The pairing of 'Mad Honey' by Jodi Picoult with Simple Chicken Mayo with Parmesan and Bread Crumbs, complemented by a Lemon Thyme Gimlet, is a delightful combination of flavors and narratives. The creamy and cheesy textures of the chicken dish mirror the complexity of emotions explored in Picoult's novel. The zesty and herbal Lemon Thyme Gimlet highlights the fresh notes of the meal while providing a refreshing contrast. This pairing invites readers and diners alike to dive into a rich culinary and literary experience, perfectly balanced for intriguing conversation and relaxed enjoyment.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup bread crumbs (preferably Panko)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the mayo mixture: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until smooth.
- Coat the chicken: Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board or plate. Spread the mayonnaise mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast, ensuring they are well coated.
- Add the bread crumbs: Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the mayonnaise-coated chicken breasts, pressing gently to adhere.
- Bake: Place the coated chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the topping is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
Mad Honey
A gripping novel by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan about identity, secrets, and the lengths we’ll go to protect the ones we love. This thought-provoking story follows a woman who returns to her hometown to inherit her family’s beekeeping business and unravels a mystery entangled with the life of her teenage son.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Alternatingly heart-pounding and heartbreaking. This collaboration between two best-selling authors seamlessly weaves together Olivia and Lily’s journeys, creating a provocative exploration of the strength that love and acceptance require.”—The Washington Post Look for Jodi Picoult’s new novel, By Any Other Name, available now! GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • PEOPLE’S BOOK OF THE WEEK • A POPSUGAR BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over. Her picture-perfect life—living in Boston, married to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, raising their beautiful son, Asher—was upended when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined that she would end up back in her sleepy New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in and taking over her father’s beekeeping business. Lily Campanello is familiar with do-overs, too. When she and her mom relocate to Adams, New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start. And for just a short while, these new beginnings are exactly what Olivia and Lily need. Their paths cross when Asher falls for the new girl in school, and Lily can’t help but fall for him, too. With Ash, she feels happy for the first time. Yet she wonders if she can trust him completely. . . . Then one day, Olivia receives a phone call: Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by the police. Olivia is adamant that her son is innocent. But she would be lying if she didn’t acknowledge the flashes of his father’s temper in Ash, and as the case against him unfolds, she realizes he’s hidden more than he’s shared with her. Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves.
Discussion Questions
- What role does the setting of a small town play in shaping the narrative and the characters' decisions in 'Mad Honey'?
- How does the theme of identity manifest in the characters' personal journeys throughout the book?
- Discuss the significance of bees and beekeeping as a metaphor within the story.
- How do secrets and lies impact the relationships between characters in the novel?
- What are the moral implications of the choices made by Olivia, and how do they affect her relationship with her son?
- In what ways does the collaboration between Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan bring a unique perspective to the story?
- Analyze the portrayal of motherhood in the novel. How are different mother-child relationships depicted?
- What is the importance of understanding and empathy in resolving the conflicts presented in the story?
- How does the novel challenge societal perceptions of gender and identity?
- Discuss how the end of the novel addresses or leaves unresolved the key themes introduced throughout the narrative.
Authors:
Jodi Picoult
Jennifer Finney Boylan
ISBN: 1984818380
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published Date: 2023-09-05
Lemon Thyme Gimlet
A refreshing cocktail with herbal notes, the Lemon Thyme Gimlet brings a delightful twist to the classic gimlet by incorporating fresh thyme and the zest of lemon, perfectly complementing the creamy and cheesy flavors of the Simple Chicken Mayo with Parmesan and Bread Crumbs.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 1-2 sprigs of fresh thyme
- Lemon wheel, for garnish
Instructions
- Add gin, lime juice, and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a sprig of thyme and a lemon wheel.