Recipes: Grilled Citrus Marinated Chicken Thighs & Avocado Popsicles

Things are about to get hot in the Greater Vancouver area but there are easy ways to keep cool as the heat rolls in, especially in regards to food preparation. Get outside and keep cool;  Fire up the grill to combat the heat . Try one of these easy recipes (courtesy of Angie Quaale, owner of Well Seasoned).

GRILL IT! Keep the ovens off and living easy with this simple recipe.

Grilled Citrus Marinated Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 pounds chicken thighs-bone in, skin on
• For seasoning Kosher salt
• Owner of Well Seasoned, Angie Quaale.
• For seasoning freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil [1/4 to 1/3]
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 orange, zested and juiced
• 1 lime, zested and juiced
• Few dashes cayenne pepper
• 10 sprigs of fresh thyme

Directions:

1. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper.
2. In a non-reactive baking dish large enough to hold all the chicken to marinate, whisk together the vegetable oil, citrus zests and juices, cayenne pepper and the thyme.
3. Add the chicken thighs and turn to coat.
4. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to a couple hours in the refrigerator.
5. Preheat the grill
6. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let excess drip back into dish.
7. Place chicken on the hot grill, allowing space between each piece.
8. Grill until fully cooked through, turning occasionally, about 15 minutes total [grill heat dependent]
9. Serve immediately with steamed rice and a fresh salad.

FREEZE IT! Cool down anytime with these homemade avocado Popsicles. Delicious, nutritious and cool Avocado Popsicles for all. Makes a Great Treat for Canada Day Celebrations!

Avocado Popsicles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• 3 Avocados from Mexico peeled & pitted
• Juice and zest of 1 whole lime (2 if it is super small)
• 1/4 tsp. of salt

Directions:

1. Bring water and sugar to a boil together in a saucepan; stir continually until sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.
2. Pour sugar-water mixture into a blender with Avocados from Mexico, lime juice, zest & salt; blend until smooth
3. Pour the mixture into 10 ice pop molds
4. Insert the Popsicle sticks and freeze until firm.

About Angie Quaale:

With a passion for food and having dedicated an entire working life to the fine dining and hospitality industry, Angie Quaale is an award-winning entrepreneur and owner of Well Seasoned, a gourmet food store in Langley, BC. Since 2004, Quaale has combined her expertise in menu development and retail food distribution to educate food lovers on the latest developments in food products and cookware from across the globe. Outside of Well Seasoned, Quaale enjoys sharing her insights on the latest food trends with food lovers and demonstrates strong industry leadership as past president of the BC chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, past president of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, past chair of Tourism Langley and chair, founding board member of the Langley Community Farmer's Market. Currently Quaale represents the Township of Langley as an elected City Councillor. Recently, she was named the George Preston