Appetizers Main Dishes

Spinach Flatbreads, Cucumber Mint Martini, and Normal People

May 26, 2025
editor
Spinach Flatbreads are paired with 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney and a refreshing Cucumber Mint Martini for an exceptional culinary and literary experience. 'Normal People' provides an introspective look into the complexities of human relationships, mirroring the balanced flavors of the flatbreads and the fresh, invigorating drink. The Cucumber Mint Martini adds a cooling contrast, enhancing the earthy richness of the Spinach Flatbreads, while engaging readers in Rooney's compelling narrative.
Spinach Flatbreads

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for sautéing)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Make the Dough: In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir in yogurt and olive oil until a dough forms. Knead briefly until smooth. Let rest for 15 minutes.
  • Prepare the Spinach: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Assemble the Flatbreads: Divide dough into small portions and roll each into a flat circle. Top with the spinach mixture and sprinkle with cheese.
  • Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake flatbreads for 10-12 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
  • Serve: Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Normal People

Normal People

Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in rural Ireland. The novel follows their relationship as they navigate the trials of growing up, moving on to Trinity College, and dealing with complex societal dynamics.
LONGLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE: A wondrously wise, genuinely unputdownable new novel from Sally Rooney, winner of the 2017 Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award (at 26, tied with Zadie Smith for the youngest-ever recipient)–the quintessential coming-of-age love story for our time. Connell Waldron is one of the most popular boys in his small-town high school–he is a star of the football team, an excellent student, and never wanting for attention from girls. The one thing he doesn't have is money. Marianne Sheridan, a classmate of Connell's, has the opposite problem. Marianne is plain-looking, odd, and stubborn, and while her family is well-off, she has no friends to speak of. There is, however, a deep and undeniable connection between the two teenagers, one that develops into a secret relationship. Everything changes when both Connell and Marianne are accepted to Trinity College. Suddenly Marianne is well-liked and elegant, holding court with her intellectual friends while Connell hangs at the sidelines, not quite as fluent in language of the elite. Throughout their years at university, Marianne and Connell circle each other, falling in and out of romance but never straying far from where they started. And as Marianne experiments with an increasingly dangerous string of boyfriends, Connell must decide how far he is willing to go to save his oldest friend. Sally Rooney brings her brilliant psychological acuity and perfectly spare prose to a novel that explores the subtleties of class, the electricity of first love, and the inescapable challenges of family and friendships. Normal People is a book that you will read in one sitting, and then immediately share with your friends.

Discussion Questions

  • How does Sally Rooney explore the theme of communication in 'Normal People'?
  • Discuss the role of social class in the relationship between Connell and Marianne.
  • How do Connell and Marianne's backgrounds shape their identities and relationships?
  • In what ways does the novel challenge or conform to traditional notions of love?
  • Analyze the use of setting in character development throughout the book.
  • How is mental health portrayed in 'Normal People', and why is it significant?
  • Discuss the impact of secondary characters on Connell and Marianne's relationship.
  • How does Sally Rooney use dialog and inner thoughts to convey unspoken conflicts?
  • What does 'Normal People' suggest about the nature of love and intimacy?
  • How does the novel address the idea of belonging and identity?
Authors: Sally Rooney
ISBN: 9780571334650
Publisher: Knopf Canada
Published Date: 2019-04-16

Cucumber Mint Martini

Cucumber Mint Martini
A refreshing and cool drink that blends the crispness of cucumber with the aromatic zest of mint, perfectly complementing the rich and savory flavors of Spinach Flatbreads.

Ingredients

Base:

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup

Garnish:

  • 3 slices cucumber
  • 5 mint leaves
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  • In a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber slices and mint leaves.
  • Add gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.
  • Fill shaker with ice, secure the lid, and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
  • Strain into a chilled martini glass.
  • Garnish with a cucumber slice and a sprig of mint.