Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

Eva Thorvald is a Midwestern woman with a once-in-a-generation palate.  Kitchens of the Great Midwest is the story of Eva's life as told from the perspectives of everyone seated at the dinner party of her life.  Eva's biological father Lars is a great chef who falls in love with her mother, a wine expert who cannot handle being a mother and runs away.  His love of food is passed on to Eva.  At an early age, Eva has fallen in love with hot and spicy peppers.  She grows them in her bedroom, makes her own pepper jelly and hot sauce and tortures her tormentors with her spicy creations.

Eva is such an interesting character. You get to figure out the puzzle of Eva's life.  Each chapter is a snapshot into who Eva is and how she became this amazing chef who hosts the most creative and interesting dinners in the world and people are on the waiting list for years.

Kitchens of the Great Midwest is a delicious book full of wonderful food and recipes and dinner parties.  The food is Midwestern favorites, State Fair bake-offs and your mouth is going to water. Stradal's book is a well written novel about midwestern characters that grab your heart or make you want to punch them in the face.  Welcome to Minnesota nice (which really means passive-aggressive).

Kitchens of the Great Midwest is an enjoyable read, one that is delectable, delightful and delicious. It has inspired me to start a cooking club with friends.  This book is creative, daring and fun.  Stradal has embodied the Midwest and the people who live there in a book and it is splendid.

Book lovers, foodies and wine connoisseurs, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is calling your name.

Read this book,  your palate will thank you.