Complement your culinary experience with the atmospheric mystery of "The Chalk Man" by C.J. Tudor paired with the rich, smoky indulgence of Smoked Mac And Cheese. Soothe the palate with a Bourbon Smash, whose smoky notes and rich flavors harmonize beautifully with the mac and cheese, while enhancing the tension and warmth found within Tudor's chilling narrative. Together, this trifecta of flavors and storyline creates a cozy, suspenseful evening perfect for culinary and literary enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is golden and bubbly. Gradually whisk in the milk and cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Add the mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Continue to cook, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the cheese: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar, smoked gouda, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Prepare for smoking: Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C). If using a grill, set it up for indirect cooking. Transfer the mac and cheese to a large, shallow aluminum pan or baking dish that fits your smoker.
- Smoke the mac and cheese: Mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil and sprinkle evenly over the top of the mac and cheese. Place the dish in the smoker and smoke for 1-2 hours, or until the top is golden brown and the mac and cheese is infused with a smoky flavor.
- Serve: Remove the smoked mac and cheese from the smoker and let it cool slightly before serving.
The Chalk Man
A spellbinding mystery about uncertainty, friendship, and fear set in a small town where dark secrets lurk.
“Want to read something good?. . . If you like my stuff, you’ll like this.”—Stephen King • WINNER OF THE ITW THRILLER AWARD • WINNER OF THE STRAND MAGAZINE AWARD FOR BEST DEBUT NOVEL A riveting psychological suspense debut that weaves a mystery about a childhood game gone dangerously awry, and will keep readers guessing right up to the shocking ending In 1986, Eddie and his friends are on the verge of adolescence, spending their days biking in search of adventure. The chalk men are their secret code, stick figures they draw for one another as hidden messages. But one morning the friends find a chalk man leading them to the woods. They follow the message, only to find the dead body of a teenage girl. In 2016, Eddie is nursing a drinking problem and trying to forget his past, until one day he gets a letter containing a chalk man—the same one he and his friends saw when they found the body. Soon he learns that all his old friends received the same note. When one of them is killed, Eddie realizes that saving himself means figuring out what happened all those years ago. But digging into the past proves more dangerous than he could have known. Because in this town, everyone has secrets, no one is innocent, and some will do anything to bury the truth. Praise for The Chalk Man “Wonderfully creepy—like a cold blade on the back of your neck.”—Lee Child “An assured debut that alternates between 1986 and 2016 with unpredictable twists. The Chalk Man fits well with other stories about troubled childhoods such as Stephen King’s novella Stand by Me. . . . Tudor never misses a beat in showing each character as both a child and an adult while also exploring the foreboding environs of a small town.”—Associated Press “Utterly hypnotic. The Chalk Man is a dream novel, a book of nightmares: haunted and haunting, shot through with shadow and light—a story to quicken the pulse and freeze the blood. A dark star is born.”—A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window “If you can’t get enough of psychological thrillers with sharp twists and turns, you need to read The Chalk Man”—Hello Giggles “I haven’t had a sleepless night due to a book for a long time. The Chalk Man changed that.”—Fiona Barton, New York Times bestselling author of The Widow
Discussion Questions
- What role do childhood fears play in the development of the novel's plot?
- How does C.J. Tudor use setting to enhance the suspense in the story?
- Discuss the themes of memory and truth in "The Chalk Man".
- How do the relationships between the main characters evolve throughout the book?
- In what ways does the narrative's dual timeline affect your understanding of events?
- What are some of the moral dilemmas faced by the characters, and how do they resolve them?
- How does Tudor explore the concept of innocence and guilt?
- Discuss the impact of the book's ending. Did it resolve the mysteries satisfactorily?
- What is the significance of the chalk drawings throughout the novel?
- How do different characters perceive and respond to fear in the story?
Authors:
C. J. Tudor
ISBN: 978-0385544361
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published Date: 2018-01-09
ISBN: 978-0385544361
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published Date: 2018-01-09
Bourbon Smash
A refreshing cocktail with a hint of smoke and citrus, perfectly complementing the deep flavors of Smoked Mac and Cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- Mint leaves
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a shaker, muddle mint leaves with simple syrup and lemon juice.
- Add bourbon and fill the shaker with ice.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into an ice-filled glass and garnish with a lemon wheel and a sprig of mint.