Spicy wings on the barbie....

There is still time to fire up the barbie, or if your home is anything like ours, you'll be grilling all year long. I loved that about Alberta, Canada when I moved there from Sydney, Australia. These crazy Canadians grilled all year, no matter what the weather. For now here in Minnesota there is still plenty of time to enjoy the longer, warmer days.

 spicy hot wings

1/3 cup chopped fresh coriander

1/4 cup sambal oelek (chilli paste)

1/4 cup lime juice

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons finely chopped ginger

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper

1 teaspoon salt

3 lbs (1.5kg) chicken wings, separated and wing tip discarded

BUTTER BASTE

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 teaspoons sambal oelek (chilli paste)

2 tablespoons maple syrup

Put the coriander, sambal, juice, garlic, ginger, oil, pepper and salt in a food processor or pestle and mortar and process or blend until a paste forms.

Combine the chicken and coriander mixture in shallow dish or re-sealable bag. Marinate in refrigerator 6 hours or overnight.

To make the butter baste, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.

Heat the barbecue to medium-low. Remove the chicken from the marinade. Cook on the barbecue for 10 to 15 minutes each side or until thoroughly cooked and brushing with butter baste during cooking. Serves 4.



Photo is by photographer Bruce Nimmer from Minneapolis. 

these should be enjoyed with some cold beers

filming an elk episode

This is 'Mack' 'cause of his size. I took this pic myself. I was surrounded by all these handsome boys

If you look really hard you can see me sitting on the trailer. All these big, handsome elk ran at us when we drove into their enclosure. A little daunting, yes!

These were taken during the filming of an elk episode for 'simple, fresh, delicious'....STILL being shown on OWN in Canada.

apples

delish apple and jalapeno chutney served with some armstrong sharp white cheddar cheese - simple idea for an appetizer with some crusty bread and your fave white wine

Apple Jalapeno Chutney

Chutney is a condiment to accompany meat or cheese. It can be used on sandwiches, as a nice little side for any sort of roasted, pan-fried or barbecued meats. Its origin is East India and generally contained spices. Essentially it will contain vinegar, sugar, fruits and salt. You can change it out and make it your own. I tend to use fruits that aren’t too high in water and don’t break down too easily.

This makes two, 1 cup (8 oz/250 ml) jars. It develops its flavor as it sits so I like to make it at least a day or two prior to serving. I made this chutney to serve with roasted pork but I ate it with some really sharp aged white cheddar and crusty bread and it was fabulous.  I used golden delicious apples but you can tweak it and use whatever apples you fancy.

4 golden delicious apples, peeled, quartered, cored and diced

2 or 3 large jalapenos, diced (you can vary this depending on your tolerance to heat)

1 medium white onion, diced

1 cup red wine vinegar (you can really use whatever vinegar you have on hand)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (or curry powder would work really nicely here too)

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon (at least) salt

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Reduce to medium heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes or until thickened. Spoon into hot sterilized jars. Makes about 2 cups. 

Puppies!

Here is Mason, 120 lbs of hairiness, Finn, my adorable little XOLO adopted guy and Mango, my beautiful XOLO from Mexico. It is no easy task getting 3 dogs to line up for a pic.

Frustrated interiors stylist

One of my loves is cooking, it is what I have done for a living for 20 plus years but I love home decor. I can't get enough. I am trying to think how I can combine my love of home design with my love of cooking. I love this very cool light my husband made for me from enamel bowls and sieves. It hangs in from of a cute shelf I have in the kitchen.