Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

A novel about food…I’m listening. A novel about food with recipes…yes please! As a self-proclaimed foodie, I love interesting facts about food and recipes that make me wonder about the end-result. It is no secret I love a good novel, so Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal was a no-brainer for my to-be-read list. I was so glad I read it! It is such a quirky book that really highlights the culture, including food, from the Midwestern U.S.

Lars Thorvald loves his kitchen, his wife and his newborn daughter, Eva. Then his wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine and a sommelier and Lars is left to raise Eva. He dedicates his life to sharing his love of food with his daughter. Eva grows to find comfort in the flavors of Minnesota and hones her palate to be truly remarkable. She becomes the mysterious chef behind a renowned, secretive pop-up supper club.

This is a quirky book with each chapter revealing Eva’s story through a dish or ingredient she encounters. The comfort and community of food are central in her life and her story. The dishes and menus she creates are mouth-watering, but the story is truly heart-warming.

Check out Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal at the Library (https://catalog.lclibs.org/polaris/search/title.aspx…) or through OverDrive at https://lclibs.overdrive.com/media/2015734.