Winner winner chicken dinner!

So I've been trying to start the year off right by making an effort to decrease the amount of carbs we are eating, while increasing the amount of veggies. The problem is that we love anything made soley of carbs - pasta, stuffing, rice, potatoes, bread.  So, instead of doing away with them completely, I'm just limiting them at night time - I'm not sure if Tyler's noticed, but its made preparing dinner very hard!  I just want a big bowl of spaghetti!

I made two of Tyler's favorites the other night - Asian drumsticks with brussels sprouts.  The drumstick recipe I found on one of my favorite food blogs, SkinnyTaste. The blogger, Gina, always has some really yummy recipes and Tyler never has any idea that they're actually good for him. The brussels sprouts recipe is pretty basic - brussels, garlic, and bacon!  Both recipes are super easy, and super yummy!

Asian Glazed Drumsticks (via)

• 8 medium chicken drumsticks, skin removed
• olive oil spray
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp Sriracha hot sauce
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 4 tsp sugar
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

In a heavy large saucepan, brown chicken on high for 3-4 minutes with a little spray oil. Add water, balsamic, soy sauce, agave, garlic, ginger, hot sauce and cook on high until liquid comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for about 20 minutes. Remove cover and bring heat to high, allowing sauce to reduce down, about 8-10 minutes, until it becomes a thick glaze, turning chicken occasionally. (Keep an eye on glaze, you don't want it to burn when it start becoming thick). Transfer chicken to a platter and pour glaze on top. Top with sesame seeds and serve.


Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Garlic

• 1 pound of Brussels sprouts, cleaned
• 4 slices of bacon
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper

Chop Brussels sprouts while bacon cooks in a large saucepan.  Pull bacon out of saucepan after completely cooked and chop into little pieces.  Leave saucepan coated with bacon fat, but drain excess and dispose. Put minced garlic into the saucepan and cook for a minute.  Then add Brussels sprouts and cook for about 5 minutes or until tender.  Add chopped bacon back to the pan and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.