For this cozy culinary pairing, the comforting and savory flavors of the "Au Gratin Peas and Potatoes" recipe meet the rich storytelling of "An Anonymous Girl" by Greer Hendricks. This psychological thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat, much like the anticipation as you dig into the golden, cheesy layer of the gratin. Washing it all down, "Cucumber Gin Fizz" refreshes and brightens each bite with its light and botanical notes, creating an idyllic table setting for discussion and enjoyment.
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the onion: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Make the sauce: Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Add the cheddar cheese, garlic powder, thyme (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Assemble the dish: Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the peas, then pour half of the cheese sauce over the top. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, peas, and cheese sauce.
- Top with Parmesan and breadcrumbs: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs (if using) evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving.
An Anonymous Girl
A thrilling and suspenseful novel about a woman who finds herself in a psychological study that starts to blur the line between reality and lies.
The instant #1 New York Times bestseller (January 2019) everyone is talking about! People Magazine's Book of the Week • Bookish's "Must-Read Books of Winter" • PopSugar's "Best Books of Winter" • Cosmopolitan's "2019 Books to Bring to Your Book Club" • Bookbub's "Biggest Books of Winter" • Refinery 29's "Best Books of January 2019" • Crime Reads' "January's Best Psychological Thrillers" • InStyle's "7 Books That You Should Resolve to Read This January" • HelloGiggles' "The 50 Most Anticipated Books of 2019" • USA Today's "5 New Books Not to Miss" • Marie Claire's "The Best Women’s Fiction of 2019 (So Far)" • Hypable's "Winter Releases You Can’t Afford to Miss" "Hendricks and Pekkanen are at the top of their game…You won't see the final twist coming." —People Magazine “Beware strange psychologists…the authors know exactly how to play on their characters’ love of danger to bring them to the brink of disaster – and dare them to jump off.” —New York Times Book Review "Slickly twisty [with] gasp-worthy final twists…major league suspense." —Publishers Weekly (starred review) "For those who relished the creepy stalking in Hendricks and Pekkanen's The Wife Between Us, this unnerving tale will have them rethinking what secrets are safe to share and if moral and ethics really matter when protecting the ones you love." —Library Journal (starred review) "Masterfully escalates the suspense." —Booklist (starred review) Looking to earn some easy cash, Jessica Farris agrees to be a test subject in a psychological study about ethics and morality. But as the study moves from the exam room to the real world, the line between what is real and what is one of Dr. Shields’s experiments blurs. Dr. Shields seems to know what Jess is thinking… and what she’s hiding. Jessica’s behavior will not only be monitored, but manipulated. Caught in a web of attraction, deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly. From the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, An Anonymous Girl will keep you riveted through the last shocking twist.
Discussion Questions
- How does the author play with the concept of truth and perception in the story?
- Discuss the ethical boundaries crossed in the psychological study depicted in the novel.
- What role does trust play in the relationships established throughout the book?
- How do power dynamics affect the choices and behaviors of the characters?
- What reactions did you have to the decisions Jess makes as the story unfolds?
- Analyze the impact of the setting on the story's suspenseful atmosphere.
- In what ways do the characters’ motivations drive the plot forward?
- How does the book explore themes of identity and self-deception?
- What is the significance of the title 'An Anonymous Girl'?
- How did the dual narrative perspective enhance or detract from your understanding of the story?
Authors:
Greer Hendricks
Sarah Pekkanen
ISBN: 9781250133731
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published Date: 2019-01-08
Sarah Pekkanen
ISBN: 9781250133731
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published Date: 2019-01-08
Cucumber Gin Fizz
A refreshing cocktail with a bright herbal flavor, the Cucumber Gin Fizz is made with fresh cucumber, gin, and sparkling water, a perfect complement to creamy dishes.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 4 slices cucumber
- 1 tsp simple syrup
- Club soda
Instructions
- Muddle the cucumber slices in a shaker.
- Add gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda and garnish with a cucumber slice.