Grilled Balsamic Chicken & Strawberry Kabobs #SundaySupper #FLStrawberry

If you haven’t lived in Maryland, you probably don’t know how crazy the weather can be. We’ll have days or weeks of really warm weather, and then a day of really cold weather. Or vise versa. The whacky weather seems to be the worst in those months when fall transitions to winter – one day I’ll be bundled up in my winter coat but the next I’ll be outside in just a light sweater. I remember Christmas last year. We had house full of people and it was too warm inside. The heat was off, all of the windows were open, and we were hanging out on the back deck.

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We’re hosting Christmas again this year, and this time, I’m going to be prepared with some easy recipes in case we have unusually warm weather again. That means grilling as much as I can, instead of simmering, baking, and roasting. And since I know there will be a lot of sweets, regardless of the temperature, I plan to stash some light, healthy recipes for the holidays.

Enter: Grilled Balsamic Chicken & Strawberry Kabobs.

Pairing a lean protein with fresh fruit – what could get easier than that? Lucky for me, Florida Strawberries are available all winter (November through April) long. Strawberries are light and healthy. I’ve known that the low-calorie fruit was packed with Vitamin C, folic acid, and potassium, but I didn’t realize that strawberries are one of the healthiest food choices around. The fruit earned the top score (100) in the Overall Nutrition Quality Index, a system that ranks food based on its nutrient density (the greater the score, the greater the amount of vitamins and minerals with the least amount of calories).

With all that cancer and heart disease-fighting goodness, fresh Florida strawberries are the perfect addition to any course you’re planning for the holidays. Don’t just set them out as part of a fruit and cheese tray – let them shine as a part of a main dish, like these grilled chicken and strawberry kabobs (grilling the strawberries brings out a sweetness that is just incredible), take a starring role in a less traditional appetizer or side dish, or be the best dessert on your holiday table.

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Florida Strawberry is also hosting a giveaway this season. Take a photo with Florida strawberries and submit it via social media using #FLStrawberryCap or upload it directly to the website between tomorrow, December 12, and February 12, 2017. Everyone who enters will receive a free Florida Strawberries cap. Caps are limited to one per household, but you may enter to win the grand prize as many times as you’d like. Florida Strawberry will select their favorite photo (so be creative!) to win a grand prize of a trip to TradeWinds Island Resort in St. Pete’s Beach for up to 3 people. Airfare, accommodations, and a tour of a strawberry farm in Plant City will be generously provided.

Interested in learning more about Florida Strawberries? Follow Florida Strawberry Growers Association on social media:

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Grilled Balsamic Chicken & Strawberry Kabobs

By Books n’ Cooks

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 lb. chicken, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 Tbs. Italian seasoning
  • 1 lb. Florida strawberries, cored but left whole

Prep & Marinade:

Set 8 wooden skewers in a long dish. Fill with water, just to cover skewers. Allow to soak for at least an hour, so that skewers don’t burn while grilling.

Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar and Italian seasoning to a gallon-sized baggie. Shake to combine. Add chicken. Seal, removing the air from the bag and ensuring that chicken is covered by marinade. Refrigerate and allow to marinade for 1-2 hours.

Assemble & Cook:

Preheat grill, set to medium heat.

Remove soaked skewers from water. Assemble kabobs, alternating chicken and strawberries. There will be roughly 6 pieces per skewer. You may not use all of the skewers. Cook kabobs on preheated grill, 4-6 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes, until chicken is cooked throughout.

Serve chicken-strawberry kabobs hot, drizzled with extra balsamic vinegar if desired.

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This post is sponsored by Florida Strawberry in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.

Get inspired with more Florida Strawberries recipes from the #SundaySupper tastemakers.

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Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

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Avocado Corn Salad

Fresh, ripe summer veggies – avocado, corn, and tomatoes – are tossed with fresh herbs, a little jalapeno, and vinaigrette makings to create a summer side dish or poolside munchie that’s simply irresistible. My favorite way to serve this Avocado Corn Salad ? As a dip with tortilla chips! 

Avocado Corn Salad - Fresh, ripe summer veggies - avocado, corn, and tomatoes - are tossed with fresh herbs, a little jalapeno, and vinaigrette makings to create a summer side dish or poolside munchie that's simply irresistible. My favorite way to serve it? As a dip with tortilla chips! 

Can you believe it’s football season already? I can’t. Football and baseball seem like the longest seasons in the world to me. To say I’m not a football fan would be an understatement – I’ll do just about everything I can to get out of watching a game, live or on tv. On the other hand, my hubby is a HUGE football fan, particularly college football. So I’m kinda stuck with having the sport on tv a good bit of the time as well as playing the occasional hostess when my hubby’s college team is playing.

Avocado Corn Salad - Fresh, ripe summer veggies - avocado, corn, and tomatoes - are tossed with fresh herbs, a little jalapeno, and vinaigrette makings to create a summer side dish or poolside munchie that's simply irresistible. My favorite way to serve it? As a dip with tortilla chips! 

Football entertaining in my house is all about super easy dinners or heavy munchies. Chili and buffalo chicken dip are two of our favorites, but really, if I put out some homemade chips and guac, my hubby is happy. This avocado corn salad is equally as easy but a nice change from those old standbys. We like to serve it as a chunky dip with tortilla chips (perfect for game day!), although it can also stand on its own as a side for burgers or tacos. I first tried this salad when my sister-in-law made it, and my hubby and I were instantly big fans. The fresh, ripe veggies shine. Below is our favorite way to make the salad, but adjust the quantities ingredients according to your tastes.

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Avocado Corn Salad

Avocado Corn Salad

Fresh, ripe summer veggies - avocado, corn, and tomatoes - are tossed with fresh herbs, a little jalapeno, and vinaigrette makings to create a summer side dish or poolside munchie that's simply irresistible. My favorite way to serve it? As a dip with tortilla chips! 

Course Appetizer, Salad
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8
Author Liz

Ingredients

  • 4 ripe avocados large dice
  • 2 plum tomatoes small dice
  • 1/4 red onion small dice
  • 1 c. corn kernels from 1 ear of grilled corn, or use canned corn, drained
  • 3 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 jalapeno seeded and minced
  • juice of half a lime
  • 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 Tbs. honey
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Place diced avocados, tomatoes, onion, corn, cilantro, and jalapeno. Gently toss to combine.

  2. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad and again, gently toss to coat. Taste and season with additional jalapeno, lime juice, salt or pepper as needed.

  3. Best served within one hour of preparing, although leftovers may be refrigerated for a day or two.

This recipe was inspired by Live Dine Party

More Game Day Inspiration:

Check out what my #SundaySupper friends are serving for game day. And big thanks to Coleen at The Redhead Baker for hosting!

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Bourbon & Brown Sugar Marinated Grilled Steak

After three weeks of rain and abnormally chilly weather, it looks like some semblance of spring or early summer is finally here, and I’m thrilled. I’m done with heavy meals, the stove and oven heating up the kitchen. I’ve been longing for lighter fare – grilled meats and veggies, lots of fresh fruit and herbs… everything cooked outside with the windows and doors open. And FINALLY! That time is here!

Bourbon Brown Sugar Steak

Due to our busy schedules, we’re frequently grilling with premade marinades or a quick rub of spices or even just kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. But on the weekends, I have a little extra time for those few extra steps that turn a simple grilled steak into something a little extra special. This recipe is one I’ve made several times. The  marinade loans a great flavor to the meat, and later gets heated to a boiling point to create a sweet syrup to drizzle on the grilled steak.

Bourbon Brown Sugar Steak

Bourbon & Brown Sugar Marinated Grilled Steak

Adapted from Fine Cooking Grilling, 2008 (p. 33)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 c. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 c. bourbon
  • 1/2 c. firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp. hot sauce
  • 2 lbs. steak (I used flank steak)

Marinade: Combine soy sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, mustard and hot sauce in a large ziplock bag. Add steak and marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.

Cook: Meanwhile, preheat grill, with settings on medium.

Remove steak from marinade (save marinade) and grill to desired doneness – about 5-6 minutes per side for medium-rare.While steaks cook, place leftover marinade in a small pot on the stove and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes until thick and syrupy.

Allow steaks to rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly, across the grain.

Serve with a drizzle of sauce and your favorite summer sides.

Tomato Asiago Frittata #SundaySupper

Tomato Asiago Frittata

One of the things I love about frittatas is that they’re great brunch food. Pair with a side salad for an elegant but light lunch-like brunch, or with some fresh fruit and a little sausage or bacon for a more hearty breakfast-like meal. They’re also super easy to prepare – only taking 10-15 minutes of hand-on time in the kitchen, making them a great choice for entertaining.

Note: My version is just about double the original recipe, with a couple of adjustments.

Tomato Asiago Frittata

Adapted from Cooking Light, July 2015

Serves 8

Ingredients:

  • 4 Tbs. half-and-half
  • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 large eggs
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1/2 c. thinly sliced shallots
  • 2-3 oz. Asiago cheese, grated (about 1/2 c. grated cheese)
  • 2 c. halved cherry tomatoes
  • sprigs of thyme, for garnish

Heat a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together half-and-half, thyme, salt, pepper, and eggs. When pan is hot, add oil, swirling pan to coat. Add shallots, sauteing until translucent. Add egg mixture, cooking until eggs are partially set, about 5-8 minutes.

As eggs are cooking, preheat broiler to high.

When eggs are partially set, sprinkle frittata with half of the cheese, top with tomatoes, and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Transfer pan to the preheated oven and broil until top is lightly browned and eggs are set, about 5 minutes.

Remove pan from oven. Cut frittata into 8 wedges and garnish with thyme springs.

Serve hot.

Want more eggtastic recipes? The Sunday Supper tastemakers have almost 4 dozen for you to choose from!

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Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.