The luscious Seafood Skillet Dip, with its rich blend of ocean delights, pairs beautifully with Stephen King's "Later," a novel that combines suspense with hauntingly deep characters. The flavorful dip will enhance your reading experience as its savory complexity mirrors the intricate plot of King's tale. To elevate the atmosphere, enjoy a sparkling wine called Ocean's Whisper, perfectly complementing the luxurious seafood and keeping your palate refreshed. This trio provides a captivating escape into delicious tastes and mesmerizing storytelling.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 1/2 pound lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Crackers, crusty bread, or fresh vegetables for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Mix until smooth. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir to combine.
- Cook the Seafood: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the chopped shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Stir in the lump crab meat and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Combine and Season: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cheese mixture. Add the finely chopped green onions, fresh lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Bake the Dip: Smooth the top of the dip with a spatula and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the dip cool slightly. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side. Offer crackers, crusty bread, or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Later
Jamie Conklin is an unusual boy with a unique ability—one that his mother and only few others know about. As he grows, his gift entwines him deeper with the darker sides of life, pulling him into mysteries that can only King can unravel.
“Part detective tale, part thriller…touching and genuine.” —The New York Times #1 bestselling author Stephen King returns with a brand-new novel about the secrets we keep buried and the cost of unearthing them. #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER SOMETIMES GROWING UP MEANS FACING YOUR DEMONS The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mom urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is higher than Jamie can imagine – as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave. LATER is Stephen King at his finest, a terrifying and touching story of innocence lost and the trials that test our sense of right and wrong. With echoes of King’s classic novel It, LATER is a powerful, haunting, unforgettable exploration of what it takes to stand up to evil in all the faces it wears.
Discussion Questions
- How does Stephen King blend the elements of a supernatural thriller with the coming-of-age genre?
- In what ways does Jamie’s ability both help and hinder his development?
- How does King use the character of Jamie to explore the theme of innocence versus experience?
- Discuss the relationship between Jamie and his mother. How does it change throughout the book?
- What role does the setting play in enhancing the suspenseful atmosphere of the novel?
- How does the presence of the dead influence the living characters in 'Later'?
- What are the implications of Jamie’s special ability in a moral and ethical sense?
- How does King use humor in the novel, and what effect does it have on the narrative?
- Discuss the significance of the title 'Later' in the context of the story.
- How does 'Later' compare to other works by Stephen King in terms of themes and style?
Authors:
Stephen King
ISBN: 9781789096491
Publisher: Titan Books (US, CA)
Published Date: 2021-03-02
ISBN: 9781789096491
Publisher: Titan Books (US, CA)
Published Date: 2021-03-02
Ocean's Whisper Sparkling Wine
Ocean's Whisper is a light and effervescent sparkling wine with notes of citrus and sea spray. Its refreshing profile complements seafood dishes, making it an ideal choice for enhancing the rich flavors of the Seafood Skillet Dip.
Ingredients
- 750ml sparkling wine of choice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill the sparkling wine in the refrigerator until well-chilled.
- Pour the wine into a flute or wine glass.
- Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.
- Serve immediately alongside the Seafood Skillet Dip.