Pair the hearty and nourishing Chicken Minestrone Soup with the insightful and thought-provoking novel 'Anxious People' by Fredrik Backman, along with a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio. This combination works harmoniously as the soup's comforting flavors and textures are perfectly matched by the book's exploration of human connection and the wine's refreshing character, enhancing your dining and reading experience.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 yellow squash, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow macaroni)
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until it becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the vegetables: Stir in the diced carrots, celery, zucchini, yellow squash, and red bell pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add tomatoes and broth: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the chicken broth. Stir in the cannellini beans, green beans, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Cook the pasta: While the soup is simmering, cook the pasta separately according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine the ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the chopped spinach or kale and the cooked pasta. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes until the greens are wilted and the pasta is heated through.
- Serve: Ladle the Chicken Minestrone Soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley.
Anxious People
Anxious People is a charming, poignant, and laugh-out-loud novel that captures the anxiousness and joy of life, focusing on a failed bank robbery that turns into a hostage drama, revealing what really matters in life. Through various characters' perspectives, it shows how closely our lives can intersect without noticing.
#1 New York Times bestseller From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and “writer of astonishing depth” (The Washington Times) comes a poignant comedy about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined. Viewing an apartment normally doesn’t turn into a life-or-death situation, but this particular open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes everyone in the apartment hostage. As the pressure mounts, the eight strangers begin slowly opening up to one another and reveal long-hidden truths. First is Zara, a wealthy bank director who has been too busy to care about anyone else until tragedy changed her life. Now, she’s obsessed with visiting open houses to see how ordinary people live—and, perhaps, to set an old wrong to right. Then there’s Roger and Anna-Lena, an Ikea-addicted retired couple who are on a never-ending hunt for fixer-uppers to hide the fact that they don’t know how to fix their own failing marriage. Julia and Ro are a young lesbian couple and soon-to-be parents who are nervous about their chances for a successful life together since they can’t agree on anything. And there’s Estelle, an eighty-year-old woman who has lived long enough to be unimpressed by a masked bank robber waving a gun in her face. And despite the story she tells them all, Estelle hasn’t really come to the apartment to view it for her daughter, and her husband really isn’t outside parking the car. As police surround the premises and television channels broadcast the hostage situation live, the tension mounts and even deeper secrets are slowly revealed. Before long, the robber must decide which is the more terrifying prospect: going out to face the police, or staying in the apartment with this group of impossible people. Rich with Fredrik Backman’s “pitch-perfect dialogue and an unparalleled understanding of human nature” (Shelf Awareness), Anxious People’s whimsical plot serves up unforgettable insights into the human condition and a gentle reminder to be compassionate to all the anxious people we encounter every day.
Discussion Questions
- What are some of the main themes in 'Anxious People', and how are they developed through the story?
- Discuss the character development of the bank robber and hostages. How do their interactions reflect real-world anxieties?
- How does Fredrik Backman use humor to address serious topics in the book?
- In what ways does 'Anxious People' challenge your perception of empathy and understanding of others?
- What role does the setting play in shaping the events and mood of the story?
- How does the novel approach the concept of family and community?
- What are your thoughts on the ending of the book? Was it satisfying?
- How does Backman's writing style contribute to the book's overall tone and impact?
- Which character did you find most relatable and why?
- How does this book compare to other works by Fredrik Backman in terms of style and theme?
Authors:
Fredrik Backman
ISBN: 1501160834
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published Date: 2020-09-08
Pinot Grigio
This light and crisp white wine offers notes of pear, green apple, and lemon zest, making it a perfect complement to hearty soups. Its refreshing acidity balances the rich flavors of Chicken Minestrone Soup while cleansing the palate.
Ingredients
- 750 mL bottle of Pinot Grigio
Instructions
- Chill the bottle of Pinot Grigio for at least an hour in the refrigerator.
- Pour into wine glasses, letting the wine breathe for a couple of minutes before serving.