From The Farmers’ Market

The other day Mike and Larry were out playing golf so Lauren and I went to one of our local farmers’ markets. It was a bustling event. We picked up some delicious fresh goodies that I turned into dinner and dessert for the four of us after.

Lauren and I split a box of fresh, delicious Palisade peaches. I got some more farm fresh jalapenos, and some homemade jams. One was a cherry lime jam, that I turned into a sauce with one of the jalapenos for some chicken.

It was a simple, easy-peasy meal that I was mentally preparing while we were at the farmers’ market as I was talking to Marlene Stroud, from Marlene’s Garden at comarlensgarden@gmail.com, the producer of the fabulous homemade jams and jellies. Our discussion was my inspiration for dinner. I used the cherry lime jam she made as the sauce for my chicken. YUM! Her jams and jellies were so good, she was almost out. She said she had started the day with a wide selection of jams and her crates were full. When we got there she was almost sold out. WHOOOOO HOOOOO!!!!! I love it when small businesses flourish. 🙂

Cherry Lime Chicken

I made a simple reduction sauce as both my marinade and then the sauce for the cooked chicken after. It was cool and refreshing with just the right amount of heat.

4-6 chicken breasts

1 jar of cherry lime jam or a combination of both

1 jalapeno, roasted, peeled, seeded and diced fine

1/2 cup limeade

Roast the jalapeno over an open flame until it is completely charred on the outside. Let it sweat for about 20-30 minutes in a plastic bag, then remove the skin and the seeds, rinse and dice fine.

Place everything in a sauce pan or skillet and cook for about 5 minutes or until the jalapeno has softened a bit.

Then pour about 1/2-3/4 of the sauce over the chicken and let marinade for at least 2-3 hours in the refrigerator before grilling.

I also made some vegetable kebabs and ribs that we cooked up as well. Lauren made some couscous and that completed the meal. It was a perfect summer supper.

Cook the remainder of the sauce and reduce it until the liquid has evaporated by about 1/2 for your topping. When the chicken is cooked, pour some of the reduction sauce on top and enjoy. This is a perfect way to enjoy some of the summer freshness.

Things don’t have to complicated in order to be good. Keep it simple and enjoy the finer things in life, such as sharing a good meal with good friends. Life is good and I am definitely living the good life. I made a peach and cherry galette for dessert, using some of my fresh peaches, but more on that later. 🙂

Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay cool, stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.