It's been awhile!

So...I started another blog: makekelliaccountable.blogspot.com. Basically, I'm on a mission to lose the extra weight I've packed on in order to be able to wear all the clothes in my closet!

I think I will go ahead and post the recipes I make here, just for fun. I really let processed foods get in the way of things...not to mention, waaaaaaay too much alcohol! I do *heart* my wine. We all have our vices.

Tonight, it's just a simple lemon chicken, yellow rice (from a box) and zucchini and squash.

For the chicken:
2 chicken breasts
The juice and the halves of 1 and a half lemons
About 2 TBSP of olive oil
About 1/4 of a large onion, wedged
S&P
Garlic powder (didn't have the real deal)

Mix and marinade for awhile.

For the veg:
2 zucchini
2 yellow squash (I love this combo)
1 TBSP olive oil
S&P

Slice off ends. Cut in half crosswise, then cut each half into four long rectangles of squashy goodness. Toss with olive oil and seasonings.
To cook:
Either preheat your grill (so good on the grill) or a good, heavy cast iron skillet over medium high heat. When all is ready, start the chicken, pouring any marinade that maybe didn't get absorbed (there shouldn't be a lot) over the chicken. Beware the flames if you grill. Turn the chicken when it has a good sear on the downside. Add squash and zucchini to grill/pan. Let it get good and browned. Flip. When the chicken is done (I use the finger test) remove it, and serve the bird and veg over a nice pile of yellow or brown rice. Squirt with a little lemon. Eat. Enjoy the clean flavors :)

***I am actually using my husband's computer since mine is dead at the moment, so no pictures.

Kebob...kabob...oh heck, I can't spell it. It's meat on a stick.

Well, I haven't been here in forever! I thought maybe it was time to try this again. I've made some awesome recipes in the last year and have definitely furthered my culinary skills, so it's time to share!

Yesterday, my husband and I (re)committed ourselves to healthier eating and regular gym time. It's sad when the clothes I bought just months ago are already tight and ill-fitting. Quite sad, indeed. So, here we go!

My healthy eating is probably different from others--I believe in whole foods as much as possible, and not using "fake" ingredients, i.e. Splenda or other artificial sweeteners, margarine, etc. I also eat beef. My cholesterol is fine, so I take the risk! I'm too much of an old-fashioned Oklahoma girl to not eat a steak now and then.

Tonight's steak is a nice petite sirloin, marinated and grilled, served with grilled veggies and yummy, healthy brown rice. I like to marinade the meat for awhile, if I can, to make sure it's very tender. I also like to cook it fairly high to insure a good caramelized crust on the steak.

Lime-cumin-garlic steak kabobs with zucchini and red onion over brown rice:

• Enough sirloin steak to feed 2 people plus leftovers, cubed

  juice from 3 limes

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 1 tsp (to taste) of cumin

• 1 TBSP olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste
  

Mix marinade ingredients together and pour over meat in a container. Marinade for 1 hour or longer, if possible.

2 zucchini, sliced

1 red onion, wedged

Salt, pepper, and olive oil to coat

Now, here's the part I have a problem with--I have no grill!!! So, I improvise. I have a big electric skillet, and for the most part, my long kabob skewers fit on it. So I will only show you the finished product, because yeah, it's not so pretty for the cooking for me.

I like to keep my meat and veg skewers separate. In the meantime, boil up enough brown rice for two people.

Basically, you just cook to medium-rare, and until the veggies are crisp-tender, with some good browning. Optional: If you want to make extra marinade, you certainly can and reduce it down to make a yummy sauce!