Indulge in a delightful dinner experience with Parmesan Pork Cutlets and the contemporary romance of "Notes on an Execution" by Danya Kukafka, perfectly complemented by a glass of crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. This pairing creates a dining experience that is both flavorful and engaging, blending the crispy, savory notes of the pork with the suspenseful and evocative narrative of the book. The Sauvignon Blanc enhances the meal with its light and citrusy profile. Enjoy the rich layers of flavor and storytelling, making an evening of delicious food and captivating reading.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork cutlets, about 1/2-inch thick
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tbsp olive oil, for frying
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the breading station: Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Bread the pork cutlets: Pat the pork cutlets dry with paper towels. Dredge each cutlet in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip the cutlet in the beaten eggs, then coat it in the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the breaded pork cutlets to the skillet.
- Cook the cutlets: Cook the pork cutlets for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 145°F). Be careful not to overcrowd the skillet—cook in batches if necessary.
- Serve: Remove the pork cutlets from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges for a bright, citrusy finish.
Notes on an Execution
An introspective and stark exploration of justice and empathy through multiple perspectives, as a death row inmate's life is examined in his final hours.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL • NEW YORK TIMES BEST CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR “Defiantly populated with living women . . . beautifully drawn, dense with detail and specificity . . . Notes on an Execution is nuanced, ambitious and compelling.” —Katie Kitamura, NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW (Editors' Choice) "A searing portrait of the complicated women caught in the orbit of a serial killer. . . . Compassionate and thought-provoking." –BRIT BENNETT, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Half Recommended by New York Times Book Review • Los Angeles Times • Washington Post • Entertainment Weekly • Esquire • Good Housekeeping • USA Today • Buzzfeed • Goodreads • Real Simple • Marie Claire • Rolling Stone • Business Insider • Bustle • PopSugar • The Millions • The Guardian • and many more! In the tradition of Long Bright River and The Mars Room, a gripping and atmospheric work of literary suspense that deconstructs the story of a serial killer on death row, told primarily through the eyes of the women in his life—from the bestselling author of Girl in Snow. Ansel Packer is scheduled to die in twelve hours. He knows what he’s done, and now awaits execution, the same chilling fate he forced on those girls, years ago. But Ansel doesn’t want to die; he wants to be celebrated, understood. Through a kaleidoscope of women—a mother, a sister, a homicide detective—we learn the story of Ansel’s life. We meet his mother, Lavender, a seventeen-year-old girl pushed to desperation; Hazel, twin sister to Ansel’s wife, inseparable since birth, forced to watch helplessly as her sister’s relationship threatens to devour them all; and finally, Saffy, the detective hot on his trail, who has devoted herself to bringing bad men to justice but struggles to see her own life clearly. As the clock ticks down, these three women sift through the choices that culminate in tragedy, exploring the rippling fissures that such destruction inevitably leaves in its wake. Blending breathtaking suspense with astonishing empathy, Notes on an Execution presents a chilling portrait of womanhood as it simultaneously unravels the familiar narrative of the American serial killer, interrogating our system of justice and our cultural obsession with crime stories, asking readers to consider the false promise of looking for meaning in the psyches of violent men. "Poetic and mesmerizing . . . Powerful, important, intensely human, and filled with a unique examination of tragedy, one where the reader is left with a curious emotion: hope." —USA TODAY “A profound and staggering experience of empathy that challenges us to confront what it means to be human in our darkest moments. . . . I relished every page of this brilliant and gripping masterpiece."—ASHLEY AUDRAIN, New York Times bestselling author of The Push
Discussion Questions
- How does the author use different perspectives to explore the themes of justice in the novel?
- In what ways does the book challenge our perceptions of right and wrong?
- How does the setting influence the mood and themes of the story?
- Discuss the role of empathy in the book and how it affects the reader’s understanding of the characters.
- What does the book suggest about the nature of truth and storytelling?
- How does the structure of the book affect the tension and pacing of the narrative?
- Which character's perspective did you find most compelling and why?
- How does the novel prompt readers to reflect on their own beliefs about punishment and redemption?
- What moments in the book stood out to you as particularly powerful or emotional?
- How did you feel about the ending of the book and what messages do you think the author wanted to convey through it?
Authors:
Danya Kukafka
ISBN: 9780063324117
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2022-01-25
ISBN: 9780063324117
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2022-01-25
Citrus Sauvignon Blanc
A cool, crisp Sauvignon Blanc with notes of citrus and green apple, perfect for cleansing your palate in between the savory bites of Parmesan Pork Cutlets.
Ingredients
- 750ml bottle of Sauvignon Blanc
- Ice cubes (optional)
Instructions
- Chill the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
- Pour into wine glasses before serving.
- Optionally serve over ice if you prefer a colder beverage.