Adventure series and Cinghiale

The Time Warp Trio is a series of adventure books by Jon Scieszka about three boys who go back in time.  Similar to the Magic Tree House series, but the stories tend to be shorter and have a little more zip.  Might be very appealing to boys who are reluctant readers.  I just read It's All Greek to Me where the boys meet the gods on Mt. Olympus.  I would say grades 2-5.

Now real Cinghiale is made with wild boar.  I ate it on my honeymoon in Italy and loved it.  This version is made with a combination of ground pork and beef.  Very rich and hearty.

CINGHIALE

1 lb. rigatoni

¾ lb. ground pork

¾ lb. ground beef

1 carrot, diced

1 onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. thyme

1 tblspn. Unsweetened cocoa powder

1 bay leaf

2 pinches ground cloves or allspice

¼ c. tomato paste

½ c. white wine

2 c. chicken stock

½ c. milk

1 c. Parmesan cheese

1.       Saute meat  til brown.

2.       Stir in carrot, onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, cocoa, cloves, s+p.  Cook 5 minutes.

3.       Stir in tomato paste.  Cook 1 minute.

4.       Add wine, stock and milk and bring to a boil

5.       Lower heat and simmer til thickens up a little bit (5-15 minutes).

6.       Add cooked pasta, turn off heat and add cheese.