Immerse yourself in the transformative world of 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders while savoring the rich, aromatic notes of spiced pork paired with the light refreshment of a Cinnamon Apple Sparkler. The flavors of cinnamon in the pork chops complement the spiritual exploration of grief in the book, creating a full sensory experience. Let the sparkle of the beverage lighten the profound themes explored throughout the narrative, offering a perfect balance that enhances your culinary and literary journey.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops, about 1 inch thick
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork Chops: In a small bowl, mix together the ground cinnamon, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels, then rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of each pork chop.
- Sear the Pork Chops: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set them aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the sliced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the green beans and cook for another 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to become tender.
- Add the Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes, allowing them to soften slightly. Pour in the chicken broth or water, followed by the balsamic vinegar. Stir to combine.
- Combine and Cook: Return the seared pork chops to the skillet, nestling them among the green beans and tomatoes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the pork chops are cooked through (internal temperature of 145°F/63°C) and the vegetables are tender.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and let the pork chops rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve the pork chops alongside the green beans and tomatoes.
Lincoln in the Bardo
A poignant exploration of grief and the in-between, 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders delves into the imagined afterlife of President Abraham Lincoln's son, Willie. Set during a single evening in a graveyard, this novel masterfully blends historical fact with fantastical elements to examine loss, love, and the enduring bond between parent and child.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE The “devastatingly moving” (People) first novel from the author of Tenth of December: a moving and original father-son story featuring none other than Abraham Lincoln, as well as an unforgettable cast of supporting characters, living and dead, historical and invented One of The New York Times’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century • One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years • One of Paste’s Best Novels of the Decade Named One of the Ten Best Books of the Year by The Washington Post, USA Today, and Maureen Corrigan, NPR • One of Time’s Ten Best Novels of the Year • A New York Times Notable Book • One of O: The Oprah Magazine’s Best Books of the Year February 1862. The Civil War is less than one year old. The fighting has begun in earnest, and the nation has begun to realize it is in for a long, bloody struggle. Meanwhile, President Lincoln’s beloved eleven-year-old son, Willie, lies upstairs in the White House, gravely ill. In a matter of days, despite predictions of a recovery, Willie dies and is laid to rest in a Georgetown cemetery. “My poor boy, he was too good for this earth,” the president says at the time. “God has called him home.” Newspapers report that a grief-stricken Lincoln returns, alone, to the crypt several times to hold his boy’s body. From that seed of historical truth, George Saunders spins an unforgettable story of familial love and loss that breaks free of its realistic, historical framework into a supernatural realm both hilarious and terrifying. Willie Lincoln finds himself in a strange purgatory where ghosts mingle, gripe, commiserate, quarrel, and enact bizarre acts of penance. Within this transitional state—called, in the Tibetan tradition, the bardo—a monumental struggle erupts over young Willie’s soul. Lincoln in the Bardo is an astonishing feat of imagination and a bold step forward from one of the most important and influential writers of his generation. Formally daring, generous in spirit, deeply concerned with matters of the heart, it is a testament to fiction’s ability to speak honestly and powerfully to the things that really matter to us. Saunders has invented a thrilling new form that deploys a kaleidoscopic, theatrical panorama of voices to ask a timeless, profound question: How do we live and love when we know that everything we love must end? “A luminous feat of generosity and humanism.”—Colson Whitehead, The New York Times Book Review “A masterpiece.”—Zadie Smith
Discussion Questions
- What do you think the bardo represents in the novel, and how does it reflect the characters' emotional states?
- In what ways do historical events influence the fictional elements in the story?
- How does Saunders use humor to address themes of grief and mortality?
- Discuss the use of multiple perspectives in the novel. How does this narrative style affect your understanding of the story?
- How do Lincoln’s conversations with the spirits help him in his personal journey of grief?
- What role does the supernatural play in the unfolding of the novel's narrative?
- In 'Lincoln in the Bardo,' what does parenthood mean to Lincoln, and how does it shape his character?
- How do the voices of the historical and invented characters interact to create a cohesive story?
- Saunders won the Man Booker Prize for this novel. Do you think its themes and narrative style contribute to its critical acclaim? Why or why not?
- Which character or moment in the story resonated most with you, and why?
Authors:
George Saunders
ISBN: 9780812985405
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Published Date: 2018-02-06
ISBN: 9780812985405
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Published Date: 2018-02-06
Cinnamon Apple Sparkler
A light, refreshing drink that perfectly complements the warm, aromatic flavors of cinnamon from the pork dish. Apple cider fuses with a touch of cinnamon and the bubbly effervescence of sparkling water, creating a festive and uplifting beverage.
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup sparkling water
- Apple slices for garnish
- Cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- In a glass, mix the apple cider and ground cinnamon.
- Slowly add sparkling water to the glass, stirring gently to combine.
- Garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.
- Serve chilled.