Tasty Tuesday-Perfect Ten Dauntless Chicken Skewers

Perfect Ten Dauntless Chicken Skewers
for Divergent by Veronica Roth 

Perfect Ten Dauntless Chicken Skewers

Tobias only has four fears to overcome in the simulations common in Divergent by Veronica Roth, an insanely small number compared to the majority of the population. When Tris begins her own initiation, she has only seven fears--until she finds enough strength to conquer one of them. Between Tobias' four and Tris' six fears, they make a perfect ten, just like the combination of soy and soda in this marinade. As a selfless Abnegation, Tris is accustomed to eating plain food, like chicken.  These skewers take ordinary bits of chicken and transform them into a mouthwatering wonder.  In a similar way, Tris keeps what is good from the life of service that she learned as an Abnegation and slowly steeps herself in what she finds positive in her life as a Dauntless.

2 pounds chicken breasts, cut into cubes

1 can of lemon-lime soda

1 cup soy sauce

1 T horseradish sauce 

Place the cubed chicken in a large bowl.  Add soda, soy sauce and horseradish sauce. Mix the horseradish  sauce into liquid with a fork.  Allow to marinade at least 3 hours in the fridge.  Thread the chicken onto skewers and grill or broil in the oven. 

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her. Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Hardcover, 487 pages Published May 3rd 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books


Food to Eat while Reading: Perfect Ten Dauntless Chicken Skewers

Perfect Ten Dauntless Chicken Skewers
to go with Divergent by Veronica Roth

What a fascinating world Roth created in Divergent.  The book felt as real to me as The Hunger Games and is often compared to the dystopian best seller. I have to agree.  The story is original, the characters full of emotion and the themes worthy. I wasn't sure how Roth was going to pull it all together, but she tied it all up nicely.

The romance in Divergent was heart pulling and a bit heated, but not racy. I didn't mind it so much because it served a purpose and was dealt with as a valid teen issue.  I would recommend this to older teens (in fact I gave a copy of this book to my 3 teen nieces for Christmas.

The fear simulations that Tris went through were fascinating and thought provoking.  I read with a watchful eye as she overcame some of those fears through her experiences.  Each time that she overcame her fears she became stronger.

Courage in selflessness, facing your fears and being true to yourself are the themes that stood out to me.  Tris overcame obstacles she never imagined and came out a better person for it.  Isn't that one of the secrets to peaceful living?

There is a real sense of loss near the end.  Tris changes and is forced to change in so many ways, not all of which are pleasant. I am left with questions that beg to be answered: why is Tris Divergent? And why can she control the simulations?

Fans of The Hunger Games will devour Divergent, the new dystopian with real characters, suspenseful romance and a world that is close enough to our own that they will whisper, "it could happen".

Insurgent, the second book in the series is due to be published on May 1, 2012.

Tasty Tuesday Everliving Tomato Soup

Everliving Tomato Soup for
Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Everliving Tomato Soup

Nikki from Everneath by Brodi Ashton never wants to feel emotions again after her mother dies in--that's why she allows everliving Cole to take her to the underworld, where he drains her of the despair and sadness. Perhaps if she had just made some comfort food, she wouldn't have made such a rash decision. Nothing beats tomato soup for soothing emotions. This hearty and creamy soup is full of vegetables and laced with cream. Careful when sampling the soup--not only will it fill your belly, but it's creamy goodness is likely to drive away any bad emotions.

1 tsp olive oil
2 celery sticks, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
2 14 oz. cans of stewed tomatoes
3 cups chicken broth
1 tsp lemon juice
4 tsp butter
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup half and half
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
fresh chopped basil and oregano, to taste

In a saucepan, heat olive oil and saute celery, carrots, onion, and garlic. Put stewed tomatoes in a crockpot, then add the sautéed vegetables, chicken broth and lemon juice. Cook on low for 5-7 hours.

When the soup is fully cooked, make a roux by melting the butter in a small saucepan on medium heat, then add the flour and mix.  Slowly add the half and half until the mixture is creamy. Add parmesan cheese and mix until combined.

If you want the soup to be smooth, blend it and return it to the crockpot. Add the roux slowly, mixing to combine. Add fresh basil and oregano to taste.

Cook for one hour longer in the crockpot on low.
Serve with a swirl of half and half.