Illustration by F Newsmagazine

You’re reading a book. It’s a book you’re enjoying. You’ve suspended your disbelief. You’re immersed in the world. You’re turning page after page. Then the book comes to an end, and you’re left disoriented as you try to readjust to the real world.

If you’re like me, you’ll do anything to live in the world of a book for as long as possible. I am always looking for ways to elevate the reading experience; to hold onto that feeling. So, I create menus, of sorts, of things that remind me of a book’s world. Today’s menu is inspired by two books that, I believe, complement each other — “The (Uncensored) Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde and “A Certain Hunger” by Chelsea G. Summers.

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” follows Dorian Gray as he dives into a lifestyle prioritizing pleasure over morals, indulging in sex, food, and all corporeal desires. Ultimately, Gray discovers his actions have consequences.

For the sake of literary purity and authorship integrity, I recommend the original 1890 uncensored version of “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” The novel’s hedonism and allusions to homosexuality led to public outcry, and Wilde was forced to revise and remove certain scenes to make it palatable to critics. The novel was then republished in 1891. But we disagree with censorship and respect an author’s original vision around here.

“A Certain Hunger,” published in 2020, introduces Dorothy Daniels as a woman coming to terms with the consequences of her actions. Having lived a life of decadence, she recounts the tales that led to her demise.

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” walked so “A Certain Hunger” could run circles around you. Both novels have a tendency to be verbose in their descriptions of self-indulgence and aren’t afraid to explore the deepest desires, regardless of the harm it might bring to other characters.

You’re free to pick and choose your own adventure from here. I hope you find something that you enjoy because this literary meal is all about self-indulgence.

Food and Beverage Pairings

Hors-d’oeuvres & Appetizers

Bacon* Wrapped Dates and Figs

Crispy slices of bacon wrapped around luscious figs and sweet dates.

Wrap one strip of bacon around the date or fig. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Use a toothpick to hold it together. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 435 degrees.

*Substitute turkey bacon if you don’t eat pork, or tempeh bacon if you don’t eat meat.

Soup or Salad

Tomato Bisque

A savory and frothy soup made by blending roasted vegetables and tomatoes with cream.

Saute chopped onion and minced garlic in olive oil. Add chopped carrots, celery, and beets. When soft, add tomatoes and salt. Pour in water until the bottom is covered. Boil for a few minutes, then blend the ingredients with heavy cream.

Apricot Walnut Salad

Crisp greens mixed with crunchy walnuts and tangy apricots; a bright sauce brings everything together.

The apricot walnut salad features your favorite greens. Add slices of apricot and walnuts. Pour over a balsamic vinaigrette, and enjoy.

Dot goat cheese on both the soup and the salad before serving.

Entrée

Beef Tenderloin With a Wine Reduction and Vegetables

A perfectly cooked filet in a rich wine sauce; earthy, juicy mushrooms and creamy mashed potatoes.

Sous vide and sear: that’s the secret. To sous vide is to bring vacuum-sealed meat to the desired temperature via a water bath. The temperature varies depending on how well-done you like your meat. You can DIY sous vide at home with a thermometer, or purchase a handy dandy sous vide machine. Then, sear the filet with rosemary, garlic, and butter, a couple minutes on each side. In the same pan, pour one cup of red wine and a half cup beef stock. Reduce by half, then add in butter.

Dessert

Flourless Chocolate Truffle Cake

A dense, moist chocolate cake.

Melt one pound of chopped chocolate and 12 tablespoons of butter. Fold in seven beaten eggs a third at a time until smooth. Bake in a water bath at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Cover and refrigerate overnight to set.

Beverage 

Black Cherry Soda

Sweet and tart bubbly drink.

Simmer pitted black cherries with one part sugar and two parts water. Smash them to release juicy flavor. Once the sugar dissolves and the water cooks down, remove from the heat. Add a tablespoon or two of the syrup to your soda water.

21+ Pairings

Cocktail

Negroni

The classic bittersweet cocktail.

This is a fairly simple drink to make at home. But, its brilliance is in that simplicity. In a mixing glass, add in equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Stir until chilled, then strain into a frozen cocktail glass. Add an orange peel or slice as a garnish.

Edible

Mindy’s Dark Almond Chocolate Toffee

Decadent and crunchy chocolate bar infused with cannabis.

Sure, you could try making this at home if you have all the ingredients. But cannabis is finicky, so I prefer to leave it to the experts. Mindy’s Edibles, created by Chicago baker Mindy Segal, prides itself in “precision dosing,” meaning you’re not guessing how much cannabis you’re consuming. Instead, you can stimulate your senses in the sublime mixture of dark and milk chocolate, the crunch of toffee and almonds, and the  smoothness of the caramel.

If cannabis is legal in your area of residency, see if these are sold near you. You can purchase this candy bar at most dispensaries.