Main Dishes

Bourbon Chicken, Classic Manhattan, and The Lincoln Highway

April 8, 2025
editor
For a perfect night in, pair the rich and savory Bourbon Chicken with the thrilling and intense read "The Lincoln Highway" by Amor Towles. This combination of flavors and narrative depth is excellently complemented by a classic Manhattan cocktail, bringing to life a sophisticated dining experience. The complex layers of the bourbon both in the dish and the cocktail resonate superbly with the richly developed characters of the novel. Let the evening unfold as you savor these culinary, literary, and experiential delights.
Bourbon Chicken

Ingredients

Chicken:

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Marinade:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Sauce Thickener:

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Garnish:

  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, bourbon whiskey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, water, minced garlic, grated ginger, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and ground black pepper.
  • Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more flavor.

Cook the Chicken:

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later use.
  • Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Make the Sauce:

  • In the same skillet, pour in the reserved marinade.
  • Bring the marinade to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.

Thicken the Sauce:

  • In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the water to create a slurry.
  • Slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering marinade, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.

Combine and Finish:

  • Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing it in the thickened sauce to coat evenly.
  • Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure the chicken is heated through and well-coated with the sauce.

Serve:

  • Transfer the Bourbon Chicken to a serving platter.
  • Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

The Lincoln Highway

The Lincoln Highway

An exhilarating and absorbing novel by the bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow, The Lincoln Highway tells the story of an impromptu journey across America by a young boy and his brother in the 1950s, exploring themes of brotherhood, redemption, and what it means to belong.
"In June 1954, eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska by the warden of the working farm where he has just served a year for involuntary manslaughter. His mother is long gone, his father recently deceased, and the family farm foreclosed upon by the bank, Emmett intends to pick up his eight-year-old brother and head west where they can start their lives anew. But when the warden drives away, Emmett discovers that two friends from the working farm have hidden in the trunk of the warden's car. Together, they have hatched an altogether different plan for Emmett's future. Spanning just ten days and told from multiple points of view, Towles' third novel will satisfy fans of his multi-layered literary styling, while providing an array of new and richly imagined settings, characters, and themes."–Container.

Discussion Questions

  • How does Towles use the literal road trip in the novel to convey metaphorical journeys each character undertakes?
  • Discuss the significance of the Lincoln Highway as a setting and symbol.
  • How do the various characters’ backgrounds and experiences influence their decisions throughout the novel?
  • In what ways does the novel explore the idea of redemption?
  • How do the historical setting and cultural backdrop inform the narrative?
  • What role do chance encounters play in shaping the story’s direction?
  • Examine the themes of brotherhood and family loyalty. How are these portrayed?
  • How does the novel approach the concept of American identity during the 1950s?
  • Discuss the narrative style and how the shifts in perspective enhance or challenge your reading experience.
  • What did you find most surprising about the resolutions of the characters' arcs?
Authors: Amor Towles
ISBN: 0735222355
Publisher: National Geographic Books
Published Date: 2021-11-02

Classic Manhattan

Classic Manhattan
The Classic Manhattan is a timeless cocktail with a perfect balance of sweet vermouth, bourbon, and a dash of Angostura bitters, garnished with a cherry. This sophisticated drink complements the complex flavors of Bourbon Chicken, enhancing the culinary experience.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Maraschino cherry, for garnish

Instructions

  • In a mixing glass, combine the bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters.
  • Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir until well chilled, about 30 seconds.
  • Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
  • Garnish with a maraschino cherry before serving.