News Taffy

I just love to share new recipes that get you out the kitchen fast and allow you to eat great food at the same time. A friend shared this with me recently and it received high ratings from my family and friends. This chicken recipe has only five ingredients and takes about 5 minutes prep time before you grill it. Grilling takes 15 to 18 minutes, depending on your fire. While that is cooking, steam some yellow squash, make a salad and dinner is ready in 30 minutes or less.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken With Brown Sugar

INGREDIENTS
*Chicken breasts (number depends on how many you are cooking for)
*Package of your favorite bacon, thick slices will grill better
*2 tsp. brown sugar per breast
*salt and pepper to taste
*1/4 tsp Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning or to taste (optional)

DIRECTIONS
Heat grill to medium high heat. Mix brown sugar, salt, pepper and Tony’s if desired. Rub each chicken breast lightly with the mixture. Wrap one or two slices of bacon around each breast and place on a lightly greased grill pan. Grill breasts 15 to 20 minutes, depending on thickness of meat, turning once, until done.

The combination of smoky bacon, sweetness and a hint of spicy heat was perfect. The meat was moist and full of flavor. If you don’t like hot foods, leave off the Tony’s. This may well be our new favorite way to grill chicken.

If you are getting a bit tired of fresh corn on the cob (who would?), try this next recipe. It would also go well with the grilled chicken.

Creamed Corn

INGREDIENTS
*6 to 8 ears of fresh corn, shucked
*4 Tbsp. butter
*1/4 cup milk
*salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
Cut the corn from the cob, scrapping the ear with the back of the knife to get the juice or “milk” from the corn. Place the butter in a large skillet and melt over medium heat. Add the corn and let cook, stirring frequently for at least 15 minutes. Add the milk and stir. If it seems too dry, add more milk, a little at a time until it reaches the desired consistency. This will not be like the creamed corn that comes from a can. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Between the heat and the mosquitoes, I do not want to leave the house these days. But that has not stopped my exercise program and I hope you are working out too. I am still swimming, riding my horse, cleaning the barn and doing other outside chores. I just do them either early in the morning or late at night to avoid the worst of the heat. I’ve increased my water intake too. So don’t let the heat be your excuse to stop exercising, just use common sense and be careful. Please don’t mow or do other heavy work in the middle of the day if you aren’t used to working outside.

Until next week,
Lisa