Pair the succulent Perfect Simple Roasted Pork Chops with the intriguing and challenging novel "The Night Watchman" by Louise Erdrich for a delightful literary and culinary experience. As you savor each juicy bite, indulge in the complex flavors of a Classic Whiskey Sour, a cocktail that balances the tastes of bourbon, lemon, and a touch of sweetness, much like Erdrich's novel balances historical depth and personal stories. This pairing works beautifully as the hearty meal complements the rich storytelling, and the drink adds a refreshing yet sophisticated finish to the evening.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops, about 1 inch thick
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, for garnish (optional)
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season the Pork Chops: Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika (if using). Rub the pork chops all over with olive oil, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly on both sides of each pork chop, pressing it in to adhere.
- Sear the Pork Chops: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork chops to the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Roast the Pork Chops: Transfer the skillet with the seared pork chops to the preheated oven. Roast for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the pork chops reaches 145°F (63°C). If using bone-in chops, they may take slightly longer to cook through. Be sure to check the temperature at the thickest part of the meat.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the pork chops to a plate. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with lemon wedges on the side, if desired.
The Night Watchman
Based on the extraordinary life of National Book Award-winning author Louise Erdrich's grandfather, who worked as a night watchman and carried the fight against Native dispossession from rural North Dakota all the way to Washington, D.C., this powerful novel explores themes of love, loss, and the relentless struggle for justice.
WINNER OF THE 2021 PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER WASHINGTON POST, NPR, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, KIRKUS, CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY, AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR Based on the extraordinary life of National Book Award-winning author Louise Erdrich’s grandfather who worked as a night watchman and carried the fight against Native dispossession from rural North Dakota all the way to Washington, D.C., this powerful novel explores themes of love and death with lightness and gravity and unfolds with the elegant prose, sly humor, and depth of feeling of a master craftsman. Thomas Wazhashk is the night watchman at the jewel bearing plant, the first factory located near the Turtle Mountain Reservation in rural North Dakota. He is also a Chippewa Council member who is trying to understand the consequences of a new “emancipation” bill on its way to the floor of the United States Congress. It is 1953 and he and the other council members know the bill isn’t about freedom; Congress is fed up with Indians. The bill is a “termination” that threatens the rights of Native Americans to their land and their very identity. How can the government abandon treaties made in good faith with Native Americans “for as long as the grasses shall grow, and the rivers run”? Since graduating high school, Pixie Paranteau has insisted that everyone call her Patrice. Unlike most of the girls on the reservation, Patrice, the class valedictorian, has no desire to wear herself down with a husband and kids. She makes jewel bearings at the plant, a job that barely pays her enough to support her mother and brother. Patrice’s shameful alcoholic father returns home sporadically to terrorize his wife and children and bully her for money. But Patrice needs every penny to follow her beloved older sister, Vera, who moved to the big city of Minneapolis. Vera may have disappeared; she hasn’t been in touch in months, and is rumored to have had a baby. Determined to find Vera and her child, Patrice makes a fateful trip to Minnesota that introduces her to unexpected forms of exploitation and violence, and endangers her life. Thomas and Patrice live in this impoverished reservation community along with young Chippewa boxer Wood Mountain and his mother Juggie Blue, her niece and Patrice’s best friend Valentine, and Stack Barnes, the white high school math teacher and boxing coach who is hopelessly in love with Patrice. In the Night Watchman, Louise Erdrich creates a fictional world populated with memorable characters who are forced to grapple with the worst and best impulses of human nature. Illuminating the loves and lives, the desires and ambitions of these characters with compassion, wit, and intelligence, The Night Watchman is a majestic work of fiction from this revered cultural treasure.
Discussion Questions
- How does Erdrich portray the struggles faced by indigenous communities in the 1950s?
- Discuss the role of Thomas Wazhashk as both a night watchman and a leader. How does his work life contrast with his personal struggles?
- How are women portrayed in the book, and what roles do they play in the narrative?
- Explore the relationship between land and identity as depicted in the novel.
- What challenges does Pixie face that reflect broader themes of self-discovery and coming-of-age?
- Analyze the depiction of the relationship between Thomas and his family. How does it add depth to the narrative?
- Discuss the historical context of the termination policy and its impact on Native American tribes as presented in the novel.
- How does Erdrich weave in elements of magical realism into the narrative? What effect does this have on the story?
- Examine the portrayal of resilience and resistance in "The Night Watchman."
- How does Erdrich integrate her personal family history into the broader fictional narrative?
Authors:
Louise Erdrich
ISBN: 0062671189
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2020-03-03
ISBN: 0062671189
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2020-03-03
Classic Whiskey Sour
A Classic Whiskey Sour, with its perfect balance of bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and a hint of sweetness from simple syrup, complements the roasted pork chops by refreshing the palate and enhancing the flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Ice
- Lemon wheel or maraschino cherry, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel or maraschino cherry.