It is definitely summer here in the Mid-Atlantic states – we are Roasting. Temperatures in the 90’s is very Not Normal and I’m hating it. Sadly, my Heart and I also don’t have a BBQ… we have no terrace or balcony or anything with our little apt so here’s what I did to get that BBQ feel without that outdoor grill !
Chicken thighs, skinned and marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette for a day, sprinkled with freshly ground pepper, baked in the oven at 350-degrees for 60 minutes
Red potatoes, washed and cut into chunks and par-boiled until just barely tender. Coated in olive oil and a hearty sprinkling of the Italian seasoning and freshly ground pepper. Roasted in the oven with the chicken.
Yellow and green (zucchini) summer squash, washed and cut into spears – tossed in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chopped fresh basil and rosemary and grilled on the stove-top grill pan until tender.
Turned the oven up to 400-degrees, covered the cooked thighs with homemade BBQ sauce (ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar) and returned the chicken to the hotter oven for about 15-20 minutes to let the BBQ sauce caramelize. The increased temperature also gave the potatoes lovely, crispy edges.
Not too bad for a Not having an actual BBQ grill !