ONE PAN CHICKEN & POTATOES FOR 2 Recipe; Ocean Park-WA

Tonight, we had the chicken supper I had planned for last night ;-)

The kitchen smelled wonderful … supper prep was relatively quick and easy; and it's a repeat meal :-)

The goal is to be 150 lbs. (combined tally) lighter by next summer … and to significantly bring Holland's blood pressure down - so, I'll be cooking most of our meals for the time being.

I found this recipe online (not sure where), and it sounded so yummy, I just had to try it; and we are glad I did.

One Pan Chicken & Potatoes Meal

I am including a recipe for 7 Spice, too, for those who do not have it in their spice collection - this spice blend is a perfect Fall blend, because it has every spice in it that I used in Fall scented kitchens.

I've cut the original recipe back, so it will be easy for couple enjoyment … or a solo lobo meal, with a spare to slip into the 'freezer.

About an hour before cooking supper, I did a couple do-ahead-preps that made preparation easier & quicker: I put the spuds in the microwave for 3 minutes, then quartered them when they cooled; I peeled and pressed the garlic, and put it aside until cooking time; I blended the oil, lemon juice, and spices - and set them aside until needed.

When 5 PM, rolled around, minimal time was required to pull Supper together … and the little counter-top oven & hot plate I use, literally cuts the baking time in half: we were enjoying our meal in 20 minutes time :-)

About 30 minutes into baking time with a regular oven, place your steamer pot on a stove burner and get the water heated to a rolling boiling (if you are using the type of oven I am, get the water set to boil as soon as you slip the chicken in the oven).

==One Pan Chicken & Potatoes ~serves 2

3 small Chicken Thighs * 4 small potatoes (not the tiny baby spuds), quartered * 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil * 2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice * 3 garlic cloves, pressed * 1/2 tsp. Lebanese Seven Spice (recipe below) * 1/2 tsp. Paprika * 1 tsp Salt (I use a salt substitute) * 1/2 tsp. grnd. Black Pepper * 1/2 Tbsp. Parsley * 8" x 8" square foil baking pan (easier to use when RVing) * Cooking Oil Spray (I used Butter-flavor)

Lebanese Seven Spice Recipe: 1/2 Tbsp. grnd. Allspice * 1 Tbsp. grnd. Coriander * 1/2 Tbsp. grnd. Cinnamon * 3/4 tsp. grnd. Black Pepper * 3/4 tsp. grnd. Cloves * 3/4 tsp. Cumin * 3/4 tsp. Nutmeg

Thoroughly mix all ingredients together - then place in a spice jar.

Lebanese 7 Spice Blend.

1) Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Spray cooking pan.

2) With a paper towel, pat the chicken thighs dry; place in baking pan.

3) Place potato quarters in a medium-size bowl. In a small bowl, combine the liquids, garlic, and spices: blend well with a small whisk - pour over the potatoes, and use your hands to thoroughly coat the potato pieces. Add potatoes to baking pan; drizzling remaining liquid over chicken thighs.

4) Place in oven, and bake uncovered, until juice runs clear when chicken piece is pieced gently with fork tines (a little over an hour using a regular oven … and about 15 minutes using the type of oven shown in this post).

Ready for the oven.

5) Turn off the oven, and allow chicken to rest while you steam the veggies. Carefully remove pan from oven; and place on countertop, on a hot pad.

Steam Veggies: I used broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, and little baby carrot chunks.

Place about 16 ounces of water into a steamer pot; place on stove burner and bring to a rolling boil on high heat. When water has reached the boiling level, add veggies to the steamer basket and set in pan; cover and steam for 6 minutes (do not over steam - carefully check stems for doneness, by sticking lightly with fork tines). When stems are tender, gently remove lid - and basket; carefully remove the veggies and serve immediately.

Delish!

The meal was yummy :-D

HIGH WINDS & FLYING SAND~Desert Holiday RV Resort, Yuma-AZ

Yesterday we had taken Bleu to a gravel lot a few paces down the street, to run free and chase his little blue ball - but Holland noticed some sort of tiny stickers that had attached themselves to the truck tires … and then he noticed that there was green growth among the pea gravel that had the sharp things all over them.

And then … I noticed them … because I had worn my rubber flip-flops instead of my heavier soled sandals: my tender soles were being stabbed! We put Bleu back in the 4x, and I carefully hobbled back to the 4x, where I removed the hard-as-bone plant barnacles with a pen :-(

The, we checked Bleu's paw pads, and were relieved to see that his feet were safe. How he managed that is still a mystery because the tires and my feet weren't so lucky.

Ouch! Sandspurs = 'prairie shrapnel' (internet pic)

On our way back home, Holland said, "Tomorrow, we'll get up early and drive down to the border. We'll spend a couple hours out of the house - and you can get pictures of Mexico, and the Colorado River."

That was the Plan for this morning ;-)

All that changed overnight :-(

Hazy morning with flying sand caught on the strong, high winds. 6 A.M.

Never received a 'red flag' warning before … I sat up & paid attention. We were definitely rocked by a 50-mph wind gust; I'll have to keep Bleu on a leash when he goes outside to do his 'business'.

Our planned Border-Colorado River Daytrip is shelfed today.

Strong, high winds … and flying sand.

Bleu thinks he's still a 10-pound puppy. LOL

Holland is my blessing; Elohim's love gift, to me.

Patrick Swayze - 'She's Like The Wind' song:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gbz-Lau5tc)

This gypsy-hearted woman loves her big guy :-)

So, we're going to hunker down in our rocking RV, today; and let the winds blow as they will ;-)

Holland made a yummy breakfast - and a delicious power drink: Holland's power drinks are original (no hard-n-fast recipes); they are silky smooth, and milk-shake-substance (not watery like store bought drinks).

Totally yummy :-)

Breakfast; thick sliced bacon & Holland's original recipe chunky omelet (eggs (no growth hormones or vaccines), cheddar cheese, red onion, zucchini, tomatoes, Anaheim pepper, salt & pepper).

I'm 5'2" and curvy; Holland likes my 'kardashian' rear end … I think he feeds me to deliberately keep my {biscuits} at mile-high status. LOL ;-)

Holland's own power drink; raw pineapple, raw ginger & whole lemon.

Today will be a total "Veg-out Day" with nothing more exciting happening than hugs, kisses, and TV movies … which, with the right person can be very exciting ;-)