Eat and read your way to Italy with this combination of savory Crockpot Italian Chicken, a glass of Negroni, and Colleen Hoover's romantic suspense novel, 'It Ends with Us'. The rich flavors of garlic, oregano, and basil found in the Italian chicken dish complement the bittersweet, herbal flavors of the classic Italian Negroni cocktail. Meanwhile, immerse yourself in a story of love and choices with 'It Ends with Us', which provides a thoughtful backdrop for the dish. This culinary and literary pairing invites you to relax and indulge in an evening that promises both taste and intrigue.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken breasts on both sides until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side. (Browning is optional but adds flavor.)
Assemble in Crockpot:
- Place the sliced onion and minced garlic at the bottom of the crockpot.
- Arrange the browned chicken breasts on top of the onions and garlic.
- Pour the diced tomatoes and their juices, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and white wine (if using) over the chicken.
- Sprinkle with dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Finish:
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the sliced black olives (if using) and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
Serve:
- Serve the Crockpot Italian Chicken over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese.
It Ends with Us
A profound and poignant story by Colleen Hoover, 'It Ends with Us' explores the complexities of love and human resilience. It follows the journey of Lily Bloom as she transitions into a new life with new love, while dealing with past relationships and secrets that linger. It's an emotionally narrative tackling issues of abuse and empowerment, illustrating how one woman learns to break the cycle of fate.
In this “brave and heartbreaking novel that digs its claws into you and doesn’t let go, long after you’ve finished it” (Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author) from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of All Your Perfects, a workaholic with a too-good-to-be-true romance can’t stop thinking about her first love. Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. And when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems too good to be true. Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place. As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened. An honest, evocative, and tender novel, It Ends with Us is “a glorious and touching read, a forever keeper. The kind of book that gets handed down” (USA TODAY).
Discussion Questions
- How does Lily's past influence her decisions in the present?
- Discuss the symbolism of the title 'It Ends with Us'.
- What role does forgiveness play throughout the novel?
- How do Hoover's characterizations of Ryle and Atlas affect your perceptions of Lily's choices?
- In what ways do the letters to Ellen affect Lily's development?
- How does the book's setting influence the story?
- What role do cycles play within the novel?
- How does Hoover use secondary characters to strengthen the narrative?
- Discuss the theme of personal strength in the book.
- How does the novel address the topic of domestic abuse?
Authors:
Colleen Hoover
ISBN: 1501110365
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published Date: 2020-07-28
Negroni
A classic Italian cocktail, the Negroni is known for its balance of bitter and sweet with herbal undertones. Composed of equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, it's a sophisticated drink perfect for pairing with rich Italian dishes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
Garnish:
- Orange peel
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Pour in the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
- Stir well until chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel.