Maple Salmon pairs beautifully with the evocative novel 'The Night Watchman' by Louise Erdrich, a book that delves into Native American culture, much like a traditional recipe might. The earthy and sweet flavors of Maple Salmon resonate with the themes of heritage and resilience found in the book. Accompanied by a 'Maple Old Fashioned,' this pairing offers a cohesive blend of tastes and tales, perfect for an evening of culinary and literary exploration.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, minced garlic, and black pepper.
- Marinate the salmon: Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the salmon, ensuring the fillets are well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more intense flavor.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and lightly grease it with olive oil.
- Bake the salmon: Remove the salmon fillets from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the fillets on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side down. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Baste the salmon with the remaining marinade once or twice during baking for extra flavor and a glossy finish.
- Serve: Transfer the baked salmon fillets to serving plates. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
The Night Watchman
A powerful novel by Louise Erdrich inspired by her grandfather's life, 'The Night Watchman' is set in the 1950s and tells the story of Native American dispossession. Erdrich weaves a tale of resistance and resilience, chronicling the struggle of a Chippewa tribal community against a U.S. government policy threatening their rights and land.
WINNER OF THE 2021 PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER WASHINGTON POST, NPR, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, KIRKUS, CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY, AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR Based on the extraordinary life of National Book Award-winning author Louise Erdrich’s grandfather who worked as a night watchman and carried the fight against Native dispossession from rural North Dakota all the way to Washington, D.C., this powerful novel explores themes of love and death with lightness and gravity and unfolds with the elegant prose, sly humor, and depth of feeling of a master craftsman. Thomas Wazhashk is the night watchman at the jewel bearing plant, the first factory located near the Turtle Mountain Reservation in rural North Dakota. He is also a Chippewa Council member who is trying to understand the consequences of a new “emancipation” bill on its way to the floor of the United States Congress. It is 1953 and he and the other council members know the bill isn’t about freedom; Congress is fed up with Indians. The bill is a “termination” that threatens the rights of Native Americans to their land and their very identity. How can the government abandon treaties made in good faith with Native Americans “for as long as the grasses shall grow, and the rivers run”? Since graduating high school, Pixie Paranteau has insisted that everyone call her Patrice. Unlike most of the girls on the reservation, Patrice, the class valedictorian, has no desire to wear herself down with a husband and kids. She makes jewel bearings at the plant, a job that barely pays her enough to support her mother and brother. Patrice’s shameful alcoholic father returns home sporadically to terrorize his wife and children and bully her for money. But Patrice needs every penny to follow her beloved older sister, Vera, who moved to the big city of Minneapolis. Vera may have disappeared; she hasn’t been in touch in months, and is rumored to have had a baby. Determined to find Vera and her child, Patrice makes a fateful trip to Minnesota that introduces her to unexpected forms of exploitation and violence, and endangers her life. Thomas and Patrice live in this impoverished reservation community along with young Chippewa boxer Wood Mountain and his mother Juggie Blue, her niece and Patrice’s best friend Valentine, and Stack Barnes, the white high school math teacher and boxing coach who is hopelessly in love with Patrice. In the Night Watchman, Louise Erdrich creates a fictional world populated with memorable characters who are forced to grapple with the worst and best impulses of human nature. Illuminating the loves and lives, the desires and ambitions of these characters with compassion, wit, and intelligence, The Night Watchman is a majestic work of fiction from this revered cultural treasure.
Discussion Questions
- What are some themes of resistance and resilience in the novel?
- How does Erdrich portray the intersection of personal and political struggles?
- In what ways are the characters' connections to their land and culture depicted?
- How does the author use historical events to drive the narrative?
- Discuss the significance of dreams and visions within the story.
- How does the novel explore the concept of identity for Native Americans?
- In what ways does familial and community support play a role in the characters' lives?
- Discuss how Erdrich portrays the gender dynamics within the tribal community.
- What role does language play in the preservation of culture in the book?
- How does the setting influence the mood and progression of the story?
Authors:
Louise Erdrich
ISBN: 0062671189
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2020-03-03
Maple Old Fashioned
A twist on the traditional Old Fashioned, this cocktail incorporates the rich, sweet flavors of maple syrup, complementing the dish’s own maple undertones while adding a robust, warming depth to your dining experience.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1/2 ounce pure maple syrup
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a glass, combine the whiskey, maple syrup, and bitters.
- Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
- Add a large ice cube to the glass.
- Twist the orange peel over the drink to release its oils, then drop it into the glass as a garnish.