Orange Glazed Chicken

A few nights ago I tried a new chicken recipe.  You know, I wasn't so sure it would turn out that great.  OJ concentrate with Worcestershire sauce -- among other odd ingredients -- just seemed a little, I don't know, CRAZY.  But the picture in Everyday Food just looked so good, so I needed to try.

Well...

we had it again tonight.  So, yes, it was good.  Very good.

I just did this recipe straight as the magazine said, except I did not use hot sauce.  Feel free to add it if you want, but trust me, it is good without.  Here -- I even found their video on how to make it to share with you at the end of this post.

ORANGE GLAZED CHICKEN

Recipe from Everyday Food, June 2012

Ingredients

• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 cup thawed orange juice concentrate
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
• 4 teaspoons white-wine vinegar
• 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees, with rack in upper third. Season chicken with salt and pepper and arrange, skin side down, on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until deep golden brown and cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes, flipping halfway through.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine 1 teaspoon salt, juice concentrate, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook until mixture has thickened, 18 to 20 minutes.
3. Heat broiler. Transfer chicken to a large bowl, add glaze, and toss to coat. Drain off fat from sheet. Return chicken to sheet and broil until sauce is bubbling and chicken is dark brown in spots, 1 to 2 minutes.

COST: $12.75    Cost per serving (4): $3.19

PLUS SMALL SALAD & GARLIC BREAD: $3.89 per serving

Where the Heart Is... (Basil Orange Cooler)

Finally, after about two weeks, I have time to get into the kitchen.

Yes, my little blog has been neglected.  And as much as I want to feel bad about that, I don't. 

It is called living life.

Yup, you've got it!  I was a bridesmaid again, this time in Colorado.  Two out-of-state weddings in three weeks!  The plane is beginning to feel like my second home...

But it is a second home I am willing to live in when it brings me close to those I love.

However, my first home, MY HOME, is the place I love best.  It's got everything I need -- my stuff, my food, and most importantly, my man. 

Home is where the heart is. 

Fo' shizzle.

Now I have bags to unpack and a fridge to clean out and all that stuff that comes along with coming home, but I didn't mind taking a break to enjoy a little something fresh and delicious.  If you are like me, you can make without trekking to the grocery store...

A little bit of OJ, some basil and sugar, the juice of a lime or two... mix it up and add some water. 

Summer in a cup.

Go make yourself a glass and then do a cyber-cheers with me.

What are we cheering to, you ask?

To summer, to sunshine, to life...

...to all things beautiful.

Yes, I hear your glasses clinking, all the way over here.

BASIL ORANGE COOLER

Recipe from Everyday Food, June 2012

Ingredients

• 1 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 cups fresh orange juice
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• Ice

Directions

1. In a large container, combine basil and sugar. Mash with the back of a wooden spoon until basil is broken up. Add orange juice, lime juice, and 5 cups water; stir until sugar is dissolved. Serve over ice.

Cook's Note

Easy Entertaining
This drink can be refrigerated for up to 3 days -- add garnish and ice before serving. Try using canning jars in place of pitchers or glasses for a casual party.

COST: $3.80       Cost per glass (8): $0.48

Reason 897 Why I Love Trader Joe's

(My Local TJ's)

Walked in with an empty OJ box, handed it to the guy at the desk and said, "I got this a month ago and it had a little leak.  I dumped it out so I could bring it back without it spilling, but then I forgot about it."  His answer?  "Sorry about that!  Hey Joe -- can you get her another orange juice, no pulp?"  No asking for a receipt, no suspicion that it was empty, no inspecting the carton, just taking me at my word.  They know customer service.