Book Club Eats and Book Discussion

 Couples Book Club 

The book this month was 

All the Broken Places is a historical fiction novel by John Boyne.  A sequel to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2006), the book follows Gretel, a now-elderly woman living in London, who is forced to face her past in Nazi Germany after a new family moves in downstairs. The story is split into three parts, each spanning two time periods and locations. Critics praised its fast pacing and compelling story, though some noted the lack of historical accuracy. I will add it was a very well written book with a compelling story. 

Book Club Eats

Ingredients:

• 1 package of pulled pork
• 1 package 24-count Kings Hawaiian sliders
• 1 package of provolone, sharp white cheddar, or cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons poppyseeds or bagel seasoning

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13 x 9 pan.
• Separate the buns' tops and bottoms, keeping them attached. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of meat to the bottom of each bun, top with cheese slice, and then place the attached buns on top. Place each prepared slider into the prepared pan. 
• Melt butter and whisk in mustard, sugar, and poppyseeds or bagel seasoning.
• Brush the tops of each slider with the butter mixture and let some butter drip down the sides into the pan.
• Bake for 18 minutes uncovered.
  
  I also made a plate of egg salad sandwiches for the vegetarians in the group. 
  
   BUT the star here is the coleslaw dish, which in my estimation was a real winner. Cook's Notes: Apple Pecan Coleslaw combines coleslaw mixture, apples, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans with a creamy, flavorful dressing that elevates your typical coleslaw mixture to a whole new level. The dressing was lightened up with yogurt. and offers a variety of textures and flavors. I have recently discovered hot honey, which adds some zip to the recipe. This recipe serves four, but the amount can easily be increased for more.
  

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 package of prepared coleslaw mix (produce )
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
• 1/4 cup sour cream or yogurt
• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1-2 teaspoons honey or hot honey
• 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes 
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/3 cup toasted pecans
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries
• 1 large Honey Crisp apple, diced 

 Directions: 

• Make dressing ahead by whisking all ingredients and refrigerating.
• 30 minutes ahead of serving, add dressing to the desired amount of coleslaw mixture and serve.