Beer in the Butt Chicken

Last year I saw a chef on television make beer can chicken and have been wanting to try it. Robert and I were at Williams-Sonoma and saw this contraption and had to buy it.

You don't need this $30 Veritcal Chicken Roaster..you can simply make this dish using a beer can...but if you know me..you know I can't pass up a new cooking gadget.

We made our first beer can chicken and it was awesome! Better than I expected. Unfortunately, we were so excited to eat it..we never took photos! So, I will show you some of the ones from Williams-Sonoma until we make this again..which will be very soon.

Beer In the Butt Chicken

1 whole chicken approximately (4-5 lbs)

1 can of beer

1 cup of BBQ Sauce (we used Jack Daniels Spicy)

Kosher Salt

Fresh ground black pepper

Chili Powder

4 Tbsp. Olive oil

Pre-heat grill to medium high.

Prepare chicken by rinsing it thoroughly inside and out and let it rest to room temperature. Pat dry and then coat chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper and chili powder and rub in generously.

Pour half of the beer into the BBQ Sauce the other half of the beer into the cup on the roaster.

Place chicken atop roasted and then onto in-direct heat on grill. Close lid and allow to cook for 30 minutes. After the first 30 minutes, baste with beer/bbq sauce every 10 to 15 minutes until chicken reads 170 degrees in the thigh. (Approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours.)

Grilled Veggies

1 Red bell pepper

1 vidalia onion

3 potatoes

4 green onions

2 Tbsp. olive oil

salt and pepper

Chop veggies into bite sized pieces, coat with olive oil and season with salt and/or pepper.

Place veggies on the outside of roasted after the first 30 minutes of cooking. Toss every 15 minutes or so until dish is complete.

Enjoy!

This Week's Menu 6/15/08

So, I've decided to make a menu this week and I am going to try to stick with it. You will see that Robert and I are trying our best to eat healthier, lighter and utlizing more natural products. I heard a great grocery shopping tip this week. Only shop the outer aisle of the grocery store...avoid going up and down the inside aisle. So you hit produce, bakery, meat/fish, and dairy. If you only shop the outside aisles..you also miss out on rice, beans and oatmeal...but you get the idea.

Sunday - Beer Can Chicken and veggies on the grill, included herbed potato packets.

Monday - Black beans, rice and fresh pico de gallo

Tuesday - Grilled Mojo Chicken Salads

Wednesday - Pasta with roasted garlic, zucchini, tomatoes, onion and broccoli

Thursday - Turkey Kielbasa with baked beans

Friday - Baja Fish Tacos with left over black beans.

Eat at Moes!

So, when I was in North Carolina my psudeo-cousin Christine Buff (Di Ceasar) took me to a place called Moes Southwest Grill. It is kinda like Baja Fresh and Chipotle and very good. We both said...we hope these come to Ohio someday...and someday is here. Moe's has opened across from the Parma-town mall on Day Dr. Robert & I took my nephews Jacob and Zach and we each had a burrito. We all enjoyed ourselves and the variety was good that even though each of us had a much different taste, we were all satisfied with our creations.

Moes is great for budget minded and quick dining. It is upscale fast food...but the food is fresh tasting and the staff very friendly. I would reccomend Moes if you want something fast and as an alternative to Chipotle or Baja Fresh for mexican express.