The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

The Good
I tried two new recipes over the weekend. Both recipes turned out really good, especially the chicken.


CROCKPOT CORNISH HENS WITH POTATOES

4 Cornish game hens (20 oz each)
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
4 large red potatoes, cut into 1/8-inch slices
4 bacon strips, cut into 1-inch pieces
Lemon-pepper seasoning and garlic powder to taste
Minced fresh parsley

In a large skillet, brown hens in oil. Place the potatoes in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Top with the hens and bacon. Sprinkle with lemon-pepper and garlic powder. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat juices run clear and potatoes tender. Thicken the cooking juices if desired. Sprinkle the hens with parsley. Yield: 4 servings.

Notes: I made a few changes to this recipe. 1) I used 2 hens because only 2 would fit in my 5qt crockpot. I didn't brown them ahead of time, thus omitting the oil. 2) I put fresh cloves of garlic in the bird cavities. 3) I used white potatoes. 4) I sprinkled dried parsley on top of everything before cooking. 5) I added fresh carrots.


CARIBBEAN JERK CHICKEN

1 pkt. dry Italian dressing mix
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. oil
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. red pepper
2 1/2 lbs. whole chicken

Mix all ingredients except chicken in small bowl until well blended. Coat chicken with dressing mixture. Place in large baking dish; cover. Refrigerate 1 hour or longer to marinate. Grill or broil 40-45 minutes or until cooked through, turning frequently. Or, bake in oven at 350°F for about 45, then setting the oven to broil to crisp the skin. Serves 6.

Notes: 1) I put the marinade in a plastic ziploc bag and marinated the chicken overnight. It's easier to toss the marinade, and easier to clean up. 2) I marinated two chicken breasts and only grilled them for about 15 minutes. You don't want to over-cook breasts, otherwise they turn out very dry!


If you like Caribbean Jerk seasoning, you might like this:

CARIBBEAN STYLE JERK RUB

1 tbsp. onion powder
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. dried thyme, crushed
1½ tsp. allspice
1½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground cloves
¼ tsp. ground red pepper

Combine all ingredients. Makes enough for about 2 lbs. of meat. Seal unused portion in an airtight container. Use on pork ribs grilled over indirect heat. Use with dark meat portions of chicken and turkey.

Notes: I've used this on chicken and pork. It's really good.


More Good
I finished up an ornament for an exchange I’m in with a blogger buddy. It was my first time using linen on an ornament. It wasn’t perfect, but it turned out pretty good. So that’s #2 for my Project Challenge. I'm still working on backstitching the eagle and flag of Freedom. I am *this* close to being done. Then I'll be working on the poem and the soldier's info. That part should go fast.


The Bad
It was chilly and rainy all weekend. Yesterday the winds were brutally cold. Winter's setting in and the forecasters are saying we might not get Indian Summer.


The Ugly
I had a very aggravating experience on Friday night. After months of waiting, I finally got a call from Hobby Lobby that the green package of DMC Color Variations was in and that I’d be getting it at the rain check price of 50% off. The store called me 2 weeks ago, so I thought I’d better go over and get it. I drove over 30mi each way. When I got there, the clerk told me the warehouse sent the red package instead of green. When I commented that she could’ve called me and told me, know what her response was? “Well, we’ve been busy.” OK, that was enough to set my tea kettle steaming! I told her that I drove over 30mi for that and I had a busy life too. I was none to quiet about it either. I don’t even want to imagine what the customer standing next to me thought. Sorry, but I think it’s ridiculous that in two weeks time they couldn’t pick up the phone and let their customers know the wrong item had come in, especially when they had my name and address to see I was from out of town. That reminds me... I have to make a complaint to Hobby Lobby corporate...