Barbeque Dry-Rubbed Chicken

I subscribe to Cook’s Country magazine. I love it for many reasons… the fact that it has no advertising, the fact that they give reviews of cooking tools/appliances and foods… but mostly for the awesome recipes. Their sister magazine Cook’s Illustrated is also great (I subscribe to that one, too) but I find I cook more of the recipes in Cook’s Country than the other one.

They are two magazines that I can’t wait to sit down and read when they arrive in the mailbox. And I mean read, not browse through, like I do most magazines. I find I learn something new in every single issue. So, when I got the latest issue, I couldn’t wait to dive right in. And, I found a mother lode of recipes to try this month (in fact, this week!)

Last night, we tried the Barbeque Dry-Rubbed Chicken. One word to describe it? YUM.

We love barbeque chicken. But the girls are a little picky about the “black stuff” on the chicken (also known as the caramelized barbeque sauce, which, to me, is the best part) so sometimes it is a little tricky to prepare. I was also intrigued by the fact that the recipe promised great tasting chicken – most of the time, what you taste is the barbeque sauce, not the chicken itself. The chicken is just the transport vehicle for the sauce.

I decided I had to try it.

I bought two packs of thighs and legs at the grocery store the other day. So, yesterday morning, I made up the dry rub mix. SuperMan and I decided to triple the recipe for the rub mix… once I made one batch it didn’t seem like enough. I am glad we did. We had just a tiny bit left over when the whole thing was finished and our chicken was well coated in the rub (did I say it was yummy!?! It was!!)

Recipe is below. I served it with saffron rice and steamed vegetables. I think grilled corn would be a great compliment to the rub seasonings, too. (the picture is a scan from the magazine. I didn’t think to take a picture last night.)

Oh, and I did not include the cayenne the recipe calls for. I am allergic (think swollen, puffy lips and you get the idea) to cayenne, so I left it out. Even without that kick from the cayenne, it was awesome.

Next time I think I will add a teaspoon of smoky paprika and see how that does. I love the flavor of smoky paprika and think it would add even more depth of flavor to the recipe and maybe replace the flavors from the cayenne.

And the girls’ verdict? They ate every single bite. Gotta love that!

Try it!

Cook’s Country Barbequed Dry-Rub Chicken

(serves 4-6)

3 Tbs dark brown sugar
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

3 lbs bone-in, skin on chicken pieces

Rub chicken – Combine brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, pepper, dry mustard, onion powder, salt and cayenne in small bowl. Transfer half of dry rub to shallow dish; reserve. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and coat over and under skin with remaining rub. Transfer to plate and place in refrigerator, covered, for one hour.
Grill chicken – Grill chicken (skin side down) until skin is well browned and crisp (15-20 min)
Dredge chicken – Lightly coat skin side of chicken with reserved rub and return to grill, skin side up. Continue to grill, covered, for 15-20 min (until rub has melted into a glaze)
Rest – Transfer chicken to a plate, lightly tent with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

I have to say, this was the juiciest, most flavorful barbequed chicken I have ever eaten. We will definitely be making this one again and again.

It’s Official

There are no more routines in my house.

Summer has killed them all.

I’m trying, really, I am.

I am a creature of habit. I LIKE routines. I NEED routines.

(and I’m also being attacked by a creature as I type. Scooby Cat has decided to “help” me write and is sitting on my keyboard. Help me, Rhonda.)

ANYWAY.

As I was saying…

I am a creature of habit. So are my girls. Especially Big Girl. We need our routines and schedules. It makes us happy.

However, this summer, all semblances of routines seem to be going out the window. I don’t know why. I don’t know who is the culprit. Whomever it is, they have been very, very sneaky about it. We’re halfway through summer and I just realized it. And, now, I’m not sure what to do about it. Or, if I even care!

You see, SuperMan’s job is one where he works 10-hour days. Which means he doesn’t get home until late in the evening – well, sorta late, anyway. Add to that the fact that I work from home and my work schedule is pretty much what I make it. I start when I want and finish when I need to quit. Usually, that’s around 7:30 AM and 5:30PM… but some days it’s earlier or later, depending on what’s going on.

The girls have gotten into a routine of sleeping “late” (well, what I consider late for them, anyway, given that they used to wake at 6:30 even on weekends) and lazing around the house in the mornings. Some days, breakfast isn’t until 10AM. Lunch? Well, that might not happen until 2PM.

And dinner? Well, that one is really a mess. With SuperMan’s late schedule and the fact that the monkeys feel like the ABSOLUTELY MUST go to the pool EVERY SINGLE AFTERNOON dinner has been, ahem, a bit delayed this summer. Last night we didn’t eat until 9PM (gasp!) but most nights it’s closer to 7 when we eat.

This is unheard of in my house. We have always had lunch at noon, dinner around 5:30 and bath/bedtimes started around 7:30. That was how my grandma did it and if it was good enough for her, it is certainly good enough for me. Dinner at 9PM? Really? Yeah, last night was seriously outside of my comfort zone. I had to keep reminding myself it was more important to get everyone fed than freak out because it was so late.

It’s summer. Who cares?

Which leads me back to my original point.

Summertime has killed my routines.

And while on the inside I’m cringing because the kids are eating at weird hours, there is no such thing as “bedtime” and I can’t tell you what we are doing at any particular time on any particular day (until we are in that moment) I’m trying really hard to embrace the spontaneity of the season. The girls are older now, they seem to be handling it well. No one is suffering – in fact, I think they secretly like it.

So, here’s to tossing the routines out the window and living my summer moment-by-moment.

I can still hear August’s murmurs in my ears… “what about back-to-school schedules? what about sleep patterns?”

Well, August, you can just be quiet for now. I’ll worry about you when you get here.

Memories of Summer

I was talking with my mother the other day about how much I wanted to get some vegetables and/or fruit and do some canning this summer. Or maybe even make jelly or pickles.

I know it sounds crazy to want to spend hours in a hot kitchen putting up food the “old fashioned” way when I can just pop on down to my local Publix and find most everything I can ever wish for at any time of the year.

But, for me, it’s not just about the food preservation. It’s about preserving traditions and reliving the memories of my childhood.

I remember spending the night at my grandmother’s house and waking in the steamy early morning to drive to pick up bushels of fresh corn, peaches, or whatever. We’d go home and wash and clean the produce and then start the canning process. I remember one summer I shucked so many ears of corn I was sure there was no more corn left in the state that hadn’t passed through my hands.

I also remember making pickles. That was something my mom, grandma and I would do. The kitchen would be so hot – Grandma didn’t have air conditioning – and we’d be working over that hot, steamy canning pot. I loved to watch the jars as they were boiling in the pot. And I loved to add the spices to the cucumber brine and smell the pungent aroma as everything came together.

Then came the ladling of the pickles into the jars. It was my job to clean the tops of the jars and add the rings and tops. I loved flirting with danger as I gently dropped the lids onto the hot jars.

Another one of my favorite jobs was when we made jelly. We usually made grape jelly because my grandfather had scuppernongs growing in the garden. I loved walking under the vines, looking for just the perfect, plump, juicy grape and popping it into my mouth. We made jelly with the grapes, and wine, too. I’m not sure which process I liked the best.

I wasn’t as involved in the jelly making process, simply because the hot jelly is somewhat akin to molten lava. I think Mom and Grandma were worried I’d get burned. But I did love melting the wax that we’d pour over the hot jelly to seal the jars. Once it started to cool and get opaque, I’d sneak into the kitchen and stick my fingers into the wax, marking them with my own personal seal, I thought.

My grandparents had a “pump room” on the back of their house. It housed their water heater and shelves upon shelves of canned vegetables, fruits, etc. I loved to walk in there with Grandma. It smelled musty and was always cool, but it was like walking into a cave of treasures. I would look at the jars lined up neatly on the shelves and remember the previous summer when I’d helped to put the vegetables up for the year. I can still smell the musty dampness even today.

I wish my grandma was still here today to help me teach my girls the almost-lost art of canning. Those are memories I will cherish forever, in spite of the heat, the burns, and the messes we had to clean. I loved those hours I spent in the kitchen with Grandma.

Simple Woman’s Daybook, 30-June

Closing out June with a Daybook entry. You can add yours, too, by hopping over to The Simple Woman’s Daybook and leaving your link.

Outside my window… our flag blows in the breeze as it hangs from our front porch. Everything is green and renewed after the recent rainstorms we have had.

I am thinking… about what to do this weekend. SuperMan has a four-day weekend. I am considering taking Friday off work as well, but would like to have something fun planned if I’m going to take the day off.

I am thankful for… my girls and the fact that they play so nicely together (most of the time) while I am working. I enjoy having them with me this summer and am so grateful for being able to work from home.

From the kitchen…SuperMan is planning kabobs on the grill tonight. I made cookies for the girls today.

I am wearing… one of only two pairs of pants that still fits me and my current favorite shirt.

I am creating… nothing right now. I have the desire, but not the gumption.

I am going…to take the girls to the fireworks on Friday night (unless we come up with some better plans)

I am reading…Eat, Pray, Love

I am hoping…that my mom and stepdad stop by for a visit while they are “up north”

I am hearing… my girls playing in the living room. I think they have turned it into a “gym” and are doing exercises together.

One of my favorite things…chocolate chip cookies hot out of the oven.

What I’ve been up to…

I guess you figured out by my lack of posts last week that I actually DID get called to serve on a jury. So much for wishful thinking that I’d be deemed unacceptable and cast aside. It was a small consolation that, on Thursday afternoon, I saw a number of the folks who had been rejected on Monday standing in line at the security checkpoint – with juror badges on. It seemed they had been recalled and selected for other juries later in the week. So, they didn’t escape, either. There was some weird satisfaction in that. I was almost done and they had just begun.

I think it was inevitable that I was selected for a jury. Not that I particularly wanted to serve on the jury, but that it was my time. I’ve lived here almost 20 years, been a registered voter for longer than that, and NEVER have served on a jury. I think it was about time my number came up. Now, if I can only escape the responsibility for another 20 years… that would be awesome, but probably not very likely.

Actually, my case was pretty interesting and involved “Imminent Domain” – where a public organization (the government or a utility) seizes land in order to provide some service or upgrades for the “greater good” of the community. In our state, they are required to pay “just and adequate compensation.” The dispute arose around what that “just and adequate compensation” was going to be.

There was lots of testimony from appraisers and the like telling us what the value of the property was “before the taking” and “after the taking” (I just loved all the legal jargon – it was like learning to speak a foreign language in 30 seconds or less) While that part was pretty mind-numbing, the actual deliberation was not. THAT was where it got interesting.

Our justice system is based on a person’s ability to find justice based on decisions of their “peers.” That’s why the jury selection process is supposed to be random and without prejudice (notice I said “supposed to” – I’m still reconciling the fact that then they let the attorneys “strike” people from the jury pool that they think are not suitable to their case – seems like we then undo the randomness, but anyway…)

What was interesting was that I thought the case was very cut and dried. Easy decision. We’ll be done quickly and on our way home.

NOT.

We were not allowed to discuss the case at all during the trial. Only once we got to deliberation. I was shocked to find (ha ha ha) that not everyone felt the same way I did. Really? Uh, why not?

So, there we were, reading through all this evidence, arguing minutiae and discussing whether or not this person “deserved” the money we were going to award to him.

Sigh.

At one point, I was convinced that I would not, under any circumstances, change my position. I had the right answer and the rest of those goofballs were wrong…

But, sitting in a tiny, freezing cold conference room for hours on end, discussing (and I use that word loosely – the bailiff said we were the noisiest jury she had had in a long time) the case, I began to think I’d be willing to agree to anything if they would JUST LET ME OUT OF HERE.

In the end, we came to a compromise. I wasn’t thrilled with what we decided but I WAS thrilled with the fact that we were done.

Now? I’m just happy to get back to my life and my routines. (and regular blog postings)

Let’s just hope my number doesn’t come up again for a good long time.

Doing my civic duty

I have jury duty this week. No telling what the week will be like, but I do know that it has certainly turned my week's plans upside down!

I have lots to share – we had a busy, fun weekend. But that will have to wait until this evening. Hopefully, I can get back online and post some photos from our fun.

Happy Monday everyone!

I’m a great writer…

I’m a fantastic writer… simply awesome…

when I’m sleeping.

Or, rather, when I am just falling asleep or just waking up.

I write some of my best blog posts then.

I think it is because my brain is free of other distractions (read: kids, laundry, work, bills, dogs, cats, etc.) and free to be creative.

Unfortunately, I haven’t (yet) figured out how to get these simply fabulous blog posts out of my brain and into the computer without getting out of the bed. It would be so nice if there was a wireless port I could attach my brain to and just hit “send” in my mind and the posts would magically appear on my laptop the next day. (sigh)

So, I hate to inform you, but you have missed out on some really awesome blog posts this week.

I have written them (many times) in my mind – just as I am drifting off to sleep or just waking up.

The really sad part is that I completely and totally forget what I was going to say by the time I make it downstairs and sit at my computer.

(sigh, again)

I think tonight I may take a notebook upstairs and at least jot some things down.

Hopefully SuperMan won’t mind too much. He’s usually zonked pretty quickly (this heat is killing him) and probably won’t even notice.

So, stay tuned. You just might witness some awesomeness later this week.

If I can stay awake. 😉

Starting the Process

This is installment #3 in my story. Follow the links here if you missed Part 1 and 2.

Once I realized it was time to do something, my brain really never let go of the idea of bariatric surgery. I started pestering my friends with questions, doing research online, and thinking seriously about whether or not I was really ready to do something as drastic as surgically rearranging my body to lose weight.

I spent most of the Christmas holiday thinking about it.

And I woke up one morning and decided if I didn’t at least investigate things I would always wonder “What if…” (and I absolutely hate that feeling)

So, the first week of January – as soon as the kids were back in school and life had returned to “normal,” – I was on my way. I started checking out surgeons’ websites and researching their histories and records. I made plans to attend several information sessions.

The first information session I attended was absolutely packed with people. I guess a lot of people had New Year’s resolutions and were there for the same reasons as I was. I was shocked at the number of people who showed up. I guess a part of me thought that there weren’t that many obese people like me. (why I would think that I have no idea)

I was also very surprised to see that most people were way bigger than I was. I had several thoughts when I realized that fact. The first was that I felt bad for them – I knew how bad I felt physically. I couldn’t imagine what it must be like to be even heavier than I was – how that must feel physically and the challenges they must face on a daily basis. My second thought was something like “Do I really need to be here?” Finally, I felt a little relief to see that I was not alone. In a perverse way, it was comforting to see so many people and know that they were all here for the same reason I was – they had had enough and were ready to make a change.

I was like an eager student, waiting for the seminar to start. I had my pen and notebook ready and had jotted down several questions that I wanted to be sure I had answers to. There were ladies handing out information packets and I quickly devoured the contents, reading all the information related to their surgery practice and the hospital.

When the session finally started, I was disappointed to see we were going to watch a video first, not hear from a live person. While the video was very informative and interesting, I couldn’t wait to talk to the surgeon and listen to what he had to say about the surgery options available. This particular surgeon focused mostly on gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y) and the Lap-Band-type surgeries. There was a third option discussed (a gastric sleeve) but they made it sound like that was for the seriously obese person. (but, seriously, if you are obese, it’s serious! no matter how big or little you are. but I digress)

Finally, the surgeon came up and started to do his thing. The very first thing I noticed about him was that he seemed like he didn’t really want to be there. Now, granted, it was eight at night and he’d probably worked a long day, but this was his lead-generating program. I felt like he should be thrilled to be in a room with forty-something overweight people who were most likely all desperately looking for someone to help them.

He answered people’s questions, gave them the information they were seeking… but what I started to realize was that he really seemed to be patronizing us. Acting as if we were, I don’t know, stupid or something. It wasn’t any particular statement – just more of an overall attitude that he had. I know that surgeons generally think they are gods, but this was the first time I had experienced it first-hand. How and why would anyone act that way to someone? Especially these people in this room, who obviously had self-esteem issues and were desperately looking for solutions to a life-threatening problem?

It left a bad taste in my mouth. I wasn’t sure how I wanted to proceed. There are plenty of fish in the sea and surgeons in town, and I decided I would give this one a chance, but definitely see what else was out there.

In the weeks that followed, my initial reaction was proven to be true. This was one of those surgeon’s office who made you jump through hoops to get a surgery scheduled. Some surgeons will make you go through all sorts of “evaluations” (psychological, nutritional, etc.) before they will even meet with you for a consult. Some require less.

I had already done my homework and knew what my insurance required. Which, thankfully, wasn’t very much. Just a letter from my primary-care physician stating the medical necessity of bariatric surgery and my history of weight-related issues.

The surgeon’s office tried to tell me I needed a psychological evaluation, to meet with a nutritionist, a stress-test, and all sorts of other stuff. They told me I had to have six months of recorded, medically supervised weight loss efforts. That alone meant that the earliest I could hope for surgery was six months out. They told me this was all an insurance requirement, not the doctor’s.

I was furious. I told the surgeon’s assistant that none of this was required by my insurance – that I had already spoken to them and had received the details of what was required – and none of that was. They stubbornly stuck to their guns and I told them I would be finding another practice to work with.

<next, Finding My Surgeon>

The Bachelorette – what were they thinking?

I will preface the rest of this post with the disclaimer that I am 2 episodes behind (thank goodness for TiVo) and my observations are based on the first three episodes.

But then I will follow that with saying I may not make it past the first three episodes!

Goodness gracious, what in the heck were they thinking when they cast this season of The Bachelorette?

I probably shouldn’t even admit I watch the stupid show. And, stupid it definitely is this season. I mean, all seasons are pretty scripted, predictable and a little lame. But I’ve been hooked nonetheless (here’s my confession about a former season) I admit I jumped ship during Matt Grant’s season. It was just to obviously a grab at fame and fortune for him (well, that and all the *ahem* he could get while on the show)

However, they might have finally run me off this time around. And not because of the obvious fame whores (and there are a few) but because of the absolutely LAME group of bachelors they have. Not only are they dorky looking (for the most part – or maybe I’m just old?) but they are almost caricatures of the “typical” bachelor crew that is cast.

I mean, you always know there is going to be the “bad guy,” the “lonely heart,” the “crazy,” etc. But this season it seems like the guys are taking their roles just at little.bit.too.seriously. I keep watching hoping that it’s going to get better but so far it has not.

Have you watched up to the last episode (yesterday) – what did you think? Is it getting better?

There are two guys I think are decent, although a little comic-book-knight-in-shining-armor-ish (yes, that is a word – in my dictionary!)

Roberto – he’s cute (needs work on his eyebrows) and seems genuine enough. He and Ali seemed like they hit it off well on their one-on-one dates. If history is the clue here, he may end up being one of the final two…whomever has those “high risk” dates always seems to end up as one of the final two. We will see.

However, Ali’s comment about wondering if he thinks she is cute enough for him? Seriously? She is a teensy-tiny bit insecure, isn’t she? If I was Roberto, I’d be insulted by that comment – that implies that he thinks looks are everything. Oh. Wait. He’s a man. … Never mind.

and then there is

Chris L. – he’s cute, too, and he is cute when he gets all giddy about spending time with Ali. Will be interesting to see if she finds him worth spending time with or if she thinks he is too nice. He might be too tame for her. I don’t see much spark in him. Nice guys are GREAT to be married to (I am particularly partial to my nice guy, SuperMan) but they don’t usually win the race against a bad-boy (see Jillian’s season for a prime example)

Other than that, not too many of the guys stand out to me. They are all pretty vanilla-ish.

Well, except for the Weatherman. And all I can say about him is – he is cast on the wrong show. I think they meant to cast him on the Bachelor (and not AS the Bachelor, if you get my meaning)

ahem.

Let me wind up this rather long-winded and rambling post by making one more snarky comment – What is up with Ali’s speech? She is all mumbly and whiny sounding when she talks. If I were a guy, she wouldn’t be someone I would be running after… heck, I don’t know how they understand what she is saying half the time.

Sigh.

This is going to be a long season (if I make it that long) – unless we get “The most dramatic Rose Ceremony EVER” soon, I may die of boredom.

What do you think? Are you a Bachelorette watcher? Do you care? Or, did you just humor me and read this far hoping I’d change the subject soon?

Not Me Monday

This Monday, I did NOT:

take my kids out to lunch again because I’m too lazy to fix them something at home to eat.
wish it would rain so I don’t have to take the kids to the pool again today (and swelter in the heat while they swim)
eat some crème brulee and bread pudding on Saturday night (no one saw me so it doesn’t count, right?)
keep walking AROUND the piles of laundry that need to be put away – without doing anything about it.

Join in the fun! What did you NOT do today?

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