The delightful Pepperoni Pizza Sliders pair seamlessly with the thrilling novel 'Love, Theoretically' by Ali Hazelwood, a tale that explores unexpected romantic dynamics within an academic setting. Complement this pairing with our delectable Strawberry Basil Margarita, known for its sweet yet tangy profile that mirrors the playful and heartwarming undertones of the book. Together, this trio promises a night of delicious indulgences and literary adventure that is as fun and engaging as it is savory and sweet.
Ingredients
- 12 slider buns
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 package (6 oz) pepperoni slices
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preparation and Assembly:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Slice the slider buns in half horizontally and place the bottom halves in the prepared baking dish.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over the bottom halves of the slider buns.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the marinara sauce.
- Arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese, ensuring each slider will have a few slices of pepperoni.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni.
- Place the top halves of the slider buns on top.
Butter Topping and Baking:
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.
- Brush the tops of the slider buns with the seasoned butter mixture.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnishing and Serving:
- Remove the sliders from the oven and let them cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the sliders apart and serve immediately.
Love, Theoretically
A witty romance novel that navigates the unexpected dynamics in academic and personal relationships.
Rival physicists collide in a vortex of academic feuds and fake dating shenanigans in this delightfully STEMinist romcom from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain. The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people-pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs. Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and arrogant older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And he’s the same Jack Smith who rules over the physics department at MIT, standing right between Elsie and her dream job. Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice?
Discussion Questions
- 1. How do the characters' academic and personal lives intersect and impact their relationships?
- 2. Discuss the theme of identity and authenticity as portrayed in the novel.
- 3. How does Ali Hazelwood's educational background influence her portrayal of academia in the book?
- 4. What role does humor play in the development of the main characters' relationship?
- 5. Compare the romantic escapades in 'Love, Theoretically' with classic romance tropes. How are they similar or different?
- 6. In what ways do misunderstandings drive the plot forward?
- 7. How do the character's academic ambitions conflict with their personal desires?
- 8. Discuss the portrayal of mentorship and its impact on the characters' professional lives.
- 9. Examine the role of family expectations in shaping the characters' decisions.
- 10. What are the book's underlying messages about the balance between career and love?
Authors:
Ali Hazelwood
ISBN: 1234567890
Publisher: Penguin
Published Date: 2023-06-13
ISBN: 1234567890
Publisher: Penguin
Published Date: 2023-06-13
Strawberry Basil Margarita
A refreshing cocktail that combines the sweetness of strawberries with the aromatic depth of basil and the classic tang of a margarita.
Ingredients
Margarita Mixture:
- 6 fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 8 basil leaves, torn
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce simple syrup
Garnish:
- Salt for rimming the glass
- Strawberry slices
- Basil leaf
Instructions
- In a shaker, muddle strawberries and basil leaves until well crushed.
- Add tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
- Rim a margarita glass with salt, then strain the mixture into the glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with strawberry slices and a basil leaf.