Pairing "The Soulmate Equation" with the sweet and tangy "Pineapple Margarita" complements the homemade Chick-fil-A nugget recipe perfectly. The book's themes of romantic entanglements and mathematical matchmaking are mirrored in the unexpected yet delightful combination of flavors in the cocktail, making the reading and dining experience refreshing and intriguing.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup dill pickle juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces, dill pickle juice, and milk. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to marinate.
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of milk. In another shallow dish, combine the flour, powdered sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even coating.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Nuggets: Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to remove the nuggets from the oil and drain them on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Serve: Allow the nuggets to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, barbecue, or Chick-fil-A sauce.
The Soulmate Equation
A story of love and data, Jess Davis dives into a world of romantic algorithms and finds her match in a surprising scientific experiment.
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “Writing duo and reigning romance queens Christina Lauren are back with The Soulmate Equation, their most ambitious book to date.” —PopSugar “A sexy, science-filled, and surprising romance full of warmth and wit.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Chosen as a best pick by Bustle, Marie Claire, Entertainment Weekly, E! Online, PopSugar, BuzzFeed, Goodreads, Country Living, The Pioneer Woman, Woman’s World, Bookish, Bookreporter, Frolic, and more! The New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners returns with a witty and effervescent novel about what happens when two people with everything on the line are thrown together by science—or is it fate? Perfect for fans of The Rosie Project and One Plus One. Single mom Jess Davis is a data and statistics wizard, but no amount of number crunching can convince her to step back into the dating world. After all, her father was never around, her hard-partying mother disappeared when she was six, and her ex decided he wasn’t “father material” before her daughter was even born. Jess holds her loved ones close but working constantly to stay afloat is hard…and lonely. But then Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that’s predicted to change dating forever. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: This Jess understands. At least she thought she did, until her test shows an unheard-of 98 percent compatibility with another subject in the database: GeneticAlly’s founder, Dr. River Peña. This is one number she can’t wrap her head around, because she already knows Dr. Peña. The stuck-up, stubborn man is without a doubt not her soulmate. But GeneticAlly has a proposition: Get ‘to know him and we’ll pay you. Jess—who is barely making ends meet—is in no position to turn it down, despite her skepticism about the project and her dislike for River. As the pair are dragged from one event to the next as the “Diamond” pairing that could launch GeneticAlly’s valuation sky-high, Jess begins to realize that there might be more to the scientist—and the science behind a soulmate—than she thought. “Laugh-out-loud, sweet, charming, and humorous” (Library Journal, starred review), The Soulmate Equation proves that the delicate balance between fate and choice can never be calculated.
Discussion Questions
- How do you feel about the use of data to find romantic partners in the context of the book?
- What did you think about Jess's initial skepticism and how it evolved throughout the story?
- How did the relationship between Jess and River develop differently from other romance novels you've read?
- What role did Jess's family dynamic play in her decision-making process?
- Discuss the importance of friendship in the book, particularly Jess's relationship with her friend Fizzy.
- How did the elements of humor and science balance each other in the storytelling?
- What do the themes of trust and vulnerability represent to you after reading the book?
- How did the portrayal of modern family structures impact your understanding of the characters?
- What are your thoughts on the concept of 'soulmates' as presented in the novel?
- How does the book challenge or confirm your own beliefs about love and compatibility?
Authors:
Christina Lauren
ISBN: 9781984806907
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published Date: 2021-05-18
ISBN: 9781984806907
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published Date: 2021-05-18
Pineapple Margarita
A refreshing twist on the classic margarita, the Pineapple Margarita combines tangy pineapple with smooth tequila and a hint of lime for a tropical delight. This cocktail is perfect for a casual gathering or an afternoon of relaxation with a great book.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz triple sec
- 1 oz lime juice
- 3 oz pineapple juice
- Ice
- Salt for rimming (optional)
- Lime wedge and pineapple slice for garnish
Instructions
- Rim the edge of a glass with lime juice and dip in salt if desired.
- In a shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, pineapple juice, and ice.
- Shake well and strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a slice of pineapple.