July Recipes

Mrs. Martini’s Garden Chicken

When my neighbor, Mrs. Martini, brought over some homegrown zucchini, I was tempted to turn them down. Now I know: you never turn down homegrown produce—just ask for a recipe. Here goes:

3 lb chicken pieces with skin on
2 onions, sliced
2 large tomatoes, sliced
2 zucchini, sliced
salt, pepper, and Mrs. Dash

Arrange chicken, skin side up, in 9 by 10-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with seasonings. Arrange vegetables around chicken. Sprinkle with seasonings. Bake, uncovered, at 375 until skin is crispy and meat thermometer reads 180 degrees (about an hour, depending on the type of chicken). If veggies are covering the chicken, push to the sides after 30 minutes so skin can get crispy. Serve with rice.

Oatmeal Pancakes with Orange Sauce

Pancakes (Betty Crocker):

I double this recipe.
½ C flour
½ C quick oats
½ t ground cinnamon
1 T brown sugar
3 t baking powder
¼ t salt
2 T vegetable oil
¾ C milk
1 egg
butter

Combine all ingredients and fry in melted butter on skillet.

Orange Sauce:
¼ C sugar
1 T cornstarch
1-1/4 C orange juice
2 t butter

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in orange juice. Stir over med. heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 min. more. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Serve warm over pancakes.

Watermelon-Mint Margaritas
Southern Living

I admit I haven’t tried these yet, but I’m planning to serve them to guests on the 4th of July.

2 C seeded and chopped watermelon
fresh lime juice
sugar
½ C tequila (or substitute ½ C orange juice)
¼ C sugar
1 T grated lime rind
¼ C fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
2 T chopped fresh mint leave

Place watermelon in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for 4 hours or until firm. Coat rims of glasses with lime juice, dip in sugar. Process frozen watermelon, tequila, and next 4 ingredients in blender until slushy. Pour into glasses. Garnish with fresh mint sprig, if desired.