Pair the rich and hearty King Ranch Chicken and Fresh Veggie Casserole with the gripping novel "Mexican Gothic" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, a story that mirrors the casserole's depth and complexity. Complement the flavors with a Tangy Paloma, a refreshing cocktail that balances the dish's richness. The recipe, robust with Tex-Mex flavors, echoes the novel's atmospheric tension in 1950s Mexico. The Paloma's fresh and vibrant taste is the perfect counterpart to both the culinary and literary experience.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 10-12 corn tortillas, cut into strips
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 913-inch baking dish.
- Sauté the vegetables: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
- Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, diced tomatoes with green chilies, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Layer the casserole: Spread a third of the chicken mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with a layer of tortilla strips, followed by a third of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers two more times, ending with the remaining cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese on top.
- Add fresh veggies: Sprinkle the diced zucchini and corn kernels over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Mexican Gothic
a captivating and eerie novel set in 1950s Mexico, follows Noemí Taboada as she navigates a mysterious and haunted mansion in the Mexican countryside. Silvia Moreno-Garcia blends gothic horror with rich cultural and historical detail to create a haunting and vivid story.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “It’s Lovecraft meets the Brontës in Latin America, and after a slow-burn start Mexican Gothic gets seriously weird.”—The Guardian ONE OF TIME’S 100 BEST MYSTERY AND THRILLER BOOKS OF ALL TIME • WINNER OF THE LOCUS AWARD • NOMINATED FOR THE BRAM STOKER AWARD ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, NPR, The Washington Post, Tordotcom, Marie Claire, Vox, Mashable, Men’s Health, Library Journal, Book Riot, LibraryReads An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets. . . . From the author of Gods of Jade and Shadow comes “a terrifying twist on classic gothic horror” (Kirkus Reviews) set in glamorous 1950s Mexico. After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region. Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom. Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness. And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind. “It’s as if a supernatural power compels us to turn the pages of the gripping Mexican Gothic.”—The Washington Post “Mexican Gothic is the perfect summer horror read, and marks Moreno-Garcia with her hypnotic and engaging prose as one of the genre’s most exciting talents.”—Nerdist “A period thriller as rich in suspense as it is in lush ’50s atmosphere.”—Entertainment Weekly
Discussion Questions
- How does Moreno-Garcia use gothic elements to convey themes of cultural and historical context?
- In what ways do the characters' interactions reflect broader societal norms of 1950s Mexico?
- Discuss the significance of the mansion itself in the story. How does it serve as a character?
- What role does family legacy play in the narrative and character development?
- Explore the use of Mexican folklore and myths in the novel. How do they enhance the atmosphere?
- How does Noemí's character challenge traditional gender roles throughout the book?
- Examine the intersections of race, class, and gender as presented in the story.
- How does the author use suspense to keep the reader engaged? Discuss specific examples.
- Discuss the symbolism of dreams and their impact on the narrative.
- How does the author balance horror with cultural storytelling?
Authors:
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
ISBN: 0525620788
Publisher: Del Rey
Published Date: 2020-06-30
Tangy Paloma
The Tangy Paloma is a refreshing cocktail that combines sweet and tart grapefruit flavors with the smoothness of tequila, enhanced by a hint of lime and a touch of fizz. It's an invigorating drink perfect for sipping alongside a hearty Tex-Mex meal.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 2 oz grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 2 oz club soda
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Salt for rimming the glass
- Grapefruit wedge or lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Rim a highball or Collins glass with salt by wetting the rim and dipping it in a plate of salt.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Pour in the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
- Top with club soda for a fizzy finish.
- Garnish with a grapefruit wedge or a lime wheel before serving.