What a Jerk of a chicken!

Tonight I got home early from a crazy day at jury duty. Almost didn't get dismissed from a 2 month murder trial. Luckily I had a vacation in the beginning of October to get me out of it. I'm already loving Yosemite just for the fact that it got me out of jury duty.
So now as I try to type this my mouth and arm are literally burning. I figured I had the time to prepared Jerk Chicken for tonight's dinner. I took careful care to chopped all the ingredients finely, even using plastic baggies when chopping up the habareno peppers and making sure NOT to rub my eyes....
But what I should have been more careful with was the HOT burning oil. In the rush of trying to get the chicken in the med-high heated oil I dropped the flatten chicken only to have a huge wave of hot oil splash up on my arm. It took about 30 seconds to realize that my arm seemed to be on fire. I ran it under the cool water washing it off with soap and looking for any immediate blistering. So far only one has appeared, but my wrist is completely red and in pain. I let the chicken brown while I rushed to the internet to look up home remedies as it wasn't so bad I needed medical attention (only feels like it).
After applying a huge amount of aloe vera gel and running it under cool water for 5-10 minutes, the chicken popped away in the hot oil, now I'm afraid to approach my oven. I finally threw in the remaining ingredients, keeping a safe distance from the hot pan. And after a few more minutes marinading in the oil, peppers, and broth it looked like it had enough.
Unfortunately I couldn't enjoy the dinner as much as I should have as my arm was killing me to cut the chicken or make any movement (like it is now) and then my mouth starting to burn with the habarenos. But I must say it was quite tasty and hopefully the leftovers will be just as good if not less painful.

Sorry no pictures as I just didn't have the motivation. Maybe tomorrow with the leftovers and less painful arm.

What does a million dollars taste like?

Well after hiding inside from the 100 degree weather yesterday, watching Food Network and HGTV I had the idea to try to reproduce the winning recipe of the Pillsbury Million Dollar Cooking Contest. So I went online and found the recipe to Double Delight Peanut Butter Cookies that took last year's prize.
I have to tell you the recipe look relatively easy and didn't have many ingredients, so I figure how hard can it be and how can it be worth a million dollars. I headed to the store, after the sun went down so I wouldn't melt in the parking lot and got the makings of my cookies.

I would first suggest maybe doing this in cooler weather as the peanut butter balls tend to get rather warm quickly and melt in your hands. Also the Pillsbury dough need to stay cool when cutting and trying to flatten them. And having the oven on tends to add about another 10 degrees to your already warm house. But other than that the recipe was really quick simple.
Now for the taste. I can't really say I can see why they won a million dollars, of course I can't really think of any recipes that would be worth that much. But I must say I think homemade peanut butter cookies taste a lot better. Not that these tasted bad or anything but just not a million dollars worth. Also they were more like a triple delight with a ball of peanut butter wrapped in a peanut butter cookie dough rolled in peanuts and sugar. I liked the outer layer with the sugared crushed peanut mixture on it and would suggest adding that to homemade cookies.
But if I had to give a million dollars to a cookie recipe I would probably go with the Levin chocolate chip cookies from New York I found after watching Throw-down with Bobbi Flay. These cookies are massive and difficult to make, but I got the best reviews from my co-workers last Christmas when I made them (was told by one older co-woker they were the best she has ever had and she looks like she has eaten a lot of cookies in her lifetime). They are about 400 calories a cookie and have a texture of a scone, but they are well worth it and I would even say a million dollars. You will probably see them in a future blog.

Here is the Pillsbury Double Delight Peanut Butter Cookies winning recipe for you to try yourself.

Ingredients

1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, finely chopped
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup Jif Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup confectioners' powdered sugar
1 roll Pillsbury Create 'n Bake refrigerated peanut butter cookies, well chilled.

Procedure

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In small bowl, mix chopped peanuts, granulated sugar, and cinnamon; set aside.

2. In another small bowl, stir peanut butter and powdered sugar until completely blended. Shape mixture into 24 (1-inch) balls.

3. Cut roll of cookie dough into 12 slices. Cut each slice in half crosswise to make 24 pieces; flatten slightly. Shape 1 cookie dough piece around 1 peanut butter ball, covering completely. Repeat with remaining dough and balls.

4. Roll each covered ball in peanut mixture; gently pat mixture completely onto balls. On ungreased large cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart. Spray bottom of drinking glass with Crisco original no-stick cooking spray; press into remaining peanut mixture. Flatten each ball to 1/4-inch thickness with bottom of glass. Sprinkle any remaining peanut mixture evenly on tops of cookies; gently press into dough.

5. Bake 7 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Let cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Store tightly covered.

Fastest way to an Artichoke's heart

I remember having my first artichoke in junior college. I went to a friend of a friend's house and their mom had made steamed artichokes with a delicious mayo/vinegar dip. I haven't figured out how to duplicate the dip (unfortunately never asked for the recipe or watched them make it), but I have since found a quick and simple tasty way to enjoy artichokes.
First you have to buy the right kind, big, round and closed leaves. If the leaves are open then the artichoke isn't as fresh. Luckily Safeway has been getting in huge artichokes at a pretty reasonable price. I've been having them for dinner, with dinner or just a light snack. Here is the way I enjoy them without the thirty minute wait of steaming them.

Rinse your artichoke in water and dab dry with a paper towel. Then cut in half a lemon and squeeze juice over the artichoke. Then sprinkle it with lemon pepper. Place it in a plastic vegetable bag (or the new steamer bags if it will fit). Tie it closed and put it in the microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes. If its an extra big one I will add another 30 seconds or so.
As it cooks in the microwave in a small dipping dish combine mayo, fresh squeezed lemon juice (use the other half of the one you used for the artichoke) and sprinkle with lemon pepper. Mix together until all combined.
I usually let the artichoke sit for a few minutes after cutting the bag open to cool down. Then plate and enjoy.
I usually eat it with rice pilaf (one of my friends thinks this is a odd combo but it works for me) or have some garlic bread with it. But mostly I just eat it alone and often. When it's that quick and easy why not.

A roll in the grass and dirt

This morning was the beginning to a warm Saturday, predicted temps in the 100. It's getting close to the end of summer and hopefully this is the last of the hot weekends. I usually spend my weekend mornings watering the plants and grass (and watching Food Network). So I got out there before the afternoon sun hits the plants and they turn into themselves for safety. As I'm watering the plants I hear grunting from the grass area. I look over to see Charlie enjoying a roll in the grass. I'm not sure why this feels so good to dogs, but the look of joy and happiness on his face as he rolls on his back, kicking his legs up just brings a smile to my face.
Now Charlie has the good sense to roll in the grass, where the only real danger is maybe rolling in some doggy poop that didn't get picked up, but for the most time he comes out of it clean and invigorated. Where Maggie seems to enjoy rolling in the dirt. Yes, I know I probably shouldn't have dirt in my backyard, but it's still a work in progress. A few weeks ago you might remember I had to give Maggie a "Silkwood"bath because she was more brown than black. Well this is how it happens. If I leave her out too long on her own she always ends up taking a good long roll in the dirt. Now she seems just as happy about it as Charlie, but of course comes out a whole lot dirtier. So I have to invest in doggy wipes and brush her down before letting her in the house. And then she wonders why she isn't allowed up n the couch or bed like Charlie. Silly dogs.