 pieces of broccoli on each, and then arranged them on a tray, drizzling them with the hot honey sauce before serving.

Broccoli and ricotta toasts

I know if I ever lived a life where all I ate was toast, this would be the one I want. I could eat this forever and ever. 

Broccoli toasts inspired by The Midnight Library
Broccoli and ricotta toasts
Print Recipe

Broccoli and Ricotta Toasts

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 baguette sliced ½" thick on a diagonal (about 12 slices)
  • 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil divided
  • 1 head of broccoli florets chopped into ½" pieces
  • 1 head of garlic cloves separated
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 Tbsp. honey
  • 1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1½ cups fresh ricotta
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 400°. Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 2 Tbsp. oil. Toss on baking sheet to coat, then arrange again in a single layer. Place broccoli and garlic on another rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with remaining 4 Tbsp. oil. Season generously with salt and toss to combine.
  • Place broccoli on top rack and bread on bottom rack and roast until bread is golden brown and crisp, 10–12 minutes. Remove bread from oven and continue to roast broccoli and garlic, tossing once, until broccoli is browned all over and garlic is tender, another 15–20 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  • Meanwhile, whisk honey, vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
  • As soon as garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze cloves out of their skins and mash in another small bowl to form a paste. Add ricotta and mix well; season with salt and black pepper.
  • Spread ricotta over toasts and top with roasted broccoli. Arrange on a platter and drizzle with honey mixture.

Notes

From: Bon Appetit

This post contains affiliate links. This does not increase the price you pay, but I may receive a small commission for any products you choose to buy. Purchases made through affiliate links help to cover my blogging costs. Thank you for helping to support The Hungry Bookworm! Full disclosure here.

Mango and Peppercorns + Vietnamese Macaroni and Cheese

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Mango and Peppercorns is a memoir told collaboratively from three perspectives — that of Tung Ngyuen, a Vietnamese immigrant; of Kathy Manning, an American who sponsored Tung; and Lyn, Tung’s daughter, born in Miami, where Tung and Kathy lived. It is a memoir not only of the immigrant experience (from both sides) but of food and family as well. Together, Tung and Kathy opened a successful, award-winning restaurant.

Mango and Peppercorns
Available on Bookshop.org and Amazon

This memoir is a great reminder of the opportunities that American can provide and the successes immigrants can realize when given the right support. The alternating points of view made the story whole and demonstrated that all relationships — even those that are long-lasting and loving — have their conflicts. 

Throughout the book, recipes were included. The one I chose to include may seem like an odd choice, but I loved that it embodied the combination of Vietnamese heritage and American culture shared throughout the book. This macaroni and cheese is one that Tung made for Lyn, who as a younger girl preferred American food over her mother’s traditional Vietnamese cooking — yes, the cooking that made Tung an acclaimed chef. But, as Lyn realizes in retrospect, sometimes children don’t always appreciate what’s in front of them until it’s no longer there. 

Anyway, Tung tried to bring some Vietnamese flavors to a very traditional American dish, primarily by adding fish sauce and Accent flavoring. I didn’t end up including Accent flavoring because my local supermarket didn’t have any and I didn’t have time to run to the Asian market, so that may have affected my experience with the recipe. 

It was really easy to make: start by boiling macaroni. Meanwhile, in a skillet, melt some butter, brown onions and garlic and add ground beef, cooking until browned. To that, add fish sauce and salt (and Accent flavoring). 

Ground Beef

Once the macaroni is finished, drain and rinse in cold water. Add the ground beef mixture and stir to mix. Pour it into a 9x13 pan — I found deep dish was best — and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Cover in foil and bake until the cheese is melted.

Vietnamese macaroni and cheese

I really loved the idea of this macaroni more than the finished product. I didn’t think the fish sauce was enough to bring out that flavor. I also didn’t like how the cheese was just melted on the top and not incorporated throughout. (I prefer a creamy macaroni and cheese myself.) To me, the dish honestly tasted like ground beef with noodles and some cheese. 

That said, I’m sure the Accent flavoring would’ve made a huge difference! I may experiment again with more fish sauce and creating more of a cheese sauce than just sprinkling it on top before baking.

I sort of wish I had chosen one of the many many more traditional Vietnamese recipes Tung serves at the restaurant, but honestly, a lot of them had ingredients that are hard to find here. They all sounded absolutely mouth-watering though! 

Vietnamese macaroni and cheese inspired by Mango and Peppercorns
Vietnamese macaroni and cheese
Print Recipe

Vietnamese Macaroni and Cheese

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course

Ingredients

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni or 3 cups
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 6 medium garlic cloves minced
  • ½ medium sweet onion chopped
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 2 tsp fish sauce
  • ½ tsp Accent Flavor Enhancer optional
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • 4 cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F, with rack in the middle position.
  • Meanwhile, cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Rinse with cold water and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat, add the onions and garlic, stirring occasionally until lightly browned. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula.
  • Lower the heat to low, stir in the fish sauce, Accent (if using), salt and cook for about 2 minutes. Raise the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally to incorporate the juices, until the beef is cooked through, about 5 minutes more.
  • Off the heat, stir in the reserved cooked macaroni, then transfer the mixture to a 9x13 pan. Scatter the cheese evenly across the top. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil, leaving some space between the top of the macaroni and the foil. Bake until the cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes.

Notes

From: Tung Nguyen in Mango and Peppercorns
If you had a deep 9x13 baking dish that would work best. When I used a regular one, it was too full to cover without the foil touching the cheese on top. The original recipe said to bake for 5-10 minutes but my cheese took closer to 15 minutes to melt, so I added additional time here.
Also, the original recipe called for 1¾ lbs of beef, but I used 2 lbs because that was what I had on-hand and didn’t want to save/waste ¼ lb of beef.

*I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This post contains affiliate links. This does not increase the price you pay, but I may receive a small commission for any products you choose to buy. Purchases made through affiliate links help to cover my blogging costs. Thank you for helping to support The Hungry Bookworm! Full disclosure here.