In anticipation of our new deck surrounding our new swimming pool, I planted some big pots of greenery.
Progress on the pool is almost non-existent, due to almost constant rain and the deck can’t be started until the pool is done..
But the pots of greenery are doing well.
Naturally, I planted herbs, rather than flowers. I have lemon balm, Greek oregano, pot marjoram, lemon thyme and mint. Most of those have been in various spots around the house in the past – and destroyed by rabbits, puppies, moles, voles, etc.
Strangely, although I’ve always had mint in my herb gardens, I’ve rarely used it in anything but tea or lemonade.
That is changing…..
Citrus and Mint Chicken Breasts
Total time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Marinade:
- 3 tbs orange juice
- 3 tbs lemon juice
- 3 tbs olive oil
- 3 tbs chopped fresh mint
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions:
- In small bowl mix all ingredients for marinade.
- Put chicken breasts in shallow baking dish (or something with sides) and pour marinade over.
- Let marinate for 15 minutes.
- Cook on barbecue grill for 12 – 15 minutes or until done.
- Remove and let rest 5 minutes.
- Slice and serve.
Last month’s book for my book club was Wild, by Cheryl Strayed, which I was, and still am, ambivalent about. My opinion is here.
This month’s book is Lullaby, by Leila Slimani. The US title is The Perfect Nanny.
It was originally published in French and has won the Prix Goncourt (French prize for literature).
This book I highly recommend…. The writing is excellent.
But, be warned: it is disturbing.
And it is the masterful writing that, at least in my opinion, contributes a lot to making it disturbing.
The story itself is upsetting. It’s about a nanny who kills the children. I’m not giving anything away; that’s stated in the opening paragraph.
It’s a psychological thriller and everyone in my book club agreed that the reader is left with a lot of questions not answered by the author but open to interpretation by the reader.
The literary style adds to the feeling of uneasiness I had reading the book.
For example: Often in books if one of the characters is remembering or recounting something that happened in the past it’s clearly stated. A statement may begin with: When she was a child…..
In this book it can be as subtle as a change in verb tense – from present tense to past tense.
Subtle – and very unsettling.
I kept wanting to stop reading it…. but I couldn’t.
If you’re looking for a summer read that is both creepy and though-provoking give it a try.
And, just for good measure, it’s based on a true story
I don’t think I could do a creepy true story as a summer read…there’s enough of that in the newspapers !! I think I will look for something lighter and not too thought provoking… its too hot here for too many thoughts !!!
It was good – but not light reading. I’m still not sure of some of this book club’s choices….
I am not a mint person. I never have been. I don’t know why. But in this case, with all the herbs I’ve planted over time, I don’t have to worry about the mint taking over everything.
I’m still making my way through The Terror by Dan Simmons. The episodic series was fabulous and so far, the book has proven to be just as fascinating and they followed the book quite closely in much of it. But I’m thinking it will take me all summer because my reading time is so limited this year.
I’ve always grown mint, but rarely used it – other than to add it to a gin & tonic lol Thanks for the book tip…. but I will have to think about that one lol. The hubs will love it!
I’ve been trying a new way to use marinade. Use the same ingredients without the oil. The citrus permeates the meat better and especially if you keep it on longer. The oil can be added before cooking for non stick purposes.