MNO Bookclub

Last night the playgroup moms got together for our first official MNO (Mom's Night Out- brilliantly coined by Sarah) Bookclub Meeting. I was proud of us for all for reading (most of) the book, but I was even more proud of the delicious spread we created for ourselves...

Event: MNO Bookclub at Erinn's In-Laws' House


Menu:
Mexican Shrimp Dip with Chips- Julia
Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Mozzerella- Kristen
Black Bean and Corn Salsa- Erinn
Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce- Sarah
Goat Cheese Tart with Herbs, Tomatoes, Chives, and Mixed Greens- Me
Sweet Yummies from Russell's Bakery- Jeanette
Lemon Bars- Erinn

(Playgroup moms: If any of you want to post a comment with your recipe/source for your dish, that would be awesome!)

Goat Cheese Tart with Tomatoes, Chives, and Mixed Greens


Refrigerated pie crust or homemade pastry dough
10 ounces goat cheese
1 16oz container cottage cheese
1 stick butter, softened
3 egg yolks
1 tbsp mixed chopped fresh herbs (I used oregano, thyme, basil)
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper


For Topping:
1 1/2c cherry or grape tomatoes
1/4c fresh chives, snipped in 1/2inch pieces
1/2c mixed greens
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsps white wine vinegar
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper


Preheat oven to 350degrees.
If using homemade dough: On a lightly floured surface and rolling pin, roll out into approximately 14 inch circle. If using store-bought, unwrap and carefully unroll.
Lay dough over a 9-11 inch pie pan. Press gently to cover pan with dough. Cover crust with aluminum foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake crust for 10minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl stir together filling ingredients, goat cheese through cayenne, until thoroughly combined. 
Remove pie crust from oven. Remove foil and weights from crust. Fill hot crust with cheese mixture and use spatula to smooth top. 
Bake approximately 25 minutes on center rack, or until golden and firm. (Note: If tart is not golden brown on top, but is cooked through, turn oven to a low broil and move tart to top rack. Watch closely and remove when golden.) 
To make topping: Slice tomatoes in half. In a small bowl, combine tomatoes, chives, oil, vinegar, and pepper. Pour tomato mixture on top of warm tart. Sprinkle with mixed greens. Slice and serve warm... or cold the next morning!


While our book discussion was the main purpose for the evening, we also celebrated our playgroup's second generation with a little guessing game. One of the mommies is pregnant with her second little one, and they just found out the sex! So, last night we each dressed in pink or blue based on our guess about the baby's gender. All but one of us dressed in blue... and she's having a BOY! Congrats, J&W!!!

Oh yeah, the book.... :)
We read Parenting with Love and Logic, by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. Our consensus: While the book is based on an important concept, (that children follow by example, and learn the most from natural consequences,) the anecdotes and scripts provided in the book are rather off-putting and unnatural.