Sweet Lil Smokies

Ok, so I know this isn't a really healthful recipe, but it is so yummy! I got the recipe from another cooking demo this morning. A good snack for all those Super Bowl parties! This will make about 40 (or more).

Ingredients:

1 lb. Little Smokies
1 lb. Bacon
1/2 c. Brown Sugar
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground thyme

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wrap a sheet pan in aluminum foil, then line with a piece of parchment paper. (The foil makes clean-up easy, and the parchment paper keeps the smokies from sticking.)

2. Drain little smokies on paper towels (the brand I used didn't need it, but some out there are quite wet when you take them out of the package).

3. Cut bacon slices into thirds.

4. Wrap each little smokie with a cut slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.

5. In a ziploc bag, combine brown sugar, pepper and thyme. Shake 3-4 wrapped smokies in the sugar at a time. Place on the baking sheet, making sure not to crowd too much.

6. Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until bacon is as crisp as you like it.

* These can be made ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator until ready to be baked.

Easy Chicken

The other night I was digging through the freezer trying to come up with something for supper. I found a lone chicken breast (although it was big enough for two!), and decided to cook it up. All I did was put some olive oil in a skillet. I added some freshly cracked pepper and salt in the oil, then put the chicken breast in...yes, still frozen!

I let it brown on one side, then flipped it over to brown on the other. I covered the pan and let it cook until it was done, adding a little more oil when the pan became a little dry. I dipped the chicken in some Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce. It was so moist doing it this way! Next time I will add some Herbes de Provence with the salt and pepper.

As far as sides to serve with this, anything will work! I was going to make some sweet potatoes to go with it, but I didn't have marshmallows (I know, I didn't HAVE to have them, but it sounded so good!). Instead I had cottage cheese with peaches and some carrot/veggie chips with ranch dressing.

I actually finished the other half of the chicken breast last night (like I said, it was big enough for two!). I just warmed it in the microwave and dipped in the BBQ sauce again. It was still moist this time around, too!

A New Year, A New Me

Since it's the new year, I have decided to jump back on the wagon and join Weight Watchers again. The meeting I'll be attending is only 1/2 a mile from my place, which means when it's nice out, I can walk there! That also means I'll be cracking open the cookbooks and searching for some more light, but tasty recipes. Stay tuned for some healthy eating!