We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature--trees, flowers, grass--grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...We need silence to be able to touch souls. --Mother Teresa

Friday, July 10, 2009

Food on Friday

This is a miracle recipe.

My favorite father-in-law likes it when we are are at the lake (6 days!!) and Frack even likes it. She claims it is her favorite summertime meal. Whatever. Have you picked up on the fact that she is my favorite?

I make it early in the day using frozen chicken. Depending on whether Mr. Microbiologist...I mean Mr. Wonderful...is home or not home--I let it sit on the counter or if he is giving me the evil eye--I slide it into the fridge. And let it sit. And everything soaks up the flavors. It can be put together a couple of days ahead and kept in the fridge--I have done that a number of times. But it does need to sit. It isn't all that whippy made 15 minutes ahead of time. Be patient and plan accordingly.



Grilled Chicken Zucchini and Tomatoes
Chicken--I use frozen bagged tenderloins
2 cans of Italian stewed tomatoes
Zucchini--I used 2 this time--could have used one more
Mozzerella cheese
Spaghetti


Find a pan that you paid $.10 for at a garage sale 21 years ago. No really. Find a pan that you can use on your grill.


Cover it with foil. Be generous.


Slice your zucchini and cover the bottom of the pan.


Put your chicken on top of the zucchini. Use as many as you need for your family.



Open the tomatoes and drain the juice over the top of the chicken and zucchini. Do it real slow and cover each piece of chicken.


Then spoon the tomatoes over the top of the chicken. And let it sit until you are ready to cook it later in the day. Like when Mr. Wonderful gets home.


Cover with more foil. Be generous. Seal it like a pocket.


Place it on grill. Low heat is what I hear works best. Low and slow.


Low and slow. Be patient. It probably takes around 30 minutes to an hour. That's what I hear anyway.


Here is the finished product. This really could have cooked a little longer for me. The zucchini could have been a little more tender....and you can see that there is plenty of liquid.

We serve this over cooked spaghetti topped with mozzarella cheese. Throw in some garlic toast and a little salad and you have wonderful summer meal. And guess what? My little lovelies "plated" it for you. They were having a contest to see who could put together the best plate.

Plate 1--College Girl. Hers was lovely but she needed a different color of plate--everything is the same color.


Plate number 2--Frack. A beautiful plate.


Plate number 3--Frick. Again, a lovely display. Have some salad with that dressing, would ya?


We watch too much Food Network. Just sayin'.

5 comments:

Julie Hamel said...

I love your creations...this looks really yummy! Unfortunately, not many in my family would partake...love those picky eaters (grrr!). So, invite me over the next time you make this summertime meal....

Hays Family 5 said...

Thanks...I will. I was really surprised when Frack liked it and my FIL. He is the pickiest person alive.

Ann said...

Wow!!! That looks wonderful!!! I will have to try it!!! Nice picture College Girl!!!:-)

Robin Crimmin said...

There is zucchini in the garden. Go get some when you need. :) I like Frack's plate, nicely placed cucumber and plate choice. You need to write a cookbook for those of us that struggle. :*

The Rankins said...

I vote for plate number 3...that is my kind of salad, great piece of toast, and I like the extra tomato on the top! That is a neat "challenge"! Keep that up!


Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel. -Proverbs 11: 17