Monday, July 26, 2010

ABC Wednesday

The letter of note this week is B

On a literary note, B is for "Boys, Bombs and Brussels Sprouts" a 'knees-up wheels-up chronicle of WW11'; a tale of J. Douglas Harvey's wartime adventures with Bomber Command and the Squadron cooks who forever put a blight on Brussels Sprouts for thousands and thousands of servicemen.


A copy of this book sat on Charles' reading shelf until he loaned it to another reading enthusiast, - alas, never to be returned.  It was 'a joyous' book, written by a young man who was only twenty when he piloted 31 sorties over the Continent, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Another literary B is a sophisticated classification of Canadian Prime Ministers written by Will Ferguson, "Bastards and Boneheads,  Canada's Glorious Leaders Past and Present"


Robin Ryan of Vancouver, British Columbia, reviews this book quite adequately.....

"Ferguson does a wonderful job making Canadian history, traditionally perceived as a dull topic, into an enthralling tale of a budding nation, people, and the strange contradiction that is inherent to all things Canadian. The language is simple, yet the ideas are very critical. The humoUr is terrific, yet Ferguson pulls no punches in condemning some of Canada's more shameful history. An excellent primer for anybody interested in Canadian history."


You may not agree with his opinions, but it is humourous, a good read and well researched.


If you were one of the servicemen who only allow brussels sprouts on the dinner table at Christmas time, for tradition's sake, - here is a recipe for the tiny, overboiled, grey-looking cabbages that may change your mind.


Brussels Sprouts Cheesy Casserole Recipe


Cook 2 10 oz. packages of frozen Brussels sprouts according to package directions; drain and cut sprouts into fourths - set aside.


Combine 2 slightly beaten eggs with 3/4 cup of soft bread crumbs, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 2 tbsp of chopped onion, - also a dash of pepper.


Fold in the sprouts and transfer to a casserole.  Combine another 3/4 cup of soft crumbs with 2 tbsp of melted butter and sprinkle over the top of the sprouts.


Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes, - it is bound to change your jaundiced view of Brussels Sprouts for the better!


For more B entries visit ABC Wednesday here, and prepare to be educated and entertained.


  

18 comments:

photowannabe said...

Now maybe I could eat brussel sprouts that way. Its not really on my dinner menu.
Maybe someone reading this blog will have another copy of that book for you.

Sylvia K said...

What an interesting post for the B day! Love the titles of both of them! And they do look interesting, think I'll have look for them at the library! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Bettey said...

It seems as tho those books titled just to be posted on "B" week!

Have a good rest of the week!

Hood Photo Blog

Gigi Ann said...

What a great choice for B day, Books, Boys, Bombs and Brussels Sprouts, So many different B choices today as I make my rounds of ABC Bloggers.

Mara said...

I love sprouts and always have. They are at their best when you can squeeze them with your tongue! Mmm...

Did you ever get another copy of that book though?

Roger Owen Green said...

BOTH seem like interesting books, but not enough to eat those vegetables!
ROG, ABC WEDNESDAY team

EG CameraGirl said...

I never would have thought to find book titles with so many Bs. Very creative idea. :)

Tumblewords: said...

Those sound like wonderful books. So much history escapes us. About the brussel sprouts. Hmmm. I'll think about that for a bit! :)

VioletSky said...

I've read Will Ferguson's book and found it entertaining. Now the other book intrigues me. The only way I would eat sprouts as a child was smothered in cheese sauce, now I manage to avoid thewm altogether (tradition be damned!)

jabblog said...

Two great book reviews - your synopses made me want to read them for myself. In fact, I'm going to Amazon right now! Thank you :-)
I like Brussels sprouts but they must be al dente and preferably served with chestnuts.

Reader Wil said...

Lovely, lively post Charles and Hildred!
I like Brussels Sprouts especially with peanutbutter sauce and rice, but I shall try your recipe too!

mrsnesbitt said...

Are these books only available in Canade because they sound fascinating! As a child I hated Brussel Sprouts probably because mum boiled them until they were mushy then made the gravy with the water - yuck! Now however I love them - mushier the better! Mum will be looking down smiling, am sure.

Thanks so much
Denise
ABC Team

Carver said...

Those both look like interesting books and I love the titles. The brussel sprouts recipe sounds good. Great take on the letter B.

Carol said...

What a great B post, Hildred and Charles. Your book reviews are very interesting. And the brussels sprouts recipe is a good one. Unique Bs.

Beverley Baird said...

What interesting books - how different as well! I'll have to look for them - they both look like good reads! Be interesting to see what Trudeau is classified as! lol

nonizamboni said...

All very fine 'B's! Thanks for the recipe too. It is comforting--to me anyway--to know that history remains as a teacher and a comforter.
Happy Wednesday!

Joy said...

They both look interesting histories and a terrific combination of Bs.
Brussel Sprouts are one of my favourite vegetables, I think people who don't like them have generally had them served mushy as children.

Joy - ABC Wednesday Team

Jama said...

I'm not a big fan of brussel sprouts....