Upcoming Labor Day Randoms...

This was taken 8/10/2012

Whew! It has been a crazy two weeks since I did some randoms. I have wanted to blog, but work and trying to get my home more secure took priority. Right now I am looking forward to this three day weekend. I plan to rest all day Monday. Which means I will be sleeping all day. Where to begin with my randoms…

My house is as secure as it can be right now. It took me almost two weeks not to be terrified to come home and find things thrown around. My cousin and his friend, who wants me to call him Uncle did quite a bit to make my house more secure and I am most appreciative to that. Now I have to make them a Millionaire pie a piece. Having peace of mind is priceless so making these pies is my pleasure.  Plus, my house is lit up like Yankee Stadium.

I realized I have worked on my second job for 18 years. Wow! The ride has been fun, educational and worthwhile if I was able to encourage just one of the young folks who have worked for us in a positive manner it has been worth it. One of assistant managers told me the other day he likes how professional I handle situations and he is learning a lot from me. Whoa!

My sister revamped my resume and it is amazing. I have been trying for the last 2 days to work on my Curriculum vitae. I wished I had kept up better with all my trainings because it is a beast trying to get that sucker finished. Seriously, my sister’s revamping of my resume has shot my stock up exponentially.

My brother has his chef uniform and he posted a picture on FB and I had my chest poked out like I was in culinary school, but I am just so proud of him. He is making strides. Now if I could get his stepmother to listen and stop half listening and become assertive instead of passive-aggressive, maybe I won’t get any more calls where I have to handle some things. So not the role I want to be in at this age.

Speaking of age, I have a birthday coming up next month. Folks keep asking me what I want for my birthday, but seriously who is going to get me an upgrade on my gun or a tattoo to commemorate my aunt? Exactly, no one.

For a few weeks now, my car has been having problems when I go to crank it up. Usually I can get it cranked. However, this week it started to act a monkey and was getting more difficult to start. On Thursday after it didn’t want to start yet again, when I got it cranked I took it straight to the shop to get checked. It took 2 hours before the car would hesitate when you start to crank it up for the technicians. Seriously? Literally, they had my car on the machine and were cranking every few minutes and it would not act up, then it finally did. I left the shop at 4:30, almost $400 broker. You know how long it took to fix the problem, which was the electrical system in the ignition switch? 30 minutes. My life is a story of patience and sometimes I wonder who I pissed off in the universe. Thank God, I was able to get it fixed. However, I am going to end up on the pole if I don’t make some more money. Soon!

While I waiting on my car to be fixed, the shop’s television was on Faux News. I am not joking, the longer it stayed on the channel the more I started to twitch and itch. The obvious lies coming out of the GOP, was too much for me to stand. After about 30 minutes of that mess, I turned the television. I can’t with them. I really can’t. And Mitt you need more people before I believe anything coming out of your mouth. I see through you.

I respect my President, when it is obvious many in this country don’t. Has he made the change he declared he was going to do? He has made some change, but he can’t make change with a congress that has fought him tooth and nail along the way. And I for one have been disappointed in President Obama, when I felt like he didn’t fight hard enough. Then I realize, he can’t fight like I would he has an entire country to run and to stoop to levels unnatural to him is unfair. I just get sad when I see the obvious and blatant racism and discriminatory rhetoric being played out every day. As far as this country has come, I have to say the racism is so over-the-top now it makes me uncomfortable. And I live in the South.

Our book club met this past Saturday to discuss Gathering of Waters by Bernice McFadden. We seemed to have enjoyed it. Speaking of the book club have you checked out my latest Editor’s note about real books and e-readers? What are you waiting for? Check it out here!

The bane of my gardening existence, hornworms.  Ugh!

 

My middle niece, Hunny Bunny is kinda like a hippie. She doesn’t like to kill bugs and doesn’t want you to either. Recently, I was outside and finally saw a hornworm on my tomato plant. Mind you I actually at that point had a few tomatoes trying to ripen up. So I got my hornworm killer spray and went to blasting in hopes of heading off the pesky creature. Well, I sent a picture to my sister to show Hunny Bunny and she wasn’t too happy about it. Then a day later I look down at my hands and they were covered in a rash of some sort. Why did it begin to itch after I saw it? So I texted my sister to tell Hunny Bunny to take the hex off of me. And you know what that child did? She looked at her mother and walked away. Really. Ugh! I told my sister to tell her I am going to whip her. That didn’t make anything better. Hunny Bunny told me the hex will go away if I don’t kill a bug for a week, but if I kill a bug that is another week of the rash. Really? She really thinks she put a hex on me. But I haven’t killed anything in a week…I am just saying and the rash has slowly disappeared.

These things blend in so well.  I knocked him off the branch, but his azz was full after eating all my flowers.

Hurricane Isaac came through and did some damage. I loved that the weatherman on our local station kept saying the wind isn’t what you fear from a hurricane, it is the water and flooding that cause the most problems. A lot of homes in the Gulf area are submerged in water. I feel for them, because 7 years ago they experienced the same thing. I can’t imagine the trauma some of them are feeling. I continue to pray for them.

This is a picture of what we got here in central Alabama:

See that cloud hovering.  There is no rainbow in this picture.

Lala ain’t playing with ya’ll. When she gets mad, she gets mad. See this picture:

She is so mad, you can see the smoke coming out her ears, the mouth is tight and her nostrils are flaired.  She mad!

Carson is getting big and he is so funny you can’t help but laugh. His mother sent me this picture saying, "don’t feed the animals because they will keep coming back." LOL!

He is just a happy baby.  Our miracle baby.

 

I have been typing on this random for a couple of hours off and on. Anyway, I am doing fine. Life is good. Even with the hiccups along the way, I am still blessed.

This was taken on 8/30/12, see the jalapenos and Serrano chilis?  Ya'll my garden still producing...Sighing!

Have a great weekend. Enjoy your Labor Day! I plan to enjoy mine by not doing any labor. LOL!

See I still look good even with all the stress of the last two weeks!

Trying to look sultry in a blurry picture.  LOL!

Creative Cooking...Chilled Spicy Sesame Noodles with Shrimp

Chilled Spicy Sesame Noodles w/Shrimp

This recipe caught my eye immediately when I saw it on Crepes of Wrath.  I knew it was something I could replicate easily and I had most of the ingredients on hand.  The only thing I had to purchase was the hot chili paste.  I ended up going to one of the Asian markets here and finding it.  The worker said, "You know this is hot."  Of course I did.  But I was side-eyeing her when she took me to the cooler and retrieve the paste and said you have to heat it up so it can thaw a bit.  Okay, I guess.  While I was there I also picked up a couple of plantains and figured I would cook them up too.

I started this recipe that morning and finished it that night.  Since it is a chilled recipe, I figured this was the way to go.  Plus, you know I am not heating up my kitchen at all if I don't have to during the day. 

Ingredients:

1 lb of Angel hair pasta
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
3 cloves of minced garlic
3 tablespoons of sesame oil
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 tablespoon of hot chili paste
3/4 teaspoon of kosher salt
10 scallions/green onions thinly sliced
3 or 4 carrots grated

For the shrimp:

1 lb of shrimp cleaned and deveined
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
1 shallot minced
1 tablespoon of hot chili paste
1 tablespoon of Sriracha
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon of sugar
1/8 of fresh minced ginger
pinch of salt and pepper
1/4 of sesame seeds for garnish

For the noodles:
1.  Cook them according to the directions on the package.  Drain and run cold water over them until they are no longer warm.  Then set aside until ready to use.
2.  In a sautee pan, add your vegetable oil over medium heat.  Add your garlic and cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant.  Set aside until ready to use.
3. In a large bowl toss together the sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, chili paste, salt, scallions, carrots, and lemon juice.  Add in the cooked noodles, toss to combine taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.  Add your garlic and cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Sauces and veggies for noodles

Noodles all dressed up!

For the shrimp:
1.  Heat up your oil over medium-high heat.  Add in the shallot and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes.  Meanwhile, combine the chili paste, Sriracha, sesame oil, sugar, ginger, salt and pepper in a bowl, and toss the cleaned shrimp in the mixture.
2. Add your shrimp to the pan for 5 minutes or until shrimp is done.  Set aside and allow to get to room temperature before adding your noodles.  If you have leftovers, keep your shrimp and noodles separately.

Sauce for the shrimp

Shrimp being tossed with the sauce

Cooking the shrimp, done...

Verdict:  Um, I have made this dish twice since I made it the first time.  I ain't shame to say so either.  The first time I found I could barely eat it because of the chili paste, was just a notch above tolerable, but Lawd, I couldn't stop eating it.  My nose was running and I was blowing a lot, but I would eat about 5 shrimp and I would be finish and start again later.  Seriously, I was eating one meal all day long just to finish the one serving.  It was that spicy.  Subsequently, when I made the dish I added a pinch more sugar to the sauce for the shrimp to counteract the spiciness.  I really love this dish, because it is easy to make and flavorful and tasty.  And hell, after you cook the shrimp you don't have to cook it again just plate from the refrigerator and eat at room temperature.  Can't beat that at all.  If you like spicy and flavorful Asian foods, try this one out.  Crepes of Wrath gave me a winning recipe!

Just wanted you to get a close up of the shrimp and noodles.

Absolutely yummy!~

Do You Have Your Copy, Yet?

Have you gotten your copy of Z-Rated:  Chocolate Flava III edited by Zane with a story by my sister, Tiffany?  Out officially today, go on and get your copy...I will be waiting for you to tell me how you like it! 

P. S. I'll will be later this week with some randoms on what has been happening in my life.

Creative Cooking...Italian Beef Sandwiches (Crockpot style)

Italian Beef Sandwich



Okay, let’s just face it; I love Pinterest because it indulges my inner cooking maven. I see something pinned a number of times, I am sure to try it. This particular recipe is no different. Frankly, I have seen enough cooking and travel shows talking about Italian beef sandwiches and I wanted to try it, but me heading up north isn’t happening anytime soon. And since Pinterest was daring me…I took up the dare. And being the lazy cook that I am, I liked the idea there were only 4 ingredients. Hey, don’t judge me it is too hot to cook around these parts.


Italian Beef Sandwiches (Slow Cooker recipe from Six Sisterstuff.com)

3 of the 4 Ingredients...so simple!

3 lb bottom round beef roast (I wasn’t about to pay crazy prices for beef so I got a 2.5 lb round beef roast – the prices were ridiculous.)

2 packages of dry Italian dressing mix

1 cup of water

16 oz jar of pepperoncini peppers

In your crock pot place your beef roast and then add your Italian dressing mixes and one cup of water. And turn your crock pot on low and let it cook for about 10 hours. The aroma will awaken you from a deep sleep, seriously. About an hour or two before you finish cooking shred your beef, which will be very tender and then add your peppers with the juice. Since I didn’t have the full 3 lb roast I used only ¾ of my jar. Serve on a toasted bun or hoagie roll.

Shredded beef with pepperonicini

 Toasted bun and Italian beef

Verdict: I don’t know what a “real” Italian beef sandwich tastes like, but this one was crazy good! I am in love with the flavor and taste. The meat is very tender, but quite flavorful. The pepperonicini gave it a nice spicy touch with a taste of vinegar so definitely a party in your mouth taste. I definitely will be doing this again for an easy meal and the flavor only gets better as it sits in the refrigerator. So go ahead and give this one a try.

Italian Beef Sandwich

Creative Cooking...Sweet and Spicy Tilapia

Sweet and Spicy Citrus Tilapia

Well, Pinterest did it again. I was just doing my usual wasting time thing and was browsing Pinterest and I came upon a picture that had me salivating. It was a picture of Sweet and Spicy Citrus Tilapia and when I clicked to get the recipe I realized I had all the items to make the dish except an orange, so I knew I was going to make this dish. I have been trying to eat balance meals for dinner and especially on Sunday. So this was something I could do quickly and plus it looked easy. Because you all know I am a lazy cook.


Now, you know I only cook late at night, right? I cannot heat of the house and since this dish required the broiler to be on, um, I knew I would have to do it at night. So I prepared the marinade ahead of time. I covered it and put in the refrigerator until I was ready to work with it.

Sweet and Spicy Citrus Tilapia from myrecipes as done in Cooking Light August/2010

Ingredients:

4 tilapia fillets (I actually had 3 fillets and one small catfish fillet)

Cooking spray

½ cup of fresh orange juice (really is just one large orange)

3 tablespoons of fresh lime (only used one lime and got 3 tablespoons)

1 tablespoon of brown sugar

1 tablespoon of EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 teaspoons of low sodium soy sauce

½ teaspoon of salt

½ teaspoon of ground cumin

¼ teaspoon of ground red pepper

2 garlic cloves (I used minced garlic)

½ teaspoon of paprika

First thing I did was mix up the marinate/sauce using everything from OJ on down the ingredients list through to the garlic. I wrapped and placed in the refrigerator until I was ready to use.

Marinade/Sauce

I sprayed a shallow baking dish with cooking spray and placed my fish in the pan. Then I poured my marinade/sauce over the fish and let it sit for 15 minutes. Remember there is lime juice in this marinade and lime will “cook” your fish, so don’t let it sit too long. Preheated my broiler and when I was ready to place in the oven I sprinkled my paprika over the fish. Then I broiled for about 15 minutes or until done. Then I drizzled the sauce over the fish. I served it with spinach and a baked potato.

Fillets marinating in the sauce.

Broiling

Verdict: Absolutely yummy. The flavors worked well together with the fish and I can imagine chicken can replace the fish comfortably. The fish was nice and flaky, with just the right amount of spice and sweetness. The sauce was really amazing. My only recommendation for this fish is to eat when you cook it. I enjoyed it when I tasted it fresh from the oven, but heating it up the next day made the paprika extremely strong for my taste. (I am not a fan of paprika, but I do use it in cooking.) I will definitely keep this on the easy and quick dishes to cook during the week. Now you go and try it.

Finished product, fresh out of the oven

Up close...

And my week has gone to hell...

Remember how relaxed and carefree I sounded in my last post?  I was feeling serene and at peace.  Well guess what?  That shit went out the window last night at 10:10 pm.  The following will be filled with expletives, so if you are offended click the "X' in the upper right hand corner.  I won't be mad.

Last night I went to my 2nd job as I usually do on Tuesday.  Things were slow that night and the manager's meeting didn't have me wanting to eat nails so I was still feeling my relaxing day from Monday.  However, I was quite hungry and didn't have anything thawed in the house.  I thought about eating a salad, but naw I wanted something quick and easy.  Enter a fast-food restaurant. 

On my way home I stopped to pick up a sandwich and head home.  Of course, I remember why I hate eating out and besides the extra calories, the long waits in line.  Too ridiculous.  Anyway, I was more than a little hot about that 10 minute wait for a sandwich.  Then I headed home so I get home at about 10:10 pm and when I pulled into my driveway, I realized the room next to mine light was on.  I knew I hadn't left it on.  So I immediately jump out of the car and I heard this loud noise and quickly realized it was my alarm. First thought, "Fuck, someone has broken into my damn house!"

So I run unlock the door, spilling my water along the way as I rush to the alarm system to turn it off.  And with full dismay, I saw shit every damn where.  Ya'll they had my underwear thrown all over my bedroom.  I knew immediately that they had taken my wallet which held my checkbook, which also had my dl and DOB on it.  Then I rushed through the house to see what the hell and was overwhelmed.  I couldn't call my cousin fast enough and I just couldn't breath as I told her someone had broken into the house.  Then I went into the den and saw their point of entry and went outside and there is where I really broke down crying.  I was a hot mess.  As I am holding my head and thinking to call the police, the police pulled up during his routine drive around.  He got the call from the security folks as he was walking up my driveway.  I was overwhelmed.  They had been through my underwear.  Shit!

The officer was really comforting and reminded me no one was hurt and all the things were replaceable.  I told him, "They didn't get shit."  And in fact they hadn't gotten major items, just shit that didn't seem important until I realize it was gone.  They took all my medication, which was really blood pressure meds and my potassium meds, idiots.  They took baskets that held cds, batteries and such.  They stole a herringbone necklace that an old boyfriend had given me well over a decade ago.  And my little jewelry box that had old raggedy jewelry in it and a key to our old front door.  Bastards!  Ya'll they walked by the laptop and wii and of course they didn't want my tv's because none of them are flat screens.  Bastards.  They stole my make up bag.  Idiots! 

I wanted to walk the streets and look for the stupid mutherfuckers.  They made me mad and they took away my security.  Every time I return home I will always wonder if they came back into my home.  I stayed home alone last night, balking at all offers to stay or go stay with someone.  There was no way I could leave, when I knew I may not return because of fear.  I be damn if they were going to let them win.  I slept with my gun under my pillow and extra lights on.  But I didn't sleep well at all.  I woke up and waited for the sun to shine so I could go outside and see what else the idiots had done.  They did try to take down my phone line, but they were unsuccessful.  This was no crackhead, this was a young person who didn't understand the neighborhood creed.  Bastards!

I am so tired right now as I type this, but I promise you I am going home and sleep this afternoon.  I spent and hour at the bank changing accounts, rolling over IRA's and all things that needed to be done regarding my account.  Although they didn't get my debit card or any credit cards, all you need to have is a routing number and account number to pay bills electronically and I didn't want that to happen.  I also had to have my pay check that is due to be deposit flagged to go into the new account.  Then I had to come to work, luckily I work for DPS, so I had my DL number flagged and then I called the credit bureau to have an alert put on my credit report, just in case.  All this is just a hassle, but a necessary one.

I am mad and angry my sense of security has been robbed, but I am blessed truly I am because God looked out for me. 

I Took A Day Off...Believe it or not!

I did something I rarely do, I took a whole day off from both jobs and did absolutely nothing but what I wanted to do. And it was amazing.


Yes, I have been quite quiet on this blog, but I have been busy with some cooking and reading. However, have you ever just felt like damn all I do is work and frankly you are tired? Last week I decided since there are no holidays in August, I would take an annual leave day and be still. Originally, I had planned to run an errand and then be in all day. But the night before I prayed and put it in the hands of God, and he saw fit for me to relax yesterday. And I did.

I got up at 7 am and put the garbage can on the street, gotta do that since I live alone. And I came back in and Viggled and texted The Guy to have a great, peaceful and productive day. Then I got back in my bed after making sure the rain of the night before would keep my plants okay. And I slept until 11 am. In fact, I didn’t realize it was so late. My body appreciated me relaxing it for once. I mean seriously, even when I am off on the weekends, I always have something to do and I rarely sleep past 8 am. Plus, I didn’t tell anyone I was going to be off. On purpose.

I got up and put on my washing hair clothes. I had planned to wash my hair on Sunday, but was too lazy to do so, but I knew I could get it done on this one day off. Not only did I wash my hair I also retightened it as well. This took a good portion of the day, but I wasn’t rushed or stressed about doing it. I took my time and in between retightening it and putting it up later on that night, my hair actually dried. Go figure!

I ate leftovers, got myself ready for the week and even managed to bake some cookies for posting in the upcoming weeks. And I still managed to be in the bed at 11 pm. Go me!

This was one of the best days off I have had in a long time. I did what I wanted and didn’t have to include anyone into my plans. My sister couldn’t believe I took off, but I told her I needed some me time. We all need time to relax and allow all the stress of living and worrying and being sucked up in other folk’s chaos to dissipate. I am so glad I allowed God to lead me…can’t go wrong when you do that!

I will be back with recipes and hopefully some randoms by the end of the week. Enjoy the rest of your week, I plan to!

Creative Cooking...My Aunt Marie's Scalloped Potatoes

Scallop Potatoes looking yummy...

This dish is one my aunt used to make consistently when she would make her mouthwatering roast, she baked in the oven. And I promise you she would make it so tender it would melt like butter in your mouth. And she would say all the time, it is the way you cut it that makes all the difference in the world, and you need to make sure you get a roast with some fat on it. Real talk. Her scallop potatoes are not like the ones you buy in the box, but a simpler version, which was always tasty and would make me mad, because there wouldn’t be any leftover.

Ingredients:

3 lg potatoes peeled and diced

Cheese packets from 2 boxed mac and cheese (saved the macaroni for soup)

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

½ of a chopped onion

½ of a chopped bell pepper

1 tbs of sugar

Grated Mild cheddar and American cheese (you can use all cheddar and can go sharper, but I don’t like cheese so my aunt always used a mild cheddar, which isn’t overpowering in taste.

Season to taste

If you look closely, you can see the veggies.

Cut your potatoes into cubes and boil until tender. After chopping up your vegetables, in a sauce pan put in your can of mushroom soup with a ½ can of water, more or less depending on how you want the potatoes soupier or more firm. Mix in your 2 packets of cheese sauce, you can make your own, but my aunt always used the packets from the mac and cheese boxes. Stir until fully mixed added a portion of your veggies and the sugar.

Yummy...

In a greased baking dish, add your seasoned potatoes and the remaining vegetables and pour your cream of mushroom and cheese mixture over the potatoes. Then add your grated cheese to the top of your dish. And place in a preheated oven of 350 degrees until the topping is melted and browned.

Finished dish!

 

Verdict: Um, I love these potatoes and I think you will too!

Damn...Dallas is the shyte! I can't wait until the new season! Thank goodness for scripted tv! & JR!

Olympic Dreams...

That smile says it all...

When I was much younger, I was an avid gymnastic watcher. I loved the sport and this was during the times of Nadia Comaneci and Bela Karolyi. As a child I would imitate what I saw the gymnasts doing on television and try to teach the same skills to my sister. Man, those were the days of long, hot summers where going outside happened, but later in the day. I couldn’t miss my soaps, trying to go outside and make flower pies and practice my headstands, cartwheels, round offs and pretend I was on the parallel bars. I liked playing like a gymnast.


My mother knew we were imitating what we saw on television, but I don’t think she knew that we used the arms of her couch as our balance beam. Yes, we were doing jumps and dismounts on her good couch. I am laughing now, but if those arms had of given out, we were going to be in a mess of trouble, never mind we were just pretending that we as little black girls could be gymnast and even an Olympic gold medalist. Pretending is all we could do back then, because my mama couldn’t afford to have us take classes and who was going to keep my little brother, while she was working?

Although it was a pipe dream, I loved watching gymnastics during the Olympics. It was the highlights of my summer every four years, long after my mother had passed. I remember watching Dominic Dawes and thinking, that is so cool and of having a moment of if that could have been me. It was nice to see the gymnasts looking like myself. Of course, a much slimmer and more athletic looking me.

I knew Gabby Douglas had won the All Around Gold medal before it aired, because MSN had breaking news stating she had. I was so happy, but couldn’t wait until I got home to see how dynamic she truly was. And of course Viggle. (Look it up!) Watching her perform her routines with the skill and grace of an athlete and the faith so ingrained in her spirit was remarkable. I was so happy for her and so proud watching this 94 pound wonder do what I dreamed of doing when I was so young. She worked hard and made it happen. Amazing! I shed tears of happiness and my heart was full of joy, she represented all I had wanted so many years ago and through perserverance and family sacrifice she lived out her dream. Congratulations Gabby!

So imagine my expression when I read folks were in an uproar over about N.B.C’s commercial segue saying it was inappropriate. I saw the commercial and it didn’t bother me because I didn’t associate the monkey with anyone, I was just proud of her being the first African-American female to win the all around Gold medal and yes I heard what Bob Costa said before the commercial. I had already dismissed the hair stories. Sometimes we can’t stand to be happy and look for things to be mad about and I am so glad Gabby didn’t allow the inappropriateness of others to knock her off her concentration or allow them to keep her from celebrating what she obviously worked and sacrificed to obtain. She has two gold medals from this Olympics, she should celebrate this accomplishment.

Although I didn’t realize the dream of being an Olympic winning gymnast, I am so proud and happy Gabby Douglas did what I could only dream about doing so many years ago...

Creative Cooking...Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

This particular recipe has been floating around Pinterest for a while, so when I thought about fixing a “Sunday” dinner, I figured this would a good and easy dish to prepare. And for the most part, it is. With a few ingredients, you can easily have this done in a hurry.  I am using the version as it appears on Home EC 101, as adapted:

Ingredients:

1 stick of butter

3 cloves of garlic

1 cup of brown sugar

Chicken

Season to taste

Chicken seasoned

Brown sugar, garlic and butter

 

I used wings and legs for this dish (and one lone chicken breast), because that is what I had on hand. After washing and cleaning my chicken, I seasoned it with my Tony’s and place in the refrigerator for a few hours. And a few means the hours I was on my second job. In a skillet, I melted a stick of butter with my garlic and stirred until fragrant. Then I added my brown sugar and allowed it to incorporate into the butter and garlic for about 5 minutes. In a greased baking pan, I poured the mixture over the cold chicken and placed in my preheated oven of 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Easy peasy.

Brown sugar, garlic and butter poured over chicken parts

Fresh out of the oven you can see the garlic very well.

Verdict: The chicken is quite tasty; however, my dish of chicken didn’t look anything like the pictures posted on Pinterest. I started to do one of those Nailed It pictures which show the obvious disasters of the dish. The dish was not disastrous by any means, but I think I should have broiled the chicken for a few minutes before taking it out of the oven so I would have some charred pieces of garlic and a more caramelized coating on the chicken. I will probably do this one again and see what happens. All I know if my lunch this week has been quite tasty and aromatic…LOL!

Tasty and fragrant!

Dallas gives me life. JR & Bobby keep me grunting & laughing. JR is old and his mouth has no filter. I am so glad there are a few scripted shows around.