Crispy Rice Salad with Cucumbers and Herbs is perfectly paired with the thought-provoking exploration of trust and memory in 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides, accompanied by the refreshing zing of a Mint Lime Gin Fizz.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (cooled)
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Crisp the Rice: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the cooked rice, pressing it into an even layer. Cook until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook the other side. Remove from the skillet and let cool slightly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss the crispy rice with sliced cucumbers, chopped mint, and cilantro. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped peanuts if desired, and serve immediately.
The Silent Patient
Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect; she is a famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer. Until one evening her husband returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times and then never speaks another word. Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into a mystery that captures the public imagination. Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations – a search for the truth that threatens to consume him….
**THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER** "An unforgettable—and Hollywood-bound—new thriller… A mix of Hitchcockian suspense, Agatha Christie plotting, and Greek tragedy." —Entertainment Weekly The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive. Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word. Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London. Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him….
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Alicia stopped speaking after the murder?
- How does the author use dual narratives effectively in 'The Silent Patient'?
- Discuss the role of Greek tragedy in the novel.
- In what ways does the setting influence the mood of the story?
- How do Alicia's paintings contribute to our understanding of her character?
- What are the main themes in the novel, and how are they developed?
- How does the ending of the book change your perception of the characters?
- What does 'The Silent Patient' reveal about the nature of trauma and memory?
- How does Theo's pursuit of Alicia help him explore his personal challenges?
- Discuss the novel's exploration of trust and betrayal.
Authors:
Alex Michaelides
ISBN: 1250301696
Publisher: Celadon Books
Published Date: 2019-02-05
Mint Lime Gin Fizz
The Mint Lime Gin Fizz is a refreshing cocktail that brings together the botanical notes of gin with the crisp acidity of lime and the coolness of mint. Bubbling with soda water and finished with a sweet touch of simple syrup, this drink is a perfect complement to the vibrant salad.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 5-6 fresh mint leaves
- Club soda to top
- Ice
Instructions
- Muddle the mint leaves and lime juice in a shaker.
- Add gin, simple syrup, and ice.
- Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with additional mint leaves and a lime wheel.