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My life is kind of driven by lists, grocery lists, recipe ideas, appointments, blog posts, blah, bah, blah. Sometimes Post-it notes take over my life – I guess you can say I’m a planner. But when it comes to planning meals in advance? Yeah.. not so much. Honestly, I pretty much suck at planning a meal more than a few hours ahead of time, and really have no desire to do it. I am in utter awe of the bloggers that rock the whole meal planning concept out days, weeks, or months at a time, but it’s just not for me.
A typical day of meal planning through text messages:
Brian: “Hey, what’s for dinner?”
Me: “No idea – What are in the mood for?”
Brian: “Not sushi.”
Me: “Okay, are you in the mood for anything?”
Brian: “Meat”
Me: “Okay, well I’ve caught on to that after five years, anything specific?”
Brian: “No”
Me: “Thanks so much for the help!”
Brian: “No problem.”
Seriously this conversation happens at least four days a week. So I’ll usually scope out the fridge and pantry and figure out what I have on hand and what I can whip up to please Brian’s uber descriptive craving.
Earlier this week my fridge was overflowing with produce, so I thought I’d put the onions and peppers to good use and whip up these Asian Chicken Kebabs. Although they were not the juicy steak that Brian had in mind, he loved the sweet and slightly spicy flavor of these kebabs and declared this meal a keeper – which is a pretty good rating from someone who is not so fond of chicken.
I served these Asian Chicken Kebabs alongside steamed rice and grilled asparagus with a little finishing garnish of toasted sesame seeds and green onions. This meal was simple, delicious and perfect for a summer evening.
Looking for more delicious recipes for grilling?
Grilled Peaches with Marscapone Whip from goodLife {eats}
Fajitas from Bluebonnets & Brownies
Grilled Shrimp and Sausage Kabobs from Cookin’ Canuck
Grilled Corn Grits from the Nifty Foodie
How to Grill Pizza from Tidy Mom
Grilled Caesar Salad from Simple Bites
So tell me, are you a meal planner?
Asian Chicken Kebabs
Ingredients:
For the Marinade
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons honey
1-2 teaspoons Sriracha (or other hot sauce)
3 slices fresh ginger root
2 cloves garlic, crushed
For the Kebabs
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
1 large green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1 red onion, cut into wedges
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
Directions:
1. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the soy sauce, oil, honey, Sriracha, ginger root, and garlic. Heat in microwave on medium for 1 minute, then stir. Heat again for 30 seconds, watch closely so it doesn’t boil. Set aside.
2. Thread the chicken, green bell pepper, onion, and red bell pepper pieces onto skewers alternately. Place skewers in a shallow baking dish and cover with marinade. Cover dish and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
3. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill Asian Chicken Kebabs until chicken is just cooked through, turning occasionally, about 9-12 minutes.
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I have the same conversation as well & I am now quite sure that it is a genetic trait that men have… I am not a list person, or a planner. In fact, I hate most recipes because I have to inevitably go to the store for missing ingredients. My cooking style is bricolage -(def) a construction made of whatever materials are at hand; something created from a variety of available things.
The only complaint I get is that even when the meal is the same, it is not. I love that you improvise and your recipes guide me to great new ideas! Just don’t ever ask me for a recipe….
Not only delicious but unbelievably simple! Thank you! And, by the way, that exact same conversation goes on at our house too…
Great looking meal. I love everything about it.
I’d say we’re PRETTY good at meal planning – sort of. Hmmm… Sometimes. :) If I actually sit down on a Sunday and think the week through I do better.
Anyway, this is a marvelous looking dish (EVERYTHING you make is gorgeous, and I love your photos…).
For people trying to use less glycemic sweeteners, agave would be good in this marinade – and if people need it to be gluten-free, a high quality wheat-free soy or tamari would work (usually in the “Natural” or “organic” section of the supermarket).
We’re having company tomorrow night, and I think we’ll give this recipe a try!
Hugs,
Kath :)
So funny about the men and planning – my husband is the same way. Seems I usually ask him what he wants to eat in the next (day, week) at a time when he is not hungry. So all I get is “I don’t know, I’m not hungry NOW”. I need to catch him at a time when he’s STARVING and ask him for SEVERAL things he’d like to eat – make one now and plan the others for later in the week – ha. I have so many recipes I want to try, I geet a little overwhelmed with shopping and planning. Trying to create a repertoire of tried and true’s.
This recipe looks awesome – love Asian marinades. Considering other veggies to add/substitute…. Hmmmm
This is totally on my to make list – looks amazing and I can already taste it. Thank you!!
:)
ButterYum
I’m such a failure when it comes to meal planning. The few times that I’ve tried it, we usually change our mind or something happens, whether schedule or what have ya, that changes it for us. I like to stay stocked with the essentials and go from there.
Most of the time I plan my meal in the morning :) for weekends I plan on Friday
I think men from all over the world have the same problem. I live in Belgium, Europe and when I ask my husband what he wants for dinner, he just says: I don’t care, just make something and I’ll eat it. Then I cook something and he makes faces like: do I have to eat that??!!
It just makes my crazy.
Not so much of a meal planner. Only wished! Those kebabs are looking so delicious. Perfect for summer since it takes a shorter time to grill. The weather sucks big time these days!!!