Pair the savory and satisfying Beef Teriyaki Noodles with the riveting novel 'Klara and the Sun' by Kazuo Ishiguro and enjoy with an Asian Pear Martini. This combination blends the hearty, umami flavors of the dish with a thoughtfully intricate tale exploring artificial intelligence and human emotion. The novel's futuristic setting provides a contrasting backdrop to the traditional flavors of Japanese cuisine, while the pear martini adds a refreshing and slightly sweet complement. This triad of taste, narrative, and drink creates an immersive experience where flavors and words intertwine to elevate your dining and reading session.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces of your favorite noodles (soba, udon, or spaghetti)
- 1 pound beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Teriyaki Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Cook the noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the teriyaki sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, and honey. Set aside.
- Cook the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced beef and cook until browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the sliced onion and red bell pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Add the broccoli florets, minced garlic, and grated ginger, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Combine everything: Return the cooked beef to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the beef and vegetables. Stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened and everything is well coated.
- Add the noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce and heated through.
- Serve: Divide the Beef Teriyaki Noodles among plates. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Klara and the Sun
'Klara and the Sun,' Kazuo Ishiguro's first novel since receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature, examines the significance of love in a future where Artificial Friends are commonplace. Through the eyes of Klara, an artificial being yearning for life and experience, Ishiguro challenges perceptions of human uniqueness and existence.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Once in a great while, a book comes along that changes our view of the world. This magnificent novel from the Nobel laureate and author of Never Let Me Go is “an intriguing take on how artificial intelligence might play a role in our futures … a poignant meditation on love and loneliness” (The Associated Press). • A GOOD MORNING AMERICA Book Club Pick! Here is the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, who, from her place in the store, watches carefully the behavior of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her. Klara and the Sun is a thrilling book that offers a look at our changing world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator, and one that explores the fundamental question: what does it mean to love?
Discussion Questions
- How does Ishiguro depict Klara's perception compared to a human perspective?
- What role does the concept of hope play in the novel?
- Discuss the importance of sunlight and the sun in the narrative.
- How is artificial intelligence portrayed – positively, negatively, or ambivalently?
- In what ways does Klara embody or challenge human emotions and behaviors?
- Discuss the significance of Josie's relationship with Klara.
- How does the novel address societal issues related to technological advancement?
- What elements of the novel reflect on empathy and its limits?
- How does Ishiguro use Klara's narrative to explore themes of illness and mortality?
- In what ways does the novel challenge your views on the future of technology in daily life?
Authors:
Kazuo Ishiguro
ISBN: 059331817X
Publisher: Vintage
Published Date: 2021-03-02
Asian Pear Martini
A light and refreshing cocktail blending the sweetness of pear with the subtle notes of sake and elderflower, perfect for complementing the rich flavors of Beef Teriyaki Noodles.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pear vodka
- 1 ounce sake
- 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- Pear slices for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add pear vodka, sake, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice to the shaker.
- Shake well until cold.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with pear slices.
- Serve and enjoy alongside Beef Teriyaki Noodles and a good book like 'Klara and the Sun'.