"Chicken with Creamy Jalapeño Sauce" exudes bold and comforting flavors, perfectly paired with "Hunted" by Meagan Spooner, a modern retelling of "Beauty and the Beast." This pairing works wonderfully as the spicy richness of the dish mirrors the intense and adventurous spirit of the novel's plot. Enjoy this meal with "Spicy Margarita," a cocktail that complements the dish's heat while staying true to the theme of excitement and thrill found in both the dish and the book. Together, they create an immersive experience that pairs culinary delight with captivating storytelling and a refreshing kick.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: – Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Cook the Chicken: – In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. – Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Jalapeño Sauce: – In the same skillet, add the chopped jalapeños and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the jalapeños are softened and the garlic is fragrant. – Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: – Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. – Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Finish the Dish: – Stir in the lime juice and return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy jalapeño sauce over the top. – Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors.
- Serve: – Serve the Chicken with Creamy Jalapeño Sauce hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired. Pair with rice, pasta, or vegetables for a complete meal.
Hunted
"Hunted" by Meagan Spooner is a modern retelling of "Beauty and the Beast," set in a thrilling world that combines fantasy and adventure. Yeva, a skilled hunter, ventures into the wilderness to avenge her father's death. In doing so, she encounters the legendary Beast who holds a secret that could change everything. This novel intertwines themes of mystery, romance, and survival, offering a fresh take on a beloved fairy tale.
A New York Times –bestselling author presents a Beauty and the Beast story for the modern age, featuring a young woman pursuing not romance but prey. Beauty knows the Beast's forest in her bones—and in her blood. After all, her father is the only hunter who's ever come close to discovering its secrets. So when her father loses his fortune and moves Yeva and her sisters out of their comfortable home among the aristocracy and back to the outskirts of town, Yeva is secretly relieved. Out in the wilderness, there's no pressure to make idle chatter with vapid baronessas . . . or to submit to marrying a wealthy gentleman. But Yeva's father's misfortune may have cost him his mind, and when he goes missing in the woods, Yeva sets her sights on one prey: the creature he'd been obsessively tracking just before his disappearance. The Beast. Deaf to her sisters' protests, Yeva hunts this strange creature back into his own territory—a cursed valley, a ruined castle, and a world of magical creatures that Yeva's only heard about in fairy tales. A world that can bring her ruin, or salvation. Who will survive: the Beauty, or the Beast? "A haunting and romantic exploration of love and what sacrifices come with freedom." — New York Times– bestselling author Marie Lu
Discussion Questions
- How does Yeva's relationship with her family influence her actions throughout the novel?
- In what ways does "Hunted" draw on elements of traditional fairy tales, and in what ways does it diverge from them?
- Discuss the theme of revenge in the book. How does it drive the main character?
- How are the settings in the story used to advance the plot and develop the characters?
- What role does beauty play in the novel, both literally and metaphorically?
- How does Yeva's internal conflict contribute to the story's tension and resolution?
- Explore the relationship between Yeva and the Beast. How does it evolve?
- What is the significance of nature and the wilderness in the book?
- In what ways does the novel explore the concept of identity?
- How does "Hunted" compare to other retellings of "Beauty and the Beast" that you know?
Authors:
Meagan Spooner
ISBN: 1234567890
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2024-04-16
ISBN: 1234567890
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2024-04-16
Spicy Margarita
The Spicy Margarita is a tantalizing twist on the classic margarita that brings together the refreshing tang of lime with the subtle heat of jalapeño. This cocktail features the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy notes that will accentuate the flavors of the Creamy Jalapeño Sauce, providing a delightful and invigorating drinking experience.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
- 1 slice of fresh jalapeño
- Salt for rimming the glass
- Ice
Instructions
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass and dip in salt.
- In a shaker, muddle the jalapeño slice with lime juice and Cointreau.
- Add the tequila and a handful of ice.
- Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a jalapeño slice and a lime wedge.