Memorial Day Cooking Part Two: Grilled Entrees and Drinks

Entrees
Moroccan Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Tzatziki SauceTasty grilled skewered chicken marinated in a Moroccan style spice blend. It is easy to make marinating the chicken in lemon juice, olive oil and a blend of spices and then grilling it to perfection. The spice blend is made with a number of ingredients including a base of paprika with a touch of heat being provided by some cayenne and a hint of the exotic by the cinnamon, ginger and turmeric. Grilling the chicken only takes a few minutes. As a time saver serve kabobs using a prepared box of herb couscous or Basmati Rice (Roasted Chicken Flavor and Herbs with Orzo Pasta). Pair the meal with fresh fruit and homemade chocolate brownie.
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2018/10/all-hallows-eve.html
Recipe adapted from closetcooking.com and serves 4.
Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless-skinless chicken, cut into chunks
• 2 TB. lemon juice (half of a fresh lemon)
• 2 TB. olive oil , Garlic Olive Oil or Eureka Lemon Fused Olive Oil
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. ginger
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric, saffron or curry
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• lemon slices
• 10 large wood skewers (soaked at least 30 minutes in water).
• optional veggies to thread on skewers: zucchini (green or yellow), sliced into 1/3″ rings, medium bell peppers, cut into 1″ pieces, 1 medium sweet or red onion, sliced into chunks, medium sized mushrooms, rinsed and dried on paper towels

Directions:

• Place chicken pieces in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Combine spices in another small bowl and sprinkle over chicken pieces. Place in a freezer zip loc bag and marinate the chicken for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Drain marinade and skewer the chicken with veggies. Grill over medium-high heat until cooked, about 10 minutes per side.

Serve with Tzatziki Sauce-a Greek cucumber yogurt dip. It’s a healthy sauce you can serve with chicken, grilled veggies, pita chips, gyros and as a raw veggie dip.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 English cucumber, peeled about 1 cup
• 10 oz. plain Greek yogurt
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh dill or 1-1/2 tsp. dried dill
• 1 TB. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt, or to taste
• 1/8 tsp. black or lemon pepper

Directions:

• The cucumber should be peeled, finely diced and strained of it's juices. I squeezed it really tight by the fistful with two paper towels. Getting rid of excess juice is important so that you tzatziki sauce isn't watery the next day.
• Combine the strained and chopped cucumber with plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, dill, salt and pepper.
• Mix everything together in blender pulse a few times, but not puree it. For best flavor make the sauce the day before for flavors to meld.

Some other Ever Ready Specials include:

Raspberry Balsamic Sauce Served Over Grilled Pork 
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2016/05/fire-up-grill.html

Foil Packet Lemon Shrimp with Corn and Zucchini   
Lemon Dijon Salmon with Spinach, Squash and Potatoes 
Both recipes found at 
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2016/05/fire-up-grill_26.html






Ever Ready Drink Specials
Strawberry Mojito 

Cherry Margarita

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2013/06/put-little-umbrella-in-your-drink.html

STRAWBERRY MARGARITA SLURPEES

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups strawberry margarita mix
• 1 cup club soda
• 2 cups crushed ice
• tequila (for adults only)
• OPTIONAL BUT REALLY MAKES IT A PARTY DRINK
• lime slices and fresh strawberries for garnish
• Sugar sprinkles
• 1 teaspoon corn syrup

Directions: 

• Prepare glasses. Using your finger or a small paint brush just for food, bush corn syrup along rim of glass. Dip Glasses in sprinkles and set aside. 
• Combine margarita mix and crushed ice in a blender, blend until desired consistency. Add club soda and pulse just to combine. 
• Pour into prepared glasses. For adults only, top with a shot of tequila. Garnish with fruit and enjoy.