Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.
I know it is hot. That is all anyone has talked about for a month. Anytime you see someone, all you can talk about is how hot it is! Yes, it is hot, but there is not one blooming thing we can do about it. So let’s just stop with the hot weather talk! I’ve seen the pictures of people frying an egg on the sidewalk to prove how hot it is. I constantly hear, “I have never been so hot in my life.”
I don’t get hot if I can avoid it. I’m already dreading recess duty. You do not want to be in a closed room with fifth and sixth grade students after they have played for 30 minutes in outside temperatures more than 90 degrees. Trust me, it is not pleasant.
Another thing that I have never understood is the heat index. It amuses me to hear someone say that the temperature is 101 degrees, but it feels like it is 103 degrees because of the heat index. There is not that much difference in 2 degrees when the temperature climbs over 100 degrees. It is still hot!
Lately, I have run across several answers to the question, “How hot is it?” I thought they were hysterical, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
It is so hot in Mississippi that ...
• the birds have to use potholders to pull the worms out of the ground.
• the trees are following the dogs around.
• the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
• hot water comes out of both faucets.
• you actually burn your hand opening the car door.
• you break into a sweat when you step outside at 7 in the morning.
• you realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
• cows are giving evaporated milk.
• potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull them up and add butter.
• you learn that a seat belt-buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.
• you discover that it only takes two fingers to steer your car.
• farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.
• you don’t wear shorts if you have leather seats in your car for fear of losing two layers of skin and all the hair on your legs.
Stay cool and enjoy this week’s chicken recipes. Thanks for reading.
LEMON CHICKEN AND RICE
1 pound boneless chicken, cut into strips
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1½ cups instant rice
1 cup frozen green peas
In a skillet, cook chicken, onion, carrot and garlic in butter for 10 minutes. In a bowl, combine cornstarch, chicken broth, lemon juice and salt. Add to skillet. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for two minutes or until thickened. Stir in rice and peas. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
COCA-COLA CHICKEN
1 chopped onion
2 tablespoons oil
4 boneless chicken breasts
1 can (12-ounce) Coke
1 cup ketchup
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
4½ teaspoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons cold water
In a large skillet, sauté onion in oil until tender. Add chicken, and brown on all sides. Carefully add cola, ketchup, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Remove chicken and keep warm. Combine the cornstarch in cold water until smooth, and add to the skillet. Bring to a boil, and cook for two minutes or until thickened. Return chicken and heat thoroughly. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice or pasta.
TOMATO ARTICHOKE CHICKEN
1 jar (12-ounce) marinated artichoke hearts
4 boneless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups pizza sauce
1 jar (7-ounce) roasted sweet red peppers, drained and cut into strips
Hot cooked fettuccine
Drain artichoke hearts, reserving liquid. Cut artichokes into quarters. In a large skillet, brown chicken in olive oil. Add pizza sauce, artichokes, red peppers and reserved liquid. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Serve over fettuccine.
• Contact Lee Ann Flemming at lafkitchen@hughes.net.
