Below is a recipe that our whole family loves. I had it for the first time at a neighbors house when she hosted Bunko. I have modified it a little bit to suit our tastes. I add both asparagus and green beans so that the kids will eat some veggies. BD and I like the asparagus in it the best and the kids won't eat that. So, I add some green beans and have them eat those.
Balsamic Chicken & Penne Pasta
What you'll need to get started: Pictured - Balsamic Vinegar, Minced Garlic, Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Grey Poupon Country Mustard, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sugar; Not Pictured - Ziploc bag, about 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Wheat Penne Pasta, Steamed Asparagus and/or Green Beans.
At least four hours before, or overnight, add the following to a large ziploc bag:
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
2 TBSP Grey Poupon Country Mustard
2 TBSP Sugar
2 pinches Cayenne Pepper
3 cloves Minced Garlic
1/2 tsp Salt
Mix the contents well by squeezing the bag. Then, add about 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
Refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight. I usually put this part together the night before and just throw it in the fridge so I can make it when I get home from work the next day.
When ready to cook the chicken, save the marinade. Heat it to boiling for at least 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, start cooking the about 1/2lb of wheat penne pasta as well.
Broil the chicken breasts
Chop the asparagus (or green beans, or whatever other vegetable you decide to try).
I'll give you one hint, if you are using more than one vegetable, don't mix them together like I did! Since they have to steam for different amounts of time, that doesn't work well.
Steam the vegetable(s). I ended up using to the "full" line for asparagus and "half" line for green beans. See, I had to use two bags, two different amounts of time:
When the chicken is cooked, cut into bite size pieces
Combine chicken, marinade, pasta, and steamed veggies. It doesn't matter what order.
Toss to coat
Serve with fresh shredded/grated parmesan cheese if you like. I personally don't bother with it, as I can't really taste it and it's just wasted extra calories.
Yum!
Ingredients
My nephew, J, was really winding up to throw the bread to the ducks.
All three kids raced us back to the picnic table. Guess who won?
At this same park, they have a splash park that is new. The kids had a lot of fun! J loved the smaller slide.
I don't remember what, probably Grandpa, but PM found something highly amusing.
There they go!
Does he look happy?
Here they are with MIL. Which do you like better? This one:
or this one? I played with the coloring a bit...
And, of course, they have a pool. So, here are the obligatory pool shots:
Next up tomorrow, feeding the ducks and playing at a splash park in Indiana!
We spent Saturday at my cousin's wedding. The ceremony itself was outside, on the middle of a baseball field. It was hot and humid, but the ceremony was beautiful.
Between the wedding and the reception, we had three hours to kill. So, we headed to my uncle's house. He lives right on Lake Erie, complete with a private beach.
The reception was a typical wedding reception, except instead of clanging glasses to get the bride and groom to kiss, you had to go up and do a shot with them. Wouldn't you know it, my dad was the first one in line.
BD and I had our picture taken as well. I think we look pretty good!
Sunday, before leaving, we went to visit my late grandparents grave. It was the first time I had seen the gravestone that was completed. As is Jewish tradition, we left a rock on the top to say we were there. Here is one of the pictures that is on the stone. It was taken when they were married. I don't recall that year, but they were both born in May of 1925. Don't mind the pink shades, I didn't notice my reflection until after I looked at the pictures.
The day was very patriotic:
And, of course ended with fireworks, which both kids loved!
Unfortunately, the late hour and full day took it's toll on them too. Here was PM on the ride home:
