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The Book Pairing Menu: Read, Weep, Eat

A menu based on ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ and ‘It’s Kind of a Funny Story’
Illustration by Meghan Sim

Welcome to The Book Pairing Menu, where I pair two books together and create a menu inspired by them. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which informed this menu’s book selections: “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins and “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” by Ned Vizzini.

“Sunrise on the Reaping” tells the tale of Haymitch Abernathy’s Hunger Games. So far, fans of the “Hunger Games” series have known him as an alcoholic who mentors District 12 tributes. At times, we’ve laughed along with his antics. At others, the gravity of his situation hit us like a punch in the gut. Haymitch abuses alcohol as a way to cope with his role in the Capitol’s games and the violent consequences of his rebellious nature. “Sunrise on the Reaping” shows us exactly what Haymitch went through in the 50th Hunger Games — which had twice as many tributes — and the aftermath. We finally see what drove this kind, loving boy to numb himself with liquor.

“It’s Kind of a Funny Story” follows Craig Gilner as he navigates the pressures of excelling in school and life. When the stress starts to get to Craig, he falls into a depression and contemplates suicide. At the suggestion of a suicide hotline, Craig checks himself into the emergency room and then the hospital’s psychiatric ward. There, Craig meets an array of people with their own set of problems. “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” invites us into the mind of someone striving to get better.

These books offer varying depictions of mental health. While food can’t cure depression, anxiety, and other mental health ailments, certain foods might provide an extra boost in the fight against them. But it’s important to remember that mental illnesses are, at their core, chemical imbalances.

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 nourishing foods that support our mental health. Because it can be difficult to cook for yourself when you are feeling low, I have added a few reduced effort alternatives.

Food and Beverage Pairings

Hors-d’oeuvres & Appetizers

Sweet Potato Slices with Avocado, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese

Wash and peel sweet potatoes. Slice into half-inch rounds and place on a sheet pan. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 40 minutes or until the desired texture is reached. After removing from the oven and letting them cool, layer slices of avocado, goat cheese, and walnuts on each round.

Soup or Salad

Chicken Noodle Soup

Start by sautéing carrots and celery. When soft, add minced garlic. Pour in your favorite chicken stock, thyme, and rosemary. Bring to a boil, then add noodles. Mix in shredded chicken.

Simple alternative: Buy canned chicken noodle soup. Pour it out into a bowl and microwave it according to the instructions on the can.

Broccoli Salad

Cut florets and stems into small pieces. Add in cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and finely chopped red onion. For the dressing, mix two tablespoons mayonnaise, two tablespoons sourcream, and one tablespoon apple cider vinegar together, then dress the salad.

Simple alternative: Buy pre-cut broccoli and onions from your local grocery store. Add cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and dressing.

Entrée

Honey Garlic Butter Salmon & Rice

Melt a stick of butter in a bowl using the microwave. Add honey and minced garlic. Mix well. Slather the mixture on the salmon fillets. Let sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Once you take it out of the fridge, the butter will have set.

Bring a pan to medium heat, then put in your salmon fillets. Cook for a few minutes on each side. As the butter melts, spoon the mixture over the fillets, bathing them in the honey garlic butter.

Serve over brown rice. Slice half an avocado and place on top of the salmon and rice.

Simple Alternative: Marinate the salmon as instructed above. Cover an oven-safe glass pan in aluminum foil. Add the salmon, pouring the marinade over the salmon. Fold over the aluminum foil to create a seal. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes. Use instant rice that can be cooked in the microwave. Serve with sliced avocado.

Dessert

Dark Chocolate Brownies

Melt one cup of butter and one cup of dark chocolate chips in a saucepan. Remove from heat when the mixture is smooth. Allow to cool before whisking in one and one half cups of sugar, a couple teaspoons of vanilla, and four eggs. In a separate bowl, combine two thirds cup cocoa powder, three fourths cup all-purpose flour, and one teaspoon of sea salt. Once combined, sprinkle over the chocolate, butter, and egg mixture a little at a time, stirring until well incorporated. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and bake in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes. Let cool before slicing and serving.

Simple Alternative: Grab boxed brownie mix from your local grocery store. Add in dark chocolate chips, any other needed ingredients, and bake according to instructions on the box.

Beverage 

Ginger and Green Tea Lemonade

Grate peeled ginger into a small saucepan with one cup of water. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Steep two bags of green tea in one cup of hot water. Juice two to three lemons. Combine the ginger infusion, the green tea, and the lemon juice. Pour over ice and enjoy.

F NewsArts & CultureThe Book Pairing Menu: Read, Weep, Eat

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