Small batch Zesty Chicken Rigatoni

Small batch Zesty Chicken Rigatoni

Zesty Chicken Rigatoni with Broccoli. This began as a left-over meal for a cold, rainy Spring evening. I was inspired to do something Italian. But then it turned out to be a wonderful meal that I wanted to write-up to include on my food blog. My goal was to make a micro-sauce. Usually my ‘one can’ sauce is a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes. Tonight I worked off a 16 oz can of tomato sauce. A portion for 2 meals. I’m using leftover Tandoori chicken, but any or no chicken is fine. For this I used the meat of one chicken thigh. You could throw in some chicken (my usual style) into the onions before adding the garlic. Even a cup of ground chicken would be enough. This is a small sauce batch. Heat up a tablespoon of olive oil, toss in a some diced...

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken

Dinner tonight is my take (and my first attempt) at Tandoori Chicken. Lacking a Tandoor, I cooked it on my grill. It was actually a very simple meal. You work up your marinade in a couple minutes, skin and toss in the chicken (I used leg quarters), marinade overnight if you can (I did 3 hours) and grill. I think pan frying in cast iron and finishing in the oven would be good too. I served mine with sliced cucumbers in a tzatziki sauce. MARINADE INGREDIENTS: Dinner tonight is my take (and my first attempt) at Tandoori Chicken. Lacking a Tandoor, I cooked it on my grill. It was actually a very simple meal. You work up your marinade in a couple minutes, skin and toss in the chicken (I used leg quarters), marinade overnight if you can (I did 3 hours) and grill. I...

Gotta love a good Saturday

Gotta love a good Saturday

At Backporch Vineyard, March 11, 2023 A slightly damp Chase The Dog striking his HeroPose™ at the Backporch Vineyard today. After a wonderful hike at the George Washington’s Birthplace this morning, we head a few miles up King’s Highway to the Vineyard, knowing the Fire Escape Grille would have their food truck there. The food truck will soon have a brick-and-mortal restaurant in Colonial Beach (May) and I wanted to check out their fare. When I saw they had a blue cheese bacon burger via their website, I held off on red meat for the week so I could enjoy this. And it was VERY good. We’ll fit in an extra hike this week to burn off the carbs! Chase watching the bulls at Washington’s...

Broccoli in Garlic Sauce

Broccoli in Garlic Sauce

Broccoli for dinner! After the Colonial Beach Sip-N-Stroll/Art Walk, I wanted a quick, simple dinner. I looked in my fridge, which pretty much only had stuff in the veggie drawer (I didn’t plan very well today) and decided to go vegan (if you don’t count the fish sauce). Asian Broccoli on Jasmine Rice. INGREDIENTS:1 medium-large crown of broccoli3-4 garlic cloves1 small thumb of ginger (about the same amount as the garlic)1/2 a chili. I had a jalapeno.1 1/2 cup water or stock for rice, 1 cup for sauce1/2 teaspoon onion powder1/4 cup soy sauce1 tablespoons sugar (I used agave)2 teaspoons mustard2 tablespoons fish sauce1-2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil2-3 tablespoons cornstarchPepperOlive oil1 cup white rice, I like jasmine DIRECTIONS: Get the...

Shenandoah Cabin Run

Shenandoah Cabin Run

There’s a comfortable cabin that is a wonderful escape, and one of Don’s favorite places in the world. In early March, 2023, Don and Chase returned for a wonderful weekend. NOTES FROM THE TRIP Chase and I are hanging out in one of my favorite places in this world for the weekend. It’s a log cabin slightly North of the Shenandoah River near Millwood VA. The last time we were here he was 6 months old. He is so happy to be back. We plan to do some hiking on the Appalachian Trail, and spend a lot of time at the university of Virginia Arboretum, one of the reasons that I really wanted to come back here. We will also have some play time in the Shenandoah river. When I say we, I mean of course, Chase. I love it here. Always have....