Barbecue adventures

So normally I don't like to post two recipes in a row, but we had Salgal & family over Saturday for BBQ and wading pool splashing. (Sorry Sal, I had no idea they would turn it into a mudpool, honestly.) Sal has boys the same ages as my boys, plus a funny little 2yo who is starting to talk. We ate these yummy orange chicken kebabs with Sally's beer ... I mean, liquid yeast bread, and grilled veggies and green salad. It was a such a delicious and healthful dinner that I didn't feel too bad about my 3 or 4 servings of homemade vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries afterwards.

I also have to confess here that I am not really much of a measurer. When I put a measurement in a recipe I've made up, it's really a guess. It's flexible. Make it how you like it.

Actually this is because, as I confided to Sal on Saturday, my secret wish is to be a celebrity chef. I guess it's not such a secret now. Anyway you don't see the people on Food Network fussing with teaspoons, do you? No.

Orange chicken kebabs
Enough for 2 families with little kids who don't eat much

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
juice and zest of one orange
pinch basil (fresh would be better but I only had dried. Crush it in your hand before adding for better flavor if you only have dried.)
red pepper flakes to taste
1 tsp salt

Light barbecue and set kebab sticks in water.

Trim chicken of all fat. Cut in 1" chunks.

Mix remaining ingredients and toss with chicken in large bowl. String chicken on kebab sticks, leaving a tiny space in between pieces.

Grill until lightly browned on both sides. We got ours a bit overdone on Saturday but they were still good.

We also made veggie kebabs with zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions and pineapple, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. We cooked those in the broiler because we were out of room on the grill. This turned out to be a good idea because the broiler pan caught some divine juices that were perfect for dipping the liquid yeast bread.

We also had a brush fire caused by DH lighting our barbecue (a little $10 charcoal job, you know the kind -- we got it in college) in the middle of a bunch of dead palm leaves. He really is a smart man, just not sometimes. So, brush fire! Wooohoo! The boys loved that! Maybe it is time for a grownup grill, huh?