This Week's Meals

MEAL #1 Chicken On A Can
YUM YUM! This smells Fantastic when it comes off the grill! Want food in the freezer for the future? Grill 2 whole chickens and when they are done cooking separate the meat from the bones and freeze the meat of the 2nd chicken. That chicken can be pulled out of the freezer to be used in pasta, salads or other meals!

CHICKEN RUB
2 Tbsp. paprika
1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp. ground pepper
2 cloves crushed garlic
3 Tbsp. dehydrated onion flakes
2 Tbsp. dried oregano
Salt (to taste)

Mix it all together.

THE BIRD
Can of beer
whole chicken
2 tbsp. oil
1 small potato

Set grill on high for indirect grilling – very important to use indirect heat, otherwise the chicken may catch fire - happened to me one time. A simple way to accomplish indirect heat on a barbeque with 3 heating elements is to keep the outside elements on and turn off the middle element ad place the chicken over the middle element.

Remove any giblets and rinse the chicken. Pat it dry with a towel and rub all over with cooking oil. Cover chicken with rub mixture and 2 Tbsp. coarse sea salt. Place a beer can on the counter and place the bird on top (spreading legs and inserting can into open cavity). Put potato in the top hole of the chicken to seal. Transfer directly onto the grill and cook over indirect heat for 1-1-1/4 hrs (or until meat thermometer reads 165 F in breast or 180 F in thighs). The chicken should look like it is standing up on the grill.

MEAL #2 Chicken Squares
This is not necessarily ‘clean’ eating but it IS easy, interesting and fast. Chicken squares have two extra benefits: (1) kids like them and (2) they are easy to take as leftovers to work.

3 oz light cream cheese
3 Tbsp. melted butter
2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
¼ tsp salt
1 Tbsp. chopped green onion
2 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. chopped pimento (OPTIONAL)
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 can Pillsbury Crescent rolls
2 Tbsp. paprika
1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Blend cream cheese with 2 Tbsp. butter, add next 6 ingredients and mix well. Separate and spread rolls on ungreased cookie sheet. Spoon roughly ½ cup meat mix on each roll. Fold to close. Melt butter and mix with croutons. Put the butter/crouton mixture on each Square. These can be frozen for later. Cook 20-25 minutes.

MEAL #3 Family Favorite Meatloaf
On a night out with a few great friends I mentioned they should try this recipe. I explained that I am not a fan of meatloaf but this recipe from my Auntie Dixie tastes like candy. They didn’t like the idea of meatloaf that tastes like candy (I can’t blame them) but give it a try and I’m sure it will be a favorite in your family as well.

THE MEAT
1 lb lean ground beef
chopped medium onion
½ cup milk
1 beaten egg
8 (or more) crushed crackers
salt and pepper to taste

Combine the above and place in a large loaf pan. ‘Dent’ the top with 2 grooves.

THE SAUCE
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup water
1 tsp. dry mustard
½ cup brown sugar.

ALERT: Double the sauce recipe for use over top of mashed potatoes or leftover meatloaf and you will not regret it!

Pour sauce (if doubled, pour almost ¾ of it) over meat. Bake at 350 for an hour.

MEAL #4 Pesto Pork Chops
I have a large family and cook this in a huge batch. The kids and hubby love it

PORK RUB
Thyme
Salt and pepper
garlic clove
lemon zest and juice
olive oil

Mix these items together. No need to measure, just make sure there isn’t too much of one item. Rub this mix over both sides of each chop and let it sit. If you get a chance to make this in the morning you won’t need to think about dinner all day.

Cook in a hot frying pan (or a large electric griddle if cooking in bulk) and cook on medium heat 4 minutes on each side.

Serve with pesto either on the side or on top.