That’s right my palate she is as bland as a manila envelope. Even though the goal of this blog was to relive my culinary adventures since becoming a single man, the truth is my tongue is bored. Instead of going on this flight of food fancy I have fallen into a food rut so deep you would have to throw me a case of red vines (maybe more) to help me climb out. Way too many meal coming out of a box have not done me any flavor favors. How am I to right this??? Well, I have many life changes coming up so now is as good as time as any to correct this bland blunder. This time I’m not going to overly promise epic changes. Here’s what is going to happen, 1 day a week I am going to make myself a meal NOT OUT OF A BOX OR FROM AN EATERY!!! I’m not a chef but I can damn sure do better. That’s what my life is supposed to be about now, doing better.

I’m gonna! Just you watch!

This weekend I ended up going to a potluck cook out for a large group that I belong to so I figured what better way to get my feet wet in this whole cooking thing. Gotta say I banged this one out!

The chicken was pretty basic. I just marinated it in Honey BBQ sauce, red wine vinegar (one of my new faves) and juice of one lime. It sat in the marinade for 3 hours or so. Tender, juicy and oh so flavorful. I was really happy about it.

The 4 bean relish is a recipe I saw on Guy’s Big Bite with Guy Fieri. Gotta tell you, it was good. Now it’s not something I normally eat but am definitely gonna start. It was so good that someone else stole it AND my container at the end of the picnic. I heard many good things about “that bean salad” without telling them it was mine. Good feeling indeed. Here’s the bean deal:

1/3 cup red wine vinegar
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1/4 cup scallions, sliced
3/4 cup red onions, finely diced
1/4 cup peppadew peppers (sweet red peppers) or roasted red bell peppers, finely diced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3 tablespoons honey
1 (12-ounce) can white beans, drained
1 (12-ounce) can chick peas, garbanzo beans, drained
1 (12-ounce) can pinto beans, drained
1 (12-ounce) can black beans, drained

Mix all ingredients together and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour for the flavors to blend. Mix thoroughly before service.

It’s that easy and sooo damn good.

Man, I hope I get my dish back.

Thanks for stopping by. My hope with this blog is to review restaurants and recipes for you, the normal person. I’m newly single and quite sick of always eating takeaway or 7-11 type food so I am now starting my journey into a more hands on sort of approach. I’m a taster with not the most refined palette but I know what I like. I hope you enjoy the culinary ride. Hell, I hope I do!