Grilled Chicken, Broccoli, and Green Beans Courtesy of Small Batch Barbecue Company!

 

I found Small Batch a few months ago and every product I've tried has been awesome.  Today I used their Original Dry Rub Seasoning to season everything on our plate!

I had four small boneless skinless chicken breasts that I seasoned on both sides.

I preheated the gas grill and placed the chicken on the grates to get a good sear.  Then, I flipped them over and lowered the heat to continue cooking.

While the chicken was beginning to cook, I lightly sprayed some broccoli florets and green beans with olive oil spray, seasoned with the original seasoning blend and added them to my handy dandy metal cooking tray I found at Kohl's.  This is the best!

I kept the veggies cooking over a medium heat and gave them a gentle toss every now and then with tongs.

When the chicken was almost cooked through (about 150℉) I began saucing with their delicious "Kicked Up" Kansas City style sauce.

Yes, that "kicked up" reference assures it has a little heat.  But it's a good heat!  When the internal temp reached 165℉, we were ready to eat!

Meanwhile, in the air fryer, some cubed up potatoes were cooking away after having been seasoned with that delicious Small Batch Barbecue Company seasoning blend.

This was a delicious, easy to prepare meal, and we enjoyed every bite!

Don't Save it for Someday!

Do you have items in your home that you think are too nice to use?  Things that might have such emotional weight that you're afraid to get them out of the cabinet or drawer and actually let them bring you joy?

I thought so.  I think everyone does.

I hope my latest article helps you to know it's perfectly acceptable to embrace the happiness that some of those things can give to your life.

Click the LINK  to read.  

Blackstone Italian Chicken with asparagus and broccoli

Y'all.  I've been watching several influencers lately on FB.  One poor piece of chicken may end up with four or five different seasonings on it before cooking.  I'm not talking about salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder.  I'm talking about four or five different BRANDS!  There may be parmesan garlic from this company and then honey garlic that from another one, and then they decide to add a third brand's Italian blend or Steakhouse Butter flavor.  I don't get it.  Most of the time all these flavors don't even pair well together.  Are they being sponsored by all these companies and decide they'll season whatever they're cooking with ALL of them?  I can't fathom that.

So today, I'll be using just a single seasoning blend:  Kinder's Italian Chicken.

Even more surprising, I'll season not only the chicken but the veggies with the same thing!  No additional conflicting flavors on the veggies.  While the chicken, broccoli, and asparagus are cooking happily on the Blackstone, potatoes are in the air fryer.  Guess what?  I seasoned those with the same Italian Chicken from Kinder's.  Sometimes less is more.

The chicken you see on the Blackstone above was two large boneless skinless breasts.  I sliced horizontally so they would cook more evenly and to watch the portion size as well.

I preheated the Blackstone on high, sprayed the surface with olive oil spray, and then seasoned both sides of the chicken with the Italian Chicken blend.  The chicken began to cook as soon as it hit the surface.  

While it began to sear, I used the olive oil spray to the other side of the Blackstone and then added the asparagus and broccoli.

It only took a few minutes of moving the veggies around with the metal spatulas to get a nice char.  I brought all the vegetables together in a mound, added a couple of tablespoons of water to make a lot of steam, covered with the metal dome for a few minutes to get the perfect tenderness.  Then I spread everything back out, turned the heat down, and let them finish cooking.

The chicken breasts needed to reach an internal temperature of 165℉.  They cooked within 6 or 7 minutes.  

Doesn't that look amazing?

Plenty of chicken and vegetables for two meals for us.  We added some garlic Texas toast along with an air fryer cooked potato.  Added bonus?  The kitchen stayed clean and cool, I got to enjoy cooking outdoors, and it's fun to cook on the Blackstone!

It's about the time for Road Trips!!

 

If you love a good road trip, and you tend to get into  interesting situations, you'll love my summer series on some of our experiences.  Click the LINK to start the journey(s) with us!

Chipotle Chicken Fajitas on the Blackstone

I am always ready to enjoy fajitas, either at home or at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

I purchased this particular seasoning blend with fajitas in mind.  It has the ideal mix of smoky chipotles, garlic, and lots of flavor.

I cubed up one pound of boneless skinless chicken breast and liberally seasoned with this blend.

Of course you need veggies!  This is one large yellow onion sliced along with an orange, red, yellow, and green bell pepper (seeded and sliced).

I set the Blackstone griddle on high to preheat and then lightly sprayed with olive oil spray.  I then tossed the veggies around a bit to coat them and then added the seasoning blend.

Cook the onions and peppers, lightly tossing them every few minutes until they begin to soften.  Lower the heat slightly and keep an eye on the veggies.  They'll begin to char and get that good flavor going!  

On the other half of the griddle I repeated the same process.  Heat to very hot, lightly spray with olive oil spray, add the chicken, and let the chicken stay put until it releases from the griddle.  If you don't let it sear first, it's going to stick and that's not a good thing.

Once it releases easily, begin to toss with metal spatulas and let the chicken cook and brown.

Once the chicken and the veggies are cooked, you can mix them all together in a big pile of chipotle chicken fajita goodness.

We enjoy the zero net carb tortillas.  You can add whatever toppings you like of course.  We kept it super simple.  I added some pickled jalapeno slices to one of mine.

And I combined flavor profiles big time and, boy, was it a successful pairing!  I topped this one with this!

I am becoming obsessed with this stuff!

Chipotle Seasoned Turkey Burgers on the Blackstone

I spied this seasoning blend at Sam's Club last week and knew I wanted it for all the flavor it would give to ground turkey and chicken options.

We are on a ground turkey kick right now and I'm loving to use the Blackstone for some delicious turkey burgers.  

Turkey needs a little help in the flavor department because, as we all know, by itself it tends to be a tad bland.

This Chipotle Chicken seasoning certainly delivered the flavor.  A blend of smoky flavors, a light touch of heat, and subtle garlic makes this one a winner.

I griddled some onions on the side and seasoned them up with this as well.  Perfect topping!

Lodge's Fireside Garlic and Herb Boneless Pork Chops

Oh, I am loving this gorgeous Spring weather that's allowing me to prepare the majority of our meals on the grill or the Blackstone.

I told y'all on FB about the different seasoning blends we were given at a recent BBQ judging event.

I decided to use the Fireside Garlic and Herb on these beautiful boneless pork loin chops.  I liberally seasoned both sides of the pork, put them on a searing hot grill, and let them begin the cook.

After about 5 minutes I flipped them over and lowered the heat to medium high and let them cook until they reached an internal temperature of 145℉.

In the first picture you can see that jumbo asparagus happily grilling away in the basket.  I drizzled the spears with olive oil and seasoned with the same product.

I cooked potatoes in the air fryer and everything was ready at the same time.  

Yum!  This seasoning is the perfect balance of garlic and herbs.  Sort of an Italian blend going on here.  We love this one!

A little bowl of apple cider vinegared cucumbers and onions finished out the meal.

Growing Potatoes!

Have you ever planted potatoes, tended them carefully, and then dug them out of the ground yourself?  There's a method to the process and it's very satisfying to enjoy the fruits (or vegetables!) of your labor.

Click the LINK to read all about my adventures with growing potatoes!

Family Reunions: Memories of a life that will never be again

I hope this one brings back wonderful memories of your childhood and family members who are no longer with us.  

Click the LINK to read about my family reunions.

Southern Kitchens

Southern kitchens have a life of their own.  Read my insight here by clicking on this LINK.

Around Lolly's Table: Easter 2026

Purple was my color of choice for this year's Easter table.  As always, Fiestaware has a color for any and all occasions!

The pastel plaid tablecloth?  One of my Springtime favorites.  The delicate white chargers?  Perfect for this table.  

Each diner had their own Cadbury Creme Egg set in delicate pastel color egg cups.

My mother in law gifted us with this gorgeous cut class basket years ago.  I bought a new set of sparkly eggs this year at Hobby Lobby.

The candleholders were my Great Aunt Marie's.

These have been around since my kids were little.  They'll always be here at Easter time.

Around Lolly's Table: Kids' Easter Table 2026

 

I got my chance to use those bright "Easter Egg" color Fiestaware plates on the kids' table!

I used a purple, yellow, pink plaid vinyl tablecloth as the base.  Then I found a sheer vinyl overlay with multi color eggs that I placed on top of the base cloth.  I love the result!

Each little diner received their own Cadbury Egg in these cute little egg cups!

I found these bunny napkin rings in an antique store about 5 years ago.

This jelly bean jar was my mom's.  She ALWAYS had this out for the great grands to enjoy during Springtime.  And yes, Brach's was the only brand of jelly beans she would purchase.

Hobby Lobby had these cute centerpiece items this year.  I fell in love with them.

Around Lolly's Sideboard: Easter 2026

I wanted to do something completely different for me for this year's Easter sideboard.  Instead of bright Fiestaware plates or fine china, I chose plain white Fiestaware plates as the backdrop.  Trust me, this was a difficult decision for someone who loves bright Springtime colors. 

But after all was in place and I stepped back and gave it a close look, I was pleased with the decision.  

I used deep purple plates on my main dining table, so I wanted a few pops of purple on the sideboard as well.  I've had this lovely bunny with purple basket for many years.
 

Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit belonged to my great aunt.  

My mother always had this little basket with colored eggs on her kitchen table.

The remaining bunnies, chicks, and decor have been part of  my Easter fun for a long time.  I love to use them year after year.

I hope y'all had a blessed Easter!