For a comforting evening with a dash of mystery, pair the Vegetable Chicken Casserole, a hearty dish of tender chicken and fresh vegetables in a creamy sauce, with Ruth Ware's thriller "The Turn of the Key." The novel's gripping suspense will keep you engaged while you savor each bite of the rich casserole, and a glass of Chardonnay, with its crisp and citric notes, perfectly balances the dish's creaminess. This pairing offers a delightful combination of fascinating storylines and delicious flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers (optional, for topping)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the Vegetables: In a large pot, steam or blanch the broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots until they are just tender, about 3-5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: In the prepared baking dish, layer the cooked chicken, steamed vegetables, and frozen peas. Pour the creamy sauce over the top, spreading it evenly to cover all the ingredients. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the sauce.
- Add the Topping (Optional): If using, mix the breadcrumbs or crushed crackers with the melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving.
The Turn of the Key
A gripping modern-day haunted house thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its twists and secrets.
The #1 instant bestseller from the Agatha Christie of our times. When Rowan stumbles across an ad for a live-in nanny, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—with a staggeringly generous salary. And when she arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” house fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture perfect family. What Rowan doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and Rowan in prison awaiting trial for murder. Writing to her lawyer from prison, Rowan struggles to explain the unravelling events that have led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the cameras installed around the house, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the children, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman, Jack Grant. It was everything. Rowan knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder. Which means someone else is. Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, this is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.
Discussion Questions
- How does Ruth Ware use atmosphere to create suspense in 'The Turn of the Key'?
- Discuss the role of technology in the novel. How does it affect the story and the characters’ experiences?
- What is the significance of the title 'The Turn of the Key'?
- How is the concept of trust explored through the relationships in the book?
- Were there any red herrings that misled you in this mystery? Which ones, and how did they divert your attention?
- Discuss the character of Rowan. How did your perception of her change over the course of the novel?
- What themes related to childhood and innocence are explored in the story?
- How do the letters play a role in the development of the plot? What do they add to the reader's understanding?
- What impact does the setting have on the story, and in what ways does it enhance the suspense?
- Compare and contrast the portrayal of the children in the story. What roles do they play in the unfolding of events?
Authors:
Ruth Ware
ISBN: 1501188771
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published Date: 2020-06-30
ISBN: 1501188771
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published Date: 2020-06-30
Chardonnay Wine
A crisp and refreshing Chardonnay, with notes of green apple, pear, and a hint of citrus, perfectly complements the creamy and cheesy flavors of the Vegetable Chicken Casserole.
Ingredients
- A bottle of chilled Chardonnay wine
Instructions
- Chill the Chardonnay wine in the refrigerator for a few hours until thoroughly chilled.
- Pour into a wine glass, savoring its crisp and refreshing notes alongside your meal.