Indulge in festive Gingerbread Pancakes, a perfect holiday treat complemented by the suspenseful novel 'The Silent Patient' and a cozy hot toddy. The rich spices of the pancakes pair beautifully with the mystery's tension and the warmth of the toddy.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Butter or oil, for cooking
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well combined.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, molasses, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine the Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently mix until just combined; the batter should be slightly lumpy. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the pancakes tough.
- Heat the Griddle or Skillet: Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter or oil.
- Cook the Pancakes: Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set. Flip the pancakes and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve: Serve the Gingerbread Pancakes warm with your choice of maple syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream, or fresh fruit.
The Silent Patient
Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word. Alicia’s refusal to talk turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away in a secure forensic unit.
**THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER** "An unforgettable—and Hollywood-bound—new thriller… A mix of Hitchcockian suspense, Agatha Christie plotting, and Greek tragedy." —Entertainment Weekly The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive. Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word. Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London. Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him….
Discussion Questions
- What did you think of Alicia's silence throughout the novel?
- How does the use of Theo's perspective influence your understanding of Alicia's character?
- What were the key moments that led to the unraveling of the mystery?
- How did the author explore the theme of trust in relationships?
- What role does art play in the novel, and how does it reflect Alicia's state of mind?
- Were there any red herrings or clues that you found particularly misleading or significant?
- How did you feel about the ending and its impact on your view of the events?
- Discuss the importance of the setting in the novel and its influence on the story.
- How did the therapy sessions contribute to the development of the plot and characters?
- What were your thoughts on the revelation about Theo's motivations?
Authors:
Alex Michaelides
ISBN: 1250301696
Publisher: Celadon Books
Published Date: 2019-02-05
Classic Hot Toddy
A warm and soothing drink perfect for cold mornings or evenings, the Classic Hot Toddy combines whiskey, honey, lemon, and warm spices to create a comforting beverage that pairs beautifully with the rich flavors of gingerbread pancakes.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz whiskey
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 slice of lemon
- 2 cloves
Instructions
- In a mug, combine the whiskey, honey, and lemon juice.
- Pour in the hot water and stir until the honey is dissolved.
- Add the cinnamon stick and cloves for flavor.
- Garnish with a lemon slice.
- Let it steep for a minute or two before enjoying.