Braised Pork with Pappardelle

I was inspired to make this after having a similar dish at Anteprima in Chicago.  The braising liquid is red wine, tomatoes, vegetables, and herbs.  I substituted cut up lasagna noodles since I couldn't find pappardelle.  I got the recipe here.  I'll definitely be making this again.

Another American Family Saga by Jonathan Franzen

Freedom follows the Berglund family from St. Paul to Washington, D.C. and New York City.  Walter is frenquently described as "perfect."  He works for conservation organizations and is devoted to his wife Patty, despite her sometimes crippling depression.  Patty abandoned her wealthy but neglectful family years ago to go to college in Minnesota where she met Walter and his musician friend, Richard Katz.  Walter and Patty's son, Joey, is alienated from Patty when she cannot accept his relationship with a lower class girl.  Joey becomes attracted to conservative politics and is seduced into working for a sleazy military contractor.  However, Walter also succumbs to similar temptations while Patty succumbs to romantic temptations.



This book is on the same tier as The Corrections, which I loved.  I have only minor quibbles with it.

My rating:  ***** (out of 5)