What would you expect from a novel based on a group that calls themselves the Sunday Potluck Group? I would expect stories of friendship and delicious recipes. Manic Monday Inc. delivers on both points. Four friends continue to show great examples of how to be good friends and the spinach dip recipe is fantastic.
The Sunday Potluck club was founded by children whose parents were undergoing cancer treatment. In this book the group is growing. The book focuses on Nichole and even though she is a therapist, she is learning to cope with her own OCD and desire to control things that she can’t control, like her dad’s health.
Extra-Creamy Instant Pot Spinach Dip
from a novel about 4 friends,
Manic Monday, Inc. by Melissa Storm
Book Outline and Tone:
The stories of Nichole, Amy, Hazel, and Bridget, the Sunday potluck club, continue in this book #3 of the series. Each book highlights the stories of one of the ladies. This book focuses on Nichole. She is a therapist who eventually realizes she needs some help for herself. After her dad has made a recovery from cancer, but she believes that if she doesn’t worry enough or control all of his actions, his cancer will come back.
I’m not a control freak, but I definitely like to control what affects me. Is that the same? Unfortunately, Nichole is taking this worry and control too extreme and it affects her daily life. Her friends are incredibly supportive and would help her if only she would let them into her struggles.
The novel doesn’t just focus on Nichole’s OCD, but also her love life. Bridget’s brother, Caleb, comes into the story and he is interested in Nichole. He is an inspiring author and she introduces him to NaNoWriMo. A challenge to write a novel in the month of November. This is a real life organization. Their website claims “NaNoWriMo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides tools, structure, community, and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds — on and off the page.”
If you have ever daydreamed about writing. This website is for you. There are tons of resources and groups to help you get started.
The Best Quotes:
“Tomorrow is a new day, she reminded herself as her head hit the pillow. It’s a new chance to stop worrying and start living again.”
“I’m living my life, Nichole, but I’m worried that you’re not. Convince me I’m wrong.”
Point of View:
Third person point of view with omniscient knowledge of Nichole.
The Author: Melissa Storm
Melissa Storm is a New York Times bestselling author as well as a several time USA Today bestselling author. She has written several different book series and the Sunday Potluck Club is a new series for her that she started in 2020. Melissa Storm is active on Facebook, and has her own Pinterest page.
What is not to like?:
I found some parts to be predictable. However, that is part of what makes this a realistic story. There is no shocking twist or unbelievable coincidence. There are 4 women who are supportive in such a way that I hope we could all have such good friends.
The verdict:
This is a fun book that seems as though it could be based on a real life story. In fact, author Melissa Storm writes in the Author’s note that this is her story. Read the book and enjoy the fantastic spinach dip!
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Extra-Creamy Instant Pot Spinach Dip
Assemble the Ingredients
Directions
Add the wet ingredients (cream of celery soup, mayonnaise, and cream cheese) to your Instant Pot first, otherwise the other ingredients could burn and stick to the bottom.
Sizes are easy to read on the measuring cups.
Break the frozen spinach into chunks and add to the pot.
Drain the artichoke hearts. Add spinach, artichoke, garlic, and Italian seasoning to the pot.
Set your Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
While the rest is cooking, tear mozzarella into pieces and shred Gruyère. I couldn’t find Asiago in my local store, but this Italian Style had some Asiago in it, so this is what I used.
When the Instant Pot finishes its cycle, do a quick release and remove the lid.
Stir in mozzarella and Gruyère until melted. Add Asiago to the top.
This picture show the flat silicone spatula from the 3 piece set. Also in the picture is the OXO whisk and flipping spatula
Sprinkle it with salt and pepper to taste and serve with a side of tortilla chips or fresh bread.
Super Fast Extra-Creamy Instant Pot Spinach Dip from a contemporary novel
Ingredients
- 1 10.5 oz can of cream of celery soup
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 8oz package of cream cheese
- 1 10oz package of frozen chopped spinach
- 1 14oz can of marinated artichoke hearts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or ½ package Italian Dressing mix
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese
- 8 oz Gruyère cheese
- 5 oz shredded Asiago cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the wet ingredients (cream of celery soup, mayonnaise, and cream cheese) to your Instant Pot first, otherwise the other ingredients could burn and stick to the bottom.
- Break the frozen spinach into chunks and set inside pot.
- Drain the artichoke hearts.
- Add spinach, artichoke, garlic, and Italian seasoning to the pot.
- Set your Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
- While the rest is cooking, tear mozzarella into pieces and shred Gruyère.
- When the Instant Pot finishes its cycle, do a quick release and remove the lid.
- Stir in mozzarella and Gruyère until melted.
- Add Asiago to the top.
- prinkle it with salt and pepper to taste and serve with a side of tortilla chips or fresh bread.
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Many of the recipes I review are sweet desserts, here are a few savory dishes to try.
Grits with Cheese from When the Grits Hit the Fan by Maddie Day.
