The Best Grilled Chicken Breasts are beautifully complemented by the earthy and thought-provoking themes of "The Night Watchman" by Louise Erdrich, while a delightful French 75 cocktail adds a bright and effervescent touch to your dining experience. Together, they create a well-rounded meal for reflection and enjoyment.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each breast is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for best results.
- Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F or 200°C). Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and shake off any excess. Place the chicken on the preheated grill. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the chicken is nicely charred and cooked through. Avoid overcooking to keep the chicken juicy.
- Rest the chicken: Transfer the grilled chicken breasts to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Garnish the chicken with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
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. in the 1950s.
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 Erdrich develop the theme of resistance in the novel?
- Discuss the significance of dreams and visions in the narrative.
- What is the role of community in combating the central challenges faced by the characters?
- Analyze Patrice's character and her journey throughout the book.
- How does Erdrich use historical events to enhance the story?
- Discuss the ways in which the novel addresses the concept of identity.
- How does the setting influence the characters' experiences and perspectives?
- In what ways does the novel address the concept of resilience?
- What role does family play in the book?
- How does Erdrich's writing style contribute to the novel's impact?
Authors:
Louise Erdrich
ISBN: 9780062671189
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published Date: 2020-03-03
French 75
A classic and stylish cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne, the French 75 is perfect for adding a touch of sparkle to any gathering.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 3/4 oz 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 and garnish with a lemon twist.
- Serve immediately.