Pair the rich and indulgent Ultimate Twice-Baked Potatoes with the thrilling novel 'The Vanishing Half' by Brit Bennett, and complement the culinary experience with a classic Champagne cocktail for a perfect blend of flavors and stories. This pairing works brilliantly as the complexities of the novel's narrative echo the layers of flavor in the potatoes, while the refreshing champagne cocktail adds a light, celebratory note to the occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 6 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Bake the potatoes: Scrub the potatoes clean and pat them dry. Rub each potato with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cook the bacon: While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble the bacon and set aside.
- Prepare the filling: Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scoop out the insides, leaving a thin border of potato flesh to support the skin. Place the scooped-out potato flesh in a large bowl.
- Mash the potatoes: Add the sour cream, milk, softened butter, 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon (reserve a little for topping), and chopped green onions to the bowl with the potato flesh. Mash everything together until smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stuff the potatoes: Spoon the potato mixture back into the potato skins, mounding it slightly. Place the stuffed potatoes back on the baking sheet.
- Bake again: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and reserved bacon on top of the stuffed potatoes. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
The Vanishing Half
A multi-generational narrative that examines race, identity, and the impact of the past. Two light-skinned African American twin sisters grow up in a small Southern black community and run away at age sixteen. Their lives veer in different directions as one passes for white and the other embraces her racial identity, leading to complexities for future generations.
The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. Inseparable as children, they ultimately choose to live in two different worlds, one black and one white. An exploration of the American history of passing.
Discussion Questions
- What role does identity play in 'The Vanishing Half', and how do the characters' choices reflect their identity?
- Discuss the impact of the sisters' decision to run away and how it sets the foundation for their future choices.
- How does Brit Bennett use the concept of 'passing' to explore themes of race and self-acceptance?
- Examine the mother-daughter relationships in the novel. How do these relationships shape the characters?
- What are the main societal pressures the characters face, and how do they navigate them?
- Discuss the significance of the title 'The Vanishing Half' in relation to the story.
- In what ways does the novel portray the concept of escape, both physical and emotional?
- How does the author structure the narrative to reveal the histories and perspectives of different characters?
- What is the significance of the towns they live in, both the one they left and the places they go?
- How does Bennett's portrayal of family dynamics enrich the story's exploration of personal and shared histories?
Authors:
Brit Bennett
ISBN: 9780525536291
Publisher: National Geographic Books
Published Date: 2021-01-12
Classic Champagne Cocktail
A timeless cocktail that combines the sparkle of champagne with the bold flavors of bitters and sugar. This drink is perfect for celebrations and pairs beautifully with the rich flavors of a hearty dish.
Ingredients
- 1 sugar cube
- 2-4 dashes Angostura bitters
- Champagne, chilled
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions
- Place a sugar cube in the bottom of a champagne flute.
- Add 2-4 dashes of Angostura bitters on top of the sugar cube.
- Top with chilled champagne.
- Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.