Roast Lemon Chicken

Growing up I always had baked chicken that was dry!!! Yuck!!! A few years ago I purchased a Greek cookbook and their recipe for roasting chicken was simple and the results delicious!!! Of course, I had elaborated on the original recipe. You can use the leftovers for curry chicken salad, which is going to be the next recipe. I always bake two chickens, one just for my curry chicken salad and one for us to enjoy!!!

Ingredients:
Two roasting chickens
2tbl of Greek Seasoning (I use Cavenders greek seasoning)
Four sprigs of fresh thyme
2tbls of EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
Pepper
Four lemons squeezed, juice set aside

Clean chicken and safe the bag that comes inside the chickens and set aside (I use the bag for a great base for broths and for my chicken and dumplings)

Rub seasonings over both chickens and rub the EVOO all over the chickens, also squeeze the lemon juice all over the chickens

Stuff the cavity with the lemon halves and thyme

Bake at 375f for an hour and a half, or depending on the pounds, maybe shorter. Read the directions on the back of the chicken package

Remove from heat and the let the meat set for at least 15-20 minutes!!! You don't want the juices running out when you cut into it!!!

Slice and serve.

Now, you can tie the wings behind the chicken to get a more even cooking time. I will be providing directions later on tying up chickens and turkeys.

Hello!!!

I decided to update my blog in the middle of the week!!! I am celebrating new beginnings and I am excited about the changes to come!!! Not to mention I have quite a busy weekend with my huge Easter dinner!!!

Minted fruit salad

I first made this for my big 35th birthday bash. It was hot that day and this fruit salad was a hit!!!!
This fruit salad is kid friendly as the orange liquor doesn't overpower the fruit.Use any fruit combination you like. Once you have had this delicious salad, this will become your go-to side dish for barbecues. Enjoy!!!!

Five kiwis
4 plums
3 bananas
1 pint of strawberries
2 pints of blueberries
2 mangoes
Maraschino cherries
4 springs of mint bruised
2tsp of honey or more to taste
4tsp of orange liquor
2 oranges

Clean and cut fruit. Place in bowl.
Slice bananas and squeeze the orange juice over them. That will keep it from getting brown.
Once bananas are covered with the orange juice, mix it with the rest of the fruit. Pour the orange liquor over the fruit and mix well. Drizzle with the honey and mint and stir. Enjoy!!!!

Adult Lemonade

I had company over the other day and I always try to have a signature cocktail to enjoy. The lemon and mint with just enough good quality vanilla vodka takes this drink over the top. Make a batch of this at your next get together and watch it disappear.

Adult Lemonade
15 lemons
Sugar to taste
Water
2 quart juice container
1 pint of strawberries
4 sprigs of mint
Good quality cold vanilla vodka (put in the freezer)

Roll lemons until soft or microwave two at a time for 35 seconds. This helps to get them juicy.
Squeeze the lemon juice from the lemons into the 2 quart container.
Slice strawberries and add to the lemon juice in the container.
Add cold water to the container, not filling it up all the way.
Add sugar to taste.
Pour vanilla vodka into container and stir.
Bruise the mint by crushing it with your fingers and add into container.
Add slices of lemon as garnish and enjoy!!!

You can get creative with this lemonade drink by adding frozen peaches or other stone fruit. Also for the sugar you can use superfine sugar or mint infused simple syrup. For mint infused simple syrup the directions are as follows:

2ups of sugar
2cups of water
4 sprigs of mint bruised

Bring sugar and water and bruised mint to a boil. Let mixture boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Let cool and store in a container in the refrigerator. Simple syrup can be stored indefinitely, but it won't stay around long.

Sundays

Hello!!!! Sundays are my days to cook and get ready for the upcoming week. I normally spend my whole Sunday baking and cooking!!!! There is nothing like the smell of cookies baking or a chicken roasting in the oven. I have some new and tasty recipes that I hope that you enjoy as much as my family does.

Kicked up Shirley Temple

I had some left over maraschino cherry juice not wanting to waste it. I had an epiphany!!! Why not make it into an alcoholic treat? I had some vodka in the freezer and ginger ale in the fridge. I love it when a recipe comes together!!!

Kicked up Shirley Temple
2tsp of grenadine
3tsp of maraschino cherry juice
lots of ice
glass full of ginger ale
vodka (add as much as you like)

Put ice in glass. Add grenadine, ginger ale, and vodka. Top with the cherry juice and decorate with a cherry. YUM.

Oatmeal cookies

I love oatmeal cookies!! And with oatmeal cookies you can be creative by adding dried cranberries along with the raisins and chocolate chips!!! Bake a batch of these and watch them disappear :)

Oatmeal cookies

2 sticks of butter
1 cup of white sugar
1 cup of brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp of vanilla
2cups of self rising flour
3cups of uncooked oatmeal
1cup of raisins
1tsp of cinnamon

Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed until fluffy.
Add eggs, beating until blended. Gradually add flour and cinnamon, beating at low speed until blended.
Stir in oats, raisins. Cover and chill for at least 8 hours.
Divide dough into 2 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 12-inch log.
Cut each log into 1 inch thick slices. Place the slices on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake at 400f for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack.

Oatmeal is good and hearty. I was raised on cream of wheat but now have tremendous respect for oatmeal. With this recipe I actually take it up a notch and I hope that you enjoy it as much as my family does!!!!

Morning oatmeal:
1 1/2 cups of oatmeal
2 cups of milk or water
2boxes of raisins (more if you like)
2tsp of cinnamon (more to taste if you like)
2 slices of butter
1/2 cup of brown sugar (or less to taste. Malik likes it super sweet)

Directions:

Follow box directions for making the oatmeal. Instead of using water, use milk.
Once oatmeal is made add the raisins, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. Enjoy with toast and orange juice. You can be creative and bake this mixture with blueberries @350 f for 30 minutes until nice and firm.

Hey everyone!!!! What a dreary weekend this has been!!! I have decided to update my blog with new delicious recipes. Enjoy!!!!!