Simple Barbequed Chicken

Cost: $9

Prep: 15 minutes

It's so hoooooooot. I can not make myself cook in this weather. If this were BC (before Charlie), we would just go out.

Alas, those days are no longer, as are further numbered as we will soonish have a newborn and a toddler to deal with. So, we stayed home and did not use the oven.

Matt barbequed some chicken legs. I read that using a citrusy marinade helps reduce the harmful effects of charring meat. With the amount of time Matt has been standing in front of that grill, this seems important.

I made a marinade that is 1/2 lime juice and 1/2 balsamic vinaigrette. Matt hates balsamic vinegar, so he just had barbeque sauce. It was probably the best tasting chicken I have had in a long time. Charlie loved it, and he ate two legs.

I did have to generate some heat by using the toaster to make us some garlic toast as a side. We also ate a giant bowl of Greek salad--although we were out of tomatoes.

"Dinner" Steak

Cost: $5

Prep: 30 minutes

We broke out the barbeque for the first time today! Summer is approaching!

Charlie spent most of the prep time watching Dad out the back window and trying to climb onto the table. Yes, he can do that now. No, I do not like it.

I bought these very thin steaks, and Matt marinated them overnight in barbeque sauce before slapping them on the grill. The cut was not specified; it was simply labeled "dinner steak". Considering the price, it wasn't terrible, and a quick barbeque was a great choice.

I made the sides: baked potatoes and steamed broccoli, and when that was enough, I whipped up some more garlic toast (super easy: margarine, crushed garlic, oven, done).

Classic Chicken

Cost: $8

Prep: 30 minutes

Not much to say about this dinner either. It was Shake'n'bake chicken legs with leftover mashed potatoes, garlic toast, and green beans.

I ate a small simple meal, as I had yoga after, but Matt and Charlie filled their man and baby boots.

Charlie is working on learning how to eat off a plate. So far, it has been okay, but there have been many attempts for the entire meal to be eaten by the floor.