Prepare to indulge in a delightful evening with the creamy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo, paired beautifully with the suspenseful narrative of 'The Push' by Ashley Audrain and the refreshing tang of an Aperol Spritz. This pairing creates a unique experience, contrasting the comfort of a hearty meal with the psychological depth of a modern thriller, enhanced by the invigorating citrus notes of the cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the Chicken: Set the Instant Pot to the ‘Sauté’ function. Add olive oil and let it heat up. Add the chicken pieces and sauté until they are browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pressure Cook: Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Break the fettuccine in half and layer it over the chicken. Do not stir. Pour the heavy cream over the pasta. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ on high for 8 minutes.
- Release Pressure: Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release of the pressure. Open the lid and stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve: Serve the Chicken Alfredo hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. Optionally, add extra grated Parmesan cheese on top.
The Push
In 'The Push', Ashley Audrain crafts a tense and suspenseful psychological drama that explores the complexities of motherhood and the frailties hidden in family relationships. As Blythe Connor grapples with her fears of not being the mother she hopes to be, secrets unravel, leaving readers questioning everything about family bonds and unconditional love.
A Good Morning America Book Club Pick | A New York Times bestseller! “Utterly addictive.” —Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train “Hooks you from the very first page and will have you racing to get to the end.”—Good Morning America A tense, page-turning psychological drama about the making and breaking of a family—and a woman whose experience of motherhood is nothing at all what she hoped for—and everything she feared Ashley Audrain's second novel, The Whispers, is on sale now Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby Violet that she herself never had. But in the thick of motherhood's exhausting early days, Blythe becomes convinced that something is wrong with her daughter—she doesn't behave like most children do. Or is it all in Blythe's head? Her husband, Fox, says she's imagining things. The more Fox dismisses her fears, the more Blythe begins to question her own sanity, and the more we begin to question what Blythe is telling us about her life as well. Then their son Sam is born—and with him, Blythe has the blissful connection she'd always imagined with her child. Even Violet seems to love her little brother. But when life as they know it is changed in an instant, the devastating fall-out forces Blythe to face the truth. For fans of Verity and We Need to talk about Kevin, The The Push is a tour de force you will read in a sitting, an utterly immersive novel that will challenge everything you think you know about motherhood, about what we owe our children, and what it feels like when women are not believed.
Discussion Questions
- What did you think of Blythe as a narrator? How reliable or unreliable do you think she was?
- How does 'The Push' explore the theme of motherhood?
- What role does trauma play in the characters' lives?
- How did the writing style of the book affect your experience as a reader?
- What were your initial thoughts about Fox, and how did they change?
- How did you interpret the relationship between Blythe and her daughter?
- Discuss the ending of the book and its implications.
- How does the book examine the nature vs. nurture debate?
- What did you think about the way masculinity is depicted in the book?
- How would you have reacted if you were in Blythe's situation?
Authors:
Ashley Audrain
ISBN: 1984881663
Publisher: Penguin
Published Date: 2022-01-04
ISBN: 1984881663
Publisher: Penguin
Published Date: 2022-01-04
Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz is a refreshing and vibrant cocktail, perfect for enjoying alongside rich and creamy dishes such as Chicken Alfredo. Its bright orange hue and citrusy, slightly bitter flavor provide a nice contrast to the creamy texture of Alfredo sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 parts Prosecco
- 2 parts Aperol
- 1 part soda water
- Orange slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- Add Prosecco, followed by Aperol, and top with soda water.
- Stir gently to combine and garnish with an orange slice.