Suburban Lush

One Pot Chicken With Tomatoes and Olives

In an attempt to combat weight gained trhough bordom snacking I've started out on a healthy eating mission. If it's just me eating I eat lots of simple vegetarian meals and fruit. The real trick is dinner - coming up with a meal that is good for me and still enjoyable for John after a long day at work. I don't believe in eating separate meals either, so I've had to put my thinking cap on to find diet-friendly meals with flavour and substance although I'm very lucky that John enjoys most veges.

Today I was inspired by a recipe for fish with tomatoes and olives. Our local shop didn't have any white fish, so I picked up a couple of chicken breasts and made this meal. It certainly fit the bill and I'm keen to try it again with fish. I'm sure you could chop and change the veges used (capsicums would be great).

One Pot Chicken With Tomatoes and Olives (makes 2 generous portions)

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 bacon rasher with fat removed, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 150 grams mushrooms, chopped (I used baby button mushrooms and simply halved them)
• 5 cloves of garlic, peeled
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 1 large courgette
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp dried chili flakes
• Chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges to serve

Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed oven proof dish. Add bacon, onion and mushrooms and cook on the stove until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from pan. Sear chicken breasts on both sides. Add back in the bacon, onion and mushrooms. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. While this is happening, pre-heat the oven to 180c. Once hot, place a lid on the pan and transfer to the oven. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 40 minutes.

We had our spooned over wild rice and with a side salad. And don't forget to garnish with the parsley and a good squeeze of lemon.

(Sorry for the bad pick - I snapped it with my phone as I was too hungry to go upstairs and get the proper camera).

Too Much Spare Time

One of the benefits of unemployment is the leisure to read. I have been devouring books, helped in no small part by unexpected (and much appreciated) Amazon parcels from loved ones. I won't review all the books here (some won't be reviewed at all, and some will turn up over here) but I'm enjoying the escapism. I've always read a fair amount, but recently finished 5 books in 4 days - a feat even for me.

While I find I miss the structure and the feeling of self-worth I get from working, I am usually able to fill my days. I catch up with friends who work weekends and so are free mid-week, I intern one day a week, go to the gym, and of course I'm writing again. The gym has been a god-send, which is surprising for me. I go most afternoons and spend a couple of hours there - an hour or so working out and then the rest of the time pampering myself in the hot tub and sauna. It has had a few pleasant side effects, too. No real weight-loss (entirely my fault as my diet has gone to hell) but I'm probably fitter than I've been in years, can do proper push-ups, and am even considering entering a 10km race.

Weekends are spent hiking and hanging out with John, although not at the same time. Leisurely coffees at Starbucks, strolls around town or Botanic gardens, pints with friends; both John and I are enjoying chore-free weekends, all the housework and laundry done during the week.

All this being said, unemployment most definitely does not become me and I'm chomping at the bit to find a suitable job. There are a few out there, but unfortunately the economy in Belfast is suffering as much as anywhere else.

Book Review - The Woman In Black

Author: Susan Hill

Blurb: Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor, is summoned to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, the sole inhabitant of Eel Marsh House, unaware of the tragic secrets which lie hidden behind the shuttered windows. The house stands at the end of a causeway, wreathed in fog and mystery, but it is not until Arthur glimpses a wasted young woman, dressed all in black, at the funeral, that a creeping sense of unease begins to take hold, a feeling deepened by the reluctance of the locals to speak of the woman in black - and her terrible purpose.

My two cents: Sound familiar? Yes, they have just made this book into a movie starring Daniel Radcliffe. I saw the preview and it looked far too terrifying for me and then just last week was given the book as a gift.

Fortunately for me I enjoy scary books in a way that doesn't translate to movies and I read this one in a single sitting, captivated by the writing. This is a fairly typical ghost story: spooky, atmospheric, but not particularly terrifying. Susan Hill is generally celebrated  for her short-stories and The Woman In Black, though longer than a short story, benefits from her expertise; haunting scenes evoked with a few well chosen words rather than long descriptive passages, and a plot that is interesting but not overly complex. As a result you come away from the book with a sense of atmosphere which lingers in the back of your mind for days. 

Book Review - Night Train to Lisbon

Author: Pascal Mercier

Blurb: One day mild-mannered, middle aged teacher Raimund Gregorius suddenly quits his ordinary life and, for no reason apparent to his colleagues or his students, sets off on a journey across Europe. Haunted by a mysterious old book that seems, somehow, to speak to him personally, he embarks in search of clues to the life of its enigmatic Portuguese author, Amadeu de Prado. Gradually he uncovers the life of an extraordinary man: a child prodigy, a doctor, a philosopher and a rebel. And as Gregorius learns about Prado, he also begins a process of self-discovery, looking back at his own life and the choices he has made, wondering about the man he might have been. Hurtling through the dark, Night Train to Lisbon is a profound tale, wonderfully told, propelled by the mystery at its heart.

My two cents: I picked up this book on a whim from our local Oxfam shop, intrigued by the title. I enjoyed it, but it is not a light read. Mercier is a professor of philosophy, and it shows. Really two books within one, Gregorius' story is easy to relate to: a man looking back on his life, travelling, experiencing new things and considering whether choices made in the past were the correct ones. Prado's story on the other hand, is the philosophical foil to Gregorius' self-enlightenment. It poses deep philosophical questions about the self, religion , friendship and happiness. The stories merge to form a cohesive whole, a book about two different, yet similar, men.

Monday Morning Roundup

Food, walking and laziness. It's been hectic over here!

Over a week ago I cooked dinner for John and completed the second of 4 installments of the Weekly Food Challenge. But I have finally found my camera cord, so this time you get pics, as well! I'd gone to the markets and picked up some lovely plump and juicy steaks. So, what to accompany them. Well, I went for a simple rocket salad, and The Pioneer Woman's caprese salad. Simple and elegant, this salad goes with anything. Ripe market tomatoes, creamy mozzarella (the good kind - don't skimp on this!), aromatic basil leaves, and the simplest of dressing. As well as being dead easy to assemble, it also looks amazing. Check it out:

Caprese salad (makes 2 generous side portions)

• 3 ripe tomatoes
• 12 oz fresh mozzarella
• fresh basil leaves
• balsamic reduction
• olive oil
• sale & pepper to taste

Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella. Layer artistically in a nice dish. Tuck in basil leaves. Drizzle over the olive oil and balsamic reduction. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

If you are lucky (and lazy) it is usually possible to buy balsamic reduction pre-made. But if not, it is easy peasy to make. Simply place balsamic vinegar in a pot and bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Cook for 10 to 20 minutes, or until balsamic has reduced to a thick glaze. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Balsamic reduction is one of those awesome things to have around, so go ahead and make a whole heap - it keeps for quite some time in the fridge. I drizzle mine over salads and pizzas, or to marinade meat.

Next up was desert. Strawberries are luscious and plump at the moment, so I figured I'd give this strawberry cake a go. Sometimes dishes take my fancy despite the fact that I haven't read the description through. This was one of those dishes. And it was delicious, according to John. I wasn't quite such a fan, mostly because I had failed to read that "those strawberries turn into puddles of jam". Which is all well and good if you like jam, but I don't. Or, well, more specifically I like jam only when it comes served with clotted cream and scones. But if you like jam, as John does, then this cake is for you. I didn't fiddle with the recipe at all, so go on over to Smitten Kitchen and check it out.

You might wonder what else have I been up to, other than cooking and eating. First off, I am currently jobless, my temping position having ended. This isn't a terrible thing, as the job was pretty dire. So I've had a week off, which has meant catching up with friends and family. No complaints there.

I've been out hiking as well. Because we are insane, my hiking group decided to do a challenge. It was in two parts. The first part started at midnight and took in 3 peaks before breakfast. I don't know much about the second part because I was too lazy to do it. Friday night saw a group of us congregating in Donard Park, where we had a BBQ before driving around to Bloody Bridge carpark where we donned backpacks, head torches and glowsticks before starting up Bloody Bridge river and over Slieve Donard. Then down Slieve Donard and over Slieve Commedagh, Corrag and Bernagh as the sun came up. The plan was to see the sunrise at the top of Bernagh, but we were a little late and it was foggy. Still, we carried on down to Meelmore where our support crew and cooks extraordinaire had set up shop and were cooking up a storm - blueberry muffins, bacon and sausage baps, tea, coffee, and fruit for the health-conscious (I did not have any fruit, and I maintain that there were plenty of healthy blueberries in the muffins). Most of us had previously decided that the overnight walk was enough for us, but a handful carried on to complete the second half of the challenge.

Avenue Q

I went to see Avenue Q last night. And all I can really say is - go see it. My friend Stuart had a spare ticket and invited me to go along with him. I didn't know what to expect as we arrived at the Grand Opera House. I'd been told that the show was "like Sesame Street for adults" which, ok sure, but that doesn't really help.

As a synopsis on the website says: "Avenue Q is not the most upmarket of New York streets, and is about as far away from Park Avenue as you can get, but it is home to some lively and off the wall characters performed by an unholy comedic alliance of humans and puppets! Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate, has just moved to this neighbourhood as he desperately tries to follow his dreams and discover his ever-elusive purpose in life. A tiny bank balance, the distraction of a busty blonde and a variety of weird and wonderful friends and neighbours lead Princeton on a hilarious story of self-discovery.

Life may suck on Avenue Q but being jobless, homeless, politically incorrect, having sex (whether hetero, homo or porno... and that’s just the puppets) are just some of the topics featured in the terrific songs of this show."

And that pretty much sums it up. A grown-up show with sex jokes and puppets. It was fantastically produced, with amazing acting, singing and puppeteering (is that a word?). Hilarious and irreverent throughout, I can't recommend it enough. Because seriously you guys, what could be more awesome than this?

Restaurant Review - Rocket & Relish

I was not in the best of moods last night. My job is boring and frustrating, and I'd just had an email from a friend cancelling an evening out later in the week that I'd really been looking forward to. So I was grumpy. And instead of sitting at home all night with a grumpy girlfriend, John suggested we go out for dinner. I leapt the idea, throwing my diet aside as John mentioned Rocket & Relish - the burger bar we'd been meaning to try for so long.

I don't know why we waited as long as we did, but I can tell you that Rocket & Relish on the Lisburn Road will be one of our regular haunts from now on. I had the Goat's Cheese and Jalapeno beef burger, stacked high with generous portions of creamy goat's cheese, aioli, rocket, fresh and sun-blushed tomatoes, and just the right amount of jalapeno mayo to give the whole thing a slight tingle (perfect for me but if John had been eating the burger he would have preferred a more overwhelming spiciness). And sweet potato fries. Oh man. Those who know me well will know that one of the foods I miss so much from NZ are kumera fries. Kumera is a South Pacific variety of sweet potato. And while these sweet potato fries were no kumera fries, they came close enough to make me happy. John had a Bacon & Blue beef burger - maple cured bacon, creamy blue cheese dressing, aioli, rocket and tomato - with a side of fries, and was kind enough to let me have a bite. Excellent!

The portions were huge and John only just managed to finish his meal. There was no way I could finish mine. The establishment itself is bright and modern. It isn't licenced and caters mostly for take-away. There are a few tables inside and out, but even if you are sitting in your meal is brought to you wrapped in waxed paper - no cutlery, but who needs a knife and fork to eat a burger and fries anyway? A delicious and casual dinner for two and a perfect way to banish grumpiness!

The Crucible

Last week a friend and I went to see Arthur Millar's The Crucible at the new Lyric Theatre. It is one of those plays I'd always wanted to see performed: I'd read it, but never watched it. And it was the first show I'd seen since returning to Belfast. I'd forgotten what it is like to watch a play filled with Northern Irish accents. Now in some plays, this wouldn't matter. But in The Crucible? It kind of does. However, I am willing to concede that it is better to have a performance filled with local accents than one with badly-done fake accents. And I was probably the only person in the audience to notice the Belfast accents, whereas everyone would have noticed if there were badly done Massachusetts accents.

Despite all this, the play was a good one: well directed and with beautiful wood-panelled sets. I did find it slightly over-acted in some parts, but with a play this intense it is hard to walk the fine line between intensity and over-the top. Particular acclaim goes to Angela Phinnimore in the role of Tituba.

Some plays can be watched knowing little of the history behind them, but the viewer of The Crucible definitely benefits from a little back-ground research into the circumstances under which it was written. To the uninitiated it can appear to be a simple story of the dramatic events of the Salem witch trials, but knowing a little about the McCarthy era impartsextra layers of subtlety to the goings-on.

All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of what the new Lyric has to offer.

Rathlin Recki

I had another early morning on Saturday, again for hiking. When my alarm went off at 6:30 I wondered why on earth I do this for fun. Particularly since it was raining. Despite my pessimistic thoughts I dragged myself out of bed and into my hiking gear. I was off to Rathlin Island.

I had friends from NZ staying with me, but they had arrived rather unexpectedly and I had already committed myself to doing the hike. Fortunately they were keen to check out the Causeway Coast, and so were able to drop me off at Ballycastle on their way, where I was meeting up with 2 walking friends and catching the ferry. We arrived early, and the five of us (two kiwis and three intrepid hikers) stopped at a cafe for a bite of breakfast. While the others ate bacon and eggs I stuck with peppermint tea - from where we were sitting we had a great view of the bay, and the rolling swell and crashing waves did not bode well for my stomach's survival during the crossing.

It was pouring with rain by the time we were ready to board, and we had donned full waterproof gear. The ferry ride is 45 minutes, and somehow I managed it without being sick. I was delighted! By the time we arrived on the island the rain had stopped, and we headed up the road.

'Recki' is short for reconnoiter. Basically we were scoping out the island for an official group walk in a couple of weeks, figuring out which trails to take, how long the walk would be, and what sort of terrain it would be over. What this really means is that we didn't exactly know where we were going (far better to wander around lost with a group of three rather than on an official walk and in front of 30 others) but we had our trusty map. The route was mostly road-based, with a couple of off-road scouting missions.

Rathlin Island is beautifuland wild, with plenty of wildlife to see. We were even lucky enough to catch sight of a seal. We walked, chatted, and figured out the route, sheltering in an old ruined building for lunch. By mid afternoon we'd seen it all and were soaked through, so stopped at the pub where we had a cup of tea before catching the ferry back home.

It was a good day, and I'm looking forward to going back for the official walk in a few weeks. And hopefully the seas will be calmer.

Boa Island and Lusty Beg

The thing about being part of a hiking group is that there are loads of group events, both official and unofficial. And inevitably there are some scandals and some romances. A group of us were away last weekend to celebrate one of the romances: the marriage of Jim and Wendy.

They chose to get married on lovely Lusty Beg island in County Fermanagh. Seeing as it is a good couple hours away from Belfast, a group of us hired a house on Boa Island for the weekend, and headed down there on the Friday night after work. A few friends had gotten there before us and had already fired up the BBQ so we got straight into the food and beers. It was an entertaining evening to say the least, best illustrated with photos:

Yes, she is sitting on a lawnmower.

And yes, that is two pool cue and a BBQ lid.

I think we invented a new game . . .

Yeah, I don't know what is happening here either. And yes, that is a man in a bathrobe and slippers.

Despite the obvious excessive alcohol, the next day a few of us managed a short walk before we had to start getting ready for the wedding. I'd forgotten how pretty Northern Ireland can be:

Back at the house we prettied up, before heading to the evening 'do of the wedding. It was a gorgeous occasion, and Jim and Wendy were as happy as can be. We danced the night away:

John, Wendy & I

Jim & Wendy's first dance

Pretty ruffles!

Smoochies.

It was a fantastic weekend, and fun was had by all.