Main Dishes Miscellaneous

Buttered Noodles, White Wine Spritzer, and Real Americans

November 22, 2025
editor
"Butter your soul as well as your noodles with "Real Americans" by Rachel Khong, paired brilliantly with a classic White Wine Spritzer. While savoring the rich simplicity of Buttered Noodles, explore the intricacies of human connection and cultural identity in Khong's novel. This pairing works as both the dish and book provide comfort and depth, complemented by the refreshing lightness of the spritzer, making it a perfect combination for a relaxing evening or book club gathering. Enjoy the layers of flavor and narrative unfolding together in harmony.
Buttered Noodles

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces egg noodles or pasta of your choice
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

  • Cook the Noodles:Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add the egg noodles or pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
  • Drain the noodles and return them to the pot.
  • Prepare the Butter Sauce:While the noodles are cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • If using, add the garlic powder to the melted butter and stir for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Combine Noodles and Butter:Pour the melted butter over the drained noodles.
  • Toss the noodles gently to ensure they are evenly coated with the butter.
  • Season and Serve:Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the noodles and toss to combine.
  • Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  • If using, add the lemon zest and chopped parsley for extra flavor and color.
  • Garnish and Serve:Transfer the buttered noodles to a serving dish.
  • Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and parsley, if desired.
  • Enjoy your delicious and comforting Buttered Noodles, perfect for any occasion!

Real Americans

Real Americans

"Real Americans" is a profound exploration of cultural identity and the intricacies of personal relationships. Rachel Khong delves into the multi-faceted nature of belonging and the contrasts between personal and societal definitions of identity.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • READ WITH JENNA’S MAY BOOK CLUB PICK • From the award-winning author of Goodbye, Vitamin: How far would you go to shape your own destiny? An exhilarating novel of American identity that spans three generations in one family and asks: What makes us who we are? And how inevitable are our futures? "Mesmerizing"—Brit Bennett • "A page turner.”—Ha Jin • “Gorgeous, heartfelt, soaring, philosophical and deft"—Andrew Sean Greer • "Traverses time with verve and feeling."—Raven Leilani Real Americans begins on the precipice of Y2K in New York City, when twenty-two-year-old Lily Chen, an unpaid intern at a slick media company, meets Matthew. Matthew is everything Lily is not: easygoing and effortlessly attractive, a native East Coaster, and, most notably, heir to a vast pharmaceutical empire. Lily couldn't be more different: flat-broke, raised in Tampa, the only child of scientists who fled Mao’s Cultural Revolution. Despite all this, Lily and Matthew fall in love. In 2021, fifteen-year-old Nick Chen has never felt like he belonged on the isolated Washington island where he lives with his single mother, Lily. He can't shake the sense she's hiding something. When Nick sets out to find his biological father, the journey threatens to raise more questions than it provides answers. In immersive, moving prose, Rachel Khong weaves a profound tale of class and striving, race and visibility, and family and inheritance—a story of trust, forgiveness, and finally coming home. Exuberant and explosive, Real Americans is a social novel par excellence that asks: Are we destined, or made? And if we are made, who gets to do the making? Can our genetic past be overcome?

Discussion Questions

  • How does Rachel Khong explore the theme of cultural identity in "Real Americans"?
  • What role does food and culinary arts play in the protagonist's journey?
  • Discuss how the characters' relationships evolve throughout the novel.
  • How does the narrative address the concept of 'home'?
  • What impact does the setting have on the story?
  • In what ways does Khong use humor to address serious themes?
  • Consider the title, "Real Americans." How does it relate to the overall message of the book?
  • How do family dynamics influence the protagonist's understanding of identity?
  • What instances of internal conflict align with the external conflicts faced by the characters?
  • How does the author approach the concept of generational differences?
Authors: Rachel Khong
ISBN: 9781234567890
Publisher: Knopf
Published Date: 2024-04-30

White Wine Spritzer

White Wine Spritzer
A light and refreshing White Wine Spritzer is perfect for pairing with your favorite reads and meals. This classic drink balances the richness of Buttered Noodles by adding a bubbly, crisp finish to your evening.

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
  • 3 ounces club soda
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions

  • Fill a glass with ice cubes.
  • Pour the white wine over the ice.
  • Top with club soda and stir gently to mix.
  • Garnish with a lemon wheel before serving.