Honey, Peanut and Lime Chicken

This past week has been totally crazy. I can't even tell you how little motivation I had to do tasks that were outside of what was listed in my day planner. But, as we all know, it's really necessary to have some good food in your stomach to face stressful days, so I rallied. The good news is, I discovered and tested a whole slew of quick, easy, delicious, filling and nutritious meals that can be ready in the time that it takes a pizza delivery person to get to your house. (This does not even include the amount of time it takes for said pizza delivery person to claim that he/she has no change, and for you to scramble to find the right denominations.)

Anyway, this recipe really couldn't be simpler. It's easy enough to mix up before heading off for the office, and once you get home it comes together in a snap. Basically, you take chicken and marinate it in some soy sauce, peanut butter, lime juice, honey, hot sauce and garlic. It's savory and sweet and spicy and completely delicious. The recipe was originally from a forum on The Pioneer Woman's site, called The Tasty Kitchen, but I found it via a charming blog called The Well-Fed Newlyweds. According to these sites, and personal experience, this chicken is good enough to inspire profanity-laced compliments at a generally swear-free dinner table.

Dried Cherry/Peanut Butter Breakfast Treats

I have never been a huge fan of breakfast. It's just never been my thing. If I do have breakfast it's almost always granola and yogurt. But this recipe, my friends, might just change all of that. These are sometimes called "breakfast cookies," but they are really nothing like cookies. I've opted to just call them breakfast treats. The recipe is extremely flexible and almost anything about it can be altered to suit your tastes. I've been having mine in the mornings with a couple of scoops of Greek yogurt, so I guess not all that much has changed...

This was a totally experimental cooking adventure, so if you know of ways to make these tastier, please leave any ideas in the comments.

Recipe (Makes 6-8 treats):

1/2 c. peanut butter

1/2 c. honey

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. rolled oats

1/2 c. whole wheat flour

1/3 c. milk

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 c. dried sour cherries

3/4 c. crushed cashews and pecans

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2) Mix together peanut butter, honey and vanilla.
3) Add milk to the above mixture.
4) In a separate bowl, mix together nuts, dried fruit, oats, baking soda, oats and flour.
5) Mix together wet and dry ingredients.
6) Place the mixture by spoonfuls on a greased baking sheet
7) Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the scoops.
8) Let treats cool completely before storing.

Feel free to experiment, and let me know how it goes!

Until our next breakfast,
ceh.