Bacon Glazed Chicken

We only eat chicken once in a while.  To learn why, see my previous post, Roast Chicken with Carmelized Shallots, delish, by the way.

Jan's Sushi Bar

When I came across this recipe from Jan's Sushi Bar, I couldn't resist.  We do love bacon!

Ingredients:

• 1 whole organic, free-range chicken, cut up or about 8 of your favorite pieces, we use Rosie Organic Chicken
• 1/4 cup melted, high-quality bacon fat, we use Applegate Sunday Bacon
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350˚F.
• Place rinsed, patted dry chicken pieces in a baking dish.  
• Mix together syrup, cayenne, salt, and pepper.  Sprinkle over all the chicken pieces.  
• Drizzle melted bacon fat over pieces and rub into skin.
• Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
• Allow to stand 5 minutes before serving.

Firecracker Pops

Happy 4th of July!  Today brings out some fun and yummy red, white, and blue themed treats.  This one is no exception.

Everyday Food, July/August 2010

Ingredients:

1/2 pound strawberries, hulled
1/2 pound blueberries (we used blackberries because our daughter doesn't like blueberries)
1 1/4 cup organic, whole milk, vanilla yogurt (we used Strauss)

Directions:

• In a food processor, puree strawberries.  Transfer to a small bowl.
• Next, puree blueberries.  Transfer to a small bowl.
• Pour the 3 mixtures, alternating, into 3-ounce popsicle molds, making 3-5 layers each.
• With a skewer or thin-bladed knife, swirl mixtures together in an up-and-down motion.
• Insert popsicle sticks and freeze until solid, about 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

Note: for a smooth consistency with these super seeded berries, you may want to press them through a sieve.

Cucumber and Lime Spritzers

 Yunhee Kim

I love summer!  And in the heat you want something cold and refreshing to drink.  This will hit the spot and BONUS you can turn each glass into a cocktail, if you want to be adventurous.

2 liter bottle club soda

1/4 cup fresh lime juice, +/- to taste

about 15 thin slices of cucumber

In a pitcher, combine club soda, lime juice, and cucumber.  Serve over ice.

Adult version:
Add in 2oz gin, vodka, cucumber vodka, lime vodka...

Cucumber Salad

Photo: Kaylyn's Kitchen

What do you do with the abundance of cucumbers growing in your garden or, as in my case, your husband brings home beautiful, giant cucumbers from the farmer's market?

You make cucumber salad!  Thanks to Kaylyn's Kitchen for this delicious recipe. Makes 2 generous servings or 4 side-dish servings.

Ingredients:

• 3 cucumbers, peeled
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 avocado
• 1 T apple cider vinegar 
• sea salt and ground black pepper to taste
• gorgonzola or feta cheese, optional if you can tolerate dairy

Directions:

1. Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise then slice into half-moons.  
2. Peel and cut up the avocado into small cubes.
3. Combine the cucumber, tomato, onion, avocado, and vinegar in a bowl and gently toss together.  
4. Add in gorgonzola cheese and combine.  
5. Season to taste with sea salt and fresh-ground black pepper. 

Mocha

Have you tried butter in your coffee yet?  Well, it's definitely worth a go.  For its nutritional benefits, max energy, and weight loss check out my original post here.

Now, if you've tried it, like it, drink it, here's a yummy treat for you to try.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons or more of Kerrygold or other UNSALTED, grass-fed butter 
• 2 tablespoons of MCT oi, we use Life Enhancement
• 2 tablespoons of organic cacao powder, we use Navitas Naturals
• about 1/4 teaspoon of stevia, more or less to taste
• 1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Start with 2 mugs of good black coffee, we like Portola Coffee Lab
2. In a small saucepan melt together all ingredients, except coffee
3. Blend coffee and butter mixture in counter-top blender until there is a creamy head of foam

Enjoy!!

Baked Onion Rings

I was craving onion rings!  My husband bought a giant sweet onion at our local farmer's market and I couldn't wait to use it.  Thanks to my friend, Heather, for the inspiration to start putting turmeric* in everything - almost!  These tasty bites are a delicious addition to our Friday burger night.  Here's my version of Delighted Momma's baked thyme onion rings.

Ingredients:

2 large sweet onions
1 1/2 cups almond meal
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt & pepper to taste
2 eggs, beaten

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400˚F.
• Slice onions 
• Mix together the dry ingredients
• Dip each onion ring into eggs then almond meal
• Bake on parchment paper lined baking sheets for about 20 minutes or until golden brown

*There are plenty of health benefits for using turmeric and putting it into everything possible.  I started using it for its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.

Innocent Bananas Foster

I surprised my family and made this for dessert last night.  As I'm writing this I realize we've been having quite a bit of desserts lately.  Time to cut back to weekends only.  We'll definitely keep this one in the rotation.  Thanks to The Crohn's Journey Foundation for the great recipe.

Photo: Sarah Choueiry

Ingredients:

2 bananas, peeled and sliced into 1/4" chunks
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 tablespoons raw honey
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, more or less to taste
vanilla ice cream we like Julie's Organic Vanilla and Strauss Organic Vanilla Bean

Directions:

• Heat coconut oil in a skillet
• Add banana slices and cook until browned, about 7 minutes
• Meanwhile mix honey and water
• When bananas are browned add honey
• Turn heat off and sprinkle with cinnamon
• Pour over vanilla ice cream.

Serves 4