Beer Can Chicken............July 25, 2008

Ok, I'm doing this as a blog because I just love this recipe and don't want anyone to miss it.

If anyone says that this is old news and they're bored, I'm gonna slap 'em silly.

I am NOT a big lover of chicken but always being on a low carb diet, I always buy a roasted chicken from the market (can you say $6.99). My kids don't like chicken much either. What I LOVE LOVE LOVE about this recipe?.........

1. It's simple to put on the grill and forget it until the timer goes off. I make the rub in bigger batches and always keep it on hand. I think it works well for beef, chicken and pork.

2. I buy one large beer and then ( I confess that the first time I made this I tried to stuff that giant beer can up the chicken ass but it was too tall to close the BBQ lid) fill a soda can with some and drink the rest with the chicken. Wooohoooo. Why does beer have to give ya' gas? Hicu-u-up

3. I have NEVER had moister or more flavorful chicken....and CHEAP.

4. Doesn't everyone just love America's Test Kitchen? Is it still on PBS? Isn't it funny how into perfection and testing they are? Well, I have their cookbook and I just love it. This is the source of the recipe.

My kids use the chicken for nachos and in salads. BTW, we are so into putting our nachos on the grill too, makes it really smoky-y good.

I LOVE my patio but it's dang hot-t-t outside right now.

BEER CAN CHICKEN
Basic BBQ Rub
1/2 c. chili powder
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. salt
2 tbl. black pepper
2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Just mix this all together - I can do two chickens with this quantity

Prep the grill turning on all burners to get the grill really hot. Rinse the whole chicken and discard the weird inside stuff. put the rub inside, under the skin and outside the chicken. Drink 1/4 of the beer leaving the can 3/4 full of beer ( you can substitute beer with chicken broth, juice or water) But beer is way-y- better. Place the beer can up the booty-y- of the chicken and transfer to the BBQ. Turn the flame off directly under the chicken, but leave the burners on on both sides. So that the chicken gets indirect heat. The grill should maintain a 350-375 temperature, cooking for 70-90 minutes. Use a meat thermometer in the thigh to register 165. Rotate the chicken around a few times as it cooks.

Can you say FABULOUS-S-S-S? Enjoy!

A Little of This and That............July 01, 2008

I leave for vacation on Sunday, right after the 4th. I'm going in the RV for a week of fun on the beach in central California. Many of my friends will be joining us as well. I'm looking forward to it. I have a new bathing suit, a very chic hat, and I hit the library for some good summer novels. I hope I made some good literary choices.
I've been absent around here, because I just haven't been in the social mood and to be frank there isn't too much going on of late. Although I do have a few friends that post multiple blogs daily, I haven't felt like commenting and blogging myself, sorry.
I had some bad news last week, it looks like my tumor (last time it was benign) has returned and I will need to have surgery again. I'm very disappointed and in some pain, but life goes on and this shall pass. I've been busy messing with insurance companies and more tests. Tough times make me wish for the support of my boyfriend, but I would never contact him. I really miss him..............
I purchased summer season passes for my kids a some of their friends for Raging Waters (CA largest water park). It's but 10 minutes from our house. Because of the gas prices I figured it would be cheaper than going to the beach as many times a week as I like. We went yesterday for our first visit and it was fun. I can always drop the older girls off alone for the day, but when my son and his friend go, I will stay. There are a few rides that I really enjoy, like the wave pool, the meandering river rafting and a few of the milder crazy rides. You won't catch me on the mile high, Extreme thing-y-y where you go down belly first. I'm sooo sure. Ouch.
I hope that everyone has a lovely 4th of July. I hope to go to a friend's house for a party.