Sweet Evil Read Along - Week 2: "The Pear Incident"

This week's read along is for chapters ten through sixteen and spans pages 122-231 of Sweet Evil.  And to coincide with the events of the book (teehee), this week's theme is citrus or pear food/drink recipes.  I'm an over-achiever, so I've got one of each for you.  Both feature pears because, well, every time I think about Kai eating that pear...*sigh*...oh, there I go again!  Sorry!  =D

First up, I have a recipe for Harvest Pear Crisp:

 

Cinnamon-spiced pears bake under a crunchy streusel topping in this easy pear crisp. Assemble the dessert ahead of time, and put it in the oven when guests arrive. Or bake it earlier in the day and serve it at room temperature. Serve with low-fat vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients:

6 cups Anjou or Bartlett pears, cored and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices (about 3     pounds)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup granulated sugar1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup regular oats
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Preparation:
 
Preheat oven to 375°.

Combine pears and lemon juice in a 2-quart baking dish; toss gently to coat. Combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon; stir with a whisk. Add cornstarch mixture to pear mixture; toss well to coat.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Place flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt in a food processor; pulse 2 times or until combined. Add chilled butter; pulse 6 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add oats and walnuts; pulse 2 times. Sprinkle flour mixture evenly over pear mixture.

Bake at 375° for 40 minutes or until pears are tender and topping is golden brown. Cool 20 minutes on a wire rack; serve warm or at room temperature.

And then because this girl likes to drink -- and because I just love the name of this drink -- here's my pear cocktail recipe:

The Admiral Peary

[ actually, it's The Admiral Perry, but I like plays on words :0) ]

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Absolut pear vodka
• 1 oz Hiram Walker original cinnamon schnapps
• 1 oz dry vermouth
• 0.25 teaspoon white creme de cacao
• thin pear slice for garnish



Preparation:

1.Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir with ice until chilled.
2.Strain into cocktail glass.
3.Garnish with a thin slice of pear.

My thoughts on this week's read along:

I have this feeling that I am going to run the full gamut of emotions with this book:  anger at Kai's douchiness, surprise at his kindess, shock that Daddy Dearest isn't the evil demon I expected him to be, frustration at Anna's continued naïveté.  The further I delve into this world, the more I worry about what's going to happen to Anna and what the future might hold for her and Kai.  It's obvious Kaidan feels something for Anna, but the question is, will he allow himself to continue feeling it, or is he going to shut her out for her own protection?  This road trip has been fun, but what's next?!?!?  My vote is for more KISSING!!!!!!!  =)

Favorite quotes:

"Oh, come on.  You haven't even thanked me yet."
"For what?"  I asked, still not looking.
"For saving you from snogging that plonker.  You didn't really fancy him, did you?"
My cheeks burned, and I was glad to be turned away from him.  I kept my mouth shut.
"So that's it, then?"  he asked.  I ignored him.  "I always wondered what it would feel like."
That made me curious enough to turn to him.
"What what would feel like?"  I asked.
"Rejection."  He seemed in the midst of a revelation. -- p. 138

"How's your orange juice, Ann?  Does it have a touch of lime?'
The glass paused at my lips as I processed his innuendo, and I took a second to make sure my embarrassment stayed hidden inside.  I let the drink swish over my tongue a moment before swallowing and answering.
"Actually it's a little sour," I said, and he laughed.
"That's a shame."  He picked up a green pear from his plate and bit into it, licking juice that dripped down his thumb.  My cheeks warmed as I set down my glass.
"Okay, now you're just being crude," I said.
He grinned with lazy satisfaction. -- p. 180 (aka "the pear incident")

"You came across the country--"
"Shhh!" I warned him as people looked over.  He lowered his voice to a shouted whisper.
"--with the son of the Duke of Lust?!  Son of a--"  -- p. 223

"And tell the Rowe boy to keep his paws off my little girl, 'cause I'll be out soon to take care of him if he doesn't."  -- p. 230

Hahaha...didn't Patti tell Kaidan almost the exact same thing in Week One?  As you can see, I pretty much quoted all of week two's reading...it's so hard to pick favorites when you love every bit of it to pieces!  :D  My full review will be up after the read along is over at the end of the month.  For now, just know that I love it, and if you haven't read it, you definitely, definitely need to.  :0)