GOOD FOOD FAST: HOBO PACKS WITH CHICKEN AND VEGGIES

Hobo packs are one of the best ways to make good food fast.  I'm trying to cut back on calories but want to eat something other than cardboard or lettuce. These meals on the fly cooked in foil or parchment paper are so good and so easy because you can cook, serve, and clean up very quickly. These are not only good for a party; (we used to make them at Girl Scouts with hamburger, cooked on the campfire) but they are perfect for busy nights when you just want to get dinner on the table. I make up a few at the beginning of the week and cook them as I need them. Use any flavor profile you want: Greek, Italian, Southern, Cajun, you get the picture. I typically use what I have on hand and want to get rid of... onions, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, parsnips, butternut squash, and more are all great choices. NOTE: Make sure to slice the potatoes and other fast cooking vegetables larger than your carrots and other dense root vegetables so they'll cook at the same time.

CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES HOBO PACKS

INGREDIENTS

1 small yellow onion, sliced very thin

2 carrots, peeled and sliced thin

1 potato, peeled and cubed

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

thyme, rosemary, oregano, or other herbs as you desire

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Tear off two 18' pieces of foil. Arrange the veggies on the foil. Begin with the onion, carrot, and then potato. Sprinkle with a little olive oil and salt and pepper. Add the chicken breast on top and a bit more olive oil, salt and pepper. Add any herbs you like. Seal the top and the sides of each package carefully so that no steam will escape. Place on a baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes depending on how large your chicken breasts are. (Chicken is done at 165 degrees.)

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RECIPE: FAST AND FRESH FRUIT SMOOTHIE

I'm working on getting some pounds off and have also eliminated sweets for a while. That doesn't stop me from wanting sweets, however. Here's a recipe that not only helps with the cravings, it helps pump up my energy level in the mid-afternoon. And while not typically party fare, a smoothie is actually very versatile, just perfect for breakfast,, brunch, or burger night. Make them very frothy and icy but without having to add ice by using very cold milk and freezing the fruit. Serve in place of ice cream shake for burgers with the kids. They will love it and you'll love that they ate fresh fruit.

This recipe takes about one minute to make and clean up if you use an immersion blender. If you don't have one, I'd suggest getting one- it is my #1 kitchen tool. So much easier than getting out the big blender or food processor!

FAST AND FRESH FRUIT SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup fresh strawberries, chilled and sliced

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1 tablespoon agave nectar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup skim milk, super cold

dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, powdered ginger or whatever spices you like.

DIRECTIONS:

Put all of the ingredients into a glass and buzz them with your immersion blender for about 30 seconds or until smooth. If you chill the milk and the berries, you will not need to use ice and the process is fast and easy. Makes 1.

For supper, I put together a quick "hobo pack" dinner of chicken and veggies which is far superior in taste and quality to pre-packaged diet food yet equally convenient. And it is only 300 calories for a lot of food with no preservatives.

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BIG BATCH HURRICANE COCKTAIL RECIPE FOR MARDI GRAS

Whether you're hosting a Mardi Gras party or just want a fun cocktail everyone will like, a Hurricane is a can't miss fruity rum favorite. Made popular at Pat O"Brien's tavern in New Orleans back during WW2 when whiskey and other liquors were hard to come by. Today, the Hurricane is a mainstay on cocktail menus around Bourbon Street but tourists line up to get the original from Pat O'Brien's in the signature hurricane glass.

big batch Hurricane cocktail recipe

Martie's Party Hurricanes 

INGREDIENTS

1  1/2 ounces light rum         

1  1/2 ounces dark rum

1 ounce fresh squeezed orange juice

1 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice 

1/4 cup passion fruit juice (find it in the canned juice or International foods aisles)

1 sugar cube (about a teaspoon of granulated sugar)

1 teaspoon Grenadine

Maraschino cherries plus juice and orange slices for garnish

Ice

DIRECTIONS:

In a cocktail shaker, mix the rum, juices and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add Grenadine, and stir to combine, then add ice and shake. Add ice to a Hurricane style glass, strain into the glass. Add a dash of the cherry juice. Garnish with orange slices and cherries.

Serves 1.


BIG BATCH HURRICANE COCKTAIL RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

25.4 ounces (1-750 ml bottle)  light rum

25.4 ounces (1-750 ml bottle) dark rum

2 cups freshly squeezed lime juice

2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice

4 cups passion fruit juice

16 sugar cubes or about 1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup Grenadine

Maraschino cherries plus juice and orange slices for garnish

Ice

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all ingredients except the ice together in a large container or dispenser. Chill. Serve over ice. Makes 15-20 cocktails depending on portion size.