Weekend Round-Up

Intriguing New Reads 
A KIRKUS REVIEW-gets my attention every time especially with when I read a  rare glimpse into the life of one of America’s most revered social activists.

Dorothy Day, (November 8, 1897 – November 29, 1980) was an American journalist, social activist and catholic convert. Day initially lived a bohemian lifestyle before gaining fame as a social activist after her conversion. She later became a key figure in the Catholic Worker Movement and earned a national reputation as a political radical some consider the most famous radical in American Catholic Church history.

"Dorothy Day The World Will be Saved by Beauty" is a frank and reflective, heartfelt and humorous portrayal as written by her granddaughter, Kate Hennessy. The book not only is a portrait of her grandmother, Dorothy Day, but also a moving account of the life of her mother, Tamar. Through this biography readers get an intimate and, at times, perhaps, painfully honest portrait of Dorothy, her relationships with her daughter Tamara, and Tamara's father, Forster Batterham, the great and tragic love in Dorothy's life. The book chronicles the four generations of Day family, Dorothy's calling to the Catholic Worker and all the joys, struggles along the way. It make for one book to savor.

Kate Warne (1833 – January 28, 1868)
When Kate Warne was hired on at the Pinkerton National Detective Agency in 1856, female detectives were completely unheard of. Over the next 12 years, Warne proved her worth by successfully investigating murderers, thieves, and an assassination attempt against President Abraham Lincoln. By the end of her short lived career, she was one of the best detectives in the nation, female or otherwise.

This book is historical fiction. Pinkerton's Chicago-based agency rose to fame when it foiled a would-be assassination of Lincoln, known as the Baltimore Plot. What's less known is that Warne was instrumental in getting Lincoln to safety, Warne lived in Chicago and worked as a detective until her death at 38 in 1868 of pneumonia. She is buried in Graceland Cemetery in the Pinkerton family plot (under the name Kate Warn), along with several other Pinkerton employees. It's an intriguing story about a woman during the Civil War period I had never heard of before.

 

One Pan Meal Salmon and Brussels Sprouts with Blueberries

Cook's notes: There are so many things to like about this recipe. The health benefits are impressive. It's labeled superfood ingredients  with 

• Salmon – rich in Omega 3 fatty acid’s 
• Basil – anti-bacterial which means it has flavonoids that protects the body from illness and infection
• Blueberries – a berry with the highest amounts of antioxidants. 
• Brussels Sprouts – high in Vitamin K 1 and 2 both important for bone health!
• Lemon – Sea Salt -vitamin C and sea salt together help with indigestion 

and the recipe is easy and tastes as good as it looks.  Recipe adapted from cottercrunch.com and serves 2.
Ingredients:

• 3/4 lb. salmon fillets 
• 2 cups Brussels sprouts, (quartered)
• 1 cup fresh blueberries 
• 1 TB. blueberry jam
• 5 -6 fresh basil leaves 
• 1/4 cup olive oil or Lemon Olive Oil 
• 3 TB. dark good quality balsamic vinegar or Blueberry Balsamic 
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp crush black Pepper
• Sea Salt (divided)
• 1 lemons (juiced) with slices

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. 
• Clean salmon fillets, pat dry and place on lined sheet pan. 
• Remove outer leaves from Brussels sprouts , halve lengthwise and then quarter. Arrange around salmon adding in minced garlic cloves and basil leaves.  
• Generously sprinkle sea salt on top of salmon and veggies. Set aside.
• Place blueberries in a bowl and mash slightly. 
• Add in 1/4 cup olive oil, dash salt/pepper, balsamic vinegar and jam. 
• Mix all together, reserve 2 tablespoons and drizzle rest over veggies and salmon.  
• Squeeze fresh lemon on top of salmon and veggies. Place lemon slices on top of veggies on the sheet pan. Sprinkle with extra black pepper.
  
• Place in oven and bake for 18 minutes. Remove salmon and tent in aluminum foil to keep warm. Stir rest of ingredient on baking sheet and drizzle with reserved blueberry mixture and cook about 15 minutes more until spouts are tender.