Main Dishes

Stir-Fried Walnut Chicken, White Wine Sangria, and The Midnight Library

April 22, 2025
editor
This pairing features the nutritious and flavorful Stir-Fried Walnut Chicken, which combines savory chicken and crunchy walnuts in a delicious Asian-inspired sauce. Accompanying the dish is the intriguing novel 'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig, a thought-provoking exploration of life’s choices. To complement both, the elegant White Wine Sangria creates a refreshing and delightful culinary experience. Together, these elements offer a perfect balance of flavors and intellectual stimulation, ideal for a cozy evening or book club gathering.
Stir-Fried Walnut Chicken

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
  • 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Cooked rice or noodles, for serving

Instructions

  • Toast the Walnuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the walnuts until they are golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  • Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and stir-fry until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  • Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the sliced bell pepper and onion, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for another minute until fragrant.
  • Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, and chicken broth. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the vegetables and bring to a simmer.
  • Combine and Thicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Stir in the toasted walnuts. Add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens and everything is well coated, about 2 minutes.
  • Serve: Garnish the stir-fry with sliced green onions. Serve hot over cooked rice or noodles.

The Midnight Library

The Midnight Library

In 'The Midnight Library,' Matt Haig explores the choices that go into a life well lived. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, Nora Seed is taken to a library beyond the edge of the universe that contains lives she could have lived. Each choice leads her to different paths, offering her a chance to undo her regrets and make a different choice. It's an exploration of potentially new lives, regrets, hope, possibilities, and the power to choose.
Between life and death there is a library. When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret. She feels she has let everyone down, including herself. But things are about to change. The books in the Midnight Library enable Nora to live as if she had done things differently. With the help of an old friend, she can now undo every one of her regrets as she tries to work out her perfect life. But things aren’t always what she imagined they’d be, and soon her choices place the library and herself in extreme danger. Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: what is the best way to live?

Discussion Questions

  • What is your interpretation of the library and its role in the story?
  • How does Nora's journey through the different lives relate to your own understanding of choices and consequences?
  • Discuss the significance of the librarian character and what she represents to Nora.
  • Which of Nora's alternative lives did you find most appealing or intriguing, and why?
  • How does the novel explore the theme of regret?
  • In what ways does 'The Midnight Library' challenge or affirm your personal beliefs about destiny and free will?
  • How do you perceive the ending of the book, and what message do you think it portrays?
  • Discuss how mental health issues are presented in the book and its impact on the storyline.
  • What do you think Nora finally learns about happiness and fulfillment?
  • If you had access to the Midnight Library, what life would you want to explore?
Authors: Matt Haig
ISBN: 0525559477
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2020-09-29

White Wine Sangria

White Wine Sangria
White Wine Sangria is a refreshing and fruity drink, perfect for any meal or gathering. This sangria combines crisp white wine with an array of fresh fruits, creating a light, sweet, and floral beverage that complements a variety of dishes.

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle of dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 1 lime, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
  • 1/2 cup raspberries
  • 1/2 cup diced pineapple
  • 2 cups club soda, chilled

Instructions

  • In a large pitcher, combine the wine, brandy, orange liqueur, and sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Add the sliced fruits and berries to the pitcher and stir to combine.
  • Refrigerate the sangria for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Just before serving, stir in the chilled club soda.
  • Serve the sangria over ice and garnish with additional fruit slices if desired.