Pairing the hearty Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetables with the gripping novel 'The Night Watchman' by Louise Erdrich and pairing it with an elegant French 75 cocktail, creates an evening full of comfort and intrigue. This literary and culinary combination works well because the heartwarming essence of the meal complements the emotional depth of Erdrich's novel. Meanwhile, the refined French 75 adds a sophisticated twist to the dining experience, providing a perfect balance of flavors and feeling. Dive into the layers of this culinary-literary journey to find yourself enriched by stories and tastes alike.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 4 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and rosemary. Sear the chicken breasts in the skillet for 3-4 minutes on each side, until browned. This step is optional but adds extra flavor.
- Layer the Slow Cooker: Place the chopped onions and garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the carrots and potatoes on top of the onions and garlic. Place the seared chicken breasts on top of the vegetables.
- Add the Broth: Pour the chicken broth over the chicken and vegetables. Ensure that the liquid covers most of the vegetables for even cooking.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
- Add Peas: About 30 minutes before serving, add the frozen peas to the slow cooker and stir gently. Continue cooking until the peas are heated through.
- Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken and vegetables from the slow cooker. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
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 carried the fight against Native dispossession from rural North Dakota all the way to Washington, D.C. This powerful novel explores themes of resilience, community, family, and the responsibilities bestowed upon us by our 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 Louise Erdrich use different character perspectives to convey the story's central themes?
- Discuss the role of cultural background and identity in shaping the characters' decisions and experiences.
- What does the novel say about the impact of historical events on personal lives?
- How does Erdrich illustrate the complexities and conflicts of activism in 'The Night Watchman'?
- What are the major sources of strength and resilience for the characters in the novel?
- How does the narrative address the relationship between tradition and modernity?
- Examine the portrayal of family dynamics in the book; how do they affect the characters' actions?
- Discuss the symbolism of the night watchman and its significance within the story.
- What role does the natural landscape play in the novel? How does it influence the characters?
- How is the theme of love portrayed in its various forms throughout the book?
Authors:
Louise Erdrich
ISBN: 0062671189
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2020-03-03
French 75
The French 75 is a classic cocktail combining gin, lemon juice, sugar, and champagne, resulting in a fizzy, citrusy, and sophisticated drink. This elegant cocktail is both refreshing and celebratory, perfect for elevating your dining experience while pairing beautifully with the tender flavors of slow-cooked chicken and vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 3 oz champagne
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a champagne flute.
- Top with champagne.
- Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.