Summer Reading
And 100 sweet reasons to not bake because it’s just so darn hot. And, of course, there's a recipe!
On the first Tuesday of each month, I share what I’m reading on a book segment on Good Day, Alabama on WBRC Fox 6. Here’s that I talked about this time.
By Armor Towles
Journeys are rarely predictable. Personal journeys even less so. This book is about both. Set in 1950s America, it’s the story of two brothers who are on a quest to find their mother who left them years before. Emmet Watson is 18 and recently released from a juvenile work camp where he served 15 months for involuntary manslaughter. His father has just died. Their Midwest farm is in foreclosure, and his 8-year-old brother, Billy, needs him. The plan is to follow The Lincoln Highway (and the postcard clues left by their mother) across half the country to California to start a new life. But when the warden drops him off, Emmet realizes two of his friends from the work farm had stowed away in the trunk of the car. And they have a very different plan for Emmet’s future. It takes everyone in the opposite direction to New York City, where the Lincoln Highway begins. This book, set over 10 days and told from multiple points of view, is beautiful and heartbreaking and almost mythical in the telling. Highly recommend! Also, it’s by the author of A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility, both of which I loved.
All Systems Red (the Murderbot Diaries)
By Martha Wells
This is book one of seven in The Murderbot Diaries, and I’ve found these to be just the perfect distraction when exercising at the Y or out walking. I’m listening to them, and each novella is a little over three hours long. This is smart, funny, trippy science fiction that is absolutely fun and entertaining with a serious undercurrent. Again, perfect! All Systems Red tackles questions of the ethics of sentient robotics. The main character is a deadly security droid that has hacked its restrictive programming and is balanced between contemplative self-discovery and an idle instinct to kill all humans. It privately calls itself “Murderbot,” but mainly it just wants to do a halfway decent job and watch soap operas during its required downtime. The book is set on a distant planet where a team of scientists are conducting surface tests. In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, all planetary mission must be approved and supplied by the Company, which requires security androids and sometimes cuts corners. When a neighboring mission goes dark, the scientists and their Murderbot have to figure out what went wrong—or die trying.
The Magnolia Bakery Handbook of Icebox Desserts
By Bobbie Lloyd
First of all, an icebox dessert is a no-bake or low-bake dessert that comes together with time to set in the refrigerator. They are simple, classic, and easy to make. Here’s a cookbook full of delicious ones!
A little background: Magnolia Bakery started as a small corner shop in New York’s West Village, but it’s now a global phenomenon with 40+ stores around the world.
This new cookbook features 100 recipes—each with a gorgeous photo—of icebox cakes, icebox pies, cheesecakes, icebox bars, and puddings, including an entire chapter of variations on Magnolia Bakery’s famous and beloved banana pudding. Some of the recipes require a little prep-work baking (crusts, crumbs, fillings and cookies), but lots are oven free.
Recipes include:
Banana Pudding Icebox Cake
Triple Chocolate Pudding Pie
Cold Brew Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Strawberry Shortcake Bars
Cannoli Icebox Bars
Peach Crisp No Bake Bars
Chocolate Wafer Cookies
Pumpkin Spice Pudding with Cookie Butter Swirl
In addition to the yummy recipes, you’ll find advice on kitchen staples and supplies, some solid basic ingredients, and usable tips and techniques.
Here’s the recipe for S’mores Icebox Cake
Ingredients
3 cups heavy cream
1 16-oz container marshmallow fluff
Chocolate ganache (see recipe below) warmed so it is spreadable but not hot
1 14-o box graham crackers (you might not use them all)
2 cups mini marshmallows
Directions
Line a 9 x 13-inch pan with parchment paper.
In a stand mixer, fitted with the whisk, starting on speed 1 or low, whip the heavy cream for 1 minute. Slowly add the marshmallow fluff. Turn the mixer to speed 2 or medium and continue mixing until medium-to-stiff peaks form. About 4 to 6 minutes.
To assemble: Use an offset spatula to spread about ½ cup of the marshmallow whipped cream into the pan being sure to get into the corners. Place a layer of graham crackers over the cream, breaking them if necessary to fit into the corners and sides. Spread with 1/3 of the marshmallow whipped cream. Sprinkle with half of the mini marshmallows. Spread with 1/3 of the chocolate ganache.
Repeat the layers of graham crackers, 1/3 marshmallow whipped cream, remaining mini marshmallows and ½ of the ganache. Cover with graham crackers and the remaining marshmallow whipped cream. Evenly drizzle with the remaining ganache on top of the marshmallow cream. Using the offset spatula, swirl the ganache into the cream.
Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 5 to 6 hours until cookies are soft or overnight.
Makes one 9 x 13 cake that serves 12 to 15 people.
Chocolate Ganache
Ingredients
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
Directions
Place the chocolate chips in a heat-proof glass or stainless-steel bowl.
In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally so that the bottom does not scorch. About 3 minutes.
Pour the warm cream over the chocolate. Let it sit for a few minutes to soften the chocolate. Using a rubber spatula, stir the chocolate/cream mixture until completely smooth. (The ganache can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.)
Before serving, place the amount you need in a heatproof bowl and stir over a saucepan of gently simmering water until the ganache is spreadable or pourable but not hot. You also can warm it up in the microwave in 20-second increments, stirring after each until just pourable.
Makes 1 cup
I love all the reviews and recipe! Thank you! 🌼