Honey Girl Punch

You know when you are so, so close to the end but still hopelessly stuck in the middle?  That's where I am right now.  I am counting down the days until this month is over.

This drink can definitely help get you through the slump though.  One of my best friends in the entire world, Heather, took an amazing trip to Hawaii last month.  This drink was specially created for the luau they went to.  It is fruity and refreshing and dangerously tastes like it contains no alcohol.  She recreated it for a little cookout we had a few weeks ago.  Four of us killed this entire pitcher....

Honey Girl Punch
1 C vodka
2/3 C gauva nectar
2/3 C pinapple juice
fresh strawberries

   Muddle a handful of fresh strawberries.  Add vodka and juices.  The goal if for it to look like unfiltered honey when it is done.  Serve over ice.
   Makes 2-4 drinks.  (It just depends on how hard you are celebrating.)

For this pitcher:  3 C each of guava and pineapple, most of a pint of strawberries, 1 bottle (750 ml) vodka.  (A little stronger than the original, but so SO good!)

Pineapple Soy Chicken Skewers

Today I begin my adventure to become a butcher.  A real butcher.  Of animals for consumption.  Seriously.  Yeah, yeah, yeah... I have to, like, stock deli meat for a while.  But whatevs.  I'll do it.  Kroger may not be the ideal work, but it's a start, and maybe I'll get a discount on groceries?  That would be awesome.  My education, my degree, my once-high hopes of curing cancer (just kidding, I never wanted to do that)--I have officially abandoned all that science jazz.  So.... yay!

If you want to celebrate this hard and fast change of career choice on your own personal time, I suggest a mid-fall luau.  And I suggest you serve this chicken.  You could make this the main dish for a Hawaiian or Polynesian inspired meal or serve it as a party food. 

Pineapple Soy Chicken Skewers
2 lbs chicken cut into large pieces
1 20oz can pineapple chunks in juice (you can use fresh if it is season)
1/8 C soy sauce
1/8 C white vinegar
1 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil
2 tsp sesame oil
salt and pepper
(skewers)

   Combine pineapple juice from the can (~3/4 C) with soy, vinegar, and oils.
   Lightly salt and pepper chicken.  Toss in marinade.  Marinate for 1-8 hours.
   Skewer chicken with pineapple chunks. (If using bamboo skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes before skewering and cooking chicken.)
   Set broiler to high and place rack about 7 inches from top.  Place skewers on a broiler pan or baking sheet.  Cook for 3 minutes, turn skewers over, cook another 3 minutes.  (Or you can grill them.)
   Reduce marinade by 1/3 over med-high.  Pour over cooked chicken.
   Serves 4-6 main dish.  8-10 as an hors d'oeurves.

South Pacific Smoked Scallops

   I seriously did not intend to leave for a week.  Last Friday we took the computer, my ancient MP3 player, and my iPod to Best Buy in hopes that the Geek Squad could transfer the protected files from the MP3 player to the iPod.  No such luck.  I would just re-load all the CDs except that some punkass little teenager stole over 100 CDs out of my car almost 5 years ago.  Looks like I am going to have to (illegally--shh, you didn't read that) download everything.  I legitimately paid for it all once, I have the right to do it!

   My computer would have been really helpful this past week too.  Louis had duty Wednesday which meant he was working for 30+ straight hours.  Normally it wouldn't be a big deal.  However, the realization that I was totally alone without shit to do hit me hard.  I had no projects.  No one to cook for.  This boredom was magnified by the fact that this is the first time I have lived without a pet.  Not even a goddamn fish!  No projects, no work, no other living creature except the couple of invading fruit flies....  I laid around watching Ghost Hunters for like 12 hours!  Basically what I mean by this is that I seriously miss my cat.  Right now, I might trade Louis for him.  No, um, just kidding.........?

   Alright, this weekend looks like it is going to be really nice.  Perfect for grilling.  This marinade is fabulous on scallops and shrimp.  It would also be great on chicken, pork tenderloin, salmon, vegetables.... almost anything really.  And you do not have to smoke the scallops.  You can grill them or broil them on high heat for a couple minutes per side and they would be just as delicious.  Obviously, the smoke flavor will be missing but it will still be crazy tasty!

South Pacific Smoked Scallops 2 lbs diver scallops (abductor muscle removed)
1/3 C low sodium soy sauce
1/4 C pineapple juice
1/4 C cider vinegar
2 Tbsp brown deli mustard
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp grated ginger
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

   Combine all ingredients.  Refrigerate for 1-3 hours.
   Set up smoker according to manufacturer's suggestion with charcoal and wood chunks.  (We used applewood, but hickory would also work.)
   Skewer scallops on soaked bamboo skewers for easier transfer.  Leave about 1/2 inch between scallops.  Smoke for 20-25 minutes.
   While scallops are cooking, place extra marinade in a pot.  Bring to boil over med-high heat, reduce by about 1/3 to create sauce.
   Serves 4-6.

(PS--After a week away, it literally took me 1.5 hours to decide which recipe to blog.)