Spicy Broccoli

When I was little I always hated broccoli. Actually, correction, I hated the idea of broccoli. It seems that at some point, all kids decide that broccoli is the most disgusting, repulsive, sickening vegetable on the planet. Luckily, I’ve matured (somewhat) since those days and now I wholeheartedly embrace broccoli in all it’s greeny goodness, and am proud to call it my favourite vegetable. I could seriously eat broccoli every day. Sometimes I’ll eat a steamed head of broccoli for dinner, I love it that much.

Now if you’re an adult and you still think broccoli is disgusting, repulsive and sickening, I challenge you to try this recipe. It’s a new take on the slightly boring steamed or boiled broccoli with a little butter. It reminds me a bit of my favourite Green Beans in Vinaigrette. This dish does not take long to make at all, and yields delicious, flavorful results. Garlic, hot chili pepper flakes and lots of cracked black pepper make this side dish delectable.

This side dish would go nicely with Spicy Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs or my Foolproof Sunday Roasted Chicken.

Spicy Broccoli (serves 2-4)
Recipe slightly adapted from: Martha Stewart

Ingredients

2 medium heads broccoli, chopped
2/3 cup water
3 tbsp olive oil
1 large clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp white balsamic vinegar
1/8 tsp hot chili pepper flakes
freshly cracked black pepper

Directions

In a pot or pan bring 2/3 cup of water to a simmer. Place chopped broccoli in the pot/pan, cover and cook for 4 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic and hot chili pepper flakes.

Drain the excess water. And pour the oil mixture on top of the broccoli. Tossing to coat broccoli with flavouring.

Remove pot/pan from heat and add the vinegar.

Serve warm.

Enjoy your serving of vegetables today!

- Lou

Spicy Chicken Skewers

If you're a frequent visitor to my blog, you've probably noticed that I post lots of recipes involving chicken. Chicken is just so fabulous, don't you think? Maybe I just like it because it's something you can cook up however you want, you can throw it in a risotto, or roast it in the oven, it really is so versatile! I usually find myself using chicken for weeknight meals, resulting in quick and simple dishes. Despite being easy to make, they are always full of flavor. In my opinion, there is nothing worse than a bland chicken dish.

Since the base of the sauce is chili sauce, these chicken skewers are spicy. I find that they are a nice little pick me up dinner to keep you going the rest of the week. The addition of dried herbs gives the chili sauce a distinct flavor that everyone will love. Plus, skewers are fun. I love them. And these are so good no one will know there are only 5 ingredients!

Spicy Chicken Skewers
Recipe Adapted from: Canadian Living Magazine

Ingredients

1 lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/4 cup chili sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper

Directions

You can cook these on the grill or in the oven. Whichever you prefer. I like using the oven!

If cooking in the oven, preheat to 375.

Cut the chicken into desire size and thread onto metal skewers. In a bowl, whisk ingredients for the sauce.

Spray a baking sheet with a little cooking spray.

Brush sauce over all sides of the chicken and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Turn the chicken over and bake for another 15 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked.

Sprinkle with a little lime juice and serve.

- Lou

Living Lou's Chicken Wings

March brings to mind two things: Spring break and March Madness. Sadly, the first, and more exciting of the two is over, which means that March Madness has begun! The time when we all pretend we've been following College basketball and cheer on our "favourite" (or the best) team.

When I think about food to eat while watching sports chicken wings are the first thing that come to mind. They are probably one of the most loved foods to eat whilst watching a sporting event, whether it be the Superbowl, or say, the World Figure Skating Championships. In my opinion wings should always be on the table.

These are not your typical chicken wings, oh no, these are much better. And they're baked, not fried! The sweet and spicy, tangy and smoky flavors are unusual and perfect. Rubbed with a simple spice rub before cooking enhances the flavours, of the wings, and the Chipotle pepper is what gives them that smoky flare which takes them over the edge. The molasses in the sauce gives them that finger-licking factor, and the Dijon mustard lends a tangy bite. I promise you, these wings will be a new favourite.

Living Lou's Chicken Wings

Ingredients

3 lbs chicken wings

Spice Rub
1 tbsp chipotle chili pepper powder
1 tsp sweet paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp dried mustard
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp brown sugar

Sauce
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup spicy mustard
1/4 cup molasses
3 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp chipotle hot sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 375.

Combine ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes.

In a separate bowl, combine ingredients for the spice rub.

Place wings in a large bowl and cover with spice rub. Using tongs mix chicken wings and make sure all pieces are well coated.

Grease a baking sheet and bake spice rubbed chicken in the oven for 15-18 minutes. After the 12-15 minutes, turn the wings over and bake for another 15-18 minutes more.

Once cooking time is up, turn on the broiler and remove wings to another large bowl. Pour 1/2 cup of the sauce over the wings, use tongs to stir and coat the chicken.

Place back on the baking sheet and broil for 2 minutes on one side, then flip chicken over and broil for 1 minute on the other side.

Serve with remaining sauce and plenty of napkins!

- Lou

Spicy Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs

With the holidays around the corner for a lot of people it means baking, baking and more baking! BUT, let's not forget that we also have people to feed! As much as some would love to live off holiday cookies, (myself included), it really isn't the best idea!

I bet lots of people are looking for quick and easy dinner ideas, and here's one... today I bring you one of my favourite recipes for chicken thighs: Spicy Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs. Not only are these chicken thighs extremely tasty, (sweet & spicy, need I say more?) but they are super easy too! And will be all cooked up and ready faster than you can say gingerbread.

Now, take a break from your holiday baking frenzy and make some of these for dinner!

Spicy Honey Brushed Chicken Thighs
Recipe adapted from: Cooking Light

Ingredients

8 chicken thighs (with bones and skin)
2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
6 tbsp honey
1 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
cooking spray (for coating the pan)

Directions

Line a baking sheet with tin foil, and spray foil with cooking spray.

Combine the salt and spices in a bowl and rub on both sides of the chicken. Place the chicken on the baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes on each side.

While chicken is broiling, combine the honey and vinegar in another boil. Once the chicken has done both sides, remove from the oven and brush with the honey mixture; be sure to coat it very well! Broil for another minute or two. Remove the chicken from the oven once again and flip it over, brush this side with the remaining honey mixture and broil for an addition one to two minutes.

Check to be sure chicken is done, if not broil for another minute, be sure to watch it very carefully!

Enjoy this tasty dish, it's positively perfect.

- Lou