Immerse yourself in the authentic flavors of New Orleans with this Creole Gumbo paired with the intriguing narrative of "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett. The novel, much like gumbo, is a complex blend of identities and histories, making it a perfect companion for a dish rooted in cultural diversity. Complemented by a French 75 cocktail, this trio provides a symphony of literary and culinary experiences. Both comforting and thought-provoking, they offer a feast for the senses and a celebration of flavors, stories, and traditions.
Ingredients
For the Roux:
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
For the Gumbo:
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 pound chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (optional)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound crabmeat or crawfish tails (optional)
- 2 cups sliced okra (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 4 green onions, sliced
- Cooked white rice, for serving
Instructions
Make the roux:
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Gradually whisk in the flour until smooth.
- Cook the roux, stirring constantly, for about 20-30 minutes, or until it turns a deep brown color, similar to chocolate.
- Be patient and keep stirring to avoid burning.
Add the vegetables:
- Once the roux reaches the desired color, add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery (the “holy trinity”) to the pot.
- Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Cook the sausage and chicken:
- Add the sliced andouille sausage and chicken pieces (if using) to the pot.
- Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and the chicken is cooked through.
Add the tomatoes and broth:
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 45 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Add the seafood and okra:
- Stir in the shrimp, crabmeat or crawfish tails (if using), sliced okra, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce (if using).
- Continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes until the shrimp are cooked through and the okra is tender.
Finish and serve:
- Remove the bay leaf from the gumbo and stir in the fresh parsley and green onions.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve the gumbo hot over cooked white rice.
The Vanishing Half
The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, Southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it’s not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it’s everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Ten years on, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same Southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation, when their own daughters’ storylines intersect? Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of race, identity, and history.
The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. Inseparable as children, they ultimately choose to live in two different worlds, one black and one white. An exploration of the American history of passing.
Discussion Questions
- Discuss the significance of the title "The Vanishing Half." How do the themes of invisibility and visibility manifest in the novel?
- How do each of the twin sisters view their identities, and how does this shape their life choices?
- What role does the past play in the lives of the various characters?
- Discuss how Celia and Desiree's choices reflect different responses to systemic racism.
- Explore the mother-daughter relationships in the book. How are they affected by race and identity?
- Examine how Brit Bennett portrays the concept of 'passing' in the book. How does it affect each character differently?
- The novel spans several decades. How do societal changes over the years influence the characters?
- Discuss the setting of the novel. How does it contribute to the novel's exploration of race and identity?
- What does the daughter Jude learn by visiting Mallard? Discuss her exploration of race.
- How does the book handle the theme of identity? In what ways do the characters find or lose themselves?
Authors:
Brit Bennett
ISBN: 0525536299
Publisher: National Geographic Books
Published Date: 2021-01-12
French 75
The French 75 is a classic cocktail that combines the bright notes of gin and lemon with the elegance of champagne, creating a crisp and refreshing drink perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Champagne
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a champagne flute.
- Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.