For a flavorful evening, pair the Honey Lemon Chicken, with its sweet and tangy profile, with 'Little Fires Everywhere' by Celeste Ng, a novel that similarly explores the contrasting complexities of family dynamics through its rich narrative and character depth. Complement this pairing with an elegant French 75 cocktail, whose citrus and sparkling notes will enhance the lemony zest of the chicken dish. Together, they promise an evening of taste and contemplation, inviting readers to reflect on the fire and subtlety in the book while savoring the dish's delightful flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon slices and fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade:
- In a bowl, whisk together the honey, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, and lemon zest.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1-2 hours for better flavor.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off, and reserve the marinade.
- Sear the chicken breasts in the skillet for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Finish in the Oven:
- Pour the reserved marinade over the chicken.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
- Serve:
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Garnish with lemon slices and fresh parsley.
- Serve with your choice of sides.
Little Fires Everywhere
In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is meticulously planned, from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules. Enter Mia Warren—an enigmatic artist and single mother—who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenage daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than just tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.
The #1 New York Times bestseller • Named a Best Book of the Year by People, The Washington Post, Bustle, Esquire, Southern Living, The Daily Beast, GQ, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Audible, Goodreads, Library Reads, Book of the Month, Paste, Kirkus Reviews, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and more “To say I love this book is an understatement. It’s a deep psychological mystery about the power of motherhood, the intensity of teenage love, and the danger of perfection. It moved me to tears.” —Reese Witherspoon From the bestselling author of Everything I Never Told You and Our Missing Hearts comes a riveting novel that traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is planned—from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules. Enter Mia Warren—an enigmatic artist and single mother—who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenaged daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community. When old family friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town—and puts Mia and Elena on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Elena is determined to uncover the secrets in Mia’s past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs. Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood—and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster. Named a Best Book of the Year by: People, The Washington Post, Bustle, Esquire, Southern Living, The Daily Beast, GQ, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Audible, Goodreads, Library Reads, Book of the Month, Paste, Kirkus Reviews, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and more
Discussion Questions
- How does the setting of Shaker Heights contribute to the story?
- Discuss the theme of motherhood in the novel.
- How do secrets and lies impact the characters and plot development in the book?
- What role does race and class play in the interpersonal dynamics of the story?
- How do the characters' decisions reflect their personalities?
- In what ways does the novel address the issue of ‘playing by the rules’ versus following one’s heart?
- Discuss the impact of art on Mia's relationships and actions.
- What significance do the house fires have in the broader context of the story?
- How do the children in the novel challenge and change their parents' perspectives?
- Does the novel suggest that people can truly reinvent themselves?
Authors:
Celeste Ng
ISBN: 9780735224292
Publisher: Penguin
Published Date: 2017-09-12
ISBN: 9780735224292
Publisher: Penguin
Published Date: 2017-09-12
French 75
The French 75 is a classic cocktail marrying the sharpness of gin with the bubbles of champagne, enhanced by a hint of lemon juice and simple syrup. This effervescent beverage is sophisticated and refreshing, ideal for elevating the dining experience of Honey Lemon Chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Champagne
- Lemon peel, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a champagne flute.
- Top with champagne.
- Garnish with a lemon peel.