This delightful recipe pairing features a rich Roasted Red Pepper Bisque paired with the captivating novel "The Night Watchman" by Louise Erdrich and complemented by a classic French 75 cocktail. The depth and smokiness of the bisque echoes the emotional and complex narrative of the book, while the crispness of the cocktail provides a refreshing contrast. Together, they create a sophisticated and satisfying experience, perfect for a thoughtful evening of culinary and literary enjoyment.
Ingredients
- 4 large red bell peppers, roasted and peeled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk (for a dairy-free option)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra smokiness)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
- Crusty bread or croutons for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Roast the Red Peppers: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place the red bell peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until the skins are charred and blistered. Remove from the oven and place the peppers in a bowl, covering with a lid or plastic wrap to steam for 10 minutes. Once cooled, peel off the skins, remove the seeds, and roughly chop the peppers.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.
- Add the Peppers and Broth: Stir in the roasted red peppers and smoked paprika (if using). Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Blend the Soup: Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer the soup in batches to a blender and blend until smooth. Return the soup to the pot.
- Finish with Cream: Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Warm the bisque over low heat, being careful not to let it boil.
- Serve: Ladle the Roasted Red Pepper Bisque into bowls, garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve hot with crusty bread or croutons on the side.
The Night Watchman
Based on the extraordinary life of Louise Erdrich's grandfather who worked as a night watchman and fought against Native American dispossession from rural North Dakota in the 1950s. This novel explores themes of love and death with humor and resilience.
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 blend real history with fiction to tell the story of Native American struggles?
- What role does the setting play in the development of the plot?
- How do the personal struggles of the characters reflect broader themes?
- Discuss the portrayal of cultural heritage in the novel.
- How does the concept of family manifest within the narrative?
- What are the implications of the title, 'The Night Watchman', in regard to the themes of the book?
- How does the author handle the balance between personal and political struggles?
- Is there a character whose story you found particularly compelling? Why?
- How does humor function within the serious context of the novel?
- In what ways do the events of the 1950s resonate with issues today?
Authors:
Louise Erdrich
ISBN: 0062671189
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2020-03-03
French 75
The French 75 is a classic cocktail composed of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and champagne. It is a simple yet elegant drink that pairs beautifully with a sophisticated meal or quiet evening read.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 3 ounces champagne or sparkling wine
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake well and strain into a champagne flute.
- Top with champagne or sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.