Weekend Round-Up

The likelihood of me getting to see the play Hamilton is slim. So I seized a more practical choice and bought the book "I, Eliza Hamilton" by Susan Holloway Scott

I enjoy historical fiction and this novel by bestselling author Susan Holloway Scott does not disappoint. The story is narrated through the eyes of someone who knew Hamilton well, his wife Eliza or Betsey as some called her as they lived through the struggles of the American Revolution.

Eliza is a fascinating, strong-willed heroine in her own right and a key figure in one of the most gripping periods in American history. The novel obviously was meticulously researched in every detail from the time period, from clothing styles, military and political moves to housing and child care. This book leaves me feeling as if I spent years getting to know this family as it started out with Elizabeth as a 17 year old. As the story develops, Alexander and Eliza marry and raise eight children giving the reader glimpses into their lives together, their separations and several scandals they endured over the years. Eliza is the glue that holds everything together, as she juggles her huge family, their rocky finances, and Alexander himself.

Amazingly, after Alexander's death Eliza went on to live until she was 97 years old which was another half century. She spent 50 some years after his death as his loyal advocate determined to preserve his legacy. Her long life spanned from the colonial era to the eve of the Civil War,dying in 1854. She died as the last remaining widow of a Founding Father.

I highly recommend adding this book to your winter reading list. "I Eliza" has a lot of similarities to "America's First Daughter" being the same time period and a narrative told from a women's voice.  

"America's First Daughter" reviewed on sockfairies

http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2017/06/happy-june-1-and-summer-reading.html

LETTUCE INTRODUCE YOU TO A COPYCAT RECIPE
Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Living Butter Lettuce

Cook's notes: If anyone has ever been to P.F. Chang’s, you know that Chicken Lettuce Wraps are one of their signature meals. So when I found a copycat recipe to make my own version at home it was too good to pass up plus it's a fraction of the price from the restaurant and no doubt healthier. Plus it seemed like good game day food to me. 
GO VIKINGS GO

It was a first for me buying what was advertised as living butter lettuce. The living part was a bit scary at first read. Usually the restaurant serves chicken filling in iceberg lettuce but I liked the texture of this lettuce better and it was easier to roll taco style.

Not only did the recipe taste quite close to PF Changs but it was put together using one pan and completed in under 30 minutes! And it's budget friendly. Recipe serves 4 and was adapted from damndelicious.net

Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients:

• 1 TB. olive oil
• 1 lb. ground chicken 
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup sweet onions, diced
• 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 TB. soy sauce
• 1 TB. rice wine vinegar or red wine vinegar
• 1 TB.grated fresh ginger
• 1-2 tsp. Sriracha
• 1 (8 0z. can) diced water chestnuts, drained
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 head butter lettuce
• 1/3 cup chopped peanuts

Directions:

• In a large fry pan heat oil over medium heat. Add ground chicken, sweet onions and garlic. Cook until browned 5-8 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Wipe pan clean of excess fat with paper towels, moving chicken from side to side in the pan until it is cleaned.
• Stir in hoisin sauce, soy sauce, wine vinegar, ginger, Sriracha and water chestnuts. Cook on medium low for 5-6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
• To serve place 1/2 cup cup chicken filling on one butter leaf lettuce, top with green onions and chopped peanuts.

ALERT: Parts of Minnesota are on a storm watch

Snow Toward Evening
by Melville Cane

Suddenly the sky turned gray,
The day,
Which had been bitter and chill,
Grew soft and still.
Quietly
from some invisible blossoming tree
Millions of petals cool and white
Drifted and blew,
Lifted and flew,
Fell with the falling night.