July 27, 2008

This book makes me cook: Three men in a boat

I did it! right at the nick of the moment I managed to complete this month's pick - 'Three men in a boat' by Jerome K Jerome.


It was an absolute pleasure to read this classic English comic book where the author J with two of his friends - Harris and George and a dog 'Montmorency' set out for a week long vacation on a boat along river Thames from London to Oxford.

Its the absolute brilliance of the author to put life to every scene that amazed me the most.

"He came and sat down on things, just when they were wanted to be packed; and he laboured under the fixed belief that, whenever Harris or George reached out their hand for anything, it was his cold, damp nose that they wanted. He put his leg into the jam, and he worried the teaspoons, and he pretended that the lemons were rats, and got into the hamper and killed three of them before Harris could land him with the frying-pan."

...wondering who is the 'HE' here.. its none other than our cute dog - 'Montmorency'!!!!

thats the eloquent diction and dry wit of Jerome which puts him apart and makes his book a classic one. I felt as if all the characters are for real and could relate with their commonality of frustration. For instance, the dubious 'weather forecasts', for atleast in my case are always predicted wrong. Here I am, all set to enjoy a sunny day ahead and by the end of the day am all soaked in rain. :( and it happened to me many times..! ..

..and the way the three men try to whip up their breakfasts, the anecdotes happening in the process are so hilarious; ..:) I actually sympathized with them and made a traditional English breakfast entrees for them - Fried Eggs with Baked beans.

this is how a traditional English breakfast looks like.

For Fried Eggs:

Melt some butter on a pan and crack two eggs on it. let it cook on medium-low heat for couple of mins, until the yolk is cooked. Sprinkle some salt and pepper. Serve.

For Baked Beans:

Wash and rinse 1 can of light red kidney beans. Heat some olive oil in a pan, add some finely chopped onions with crushed cloves.

Add the beans and 2 cups of vegetable stock. Let it simmer on medium heat for about 15-20 mins. Now, mix in 1 tbsp of dry mustard powder and some brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat the oven for 300F and bake the beans for about 1 hr. Serve hot with a crusty bread.

P.S: I haven't got my camera (to my new place), so no pictures for this post folks.

For the month of August, we picked out Meera Syal's award winning book - 'Anita and Me'. If interested, read along with us and lets whip up something together..:)

Also check out what others have to say about this book:

Bhags - Rhubarb Tart
Simran - Scrambled Eggs
Rachel - Spiced Apple Tart
Dee - Spicy Orange and Fig Jam

Bhagyashri of 'Taste Buds' has passed on a 'Friendship Award' to me..:) Thanks dearie, it indeed means a lot to me!

Enjoi and Have a great week ahead.

Chao,
Siri

10 comments :

  1. Nice event.But i am not much of a reader..:(.I love reaing gossip magazines though..hehehe.Loved your post and Fried eggs and baked beans..

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  2. This would be ideal considering their trial with making eggs....

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  3. siri - trust that you would pick out the fried eggs babe! :) i've read the book and i loved it many years ago.
    hope you're doing well!

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  4. oh yes, english fav bf, fired eggs with bacon and beans :) i simply adore baked beans with potato chips and toast; my comfort food when i want to eat something other than curd/dal rice:)

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  5. Hey dahling,
    Haven't actually read the book "Anita and me" but did watch the movie. I hope you are settling in well into you new home. Let me know if you would like me to suggest some good eateries around your area :o) Man its good to be back and leave you lil comments ;o) be back soon!!

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  6. Siri, you got a job! And I missed that post (and a few more) as I was away :( Congrats, congrats. Found a place to stay? All the best of luck with the job!

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  7. eggs... bacon.. and all that.. fried eggs with baked beans sounds great..wish i could see a picture.. hope you get the camera soon, and waiting for more posts:-) enjoy reading..

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  8. fried egg and bean sound tasty Siri :) Hope u get a camera soon...

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  9. thats a great book siri...you girls are rocking with this book club..heheh...enjoy..wish I could join..:(..

    hope you are doing good..no mails...

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  10. Thats really a Typical English breakfast! The book brings back a lot of memories for me. We had a portion of this book as a chapter in English, in maybe VIII or IX std!

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'Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it' ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Siri

 
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