Pair the Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies with the book "The Night Watchman" by Louise Erdrich and a glass of Chardonnay wine. The novel's rich storytelling, which skillfully blends historical fiction with profound cultural insights, complements the nourishing simplicity of the salmon dish. A crisp Chardonnay enhances the savory and herbal notes of the salmon and roasted veggies, creating a well-rounded dining experience that elevates a simple meal into a memorable occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, red and yellow bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and season with garlic powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the vegetables evenly.
- Spread the seasoned vegetables in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Place the salmon fillets on top of the vegetables. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the salmon fillets and season with salt and pepper. Top each salmon fillet with a slice of lemon.
- Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, and the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish the salmon and vegetables with chopped fresh parsley or dill.
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 fought against Native dispossession from rural North Dakota all the way to Washington D.C., this powerful tapestry of life and resilience tells the story of a community balancing everyday life while trying to preserve their cultural heritage.
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 'The Night Watchman' illustrate the importance of community and cultural heritage?
- What role does Thomas Wazhashk play in the fight against Native dispossession, and how does his character reflect real historical events?
- How does the author blend elements of fiction and non-fiction to portray the struggles and resilience of Native American communities?
- What are the personal challenges faced by Patrice Paranteau, and how do they reflect broader societal issues?
- How does the novel address the theme of resistance and resilience against systemic oppression?
- In what ways does Erdrich use symbolism and metaphor to enrich the narrative?
- Consider the significance of dreams and visions in the novel. How do they influence character decisions?
- What insights does the book provide about the historical context of Native American struggles in the mid-20th century?
- How do the dialogues and interactions among the characters contribute to the novel's themes?
- What impact does Erdrich's narrative style have on the reader's engagement with the story?
Authors:
Louise Erdrich
ISBN: 0062671189
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2020-03-03
Chardonnay
A classic white wine, Chardonnay pairs beautifully with seafood dishes like salmon due to its crisp acidity and notes of citrus and green apple. Its full-bodied flavor enhances the herbs and spices in the dish while complementing the natural richness of the fish.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of high-quality Chardonnay (preferably from a region renowned for wine, such as Sonoma or Burgundy)
Instructions
- Chill the Chardonnay in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to achieve the recommended serving temperature of 50-55°F.
- Pour the chilled Chardonnay into a wine glass, allowing it to aerate slightly before serving.
- Serve alongside the Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies for a harmonious meal pairing.