For a comforting evening filled with warmth and a touch of mystery, pair the Chicken Biscuit Casserole with "The Wife Upstairs" by Rachel Hawkins and a glass of Chardonnay. The cozy, homey flavors of the casserole enhance the domestic noir theme of the book, creating an immersive experience. As the golden biscuits complement the smoothness of the wine, this combination will envelop you in a sense of contentment and intrigue.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (16.3 ounces) refrigerated biscuit dough
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and season with salt and black pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the carrots and cook for another 5 minutes until they start to soften.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the cooked chicken, frozen peas, and corn. Add the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, thyme, and rosemary. Mix well and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes until the mixture is heated through.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the chicken and vegetable mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- Add the Biscuits: Arrange the biscuit dough on top of the casserole, covering the filling completely.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the comforting flavors of chicken, vegetables, and biscuits in every bite.
The Wife Upstairs
A modern retelling with a suspenseful twist on the classic tale of "Jane Eyre", exploring themes of power, charisma, and ambition in a suburban setting.
Instant New York Times and USA Today Bestseller "Compulsively readable…a gothic thriller laced with arsenic." ––EW One of the Most Anticipated Books of 2021: CNN • Newsweek • Vulture • PopSugar • Parade • BuzzFeed • E!Online • TimeOut • Woman's Day • Goodreads • She Reads • Good Housekeeping • CrimeReads • Frolic • Hello! • Mystery and Suspense January 2021 Indie Next Pick and #1 LibraryReads Pick A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda. Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates––a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name. But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie––not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for. Yet as Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea, an ambitious beauty with a rags-to-riches origin story, who launched a wildly successful southern lifestyle brand. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie’s heart before her past––or his––catches up to her? With delicious suspense, incisive wit, and a fresh, feminist sensibility, The Wife Upstairs flips the script on a timeless tale of forbidden romance, ill-advised attraction, and a wife who just won’t stay buried. In this vivid reimagining of one of literature’s most twisted love triangles, which Mrs. Rochester will get her happy ending?
Discussion Questions
- How does the setting in "The Wife Upstairs" enhance the themes of mystery and suspense?
- In what ways does the novel challenge or uphold the traditional Gothic elements?
- Discuss the role of social class in the relationships between characters.
- How does Rachel Hawkins build tension throughout the story?
- What moral dilemmas do the characters face, and how do they handle them?
- How do the character's ambitions affect their decisions and relationships?
- Explore the duality of the title and how it relates to the plot.
- Compare and contrast the protagonist with the original character from "Jane Eyre".
- Discuss the portrayal of power dynamics in the novel.
- What did you find most surprising about the ending?
Authors:
Rachel Hawkins
ISBN: 9781250245496
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published Date: 2021-01-05
ISBN: 9781250245496
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published Date: 2021-01-05
Chardonnay
A rich, full-bodied white wine with flavors ranging from apple and lemon to papaya and pineapple, and occasionally notes of vanilla from oak aging. The buttery taste of the Chardonnay complements the savory richness of the Chicken Biscuit Casserole perfectly.
Ingredients
- A bottle of your preferred Chardonnay.
Instructions
- Chill the Chardonnay to about 50°F (10°C) to bring out its crispness.
- Pour into a wine glass and serve alongside your meal.
- Savor the wine's rich flavors with each bite of the casserole.