The rich and savory Marinated Pork Roast pairs beautifully with "Apples Never Fall", a novel by Liane Moriarty, offering a captivating exploration of family secrets over a delicious, hearty meal. Enjoy the novel's exploration of family dynamics while savoring an Old Fashioned cocktail, whose classic flavors perfectly accentuate the dish's roasted notes. The pairing works seamlessly, as both the book and the beverage offer timeless enjoyment that heightens the overall experience of a comforting and sophisticated gathering.
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound pork loin roast
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey or brown sugar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, smoked paprika, ground black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Marinate the pork: Place the pork roast in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the roast, ensuring it is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the pork roast from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Reserve the marinade for basting.
- Sear the pork: In a large oven-safe skillet or roasting pan, heat a bit of oil over medium-high heat. Sear the pork roast on all sides until it is browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Roast the pork: Transfer the skillet or roasting pan to the preheated oven. Roast the pork, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade, for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). If needed, cover the roast loosely with aluminum foil during the last 30 minutes to prevent over-browning.
- Rest the roast: Remove the pork roast from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Serve: Slice the marinated pork roast and arrange it on a serving platter. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Apples Never Fall
Apples Never Fall is a thought-provoking and gripping novel by Liane Moriarty, exploring themes of family secrets, motherhood, and betrayal as the Delaney family deals with the disappearance of their mother, Joy.
#1 New York Times Bestseller ● A Peacock Original TV Series–Now Streaming! ● "Gripping."―Oprah.com ● From Liane Moriarty, the bestselling author of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers, comes Apples Never Fall, a novel that looks at marriage, siblings, and how the people we love the most can hurt us the deepest. The Delaney family love one another dearly—it’s just that sometimes they want to murder each other . . . If your mother was missing, would you tell the police? Even if the most obvious suspect was your father? This is the dilemma facing the four grown Delaney siblings. The Delaneys are fixtures in their community. The parents, Stan and Joy, are the envy of all of their friends. They’re killers on the tennis court, and off it their chemistry is palpable. But after fifty years of marriage, they’ve finally sold their famed tennis academy and are ready to start what should be the golden years of their lives. So why are Stan and Joy so miserable? The four Delaney children—Amy, Logan, Troy, and Brooke—were tennis stars in their own right, yet as their father will tell you, none of them had what it took to go all the way. But that’s okay, now that they’re all successful grown-ups and there is the wonderful possibility of grandchildren on the horizon. One night a stranger named Savannah knocks on Stan and Joy’s door, bleeding after a fight with her boyfriend. The Delaneys are more than happy to give her the small kindness she sorely needs. If only that was all she wanted. Later, when Joy goes missing, and Savannah is nowhere to be found, the police question the one person who remains: Stan. But for someone who claims to be innocent, he, like many spouses, seems to have a lot to hide. Two of the Delaney children think their father is innocent, two are not so sure—but as the two sides square off against each other in perhaps their biggest match ever, all of the Delaneys will start to reexamine their shared family history in a very new light.
Discussion Questions
- What are the core themes that Apples Never Fall explores, and how are they intertwined with the characters' development?
- Discuss the significance of tennis in the Delaney family's dynamic. How does the sport reflect their relationships and struggles?
- How does Liane Moriarty use humor to balance the darker elements of the story?
- What role do secrets play in the novel, and how do they affect the family's history and present circumstances?
- How does Joy's disappearance act as a catalyst for uncovering deeper issues within the family?
- In what ways do the different perspectives of the siblings and parents enhance the narrative?
- How does Moriarty explore the concept of memory and its reliability through the characters?
- Analyze the role of setting in this novel. How does it contribute to the overall mood and themes?
- What insights does the novel offer into the pressures and expectations placed on families for maintaining appearances?
- How does Apples Never Fall challenge or reinforce your perceptions of family and belonging?
Authors:
Liane Moriarty
ISBN: 1250220253
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Published Date: 2021-09-14
ISBN: 1250220253
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Published Date: 2021-09-14
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that combines the rich flavors of bourbon with the sweetness of sugar and the aromatic bitterness of Angostura bitters, garnished with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel
- Maraschino cherry
- Splash of water
Instructions
- Place the sugar cube in a glass and add the Angostura bitters and a splash of water.
- Muddle the sugar cube until it is dissolved.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes and add the bourbon or rye whiskey.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with orange peel and a maraschino cherry.