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Saturday, June 25, 2011

My Herb Garden & Greek Inspired Chicken Kabobs & Potatoes

After getting married in the summer of 2000, Nuno and I  moved into our first apartment in the big city - Toronto. We lived above a nail salon, on a busy main street.  It was a large, 2 bedroom apartment, not modern, but somehow, at the time, it was just perfect.  I remember falling in love with the large living room with the red brick fireplace.  That was the beginning of our married life.  One year later, we had a little girl, that little girl quickly grew up, and when she was 5, we had another little girl.  I recall my eldest, Anita, always asking for grass. Outside our apartment, there wasn't any grass, nowhere for the girls to play, only concrete and lots and lots of cars.  So 7 years later, we took the leap and bought our first home in the City of Barrie.  One of our main concerns was finding a place with plenty of grass for the girls to play.  And so we found our cozy little home, with lots and lots of grass, and soil for planting.  It's hard to believe we've only been here 4 years.  It seems like a lifetime ago since we lived in Toronto.  Last year, Nuno dug up a garden for us to plant our herbs in. One of my favorite things to do, is go out to the side of our house and pick fresh herbs to cook with.  In the fall, when things start dying off, I have to go to the grocery store to buy my herbs.  So I don't take for granted, this little herb garden, and all it provides during the summer months.

We have parsley, cilantro, chives, thyme, oregano, dill, lavender, rosemary, basil and mint.

And of course, a little gnome!

Look at the beautiful oregano!  It smells delicious!

On Thursday afternoon,  I went to the herb garden, saw all the oregano and decided to make a Greek inspired meal - grilled chicken kabobs and delicious baked potato wedges! 

I cut up vidalia onion, and green & red bell peppers.  I didn't have any mushrooms on hand, but they would be great too! I also cut up some boneless, skinless, chicken breast into chunks and wrapped them in bacon slices. 

I basted the kabobs with an olive oil marinade ( lemon, garlic, salt, pepper, finely chopped oregano) and set aside while I prepared the potatoes.

I used red baking potatoes.  Wash them and cut into wedges.  Next, add salt, pepper, olive oil, a little water, lemon juice, and freshly chopped oregano.  Thoroughly combine. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven.  Half way through cooking, remove pan from the oven and stir potatoes.  Add some more liquid, if it is drying out. Return to the oven until you reach desired crispiness. 

Grilled to perfection, on the BBQ, by Nuno, my grill king. ;)

Here are the potatoes, just out of the oven!  They smell absolutely delicious!  I can pretty much guarantee there will be NO leftovers, they're just too good!

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the food on a plate.  I was in such a rush to eat the food, I totally forgot the picture.  But you get the idea! 

It is a rainy Saturday here in Barrie.  It has been raining for several days now.  I'm getting a bit tired of it now, but it IS good for the garden!  I hop you all have a wonderful, happy weekend, no matter what the weather! xoxo

6 comments:

  1. I'm just awake and pretty hungry and now thanks to you SUPER hungry! Of all the things I could eat, I'd choose your Greek menu above. It all looks super fantastic. What a darling herb garden. I love your gnomes all over the place, very lively. Can't you pot some of the herbs and bring them inside for the winter? Might be worth a try!

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  2. Enjoyed hearing about your first apartment and subsequent move to your cute home in Barrie.
    The kabobs look perfect and so do the potatoes. Never tired adding a little water to my potatoes but I'll give it a try next time.
    I was just telling Rich how much pleasure I get cutting herbs from my own garden.I know what you mean about winter without herbs right from the garden. Looks like you have a nice variety of herbs and the gnome adds a little whimsy. xoxo

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  3. Loved seeing your herb garden w/the darling signs and gnome! Your Greek dinner looks so yummy...Greek food is one of my favorites. Those kabobs are done to perfection!!! How fun to have hubby do part of the meal in the summer!! It was so nice to hear of how you two started out in married life. Sending a hug....Sherry xx

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  4. This is such a wonderful post, Rosinda. It's nice to be able to imagine you in your first apartment and to read about your move to Barrie. The girls must have been so thrilled to have a yard (and I know you and Nuno have turned it into a virtual paradise for them). I love your herb garden! I've been enjoying using herbs from the garden this summer, too :) Your kabobs and potatoes look so good that I'm putting them on this week's menu. I hope ours turn out as pretty! xoxo

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  5. How lovely it all looks Rosinda - the herb garden is gorgeous! My oregano has seeded itself all over the garden now and pops up everywhere...I never pull it out as the more the merrier I think! Your dinner looks delicious...not surprised you gobbled it up so fast! What a beautiful, happy home you've created for your girls...a lovely start for them. And I loved hearing about the start of your married life too! thanks sweetie xoxo Love you

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  6. I SO love fresh herbs----that add so much to a meal. I dry them and hang them from a pot rack in my kitchen and then can have them for some time long after the season is done. This looks just yummy---I do the same thing with sweet potatoes---love cooking potatoes that way!!! What a wonderful cook you are Rosinda---and what a lucky family to have you!
    xo Joann

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