Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

My Thoughts: Shauna Niequist writes with humor and honesty, cooks with passion and creativity and loves the Lord with all her heart.  Shauna is a true food entertainer.  She delights in creating joy with friends while dining at her dinner table.  I love how she encourages her readers to do the same, but to take baby steps if it's a bit out of their comfort zone.  I'm raising my hand high in the air here, but I can begin with take-out pizza and a salad.  Green Well Salad (page 81), perhaps?  (I have a pear waiting to ripen on my counter and it's going straight into Green Well Salad.:)  When I get a bit braver, I'm going to attempt Mango Chicken Curry.  (Doesn't the sound of that make your mouth water?)  I often forget that friends simply want to enjoy our company and feel at home. They truly don't care if your house is clean.  True friends are great that way.  Thank you for the reminder, Shauna.:)     After reading Bread and Wine, I wanted to be a member of Shauna's Cooking Club, wished I could be a part of her circle of friends and dreamed of visiting some of the many places she's traveled so I can savor the cuisine there.  Coming back to reality, I plan on trying each and every one of her recipes in Bread and Wine.  The stories behind the recipes are delightful and heartwarming.  As you read them you'll feel like you're visiting with a dear friend. The first recipe I tried I was White Chicken Chili (pictured below).  It was a cold, rainy day and chili sounded comforting and nourishing.  The recipe had 4 ingredients (chicken, salsa, white beans and chicken broth) and was quick and easy to make- perfect for a Saturday night.  Did I mention it was delicious?  It certainly was.

The next recipe I tried was Blueberry Crisp (pictured below).  The stars of this delightful concoction are maple syrup, sea salt, old fashioned oats and sweet blueberries. We're also treated to a peek into Shauna's childhood in this chapter-  when hummus and yogurt weren't "cool".  Her memories made me smile.:)  The recipe will make you smile, too. It was an absolute pleasure reading and creating with Bread and Wine.  If you're looking for a gift to give on Mother's Day or to a friend on their birthday, I highly recommend this book.  I plan on buying several copies to have on hand for "the friend that has everything".:)  Savoring the stories and the recipes was a complete joy that I can't wait to share with others.   (Pssst!  I'd love to read Cold Tangarines and Bittersweet, also by Shauna Niequist.  They are now on my wish list.:)  ) The Book As a follow up to her two-bestselling books, Bittersweet and Cold Tangerines, author and blogger Shauna Niequist returns with the perfect read for those who love food and value the community and connection of family and friends around the table. Bread & Wine is a collection of essays about family relationships, friendships, and the meals that bring us together. This mix of Anne Lamott and Barefoot Contessa is a funny, honest, and vulnerable spiritual memoir. Bread & Wine is a celebration of food shared, reminding readers of the joy found in a life around the table. It's about the ways God teaches and nourishes people as they nourish the people around them. It's about hunger, both physical and otherwise, and the connections between the two. With wonderful recipes included, from Bacon-Wrapped Dates to Mango Chicken Curry to Blueberry Crisp, readers will be able to recreate the comforting and satisfying meals that come to life in Bread & Wine. About Shauna  Shauna Niequist is the author of Cold Tangerines, Bittersweet, and Bread & Wine. Shauna grew up in Barrington, Illinois, and then studied English and French Literature at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. She is married to Aaron Niequist, who is a pianist and songwriter. Aaron is a worship leader at Willow Creek Community Church and is recording a project called A New Liturgy. Aaron & Shauna live outside Chicago with their sons, Henry and Mac. Shauna writes about the beautiful and broken moments of everyday life--friendship, family, faith, food, marriage, love, babies, books, celebration, heartache, and all the other things that shape us, delight us, and reveal to us the heart of God. You can find out more about Shauna and read her blog at www.shaunaniequist.com. *I was given a copy of Bread and Wine from Handlbar Publishers and BookSneeze in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*