"Community is all about living with each other and for each other!". That's the feeling that stays with you, as you finishing the book - "The Beach Cafe" by Lucy Diamond, chosen by our virtual book club for the month of September. It is a delightful read which will brighten your day instantly. It certainly did for me. Within 24 hours and I was done reading it. Trust me, it doesn't happen , very often.
The story is about Evie Flynn, who has always been the black sheep of her family - a dreamer and a drifter, unlike her over-achieving two elder sisters - Ruth and Louise. Then there is a boring, IT software guy Matthew as her boyfriend, who loves his spreadsheets more than anything else. Evie, who did a masters degree in drama is a jack of all traits - an aspiring actress, a passionate photographer and a singer. But, nothing ever worked out for her. Now, she is stuck in a humdrum life, dabbling between various temp jobs as she waits for her admission to join her teacher course, which she agreed to do after a lot of persuasion from her family.
Evie's life literally takes a U turn when her beloved aunt Jo dies suddenly in a car accident, leaving Evie an unusual legacy - Jo's precious beach cafe is a remote village in Cornwall, far off from her buzzing Oxford life. After a lot of deliberation whether to sell it or not and tired of her sexist boss and breaking up with her tame boyfriend - she heads off to Cornwall, determined to make a life out of one thing(cafe) which is completely hers. Quite unexpectedly she gets more than she bargained for - in terms of earning respect within her own family, friends, work and of course meeting the 'love of her life' - Ed.
It is my first Lucy Diamond's novel and honestly speaking, it was quite hard to put it down. Evie, her protagonist in the novel is a lovable character with her own flaws & imperfections. Don't we all have those moments when life throws a curve ball at us. It all depends how we overcome those difficulties and learn something valuable out of such experiences. Coming back to the book, Lucy writing style, though very much British is easy on the eyes and very much enjoyable. I must admit, it is quite a long read - 484 pages. and Evie reaches Cornwall by 200th page or so. 100 pages less, it would have been perfect. Having said that, I would highly recommend this book because of the inherent, honest story and its endearing characters, to whom you will start relating to, right from the start. A special mention about the setting of Cornwall - the beach, the romping waves, blue waters with sun-kissed surfers ;-). There are numerous references to food, especially pasties, cakes, sandwiches and many british breakfast classics.
Speaking of breakfast, mine is always heavy on eggs and Scrambled Eggs would top the charts anyday. It is so easy to make, which so many options as add-on. Serves as an wholesome side with bread toast or just ketchup and complete it with a glass of orange juice - there, you have a perfect head start for hectic day ahead.
What's so special about today's recipe is that - these are Soft Scrambled Eggs as it has a hint of cream in it made beautifully beneath a sheen of butter. I had seen Merill make it on Food52, long time ago and finally remembered to give a try. Verdict: sneakily delicious! I don't think I will ever make my eggs scrambled any other way, ever.
Adapted from Food52
Ingredients:
Serves 1
2 eggs
1 tbsp cream (creme fraiche or mascarporne)
salt & pepper
knob of butter
Preparation:
1. In a bowl, whisk eggs with cream, salt & pepper.
2. Heat a non-stick skillet and add butter and wait until it melts. If the egg starts to cook right away, turn the heat as low as it will go. Add the egg mixture. Using a wooden spatula or spoon, stir the eggs constantly, scraping the bottom of the pan all over in a long, continuous motion. Do this for few minutes until its little custard-looking, but not runny.
3. Serve with bread toast and/or orange juice.
Hope you all have a wonderful week ahead.
until next time,
The story is about Evie Flynn, who has always been the black sheep of her family - a dreamer and a drifter, unlike her over-achieving two elder sisters - Ruth and Louise. Then there is a boring, IT software guy Matthew as her boyfriend, who loves his spreadsheets more than anything else. Evie, who did a masters degree in drama is a jack of all traits - an aspiring actress, a passionate photographer and a singer. But, nothing ever worked out for her. Now, she is stuck in a humdrum life, dabbling between various temp jobs as she waits for her admission to join her teacher course, which she agreed to do after a lot of persuasion from her family.
Evie's life literally takes a U turn when her beloved aunt Jo dies suddenly in a car accident, leaving Evie an unusual legacy - Jo's precious beach cafe is a remote village in Cornwall, far off from her buzzing Oxford life. After a lot of deliberation whether to sell it or not and tired of her sexist boss and breaking up with her tame boyfriend - she heads off to Cornwall, determined to make a life out of one thing(cafe) which is completely hers. Quite unexpectedly she gets more than she bargained for - in terms of earning respect within her own family, friends, work and of course meeting the 'love of her life' - Ed.
It is my first Lucy Diamond's novel and honestly speaking, it was quite hard to put it down. Evie, her protagonist in the novel is a lovable character with her own flaws & imperfections. Don't we all have those moments when life throws a curve ball at us. It all depends how we overcome those difficulties and learn something valuable out of such experiences. Coming back to the book, Lucy writing style, though very much British is easy on the eyes and very much enjoyable. I must admit, it is quite a long read - 484 pages. and Evie reaches Cornwall by 200th page or so. 100 pages less, it would have been perfect. Having said that, I would highly recommend this book because of the inherent, honest story and its endearing characters, to whom you will start relating to, right from the start. A special mention about the setting of Cornwall - the beach, the romping waves, blue waters with sun-kissed surfers ;-). There are numerous references to food, especially pasties, cakes, sandwiches and many british breakfast classics.
Speaking of breakfast, mine is always heavy on eggs and Scrambled Eggs would top the charts anyday. It is so easy to make, which so many options as add-on. Serves as an wholesome side with bread toast or just ketchup and complete it with a glass of orange juice - there, you have a perfect head start for hectic day ahead.
What's so special about today's recipe is that - these are Soft Scrambled Eggs as it has a hint of cream in it made beautifully beneath a sheen of butter. I had seen Merill make it on Food52, long time ago and finally remembered to give a try. Verdict: sneakily delicious! I don't think I will ever make my eggs scrambled any other way, ever.
Soft Scrambled Eggs
Adapted from Food52
Ingredients:
Serves 1
2 eggs
1 tbsp cream (creme fraiche or mascarporne)
salt & pepper
knob of butter
Preparation:
1. In a bowl, whisk eggs with cream, salt & pepper.
2. Heat a non-stick skillet and add butter and wait until it melts. If the egg starts to cook right away, turn the heat as low as it will go. Add the egg mixture. Using a wooden spatula or spoon, stir the eggs constantly, scraping the bottom of the pan all over in a long, continuous motion. Do this for few minutes until its little custard-looking, but not runny.
3. Serve with bread toast and/or orange juice.
Hope you all have a wonderful week ahead.
until next time,
love the pictures... inspiring for new photographers like me
ReplyDeleteWow looks very tempting
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by - foodie @ tastingpot and Sharmilee :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting book Siri... and love the scrambled eggs ... with tempting pics!!
ReplyDeletePic is so good,..will look for the book..
ReplyDeleteFirst time here……This one perfect breakfast dish...Following your blog straight away..If you have time Check out my blog too..
ReplyDeleteAarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/
I am having a Giveaway..
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/2011/10/3-reason-to-celebrate-3-cookbooks.html
Lovely cliks n The recipe too
ReplyDeletehttp://panchamrutham.blogspot.com/
The book seems similar to the plot of A Good Year - where the protagonist inherits a winery in France and moves there. Beautiful book and was also made into a movie. I'm sure I will like this one too then.
ReplyDeleteScrambled eggs are best creamy and soft- hate it when they are overdone and watery