LEMON GRILLED CHICKEN

For the next couple of weeks, I intend to focus on grill cooking.  We don't get many days that won't entice you into a heat stroke, so enjoy while you can!

I marinated some very large Sam's chicken in a lemon pepper marinate, season with Nature's Own and Lemon and Pepper, and fresh lemon.

Served with sauteed squash and onions. 

Not my favorite chicken flavor, but it was still pretty good.

RL UPDATE:

On weekends, RL likes to play a little game with me.  It's called "find what doesn't belong". 

 Within minutes of waking up on Saturday morning, she got started with her game.  She had several challenges set up for me once I finished preparing her breakfast.  Lets all play along...

 Since I have already succeeded in these challenges, i will help you out.  A pile of diapers peppered with melatonin and nasal spray.  Summer Wieght Daniel needs to child proof additional cabinets.

Daddy's shoes.  She adores all shoes.

 The picture is not too clear, but yes that is a tampon amid the puzzle pieces.

 Milk, Ponds cold cream, lip balm, and a puzzle piece.

 I think she forgot to hide something here. This is just her typical mess.

A salad bowl.....in her closet?

Seriously, her breakfast was not a culinary work of art....

She is surely going to be some type of olympic athelete based on her swiftness in setting up these challenges!! Mama was not so swift getting it all cleaned up :)

RANCH PORK ROAST!

Let me first start off by saying that I have really enjoyed my time in the kitchen this week.  I enjoy cooking for the most part and it typically makes me happy.  However, I don't always enjoy the expectation of serving dinner.  A work day never really ends at 5:00. That time of the day simply equals the transformation over to my new job as a chef, waitress, servant, and maid.

Since the announcement of my new household guest, Summer Weight Daniel, I have stuck to my pledge of only preparing and serving dinner to myself and RL.  It has been GREAT!!  Thanks to leftovers and the Sunday crockpot, my time in the kitchen has been quick and to the point.  I have been able to spend time with RL outside as she insists on rolling an oversized exercise ball up and down the street. 

I don't know if I will ever go back.  It is a true vacation.  In all reality, it does inspire me to check into the concept of Once a Month cooking.  Complete meals already prepared on a weekday?? Worth exploring....

On to the food - this is simple and was actually really good.

Place a pork roast in the crockpot.  If you shop the brookshire sales, you should definately have one hanging out in your freezer.  Pour in liquid (I use chicken broth) until it reaches the roast about midway.  Cover the roast with a package of ranch seasoning (the kind you use to make dip).  Cook on low for 8 hours.

I added some baby carrots!

It can also be transformed into a sandwich.  I needed to use a bell pepper so I sauteed it with some onions and zuchinni.  I used butter and Italian dressing.

This roast was a great and easy decision to carry me through the week.  This will be repeated quite often in the Emory household.  I feel as though I may become addicted to easy.  There could be worse things in life :)

RL CHECK IN!!

We gave her the diaper derby box to practice pulling things around the house.  She decided to pull it with her mouth?  She is currently obsessed with carrying things in her mouth....golf balls, sippy cup, shoes...anything that will fit.

And a bonus.....

CHICKEN SPAGHETTI!

There has been a major modification in the E household.  This is life-altering…..a truly significant event that will change the way I live for many days to come.

It is time for D to transition to his “summer weight” personality!! Dramatic, I know.  Summer weight D is extremely annoying.  He is tremendously judgemental of the food I prepare and to the same foods he once scored 9s and 10s.  How can he turn his back on such meals that left him so satisfied?? I don’t know…….I don’t understand.  I could never turn away.  However, I also carry my “winter weight” year round. 

He has requested that I clear all meals with him prior to preparation.  I promptly responded with a polite decline.  Maybe it wasn’t so polite or dignified but the results were still the same.  That is a big fat negative.  “Summer weight” D (SWD) is flying solo for a while!!  No more fully prepared meals, no more beautiful presentations, no more sit down and let me serve you.

Maybe SWD isn’t so annoying after all???

Here are a always in my back pocket recipe to share:

Chicken Spaghetti:

Boil Spaghetti Noodles – some of my “followerers” must have the obvious stated

Spread cooked noodles in a casserole dish.  Add drained sweet peas, undrained rotel, velveta cheese cut into cubes, and shredded chicken.

Depending on my timeframe , I will either put chicken breast in the crockpot to shred or I will use canned chicken….dont be scared it taste the same!

I spread salt, pepper, and tobacco sauce (lightly) across the top.  This is a personal preference and it is yummy!

Add lots and lots of shredded cheese on top and cook at 350 for about 30 minutes.

I have no pictures today due to posting on the fly.  :(

PORK TIPS

Okay...I know that I am way way behind on posting.  I am actually way behind in life. The name of the new game of life is survival and possibly check at least two things off of my to do list a day.  Sometimes I succeed sometimes I go down in flames.
I have stayed on track with my directive play activities with RL.  They have gotten less ambitious, but she doesnt seem to mind.

My pinterest challenge has failed.  We will try to pick that up again another day.

On to the food.

I picked up this pork stew meat because it had a yellow sticker on it!  I had never used it or had any plans for it other than I could not pass up a "good deal".

 I decided to make it like a beef tips kind of meal.  I cooked it in a skillet and seasoned with Natures Own, Pepper, Toni's, and Worch.  You will have to figure out that last season, I have no idea how to spell it and I do not feel like getting up to find out. :)

 I added some chopped onions and bell peppers.

 I served over potatoes because I  needed to use them, but would be great over rice as well.  I added gravy from a little packet and ketchup.  I also had a can of tomatoes and okra that worked well.

Results:

1) D actually gave this a 9!  I thought it would be just a simple and easy,  but nothing spectacular meal.  He thought it was amazing!! I guess it's the whole meat and potatoes man thing.

2) She actually really liked the pork!

3) I thought it was great!  I am not a huge pork fan, but this meat was extremely tender and not at all like regular stew meat.  For the quick and easy factor, I am going to give it a 9 as well!

What is RL up to, you ask?  Just chillin like a big girl at her picnic table!

Harper, of course, is right beside her waiting on some mishandling of the snacks so that he can quickly clean it up for us.  He is such a big boy helper!!