Experience a unique Southern-inspired evening with the luscious Peach-glazed Ribs paired with Barbara Kingsolver's 'Demon Copperhead,' a novel that delves into contemporary society with rich storytelling reminiscent of Dickensian complexity. Alongside this, enjoy a refreshing Peach Bourbon Smash, a cocktail that complements the sweetness of the ribs and adds a light yet warming undertone. The combination invites you to savor each moment, both in flavors and narratives, engaging all your senses in this perfect triad of taste, tale, and toast.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 racks of pork baby back ribs (about 4 pounds total)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Peach Glaze:
- 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and chopped (or 1 ½ cups peach preserves)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
Prepare the Ribs:
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for more tender meat.
- Rub both sides of the ribs with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
Preheat the Grill:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat, about 275°F (135°C). If using a charcoal grill, arrange the coals for indirect cooking.
Cook the Ribs:
- Place the ribs on the grill bone side down. Cover and cook for about 2 ½ to 3 hours, maintaining a consistent temperature. Turn the ribs occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Make the Peach Glaze:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the peaches (or peach preserves), brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes (if using), and garlic.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peaches are soft and the sauce has thickened slightly. Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the sauce until smooth.
Glaze the Ribs:
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, generously brush the peach glaze over the ribs, turning them occasionally to caramelize the glaze without burning.
Serve:
- Once the ribs are tender and the glaze is sticky and caramelized, remove them from the grill. Let them rest for a few minutes before slicing into individual ribs.
- Serve the ribs hot with any remaining peach glaze on the side.
Demon Copperhead
Based on Charles Dickens's 'David Copperfield,' this modern retelling takes place in the southern Appalachian Mountains, exploring contemporary issues of oppression, addiction, resilience, and redemption.
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE • WINNER OF THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION New York Times Readers’ Pick: Top 100 Books of the 21st Century • An Oprah’s Book Club Selection • An Instant New York Times Bestseller • An Instant Wall Street Journal Bestseller • A #1 Washington Post Bestseller • A New York Times "Ten Best Books of the Year" "Demon is a voice for the ages—akin to Huck Finn or Holden Caulfield—only even more resilient.” —Beth Macy, author of Dopesick "May be the best novel of [the year]. . . . Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, this is the story of an irrepressible boy nobody wants, but readers will love.” —Ron Charles, Washington Post From the acclaimed author of The Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Trees, a brilliant novel that enthralls, compels, and captures the heart as it evokes a young hero’s unforgettable journey to maturity Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. Relayed in his own unsparing voice, Demon braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities. Many generations ago, Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield from his experience as a survivor of institutional poverty and its damages to children in his society. Those problems have yet to be solved in ours. Dickens is not a prerequisite for readers of this novel, but he provided its inspiration. In transposing a Victorian epic novel to the contemporary American South, Barbara Kingsolver enlists Dickens’ anger and compassion, and above all, his faith in the transformative powers of a good story. Demon Copperhead speaks for a new generation of lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can’t imagine leaving behind.
Discussion Questions
- How does Kingsolver's use of a Dickensian structure and setting in rural Appalachia affect the way contemporary issues are perceived?
- In what ways do you see the themes of addiction and resilience playing out in Demon Copperhead, and how do they compare to the struggles faced by Copperfield?
- Analyze the character development throughout the novel. How do the characters transform, and what influences these changes?
- Discuss the role of family and community in the novel. How do they help shape the narrative and the protagonist's journey?
- How does Kingsolver address the issue of economic disparity and its impact on education and opportunity?
- Examine the portrayal of social services and healthcare in the novel. What commentary is the author providing about these systems?
- What are the pivotal moments in the story, and how do they correspond to David Copperfield's life events?
- How is the motif of 'home' explored in the book, and how does it influence Demon’s identity and decisions?
- Discuss the novel's exploration of identity and self-discovery. How does Demon come to terms with his own sense of self?
- What parallels can you draw between this novel and contemporary societal challenges? How are they thoughtfully addressed in the narrative?
Authors:
Barbara Kingsolver
ISBN: 9780063251922
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2022-10-18
ISBN: 9780063251922
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2022-10-18
Peach Bourbon Smash
A delightful cocktail that brings the fruity sweetness of peach to life with a splash of bourbon, perfect as a refreshing complement to grilled dishes.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh peach puree
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Fresh mint leaves
- Club soda
- Peach slices for garnish
Instructions
- Muddle mint leaves in a cocktail shaker.
- Add bourbon, peach puree, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Fill with ice and shake well.
- Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with club soda and garnish with peach slices.