Courtney, Author at A Life From Scratch.

Twice in one week.

April 15, 2014 / By Courtney / 7 Comments

That’s some impressive chicken, huh? You know a recipe is good when you make it on a Monday and Friday within the same week. We couldn’t get enough.

I’m a marinade junkie. I love them. There is something about getting it going in the early am, whisking in the olive oil while still in pj’s, pouring it into a big baggie and massaging into the meat. All the while still sipping on my cup of coffee. Into the fridge it goes to hang and out we go to play. The comfort of knowing dinner is pretty much taken care of – priceless. And man, it’s going to be delicious.

I think the secret to the whole twice in one week is two things. One, in the marinade is agave. It was a fun new ingredient for us to try and just felt a bit…special. Second, we used boneless skinless chicken thighs which I believe is the answer to the age old question ‘how do I keep my chicken juicy on the grill?’ They rock. I’ve marinated them both over night and same day and it didn’t make a difference. We gobbled up every single piece of both batches. As did B, he loved it! Score.

This platted next to some grilled veggies, these potatoes, and a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc? Well, life just can’t get better.

Trish's Marinated Chicken

2014-04-15 08:48:40

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons mayo
1/4 cup olive oil
squeeze of agave (or honey)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
salt & pepper
2 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
squeeze of lemon
fresh rosemary, thyme or torn basil leaves
Four medium size chicken breasts, pounded thin or a pack of boneless skinless chicken thighs

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients and, along with chicken, add to a ziploc. Marinate eight hours or overnight, flipping in the fridge at some point if you can.
When you are ready to cook, heat a stovetop grill to medium-high, and brush with a tiny bit of olive oil.
Grill chicken pieces about four minutes a side (let excess marinade drip off before you place on grill) or until chicken is firm but not rock hard.

Adapted from Dinner A Love Story

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

C’s picks.

April 14, 2014 / By Courtney / 3 Comments

Another fun weekend in the books! L’s social calendar was filled to the max so like always, the rest of just tagged along. Baseball, playdates, and birthday fun. Does life get better than being a 7 year old? I think not. We ended the weekend on a highlight – dinner at our good friends Catherine and Jeff. Look at that app spread! Fun for the boys and us, everyone wins.

Here is our line up this week:

Monday looks to be disgusting, weather wise. I’m looking to take the edge of with this skillet gnocchi. Hello, gorgeous.

Tuesday I’m always looking for something quick, and these quick philly cheesesteaks are to die for.

The weather seems to take a slight turn for the better on Wednesday so let’s get the grill going. This dish served over brown rice can’t be beat. Bonus that asparagus just happens to be in season, yippee!

Thursday I’m out. Will prep the boys for a baked potato and Italian sausage night, their fav.

Friday night let’s get something going on the green egg. I’ve been drooling over this turkey burger recipe for about a month now, so let’s give it a go! Sweet potato fries on the side.

That’s our kitchen line up this week – what’s cooking in yours?
C

Play ball…!

April 11, 2014 / By Courtney / 4 Comments

In case you haven’t put it together yet, the next few months around here we will be in full baseball mode. Lots of practices, lots of (not short) games, and lots of cheering.

M is the coach so that means our crew will look something like this: M is frustrated because well, it’s 7 year olds playing baseball. L is being a total goofball because, hello, his dad is the coach. I’m sweating and stressed because I’m trying to keep B… alive around all the bats and balls. And B is a combination of this is the best and worst thing that has ever happened to me.

Yep. That’s my crew! And hey, we love every minute. Baseball seems to be L’s fav sport so we kept it going all winter. We can’t wait to see what this spring entails for him. He has a kick-ass team with wonderful friends who couldn’t be more darling.

Now to the most important part of baseball… hello, the food! I’m all about a classic hot dog at the game but cooking one at home after the first weekend of practices just seemed a bit, well, uneventful. Let’s take it up a notch.

Enter hot dog melts, the cheese stuffed bacon wrapped hot dogs with spicy horseradish herbed sauce.

I know. There are no words.

And since I’m sure your weekend are crazy busy as well, here is the play by play of how I broke down this recipe last Sunday:

Whisk together sauce in the am. Throw in a jar and into the fridge it goes. Do not skip the sauce, trust me.

Stuff the hot dogs, wrap with bacon, put on a foil lined tray and into the fridge it goes.

Go about your day – errands, practices, games, cheering – go team go! Relax, dinner is good to go.

Walk in the door a bit spent. Immediately preheat oven.

Shake up a margarita. Icy cold. Enjoy. Ahhhhh.

In go the dogs to roast away to a bubbly, cheesy, goodness. 15 minutes later – serve it up! Pickles, good chips, and watermelon require zero effort.

Smiles all around! You so nailed it – just like your little baseball star sliding into home plate.

Hot Dog Melts

2014-04-10 09:30:09

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Ingredients

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup drained prepared horseradish
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon minced shallots
1 tablespoon minced chives
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper
6 slices cheddar cheese (3 ounces)
6 all-beef hot dogs, slit lengthwise
6 thin slices of lean bacon
6 hot dog buns

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, horseradish, mustard, honey, shallots, chives and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
Place a slice of cheese in the center of each splayed hot dog, breaking the slice if necessary to fit it in. Wrap a slice of bacon around each hot dog and secure it with toothpicks.
Arrange the hot dogs on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in the upper third of the oven until the bacon is crisp, about 12 minutes.
Place each hot dog in a bun and serve, passing the horseradish sauce on the side.

Adapted from Wolfgang Puck

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

wwww.

April 9, 2014 / By Courtney / 5 Comments

Play ball! Baseball season started this past weekend and L’s team is the Cubs. Naturally that means it looks like red, white, and blue has exploded on my family for What We Wore Wednesday. We seem to be living in the gear I recently purchased. B loves it because he matches L and of course feels that he is on the team even though I repeatedly drag him off the field over and over again.

Here is the breakdown of our cheerleading looks:

On L: Nike Cubs long sleeve tee and baseball pants, courtesy of Dicks. Team issued red socks. BFF Ryder’s blue fleece.

On B: He has a Crewcuts striped tee on underneath his Cubs tee, which is from Old Navy. Gap skinny jeans on the bottom.

On C: Nike tee from Dicks, A&E jeans, and Target flats (which by the way, are the most incredible and comfortable flat ever).

That’s my crew – let’s see yours! Play along by commenting below or joining our super hip Pinterest Board. Lot’s of cuteness going on over there.
C

C’s picks.

April 7, 2014 / By Courtney / 2 Comments

This weekend was crazy fun. First, baseball season started and I think we might just have the cutest team ever – GO CUBS! Saturday night we celebrated M’s dads retirement and had too much fun. 41 years of a great and successful career, you rock Grandad! B can’t wait to get on that golf course with you.

After a weekend of baseball practices it seems fitting to end Sunday with a ballpark favorite. These hot dog melts look absolutely over the top. Crisp pickles and potato chips on the side.

Hoisin chicken with noodles and green beans sound perfect for a Monday night. Love one bowl dishes.

I’m all alone again for Tuesday and Wednesday, and that means I get to eat what I want, watch what I want on TV, and go to bed at an unbelievably early hour with no one judging. (I love my sleep!). Lately I’ve been enjoying veggie stir frys over brown rice with toasted sesame seeds while M is gone, so I will stick with that for Tuesday.

I’ve had my eye on a salmon salad from Dinner A Love Story that looks oh so lovely, so hope to try that on Wednesday.

He’s home Thursday and let’s grill! BLT chicken burgers with sweet potato fries on the side, please.

Friday night I’m routing for a date night….we shall see!
C