Tuesday Book Club: Gone Girl (and film adaptations)

Did you read Gone Girl? I read it shortly after it came out a couple years ago and devoured it in nearly one sitting. It was tumultuous, suspenseful, infuriating and thrilling. Rarely have I felt so emotionally challenged by a popular, bestselling book.

That said, it seemed impossible that the film adaptation could live up to Amy and Nick’s parallel narration and the overall gripping suspense of the novel. Though, with the first viewing the movie trailer I knew I would end up seeing it. It just looked so creepy!

It was! And, despite having read it and talked about it with several people, it was still chillingly suspenseful and scary. The movie was dark and suspicious and hauntingly told. The shifts in narration were easy to follow and led to a thrilling build up. Most interestingly, however, was how many times the audience laughed out loud. You laugh in spite of yourself at the dark and twisted nature of the storyline, more out of discomfort than riotous humor perhaps. I’m not sure I’ve experienced a better adaptation.

What resonated with me most was what a complex character Amy is and how well Rosamund Pike was able to translate that onscreen. Indeed, according to many reviews Pike’s performance is one of the most compelling parts of the film and worth seeking out. This Variety article details how she was hand-picked by director David Fincher, and the dedication she demonstrated in order to get the part right. Do you remember her as Jane Bennett in Pride & Prejudice? Quite the transformation…

It’s this strong female role that has everyone talking, buzzing about with words like misogynist, feminist, evil and misunderstood. She’s a complex and difficult woman to understand, but so is Nick. They are both bad people. For all the box-office bustle, Gone Girl gives us an interesting space to re-examine the male/female hierarchical relationship (aren’t we always doing this?) through a new lens. Furthermore, we are forced to wrestle with a few uncomfortable questions: what does it mean to be evil? Is it possible to love someone forever? What is trust?

So, have you read the book? Did you see the movie, or are you planning to? What are your thoughts on the adaptation? Here’s the trailer just in case you haven’t seen it:

 

(first image via; second image via)

What’s for Dinner: Mushrooms

As much as I like the warmth of late-spring and summer, I don’t often feel as inspired by cooking during those toasty months. I know that sounds crazy because of a little thing called produce, but my jam has always been hearty, comfort food and none of that has changed as I’ve grown up. Even in Charleston I was eking out braised beef and thick soups whenever the temperature dropped into the 70s. I’ll do anything for anything that sticks to your ribs.

That is primarily why I like fall so much. It has nothing to do with boots or scarves or lattes made with spiced pumpkins. I love fall because it means I can start making all my favorite dishes again. Most recently, I’ve been craving all things mushroom. You’ll find mushrooms year-round of course but many are at their peak right now. Chantrelles have a short shelf life, and are a real pain to clean, but they have a unique depth of flavor that make them a star in soups and tarts. Oyster mushrooms are often used in Asian-inspired dishes and are perfect for stir-fry recipes and roasts. Porcinis, Shitakes, King Mushrooms, they gang’s all here.

Below I’ve gathered a few recipes that I’d love to try to this fall, as well as some we’ve already tried (these are marked with an asterisk). What are some of your favorite ways to cook and eat mushrooms? I know a lot of people don’t like the texture of them, either raw or cooked. The only time I will refuse a mushroom is when it’s been canned, which is why you won’t see any traditional casseroles on this list. I just can’t.

A note on storing and cleaning mushrooms: Mushrooms can be stored, unwashed, in the refrigerator for up to three days. Space permitting, keep them on a tray in a single layer covered with a damp paper towel. Or, keep them in a loosely closed paper bag. Do not cover them in plastic wrap. When you’re ready to use them, wipe mushrooms with a damp paper towel. Never completely submerge your mushrooms in water. Trim stems and cut off any dark spots. Shitakes should have their stem removed entirely. Use immediately after cleaning.

• Arugula Salad with Burrata, Shaved Mushrooms and Truffle Oil (pictured above)
• Chantrelle Chowder *
• Creamy Mushroom Soup (pictured below)
• Fettucine with Mushrooms, Walnuts and Parmesan * (I’m almost positive we added bacon to this…)
• Grilled Fontina, Mushroom and Sage Sandwiches
• Italian Baked Cheesy Mushrooms
• Leek and Mushroom Tart with Salt-and-Pepper Crust (wouldn’t this be wonderful on the weekend with a crunchy salad?)
• Marinated Mushroom Skewers
• Mushroom Florentine Pasta
• Mushroom Risotto * (This is the best risotto recipe and I use it all the time. We had this for dinner last night with lamb chops)
• Panang Curry with Vegetables
• Papardelle with Spicy Sausage and Mixed Wild Mushrooms
• Roasted King Oyster Mushrooms
• Roasted Potatoes and Mushrooms with Melted Taleggio Cheese (serve this with a juicy steak and invite me to dinner)
• Roasted Salmon with Potatoes and Mushrooms *
• Wild Mushroom Ragout with Creamy Polenta * (this is a major repeat offender around here. So, so good)

 

 

(top image via Katie at the Kitchen Door; bottom image via Jamie Oliver)

Hike Up Mount Pilatus

Last weekend Adam, Phil and I hiked halfway up Pilatus, a beautiful mountain that sits on Lake Lucerne. With fall weekends being so unpredictable it seemed silly not to take advantage of the ideal weather we’ve been having lately.

Adam and Phil had a pretty idea where we were going. The plan was to start at Hergiswil, one of the base towns, hike about halfway up and then take the cogwheel train (the steepest in the world!) and cable car to the top. We settled on an easier route, two mountain men out of a total four, one that would take us about 3 hours to complete.

 

I shudder to think of what a level three, or even four!, would be because this route was tough. It was very steep, and though not dangerous by any means, it had us all panting and seeking a shady spot in which to recover. In short, it exceeded our fitness expectations but turned out to be a wonderful climb with beautiful views (once the fog burned off).

 

 

 

 

After three hours traveling through various pastures, woods and barely marked paths we saw an Alpine restaurant in the distance, convinced we had made it to our destination. Upon closer investigation it turned out to be about 45 minutes away from where we were headed, but ended up as our final stop anyway. What we didn’t know before we set off is that the cable car from Fräkmüntegg to the Pilatus Kulm is closed until next spring. They are in the midst of building an incredible new cable way and we won’t have a chance to experience it until April 2015.

 

 

Given how tired we were, we were content grabbing lunch at Alpgschwänd and taking in the views. Making it above the cloud line before lunch is not a bad feat.

What are you up to this weekend? The weather looks beautiful tomorrow so we’re thinking about taking a day trip to a nearby city or maybe even trying another hike. Fall can be very unpredictable around here so we’re taking advantage of the favorable conditions.

Also, does anyone participate in the New York Times wine school? Last month was Chianti Classico (we’re a bit behind on our homework) and I’m hoping to pair our bottle with lamb and a wild mushroom risotto. Sounds like dinner this weekend has been organized…

 

Ubud: Tirta Empul

 

 

 

On our tour around Ubud we stopped at Pura Tirta Empul, one of the holiest temples in Bali that dates back to the 10th century. It sits on top of an active spring that is believed to have been created by the Hindu god Indra. According to the legend, Indra’s powers had been poisoned by Mayadanawa and he pierced the earth to create a fountain that would restore his forces and lend him immortality.

Today, worshippers come to visit the temple and take part in the ritual cleansing. The highlight of Tirta Empul is the long rectangular bath that is fed by twelve fountains, fueled with water from the holy spring. One can bring an offering to and be cleansed by each fountain.

I knew coming into the trip that I wanted to visit the temple and, moreover, that I wanted to participate in the ritual cleansing. Adam and I are not practicing Hindus, though we are actively religious people. Perhaps that makes my desire contradictory, but personally I wanted to experience a local custom while simultaneously paying reverence and respect to the tradition behind it.

Our guide, Wayan, was enthusiastic about our participation, but I have to admit that Adam was a little skeptical at first. I think he was afraid of it being a tourist trap, but in reality we were some of the only tourists who took part in the ritual. And in the end Adam was grateful for the experience, as was I.

During the cleansing you offer up a prayer and then completely submerge your head in the fountain water three times before moving on to the next fountain. It was a time of deep reflection and intention for me, a chance to reconnect with my own religious beliefs and motivations. Afterward, Wayan explained that some people might scoff him (or us) for “selling his religion” to tourists and visitors. He believes, however, that it is an opportunity for us to gain a greater understanding of the practices and traditions that make Bali special and unique. He can demonstrate his values and customs in a sacred space and offer visitors a truly special opportunity to connect with local life. It was a special morning that I will fondly think about forever.

 

Shortly after we finished the ritual cleansing and changed back into dry clothing a traditional celebrating began with drums, offerings and a large parade into the temple. After our participation it felt really wonderful to see the temple come to life with activity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

^^the holy spring

Traveling is, for me, about learning and exploring. I do believe, however, that there is a delicate balance involved when experiencing local customs and procedures. It is important to remember that locals are not props in a photo. They are living their everyday life and that is to be respected. We made every effort to respect the solemnity of the occasion and I think that went a long way toward ensuring we weren’t making a mockery of the ritual or doing it to satisfy a bulleted item on our bucket list. If anything I think it amounted to a fuller, richer experience.

How do you feel about this? I think it can be a bit polarizing: when to step in and when to step back.