Enjoy a cozy evening with "Air Fryer Chicken Quesadillas," perfectly paired with Taylor Jenkins Reid's captivating novel "Malibu Rising" and a refreshing Margarita cocktail. The flavorful quesadillas offer a delightful main course, while the novel's beachy setting complements the summery, citrus notes of the Margarita, creating an enjoyable experience for a book club gathering.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup onions, thinly sliced (optional)
- Cooking spray
- Salsa, guacamole, and sour cream (for serving)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded or diced chicken with olive oil, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the spices.
- Assemble the quesadillas: Lay out the flour tortillas on a flat surface. Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese on one half of each tortilla. Add the seasoned chicken on top of the cheese. If using, add the sliced bell peppers and onions. Sprinkle another layer of cheese over the chicken and vegetables. Fold the other half of each tortilla over the filling to form a half-moon shape.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Cook the quesadillas: Lightly spray both sides of the quesadillas with cooking spray to help them crisp up. Place one or two quesadillas in the air fryer basket, depending on the size of your air fryer, without overlapping. Cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted.
- Repeat: Repeat the cooking process with the remaining quesadillas.
- Serve: Cut the quesadillas into wedges and serve immediately with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
Malibu Rising
In the summer of 1983, Malibu hosts an unforgettable party. Four siblings, the children of a legendary singer, reveal secrets throughout a night of celebration. As the party grows wildly out of control, deep-seated family tensions bubble up, scorched into life in Malibu's hot sun.
Malibu: August, 1983. It's the day of Nina Riva's annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together, the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over-especially as the offspring of the legendary singer, Mick Riva. By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family's generations will all come bubbling to the surface. Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them… and what they will leave behind.
Discussion Questions
- How does the setting of Malibu in the 1980s influence the story's atmosphere?
- In what ways do the siblings' relationships mirror their parents'?
- What role does celebrity culture play in the characters' lives?
- How does Taylor Jenkins Reid use flashbacks to develop the characters?
- Discuss the theme of identity as portrayed in the novel.
- What is the significance of the ocean and surf culture in the book?
- In what ways do the siblings cope with the legacy of their father?
- How does the author explore the concept of family legacy?
- What moments in the book highlight the theme of personal growth?
- How does the novel address the idea of public perception vs. personal reality?
Authors:
Taylor Jenkins Reid
ISBN: 0525542335
Publisher: Hutchinson
Published Date: 2021-05-27
Classic Margarita
The Classic Margarita is a refreshing cocktail that balances the tangy flavors of lime and the subtle sweetness of agave nectar with a sharp kick from tequila, making it the perfect companion for spicy dishes like quesadillas.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- 1 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce agave nectar or simple syrup
- Salt for rim (optional)
- Lime wedge, for garnish
Instructions
- Rim a glass with lime juice and dip in salt if desired.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and agave nectar with ice.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately.