three for one

This is the post where you get three for one: a dinner recipe, a dessert recipe and a table top idea.

Having my girls over for dinner inspired me to make something delicious that wasn't too labor intensive. I wanted to still be able to enjoy my time with the girls while I wrapped up the last details of dinner and it all worked out as desired. The line up was a non-girly salad, the "macho" salad from Bandera was my inspiration, and a light and summery dessert; homemade vanilla ice cream and grilled white peaches.

So, let's start at the very beginning, with what you'll need for the salad.

     mixed greens lettuce

     chicken breast (split rib, bone in, skin on)

     pre made cornbread (Trader Joe's has one or you can also make your own)

     medjool dates

     avocados

     sliced almonds

     goat cheese

     champagne vinaigrette (store bought or homemade) 

          *The amount of the ingredients that you need will be based on how many people you are feeding

          *The salad is not a small side salad. It's meant to be your complete dinner. 

-preheat oven to 400 degrees

-rinse the chicken breast and place it in a casserole

-sprinkle it with seasoning, lemon pepper, garlic salt, you decide

-put it in the oven for about 30-40 minutes

-rotate and cook for about 20-30 minutes longer

-after you put the chicken in, cut up the cornbread and place it on a cookie sheet

-drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the whole thing

-place it on the second shelf and cook until it browned flipping it around so it browns evenly

-remove from oven and toss in a bowl with some honey and sea salt

[drizzled]

[browned, tossed with honey and sea salt]

-chop dates into pieces and remove pits in the process (duh!)

-on low heat toast the sliced almonds

-crumble the goat cheese into a bowl

-put dressing into a mini carafe 

-slice the avocado

[crumbled, toasted, poured]

[chopped & sliced]

-when the chicken is done cut it up and then "shred" it using a fork

[everything but the greens!]

YOU'RE READY TO CHOW DOWN! Grab a plate or big bowl and enjoy!

Now, for the important part: dessert of course! You'll need:

     grilled peaches:

     half a peach for each guest

     a plate with a layer of sugar

          *If you don't have a grill you can use a grill pan like this one (though it doesn't need to be that expensive)

          *You don't want the peaches to be too ripe or they will fall apart on the grill

     vanilla ice cream:

     2 cups of cream

     4 tablespoons of sugar

     1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

     12 tablespoons rock salt

     2 large Ziploc bags

     ice cubes

          *These measurements are for 4 servings

-cut and halve and remove the pit from the white peaches

-press the inside of the half into the sugar liberally

-place on a HOT grill and don't move so that the grill can caramelize them

-keep an eye on them but don't worry about them either, they are not as fragile as they seem

[halved and pitted]

[pressed]

[sugared]

[grilled]

-fill one Ziploc with the ice and salt

-fill the second with the cream, sugar,  and vanilla and SEAL TIGHT

-place the second bag in the first and SEAL TIGHT

-wrap a dish towel around both which will give you some "handles"

-shake and roll the mixture around for about 5 minutes and you'll have ice cream

-place into a large bowl and place in the freezer until you're ready for it

[organic cream, sugar, vanilla, rock salt]

[ice and salt on the left & the ice cream ingredients on the right]

[one sealed inside the other]

[wrapped]

[grabbed]

[rolled]

[finished!]

[no one can deny home made ice cream!]

[the final product]

Who knew that you didn't need an ice cream maker to make ice cream? You're the ice cream maker. If you're gonna eat it you might as well get a little work out making it, right?!? This is a fun thing to make with kids and of course you can change up the ingredients and add other things for different flavors. Have fun!

The dinner table decor? I haven't forgot...fresh flowers, layered table clothes and multiple contrasting colors. 

[the flowers]

[the settings]