Greek Marinated Chicken

I found a fabulous chicken recipe this past weekend and I just have to share it! This one is a Greek Marinated Chicken made with chicken thighs and legs. This one comes from "Budget Bytes". Their website is: http://www.budgetbytes.com/2013/06/greek-marinated-chicken/ and I can appreciate the information they place on the site. They give a lot of information about balancing your budget and still having the ability to eat well. That's right up my alley! Check out their site for some great budget information with your grocery list!

This Greek Marinated Chicken recipe grabbed my attention because they posted a picture with the chicken marinating in a white creamy sauce. When I looked at the ingredients, I saw it was made from plain Greek yogurt! YEAH for a healthy marinade high in protein!

This one is really easy to make. You do need to let your chicken marinate for 30 minutes, but this one is gluten free and can be baked in the oven or grilled. Step by step instructions are listed below. This one has a wonderful garlic and lemon taste and was a huge hit tonight in my house! This will easily become one of your family's favorites!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 medium lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 4lbs chicken pieces (I chose thighs and legs)

Directions:

• To make the marinade, combine the yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, salt and pepper in a bowl.

• Use a cheese grater or zester to scrape a thin later of lemon zest from the lemon skin into the bowl.
• Add the the juice from half the lemon. Stir until the ingredients are well combined.
• Clean and then chop about 1/4 cup of fresh parsley and add to the bowl and mix well with the marinade.

• Grab a gallon sized zip top bag and add the chicken pieces and marinade to the bag. Move the chicken around to ensure each piece is well coated.

• Refrigerate the bag for about 30 minutes.
• After marinating, you can choose to grill the chicken or bake in the oven. If you bake in the oven, preheat oven to 375 and bake for about 40 to 60 minutes to ensure done.
• I chose to grill the chicken and grilled for a total of 35 minutes.

Ensure your chicken is cooked fully through and it is then ready to serve.

                                  

French Toast

This recipe is one of my husband's favorites. He only gets it 2 times a year...Father's Day and his birthday! So he got it today as it is Father's Day! Let's be honest though...it's not good for you but it tastes absolutely amazing! I am a health freak who constantly eats well, but you have to enjoy life's simple pleasures every once in awhile :) I am a believer in a cheat meal!!

I'm claiming this recipe as my own, only because I have altered it so much. It originally came from Better Homes and Garden...but my version is better (sorry, Better Homes).

This is not gluten free; however, I have made this with gluten free bread and it tastes pretty good...so feel free to sub out your bread if you are gluten free.

Ingredients:

• 4 beaten eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• Maple Syrup
• 8 slices Texas Toast

Directions:

• Pre-heat over to 350.
• In a small and shallow bowl, beat together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg.
• Cut your slices of Texas Toast so you have 3 columns.

• Dip bread slices quickly on both sides. You want to ensure both sides are covered, but not soaked.

• In a skillet, melt your 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
• Add half the bread slices and cook until the first side is lightly browned.
• Turn over and cook until the other side is browned.
• Repeat with remaining bread slices.

• Once all the bread slices are browned, place them on a cookie sheet and place in the oven for 10 minutes. The goal is to get these slightly crispy. This is what makes this recipe so good!

• Remove and add butter and syrup.

Homemade Guacamole

I have been told that I make AMAZING guacamole. I typically just throw my ingredients in without measuring, but I have had so many requests to post this recipe that I actually sat down and wrote out the ingredients and measurements. I don't like overly creamy guacamole...I like some small avocado chunks in my version, so just FYI.

This recipe is super easy and fast to make. I think people should really strive to make their own fresh guacamole instead of buying store bought. I try my hardest to use the freshest of ingredients. There is just no comparison in taste. This recipe is Gluten free and goes great with veggies if you are trying to stay away from chips. But I eat it with chips and veggies :)

Just a note when picking out your avocados, make sure that when you gently press them they are soft. You do not want firm avocados when making guacamole.

With summer now in full swing, this recipe is a HUGE winner in my house and in our neighborhood for all my friends! I make at least 3 batches for our summer parties!

Ingredients:

• 8 fresh avocados
• 4 limes
• 5 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 Tablespoon finely chopped onion - optional (white or red is fine. Using a red onion will give it more of an onion taste)
• 1 chopped garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons shredded cheese (I use a Monterey and Mild Cheddar mix)
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions:

• Cut your avocados horizontally. Remove the seed, spoon out the avocado and put into a mixing bowl.

                            

•  Squeeze as much of the juice out of your 4 limes as you can into the mixing bowl. I use a citrus press and it works wonders!

                            

• Wash and then chop your fresh cilantro and place into the mixing bowl. Do the same with your onion and garlic clove.

                            

• Sprinkle your cheese in the mixing bowl.
• Add 1 teaspoon of garlic salt.
• I take a potato smasher and smash all my ingredients together in the mixing bowl. I then stir until it's very well blended. Feel free to add a bit more garlic salt for taste if you feel it needs more.
• Serve with your favorite chips, veggies or with any Mexican dish.