Enjoy the chewy and sweet goodness of First-Place Coconut Macaroons paired with the intriguing novel "I Must Betray You" by Ruta Sepetys, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and narratives that explore themes of trust and betrayal. Complement this experience with a Coconut Martini, enhancing your taste adventure with its creamy and exotic twist. This combination invites you to indulge in a multi-sensory delight, immersing yourself in the story while savoring the macaroons and a crafted drink that echoes the coconut essence.
Ingredients
- 4 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (optional, for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweetened shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Stir until the coconut is evenly coated with the milk mixture.
- Beat the Egg Whites: In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites and salt until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the coconut mixture, being careful not to deflate them.
- Shape the Macaroons: Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, drop heaping spoonfuls of the coconut mixture onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the macaroons are golden brown around the edges and set in the center.
- Cool: Remove the macaroons from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Chocolate Dipping: If you want to add a chocolate coating, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Dip the bottoms of the cooled macaroons into the melted chocolate and place them back on the parchment paper to set.
I Must Betray You
An intriguing novel set in communist Romania, following a teenager who is forced to become an informer for the secret police while trying to protect his family and navigate the complexities of trust, loyalty, and rebellion.
#1 New York Times Bestseller and winner of the Carnegie Medal! A gut-wrenching, startling historical thriller about communist Romania and the citizen spy network that devastated a nation, from the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray. Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force. Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe. Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom? Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys is back with a historical thriller that examines the little-known history of a nation defined by silence, pain, and the unwavering conviction of the human spirit. Praise for I Must Betray You: “As educational as it is thrilling…[T]he power of I Must Betray You [is] it doesn’t just describe the destabilizing effects of being spied on; it will make you experience them too.” –New York Times Book Review “A historical heart-pounder…Ms. Sepetys, across her body of work, has become a tribune of the unsung historical moment and a humane voice of moral clarity.” –The Wall Street Journal * "Sepetys brilliantly blends a staggering amount of research with heart, craft, and insight in a way very few writers can. Compulsively readable and brilliant." –Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "Sepetys once again masterfully portrays a dark, forgotten corner of history." –Booklist, starred review * "Sepetys’s latest book maintains the caliber readers have come to expect from an author whose focus on hidden histories has made her a YA powerhouse of historical fiction…Sepetys is a formidable writer, and her stories declare the need to write about global issues of social injustice. For that reason and her attention to detail, this is a must-read." –School Library Journal, starred review * "Cristian’s tense first-person narrative foregrounds stark historical realities, unflinchingly confronting deprivations and cruelty while balancing them with perseverance and hope as Romania hurtles toward political change." –Publishers Weekly, starred review “Sepetys keeps readers riveted to this vivid, heartbreaking and compelling novel, locked into every meticulously researched detail. I Must Betray You demands a full investment from its audience–through poetic writing, sympathetic characters, revolutionary plot and pacing, it grips the heart and soul and leaves one breathless.” –Shelf Awareness, starred review "A master class in pacing and atmosphere." –BookPage
Discussion Questions
- How does the author use historical details to create a vivid setting?
- What role does trust play in the characters' lives throughout the novel?
- In what ways do the characters display acts of courage?
- How does the theme of betrayal impact the relationships in the story?
- Discuss the significance of loyalty in the face of oppressive regimes.
- How does the protagonist's perspective change from the beginning to the end of the book?
- What impact do the secondary characters have on the protagonist's journey?
- How does the novel explore the concept of freedom?
- What parallels can you draw between the setting of the novel and current events?
- Discuss the use of symbols and motifs throughout the story.
Authors:
Ruta Sepetys
ISBN: 978-1984848369
Publisher: Penguin
Published Date: 2022-02-01
ISBN: 978-1984848369
Publisher: Penguin
Published Date: 2022-02-01
Coconut Martini
A creamy and tropical martini that blends the flavors of coconut and vanilla to create a refreshing and exotic cocktail perfect for pairing with desserts.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz coconut cream
- 1 oz vanilla liqueur
- Ice cubes
- Shredded coconut for rimming the glass
Instructions
- Rim a martini glass with shredded coconut.
- Add vodka, coconut cream, and vanilla liqueur into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!