Grilled Island Chicken

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Grilled Island Chicken
1/2 cup vegetable oil
6 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 Tbsp soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Combine vegetable oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until well mixed. Add chicken and marinate for at least 3 hours. Preheat grill to medium heat. Grill chicken 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through. Tent chicken with foil and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Past recipes:
One year ago: Costa Vida Chicken Salad
Two years ago: Stuffed French Toast

Crock Pot Country Chicken

Printable Recipe

Crock Pot Country Chicken
6-8 Yukon gold or red potatoes, halved or quartered
4 carrots, peeled, cut in half lengthwise and cut into large pieces
4 celery ribs, cut in half lengthwise and cut into large pieces
6-8 boneless skinless chicken breasts, seasoned with salt and pepper
3 Tbsp corn starch
1 1/4 cup chicken stock
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp dried dill weed
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 cup frozen peas

Place potatoes, carrots, and celery at the bottom of a crock pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place seasoned chicken breasts on top.

In a small bowl, whisk together the corn starch and chicken stock. Stir in dijon mustard, dill, salt, and pepper until well combined. Pour over chicken in the crock pot.

Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Add the peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.

Serves 6-8

Recipe adapted from Cooking During Stolen Moments

Past recipes:
One year ago: Peanut Butter Bars
Two years ago: "Rushin" Chicken

Chocolate Cake

Last weekend my six year old had a Superhero birthday party. He invited 15 friends (I know, that's a lot of kids, but I don't like to leave anyone out.) Surprisingly, every single one of them came. It was a little crazy but it was so much fun. He wanted a chocolate cake with superhero guys on it. So I made this chocolate cake and used crushed oreos for rocks and placed his superhero guys on top. It was a huge hit! I couldn't believe the reaction I got from all of his little friends. They loved it!

I've never claimed to be a great baker or cake decorator but I love making fun cakes for my kids. After this cake had cooled,  it was a little difficult to get out of the pans. It was so moist that it was a little crumbly coming out of the pans. But it came out in one piece and after freezing overnight, it wasn't too difficult to frost it. I wasn't sure if I was going to post this recipe after the difficulty I had but then I tasted the cake. Oh my goodness! This was the best chocolate cake I've ever had in my life! I'm sold on this recipe and I'm sure I'll be making this cake over and over.

Printable Recipe

Classic Chocolate Cake

2 cups sugar

1 3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup melted butter or canola oil

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour cake pans and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center and add eggs, buttermilk, butter, and vanilla. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water. Batter will be smooth and very runny. Pour into prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting. 

Recipe from The Sisters' Cafe

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

3/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 lbs powdered sugar (about 8 cups)

2/3 cup milk

2 tsp vanilla

Place butter in the bowl of a mixer. Beat on medium speed until butter is smooth. Beat in cocoa powder. Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in 1/3 cup milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in remaining sugar. Beat in remaining 1/3 cup milk until frosting is smooth. This frosts top and sides of two 8 or 9 inch layers. (Halve recipe to frost 9x13 cake.)

Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens

Past recipes:

One year ago: Oreo Cupcakes

Two years ago: Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars

Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake Cupcakes

This recipe has been moved to The Traveling Circus.

Click the link below for the recipe

Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake Cupcakes

Chipotle Chicken Tacos

This recipe has been moved to The Traveling Circus.

Click the link below for the recipe

Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese

This recipe has been moved to The Traveling Circus.

Click the link below for the recipe

Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese

Glazed Mini Meatloaves

My kids love meatloaf! I have quite a few different recipes for meatloaf and it's always a hit with my kids. This recipe was great because everyone got their own personal meatloaf. Since they're mini meatloaves, they don't take as long to bake. They were so yummy!

Printable Recipe

Glazed Mini Meatloaves
20 saltine crackers, crushed fine (about 2/3 cup)
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley or 1 1/2 Tbsp dried parsley
3 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 large egg
1 1/2 Tbsp dijon mustard
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
2 tsp canola oil

Glaze:
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
4 tsp cider vinegar

Preheat oven to 425. Combine cracker crumbs, milk, parsley, worcestershire sauce, egg, mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add ground meat and combine until uniform. Shape mixture into 6-8 oval loaves.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat until the oil is rippling. Add meatloaves (without letting them touch) and brown well on one side, 3-5 minutes. Carefully flip meatloaves using a spatula. Brown on this side for 2-3 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth. Transfer meatloaves to a foil-lined baking pan and spoon glaze over each meatloaf. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through.

Serves 6-8

Recipe adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Past recipes:
One year ago: Princess Cake
Two years ago: Sloppy Joes