The Sweet Chili & Orange Chicken, with its vibrant, zingy flavors, pairs beautifully with "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus. This lively, engaging novel, filled with chemistry both in labs and personal relationships, matches the dish's exciting balance of sweet and spicy. To complement this culinary and literary experience, enjoy a Sparkling Citrus Cava, enhancing the orange notes in the dish while offering a refreshing contrast to the sweet chili. Together, the meal, book, and beverage create a delightful sensory experience perfect for an enjoyable evening.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
– Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
– In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. - Make the Sauce:
– In the same skillet, add the orange juice, orange zest, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. - Thicken the Sauce:
– Stir the cornstarch mixture into the sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. - Combine and Serve:
– Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat the chicken pieces evenly with the sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat through.
– Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving. - Serve:
– Serve the Sweet Chili & Orange Chicken hot over steamed rice or with your choice of vegetables. Enjoy!
Lessons in Chemistry
A novel about an unconventional female chemist in the 1960s who is the reluctant star of a cooking show. As she challenges societal norms, she inspires women to question the status quo both on and off screen.
#1 GLOBAL BESTSELLER WITH MORE THAN 8 MILLION COPIES SOLD • Meet Elizabeth Zott: “a gifted research chemist, absurdly self-assured and immune to social convention” (The Washington Post) in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show. • STREAM ON APPLE TV+ This novel is “irresistible, satisfying and full of fuel” (The New York Times Book Review) and “witty, sometimes hilarious…the Catch-22 of early feminism” (Stephen King, via Twitter). A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results. But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo. Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.
Discussion Questions
- How does the protagonist's career in chemistry affect her personal life and relationships?
- Discuss the role of gender in the scientific community as portrayed in the novel.
- How does the cooking show serve as a metaphor for the protagonist's influence?
- In what ways does the book address the issue of sexism?
- What does the novel suggest about the relationship between science and society?
- How do the supporting characters help or hinder the protagonist's journey?
- What is the significance of the 1960s setting for the story?
- How does humor play a role in addressing the novel's serious themes?
- In what ways does the protagonist's passion for chemistry reflect her character?
- What impact does the novel seek to have on modern perceptions of women in science?
Authors:
Bonnie Garmus
ISBN: 038554734X
Publisher: Vintage
Published Date: 2022-04-05
Sparkling Citrus Cava
This bubbly cava is infused with fresh citrus flavors, offering a delightful and refreshing complement to any sweet and spicy dish like the Sweet Chili & Orange Chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of Cava or sparkling wine
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
Instructions
- Chill the bottle of Cava until ready to serve.
- Slice the orange, lemon, and lime into thin rounds.
- In a large pitcher, add the citrus slices and pour over the chilled Cava.
- Stir gently to combine, letting the flavors infuse slightly before serving.