"Red Wine Braised Beef" is a comforting dish that pairs wonderfully with "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus and a classic "Old Fashioned" cocktail. The deep, rich flavors of the braised beef complement the book’s intriguing narrative and the cocktail’s sophisticated flavor. Enjoy a cozy evening as you delve into a delicious plate of beef while sipping on an Old Fashioned and getting lost in this thought-provoking novel.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef tips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Tips: Season the beef tips with salt and pepper.
- Brown the Beef: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef tips and brown them on all sides, working in batches if necessary. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let the wine simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
- Add Tomato Paste and Herbs: Stir in the tomato paste, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaves. Mix well to combine.
- Braise the Beef: Return the browned beef tips to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the beef braise for 2-3 hours, or until the beef tips are tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaves before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve the beef tips with mashed potatoes, polenta, or a side of crusty bread.
Lessons in Chemistry
Set in the 1960s, "Lessons in Chemistry" follows Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist whose career takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the host of a beloved cooking show. Through her unconventional approach, Elizabeth not only revolutionizes cooking but also challenges the societal norms that have kept women out of science. With humor, wit, and a bit of romance, this novel explores themes of gender equality and scientific discovery.
#1 GLOBAL BESTSELLER WITH MORE THAN 8 MILLION COPIES SOLD • Meet Elizabeth Zott: “a gifted research chemist, absurdly self-assured and immune to social convention” (The Washington Post) in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show. • STREAM ON APPLE TV+ This novel is “irresistible, satisfying and full of fuel” (The New York Times Book Review) and “witty, sometimes hilarious…the Catch-22 of early feminism” (Stephen King, via Twitter). A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results. But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo. Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.
Discussion Questions
- How does the author use the setting of the 1960s to highlight the challenges faced by women in science?
- How does Elizabeth Zott's career in chemistry influence her role as a TV cooking show host?
- In what ways does "Lessons in Chemistry" address the theme of gender equality?
- Discuss the portrayal of science in the novel. How does it serve as both a barrier and a catalyst for the characters?
- How does humor play a role in the storytelling of "Lessons in Chemistry"?
- What role do supporting characters play in Elizabeth's journey?
- How does Elizabeth's relationship with Calvin affect her career and personal life?
- Discuss the role of community in the novel. How does it support or hinder Elizabeth's ambitions?
- In what ways does the novel challenge societal norms, and is it successful in doing so?
- What does "Lessons in Chemistry" suggest about the relationship between personal passion and professional success?
Authors:
Bonnie Garmus
ISBN: 038554734X
Publisher: Vintage
Published Date: 2022-04-05
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that features a perfect balance of bourbon, bitters, sugar, and water, garnished with an orange peel and a cherry. This drink brings a touch of sophistication and timeless charm, making it an impeccable complement to a rich meal like Red Wine Braised Beef.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon or Rye whiskey
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 sugar cube
- Few dashes plain water
- Orange peel, for garnish
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass.
- Add the Angostura bitters and a splash of plain water.
- Muddle until the sugar cube is dissolved.
- Fill the glass with one large ice cube or several small ones.
- Add the Bourbon or Rye whiskey.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a twist of orange peel and a maraschino cherry.