The Iowa Writers Workshop has produced some of the country’s finest authors, among them Ann Patchett, New York Times best-selling author of “Bel Canto” and the recently released “State of Wonder.”

A constant theme recurring in all Patchett’s work is the sense of beauty to be found even in the most horrific circumstances. Patchett’s hope and optimism make her novels subtly didactic in their ability to reframe the complexity of life's most dire situations.

Patchett’s best selling novel by far is “Bel Canto” (Harper, 2002), which won the PEN/Faulkner and National Book Critics Award. The novel opens with a birthday party for a visiting Japanese industrialist who is being courted by an unnamed South American government in hopes of establishing his factory there. Among the 58 guests is an assortment of Italian, Russian and French diplomats and a world-renowned American soprano, Roxane Coss, who has been engaged to perform at the party.

Just as Coss has finished a moving opera selection, terrorists burst in to take over the building, hoping to capture the president who has ironically stayed home to watch his favorite soap opera. Through her voice, singing in an operatic style the Italians term bel canto, Coss provides unexpected common ground for both the captors and their hostages.

Patchett made her experience with finding beauty in dire circumstances known in her 2004 memoir “Truth and Beauty: A Friendship.” In “Truth and Beauty,” Patchett explores her friendship with poet Lucy Grealy, her college roommate and fellow student at the Iowa Writer’s Workshop. Grealy suffered from a cancer that had taken her jaw in childhood, enduring chemotherapies and reconstructive surgeries throughout her life. Throughout it all, the surgeries, her final addiction to heroin and death from an overdose, Patchett was a steadfast friend, focusing on the passionate joy and creativity Grealy also embodied. After the memoir was published, Patchett received intense criticism from Grealy’s sister for the not-so-beautiful manner in which the book deal and its publicity were arranged.

Patchett’s much anticipated “State of Wonder” almost rivals “Bel Canto” in style and grace.

Again set in South America, the novel’s leading character, Minnesota scientist Marina Singh, defies vicious Amazonian insects, lost luggage, and other ominous portends to find her former medical school professor, Dr. Annick Swenson, who has gone missing. A colleague previously sent to find Swenson mysteriously dies and Marina’s determination to retrace his steps leads to a “Heart of Darkness” style confrontation with Dr. Swenson and the magic elixir at the heart of her Amazonian research.

“State of Wonder” is a beautifully written trip into the wonders of medical research in the Amazon and the ethical implications almost as diverse as the life forms there.

Turning on the oven seems less hot than starting the grill right now. Download a little bel canto to the iPod and enjoy these exquisite dishes full of summer’s flavor.  



TORTELLINI AND

TOMATO SALAD

2 (9-ounce) packages refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini

1/2 cup olive oil (or more to taste)

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 garlic cloves

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups baby heirloom tomatoes, halved

1 cup fresh corn kernels

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions

1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil

Salt and pepper

Prepare tortellini according to package directions.

Meanwhile, process olive oil and next 5 ingredients in a blender until smooth. Toss olive oil mixture with hot cooked tortellini, tomatoes, and next 3 ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.  A knockout salad. Source: Southern Living Magazine, July 2011.



JOHN’S LEMON

CHICKEN

1 whole chicken, rinsed

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Garlic Powder

Lemon pepper

1 medium Vidalia onion

1 lemon

1 stick butter

Remove gizzards from chicken and rinse. Pat chicken dry. Place chicken in baking dish.  Melt butter and rub inside of chicken.

Squeeze juice from 1/2 a lemon inside chicken, then rub with salt, pepper, garlic powder and lemon pepper. Throw 1/2 the onion, chopped, and the rind of the lemon into cavity.  Rub outside of chicken with butter and season with the same ingredients.  

Squeeze lemon juice over the chicken. Put lemon rind and other half of onion in baking dish, cover lightly with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour, then uncover and bake an additional hour at 350 until juices run clear and drumstick moves easily.  



OVEN SHISH

KABOB AND RICE

2 pounds sirloin, cut in 2-inch cubes

1 package cherry tomatoes

1 green pepper

2 cups instant rice, brown or white, cooked

1/2 cup mayo or salad dressing

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

2 tablespoons parsley

1/4 cup chopped Vidalia onion

1 tablespoon milk

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

Dice a quarter of the green pepper and reserve. Thread beef, tomatoes and remaining green pepper, quartered, on metal skewers and set aside. Combine mayo, mushrooms, diced green pepper, parsley, onion, milk, garlic powder, pepper and salt; add rice and gently stir.

Spoon rice mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Place shish kabob on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes until desired degree of doneness, turning frequently while baking. Very good.

— Source: www.cooks.com.