Book Club- All the Single Ladies

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This month we read All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation by Rebecca Traister.  It was an interesting, albeit frustrating, read. You can probably guess what the book is about based on the title, but I’ll tell you anyway. 😉 It’s all about single women in America.  I liked this book for so many reasons!  I enjoyed the historical elements of the book, it was good context for where we are now.  I had no idea that women were such an integral part in the start of Prohibition and the reason is not what I expected! Also, hearing about the horrible prison that marriage was for women, it’s easy to understand why they’d want to avoid it!  The book paints the picture of the outcasts single women were, along with the rights given up when they married. The book also discusses why women are marrying later today, or why they avoid it altogether.

As a woman of color, I also appreciated that the author included ALL women, not just white women.  The book has a good mix of facts and data combined with anecdotal information which makes it easy to absorb.  I also liked that the author made it clear that there is no one right answer for all women and that your choice can change over time.  Some women may have never thought they’d get married and then they do, some women may never be mothers and that’s ok.  I always cringe when I hear people say to young women that don’t want to be mothers “oh you’ll change your mind”.  Maybe she will and maybe she won’t and either is her choice and right.  I thought the book really conveyed that well.

As always this book made for a lot of interesting conversations in book club.  I am the only married woman in the group and the other ladies are all in relationships in various stages.  Those different perspectives brought about a lot of dialogue.  We all agreed that the book made us all think, especially about our relationships.  I, for one, am grateful for a husband who considers me his equal and our marriage a partnership.I would encourage anyone to read this book.  There’s a lot of good information about the struggles women still face today and would be a good education for many men.  While it was a disheartening reminder that the more things change the more things stay the same, as far as women’s rights go, it’s also incredibly informative and can help you educate others.

I would encourage anyone to read this book.  There’s a lot of good information about the struggles women still face today and would be a good education for many men.  While it was a disheartening reminder that the more things change the more things stay the same, as far as women’s rights go, it’s also incredibly informative and can help you educate others.

Book rating: Recommended read for everyone! (9/10)

 

I though it would be fun to make single serve, “bachelorette” dishes, so here’s what we ate:

• Individual chicken pot pies
• tomatoes with balsamic
• Earl Grey truffles (see recipe below)

 

I thought it was important to choose a wine from a female-owned winery for this book, so I chose the Fergeron winery. It’s actually a local winery, so you can bet I’ll be checking out the Woodinville tasting room in the near future!  I found the 2011 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at Total Wine for $30. A little steep for something I’ve never tasted, but I decided to take the chance. It was tasty!  For a Cab, it was mild with a fruity finish, so it would be great just to sip on its own.  It also went well with the truffles.

Wine rating: Would buy again (8/10)

 

Our next book will be The Girls by Emma Cline.  Don’t forget to follow along with what we’ve read and are currently reading on my Book Club Pinterest board.

 

Earl Grey Truffles

When I was living by myself and single, and even now sometimes, I’ll splurge and get a truffle or two at a chocolate shop.  I thought it would be fun to make my own seeing how chocolate is the Flavor of the Month.  Since they are also already in single-serve form this seemed like the perfect time to share them!  After making the Chocolate Lavender ice cream this summer, I’ve been brainstorming more unusual things to pair with chocolate.  With the cooler weather I’ve been on a tea kick, so Earl Grey came to mind.  It’s a wonderful pairing with the bittersweet chocolate!

You’ll start by grinding up the tea.  You want it to be a fine powder since it’s getting mixed into the truffles (no one wants a gritty truffle!). I used our spice grinder of this, but you could also use a mortal and pestle. Now add the Earl Grey powder to the heavy cream in a small saucepan.

Cook that for about 5 minutes or until it’s hot and slightly bubbling. Pour the hot cream over bittersweet chocolate in a medium bowl and let sit for five minutes.

Then stir the mixture until the chocolate is completely melted and put it in the fridge.  Let it chill two to three hours, or until it is firm.

Now you’ll scoop 1 tablespoon servings on a parchment-lines plate.  They don’t need to be pretty shapes, that will come later. Chill that in the fridge for about thirty minutes.

Take it out and now roll each serving into a ball. Put the plate with the balls in the freezer.

After forty-five minutes, start melting the milk chocolate in a double boiler.  Once it’s melted let it cool for about fifteen minutes.

Now it’s time to coat the truffles!  If you want some of your truffles rolled in powdered sugar, put that on a small plate.

Take the ganache balls out of the freezer.  To coat them in the milk chocolate, put one on a fork and dip into the melted chocolate.  Gently roll it around and pick it up with the fork.  Shake some of the excess chocolate off and put on a parchment-lined plate.  Continue this with the rest of the balls.

To coat some in the powdered sugar, roll a ball on the plate with the powdered sugar until the ball is covered.  Shake it to get off any loose sugar and put on a plate.

Let the truffles sit at room temp for at least two hours to harden.  If it’s warm, put them the fridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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