Summer is the time for grilling. I know plenty of women who grill, although it used to be more of a guy’s only thing. Eric’s dad grilled on the back porch most weekends all year round. The family often tells about a particular grilling incident involving their father. Eric’s childhood home backed up to a major road in our hometown but a row of hedges blocked the backyard from the street. A cop was driving down that road and saw smoke coming from the back of the house. The cop pulled the police car over, put on the flashing lights and came through the hedge and down the hill into the backyard. The cop thought the house was on fire & asked if the fire department was needed. Eric’s father replied, “No, I’m just grilling chicken!”

I don’t know any comical grilling stories about my dad, but I do have a great recipe that was his claim to grilling fame! My mom was the cook in my family but my dad did a bit of cooking on the grill. I’m sure he did burgers and dogs and steak, but what I remember most is his chicken. It was his summertime specialty.

Lemon-Mustard Chicken

Lemon – Mustard Chicken (adapted from a family recipe) Total Time Required: 30 minutes, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 15 minutes, Makes: 4 serving

Ingredients:

• 2 whole chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

Directions:

Combine the oil,  lemon juice, garlic, oregano, mustard, salt, and brown sugar in a measuring cup or small bowl.

Combine the ingredients for the sauce.

Dry the chicken breasts then pound them to about 1/2 inch thick.

Pound the chicken to 1/2-inch thickness.

Season them with salt & pepper.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

Preheat the grill to medium high. Grill the chicken for about 4 minutes on the first side.

Cook the chicken on the first side.

Flip the breasts and baste them with the sauce. Grill on the second side for about 4 minutes, flip them back to the first side, baste that side and cook them for another minute, until the pieces reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.

Flip the chicken and baste the pieces with the sauce.

(The chicken pieces can also be cooked in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop following the above directions.) Transfer the chicken to a platter for serving.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a serving platter.

Serve the chicken with some veggies.

Serve the chicken with some veggies on the side.

Happy Father’s Day!  ~Linda

Lemon – Mustard Chicken (adapted from a family recipe) Total Time Required: 30 minutes, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 15 minutes, Makes: 4 serving

Ingredients:

• 2 whole chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

Directions:

Combine the oil,  lemon juice, garlic, oregano, mustard, salt, and brown sugar in a measuring cup or small bowl. Dry the chicken breasts then pound them to about 1/2 inch thick. Season them with salt & pepper.

Preheat the grill to medium high. Grill the chicken for about 4 minutes on the first side, flip the breasts and baste them with the sauce. Grill on the second side for about 4 minutes, flip them back to the first side, baste that side and cook them for another minute, until the pieces reach an internal temperature of 165ºF. (The chicken pieces can also be cooked in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop following the above directions.) Transfer the chicken to a platter for serving. Serve the chicken with some veggies.