Monday, September 23, 2013

Healthy Chicken with Leeks Tomatoes and Olives


What a beautiful weekend in Sydney weather wise.  Mr Beach House took me out for dinner too....Complete bonus.  It is on these occasions, I remember why I married him. He is very funny and engaging when he is not worrying about work, or lounging about the house reading the newspaper.  We walked into the restaurant separately, but left arm in arm.  It is always a revelation to me and I think yes, that will do me for another 6 months.

Weirdly but honestly, I think if we did dinner out without the kids more often, the gloss may come off.

Infact it was such an occasion, that I decided to coordinate a much over do make over of my hair this weekend.  Here's what my fabulous new hair dresser came up with.


I love it, but I grant you, it is unlikely to ever look this good again.  At least until I visit her again anyway.

Oh and that is me without make up, except lippy, but what the heck.

I also visited that fabulous waterfront in Palm Beach, I reported on here.

Absolutely to die for and the kids had us buying it within minutes, but with bidding to start at $3.5 million,  we are out before we start.  However, I love to visit these places and linger a little longer, imagining what might be if that lottery win came through.  Take a look around and I'll meet you further down with an easy and deliciously doable recipe.  It's a good one for the weekly meal planner.















Chicken with Leeks Tomatoes and Olives
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1.5kg Chicken cut into 8 pieces or 8 chicken pieces of your choice
2 leeks trimmed and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic crushed
1/2 cup rose or white wine
400g can diced tomatoes
250g/1 cup large cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup black olives
Good handful parsley chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

You will need a covered cooking pan for this recipe

Heat the oil in a large fry pan , 

Cook chicken in batches over a medium heat until browned.  Transfer to a resting plate.

Add leeks to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

Add wine and allow a minute to deglaze

Add chicken, tomatoes and olives and stir to combine.

Cover and bring to the boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.  Remove lid and simmer for a further 15-20 minutes to reduce the sauce a little.

Stir through parsley and lemon juice and season to taste.

Serve with mashed vegetables and or crusty bread.

And of course some beautifully chilled rose


Have a fabulous week Beach Dwellers.  Many of you will be on school holidays here in Australia, so I hope you enjoy them.  If you are in Sydney and fancy a day out on the Northern Beaches here are some enjoyable and cost effective ideas for you.

If you would like some more easy meals to get you through the next 2 weeks go here.

If you have not yet entered my IKEA gift voucher giveaway, you can do so here.


If you would like Desire Empire posts to come straight to your inbox every ten days or so, you can sign up here for my Newsletter.

Today I am linked up here

13 comments :

  1. The chicken sound so yummy - I am going to try it. Glad you had a terrific dinner with your Mr.
    Mary

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  2. That haircut is fabulous on you! And as always, your photos are stunning. Glad to see you're blogging again.

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  3. Looks yummy!
    Love that table- great industrial look!
    Hubby and I are going out tonight sans kids- can't wait!

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  4. Your dish looks terrific and I have some olives I have been waiting to use! Yay!

    This is a beautiful home and well worth the price. Alas, the average person couldn't afford it but it's nice to dream!

    I love your hair style. No pro myself but a lot of "trying in my experience...I would suggest you apply some mousse foam through your hair...bend over (no joke) and dry your hair upside down for fullness. Stand upright when dry, spray fingers with hair spray and run them through your hair from roots to ends in the direction you want your hair to go. Then spray all over. Let me know how it turns out. It is such a cute cut for you and I think you look fantastic with just a touch of lipstick. Lucky hubby will want to take you out more and there will always be that "gloss!!

    XO,
    Jane (your beauty stylist...and quite amateurish!!)

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  5. Love your new hair cut - it looks fabulous! I've been sporting the same do for more than 20yrs (time for a change I think!) xx

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  6. Love the new do. Am going to try that chicken dish. I'm salivating.

    xx

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  7. Your new hair cut looks great, I know what you mean I can never get my hair looking as good as the hairdressers do! You are all set for summer and more hot dates with the hubby ... although not too many ;)

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  8. I love your new hairdo!AriadnefromGreece!

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  9. Your food always looks so delicious in your photographs. The first shot of the beach house and the gorgeous white chandelier blew me away. By the way you look great with the new hair cut. In my opinion I think you look younger. I don't recall you're old to begin with.

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  10. Wow Carolyn, you look gorgeous! Does your hairdresser want to relocate to Brissy?? ;-)) It looks seriously good, and really suits. mwah Hx

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  11. YOur hair looks fabulous. I love it and wow, I sure don't look like that without makeup. Gorgeous. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  12. That house really is rather fabulous. And I don't know how you stay slim when you cook such delicious food!

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