The recipe 'Cucumber Noodles with Peanut Sauce' offers a refreshing and unique culinary experience. Pair this delightful dish with the captivating novel 'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones, which explores the complexities of relationships amid racial and social challenges. Complementing the cool and creamy flavors of the cucumber noodles, enjoy a 'Thai Basil Martini', a crisp cocktail with fresh notes of lime and basil, enhancing the dish's nutty flavors. This trio promises an engaging evening, blending delicious tastes with thought-provoking storytelling.
Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers, spiralized or thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Peanut Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Prepare the Cucumber Noodles: Spiralize or thinly slice the cucumbers into noodles. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Assemble the Dish: Toss the cucumber noodles with the peanut sauce until well coated. Garnish with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro.
- Serve: Serve immediately as a refreshing, light meal or side dish.
An American Marriage
A stirring novel that explores the impact of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple and their struggle to stay connected through trying times.
A NEW YORK TIMES AND WASHINGTON POST NOTABLE BOOK A 2018 BEST OF THE YEAR SELECTION OF NPR * TIME * BUSTLE * O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE * THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS * AMAZON.COM OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB 2018 SELECTION LONGLISTED FOR THE 2018 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION “A moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple.” —Barack Obama “Haunting . . . Beautifully written.” —The New York Times Book Review “Brilliant and heartbreaking . . . Unforgettable.” —USA Today “A tense and timely love story . . . Packed with brave questions about race and class.” —People “Compelling.” —The Washington Post “Epic . . . Transcendent . . . Triumphant.” —Elle Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together. This stirring love story is a profoundly insightful look into the hearts and minds of three people who are at once bound and separated by forces beyond their control. An American Marriage is a masterpiece of storytelling, an intimate look deep into the souls of people who must reckon with the past while moving forward—with hope and pain—into the future.
Discussion Questions
- How does the theme of injustice play a role in Roy and Celestial's marriage?
- In what ways do Roy's and Celestial's personalities influence their decisions throughout the story?
- Discuss the significance of family as depicted in the novel.
- How does Tayari Jones utilize letters to enhance the narrative?
- What role does economic status play in the characters' interactions and relationships?
- How does the novel challenge traditional gender roles?
- Discuss the impact of Roy's incarceration on his identity and relationship with Celestial.
- How are Roy's and Celestial's experiences representative of broader social issues?
- What does freedom mean to the different characters in the book?
- How does the ending resolve the central conflicts of the story?
Authors:
Tayari Jones
ISBN: 9781616208776
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Published Date: 2018-02-06
ISBN: 9781616208776
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Published Date: 2018-02-06
Thai Basil Martini
A refreshing cocktail blending crisp vodka with sweet and herbal Thai basil leaves, combined with lime juice for a zesty twist.
Ingredients
- 50ml vodka
- 10ml lime juice
- 10ml simple syrup
- 4 Thai basil leaves
Instructions
- Muddle the Thai basil leaves in a shaker.
- Add vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a basil leaf.