Pairing Italian-Style Beef Liver with Anna Quindlen's 'After Annie' creates a delightful symphony of flavors and emotions. The rich and robust dish finds a perfect match in the heartfelt narrative of 'After Annie,' both emanating warmth and comfort. Complement this experience with a 'Negroni Sbagliato' cocktail, whose refreshing notes of prosecco and bitters offer a harmonious balance. Together, this pairing offers a multi-sensory escape, blending the depth of Italian cuisine, compelling storytelling, and an elegant cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef liver, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate the Liver: In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, rosemary, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add the liver slices and toss to coat them well. Cover and let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Prepare the Onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Liver: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the marinated liver slices and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are browned on the outside but still slightly pink inside. Remove from the skillet and keep warm.
- Make the Sauce: In the skillet, pour in the white wine and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Allow the wine to reduce by half, then add the crushed tomatoes and capers. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Combine and Serve: Return the liver and caramelized onions to the skillet and stir gently to coat with the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat everything through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve: Serve the Italian-Style Beef Liver hot, alongside creamy polenta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Enjoy!
After Annie
'After Annie' is a beautifully crafted novel by Anna Quindlen that explores love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit.
‘Candid and complex – and ultimately quite hopeful’ Claire Lombardo ‘Beautiful and deeply moving’ J. Courtney Sullivan ‘A story of abiding hope’ Mary Beth Keane When Annie Brown dies suddenly, her husband, her four young children and her closest friend are left to struggle without the woman who centred their lives. Bill Brown finds himself overwhelmed, and Annie’s best friend Annemarie is lost to old bad habits without Annie’s support. It is Annie’s daughter, Ali, forced to try to care for her younger brothers and even her father, who manages to maintain some semblance of their former lives for them all, and who confronts the complicated truths of adulthood. Yet over the course of the next year, while Annie looms large in their memories, all three are able to grow, to change, even to become stronger and more sure of themselves. The enduring power Annie gave to those who loved her is the power to love, and to go on without her. Written in Quindlen’s emotionally resonant voice, and with her deep and generous understanding of people, After Annie is a story that ends with hope, a beautiful novel about how adversity can change us in profound ways. Praise for Anna Quindlen ‘Leaves the reader feeling grateful, wide awake, lucky to be alive’ Michael Chabon ‘Simply impossible to forget’ Alice Hoffman ‘Qualities and shades of love are this writer's strong suit, and she has the unusual talent for writing about them with so much truth and heart’ Elizabeth Jane Howard ‘Breathtaking… Quindlen writes superbly about families, grief and betrayal. I was completely mesmerised’ Lisa Jewell ‘Engaging, immaculately constructed storytelling’ Guardian ‘One of our most astute chroniclers of modern life’ New York Times Book Review ‘Brave and beautiful’ The Times ‘Her storytelling is exemplary’ Sunday Telegraph ‘With relentless and dazzling brilliance, Quindlen grapples with the lancing pain and the swirls of disorientation experienced by anyone who has loved and lost’ Daily Mail ‘A wise, closely observed, achingly eloquent book’ Huffington Post ‘Overwhelmingly moving’ New York Times
Discussion Questions
- How does the theme of loss shape the characters' development in the novel?
- What role does memory play in the healing process for different characters?
- How do the characters' relationships evolve throughout the story?
- What is the significance of Annie's influence on the other characters after her passing?
- How does the author use setting to enhance the emotional impact of the story?
- In what ways do the characters find hope and resilience amidst their grief?
- How does Anna Quindlen address the subject of mortality in 'After Annie'?
- What is the significance of community in the novel, and how does it provide support or hinder recovery?
- How does the narrative explore the concept of family, both biological and chosen?
- What are the personal takeaways that readers can gain from the characters' journeys in the novel?
Authors:
Anna Quindlen
ISBN: 0345417940
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published Date: 2024-06-20
ISBN: 0345417940
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published Date: 2024-06-20
Negroni Sbagliato
The Negroni Sbagliato offers a refreshing twist on the classic Negroni, substituting prosecco for gin, resulting in a bubbly, bittersweet, and beautifully balanced cocktail perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 3 ounces prosecco
- Orange slice or twist, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add 1 ounce of Campari and 1 ounce of sweet vermouth.
- Top with 3 ounces of prosecco.
- Garnish with an orange slice or twist.
- Stir gently and serve immediately.