Yesterday, I was up way too late with the game to post…but we did make an SD Superbowl Party! Chris had the leftover pizza from Saturday, plus I made Chicken in a Smoky BBQ Wing Sauce, Tortilla Chips (like Friday’s post) & salsa, Ranch “Chips” (they were thin-cut yellow squash coated in ranch seasoning & roasted until cripsy), light popcorn, celery & peanut butter, and fresh pineapple slices!
One of our favorite restaurants is Fat Head’s in Pittsburgh. Or, I should say, it’s Chris’ favorite restaurant. Big burgers, beer, and fries, and he’s sold. We love their chargrilled smoky BBQ wings, but knew we couldn’t really have wings. Instead, we created a BBQ sauce that came awfully close to theirs, and simmered some chicken breasts in it-and it was really good! It’s on the spicy side, so if anyone ever tries it- beware that you can decrease the hot sauces to make it milder! Here’s my recipe:
LB’s BBQ Sauce
1 can tomato paste
2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. liquid smoke
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp. favorite BBQ seasoning/rub
1/2 tsp. Shiracha (the one with the rooster)
1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper sauce, like Tobasco
1 tsp. Habanero Sauce
1 1/2 c. chicken stock
1 tsp. Molasses
salt & pepper
Throw all the ingredients into a saucepan & simmer for about 20 – 30 minutes over low-med heat. Can also be made in the crockpot the night before, keeps for couple of weeks to a month, if not longer. Honestly, it’s never lasted that long!
Confession: I did purchase some unsweetened cherries covered in very dark chocolate; I was having a craving, and these were SD friendly if occasional. I had a couple last night, and I’ve gotta be honest- I have had a non-stop migraine since the first one. Darn. For the time being, the migraine is a little better. Thank goodness!
Also, I have started painting again!! It’s been too long, and it’s so nice to get back to it. As for what I’m painting, that’s a surprise! I definitely feel more balanced as a human being since I’m eating better, exercising more, and crafting. I don’t feel like I exist for the sole purpose of going to work day in and day out anymore. I was starting to get depressed, I think. It’s like I was here, but I wasn’t really “here.” Just a shell of a person, going through the motions of life without the passion I used to have. Now, I wake with purpose. I do not wake up at 5 am every morning just to go to work & trudge uphill through the snow, only to come home and do it all again tomorrow. I wake & do yoga, pilates, dancing, weight lifting. I come home and make really good meals. I spend the evenings painting & playing board game with hubby & yes, even watching some stupid TV on occasion. It’s really nice to be back! 🙂