Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Dinner at the House

So Monday night we had some of our neighbors over for dinner last night. So much fun...

This was the first time in almost 4 years of marriage Diana and I had our neighbors over for dinner (so much for doing what Jesus says - sorry for the bad example) - but we are committed to doing better at this...

Anyways the point of the story is not my "not following Jesus as well as I should." It is my new found "enjoyment of cooking." I asked one of our neighbors what her favorite food was and she told me fried chicken. So if you know me you know I have a tough time not doing something ALL out... I studied online for about an hour to find consistencies in popular "Southern Fired Chicken Recipes", went out and bought a brand new electric skillet, and 100% peanut oil. My goal was simple... for me to create the best fried chicken Jackie had ever eaten - hah (below are pictures from the evening)

For the chicken I used an egg wash batter with a little bit of secret seasonings for the breading and fried it in a 50% Crisco and 50% peanut oil mixture... The results were according to Jackie - heavenly... (Thats because she only had the wings - the legs were a bit under cooked - :) (note - thicker chicken pieces are take a bit longer to cook thoroughly)

Diana added to the meal by grilling some chicken and throwing together some greenbean casserole... I believe Bobbi-Jo was resposible for the amazing brownies we desserted on. (I am certain desserted is not a word - sorry Kim)

Also, Sunday night I cooked for Jeff and Bobbi-Jo (and Diana and I) some Scallops we bought from BJ's... I seared them in some live oil and a bit or garlic salt.... oh dangness.... these were in fact delightful...

Anyways, I just figured I would share my weekend culinery experience with all of you... it was quite nice to take a break from the honey nut cherios and honeycomb diet I have been on for the last 2 weeks... Diana would like to cook more but we've stayed pretty busy since the move (also cereal is a bit more inexpensive - yet another bonus of general mills - outside of their yummy goodness)

ok - so there was my re-entry to the blog world after a brief time of leave... dinner and hang out time with the neighbors was wonderful...

wishing you a wonderful week...

The breading... oh so important...

That is some good looking chicken...

That is a good lookin woman...


Would you say a plethora of food...


Jeff's daughter, Abigail, and Elijah (who is the son of our neighbors Lucky and Stephanie - which also makes Elijah our neighbor also)

Odanis (another son of Luck and Stephanie)

I just thought Abigail looked cute here...

The Hathaways crashed the party at the end of the night for some 24...

peace and love (and happy cooking),

-J

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Diana and I are alive...

Just been busy... we moved into our house almost 3 weeks ago... I have eaten dinner their maybe 4 times... thanks for the emails inquiring about our well being... updates will soon follow...

must slow down soon...

Happy Valentines Day... late, of course...

I love you (well, chances are I do if you are reading this I do love you... if i dont really know you then I probably would like you alot as I like most people...)

-Jason