Friday, February 6, 2009

Could there be a visit and chicken recipe

So today I get to have a visit with my daughter or at least the way it stands right now. I haven't seen her since she went home after Christmas break. The weather here has been a big factor in driving back and forth to the half way place and being that I care about her safety I agreed to those never gonna really happen make up days. So, we will see what happens tonight as I have already had her mom telling me how the return was gonna go and if I didnt agree to it she wouldn't be at the court ordered mediation. Sounds a bit controlling to me. So much for the relationship between a father and child. I am starting to get used to this as sad as it is and learning to not get my hopes up to see her either. Well in honor of the fact that I may get to see her I thought I would share a healthy kid friendly recipe that I am hoping we can make this weekend. Yes, I said I because I am one of them rare(as I have been told) men who has no problem with cooking and cleaning and doing my share of household work. Well enjoy the recipe.
Chicken drumsticks stay deliciously moist when grilled—even with the skin removed. Minty sweet-and-sour dipping sauce adds a refreshing twist to "ordinary" grilled chicken. Make it a meal: Serve with brown rice and slices of fresh pineapple.

Sweet and Sour Drumsticks

Makes 4 servings
ACTIVE TIME: 40 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes
EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cider vinegar, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
8 chicken drumsticks (about 2 pounds), skin removed, trimmed
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat grill to medium. (No grill? See Broiler Variation, below.)
2. To prepare dipping sauce, combine orange zest, orange juice, water, honey, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and coriander in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Whisk cornstarch and the remaining 1 teaspoon vinegar in a small bowl until smooth. Add to the saucepan and return to a boil, whisking until thickened, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Stir in mint.
3. Sprinkle drumsticks with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Oil the grill rack
Grill the drumsticks until crispy on all sides and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F, about 15 minutes total.

Serve the drumsticks with the dipping sauce on the side.

Broiler variation: Position oven rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat broiler to high. Prepare sauce (Step 2). Coat a broiler pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle drumsticks with salt and pepper (Step 3), then broil, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F, about 15 minutes total.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Thought for Thursday

How does the guy who drives the snowplow get to work in the mornings?

Do you ever wonder this? After the area we live in being covered in snow for over the past month. A few miles away the towns were shut down because they got 17 inches of snow in a few hours. So, how does that guy get to work and what happens if he gets stuck who helps him?

Here is one that would make my daughter laugh because it is probably something she has thought too. Ready??
If a cow laughed real hard, would milk come out her nose?
This would be one of them questions because she is always telling me weird things about cows so if someone has an answer to this we would love to know.

Just a few things I wondered and that is what is going on Inside Rods' head today.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

It is time to say hello

Well, let me start by introducing my self and giving you some insight into this blog. I am a single father of one. I have been fighting the courts and my ex girlfriend for almost 4 years now just to get regular visitation and time with my daughter with out interference from her mother. I have gotten to what feels like no where in this fight. I thought I was making headway when the judge put her mother in jail for 3 days for contempt but that didn't make her change her ways. So here I am still fighting. This blog is my outlet to share my fight with other fathers, and parents who truly are being screwed by their ex's and the justice system. It is about more than that tho because I am not a hateful,bitter ex! I wish her a good life. I also will share things I think about and web sites I find that are interesting. This is basically my creative outlet to justice, joy and fun... Hope to make some great friends in the process. Welcome along for the ride..

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Welcome to Inside Rod's head

Starting tomorrow...I will begin with some random thought and ideas and who knows what else pops in Rod's head. See you then...