Warming up on NYE: lime-herb chicken drumsticks and potato wedges

This welcoming of the new year was spent in the comfort of the house with my man, following a cross-my-fingers trip to Vons. Sigh of relief that they carry organic, free-range chicken drumsticks (and free range ground beef for $7.99 lb, I can't remember how that stacks up with other grocery stores...Traders Joe's has it for about that much but they mention the cows are from other countries. Sounds like another entry though). Dave also wanted potatoes for later this week. Anyway, this was our meal to fuel a movie marathon.

CITRUS-HERB CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS
Used the Art Smith's cookbook for the zesty marinade swapping lime juice for lemon juice.

For 8 drumsticks (for two with leftovers)

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp oregano

Mix all ingredients together and put into a bag or container. If in a container, USDA recommends covering it while it is in the fridge. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes in the fridge minimally and up to 2 hours.  Turn the chicken half-way through. If you used a bag, the USDA also recommends disposing of the bag.

While you're waiting for the chicken to marinate, get started on the potatoes. They can cook at the same time at 400 degrees also!

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Put chicken in a baking pan and pour in some or all of the marinade for extra flavor (Bring leftover marinade to a boil if you plan to use it as a sauce or dressing for other recipes, I added mine to roasted carrot (144 grams raw) and potato (1.5 small) soup.)  Bake for 30 minutes. Flip the chicken over and bake another 25 minutes. When the thickest part is cut the juice should run clear and not pink.


POTATO WEDGES for two
About 3 scrubbed potatoes (or enough to cover one baking sheet when cut into eigths) with skin on

Grab a small dish to pour olive oil into and a brush. Brush oil on each side of the potato, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Place the potatoes, not touching, on the ungreased cookie sheet. Take care not to put the oil on too thick, just enough to make the spuds crispy and stop them from sticking so much. Or you can use ungreased  baking pans, as we had to do (oil run-off = smoke alarm and burning eyes!) if you are worried.

Bake for 35 minutes until crisp and golden on the outside and soft inside.


As one of my resolutions, I am ready as I can be to start the soy-free, dairy-free 3 month-detox after learning the ALCAT results. (We did have sour cream and ketchup with the wedges, my farewell to dairy). There are some other items I'll need to watch out for too but those two will be most difficult.There may be exceptions on Restaurant Week, Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year. But I'll ask or try to prepare what I can.

We did not make it through our movie marathon...but at least finished one.

How did you welcome the new year? Did you make goals? Are any of them food related?