BBQ Chicken Rice Bowl

I love a rice bowl because of the customization options! The little ones always surprise me with what is a hit any particular day and the bowls ensure everyone has the same things- maybe more of some parts than others. The littlest was most into the chicken and the big one loved the grilled zucchini…who knew! These were only a slight variation from grilling a few things.

The Three Bite Rule - BBQ Chicken Rice Bowl

BBQ Chicken Rice Bowls
Ingredients:

1 cup brown rice
2 cups water/broth
1 tablespoon + 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
4 chicken thighs
2 tablespoons mixed herb seasoning (we love Todd’s Dirt, or Italian seasoning, etc)
1 large zucchini
2-3 tomatoes
1 tablespoon Italian dressing
1 teaspoon honey

Directions:
Cook the rice (mine took 7 minutes in the pressure cooker – or it could be made in advance too). Then mix in 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce.
Preheat the grill.
Season the chicken with the dried herbs. Then slice the zucchini into coins and brush with olive oil on both sides.
Grill the chicken and when almost cooked through, add the zucchini to the grill for the last few minutes.
Chop the tomatoes and mix with Italian dressing.
Whisk or shake together the remaining 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce with the honey.
Spoon the bbq rice into each bowl, then top with sliced chicken, zucchini, tomatoes.
Drizzle with honey bbq sauce and Enjoy!

The Three Bite Rule - BBQ Chicken Rice Bowl

Our kids tend to want things separate but I love love love the bites together. Letting them surprise us is always worth it. Grilled zucchini isn’t something we have all the time but they liked it. They do not love brown rice but I think the BBQ sauce made them a bit more into it, and we don’t try to please everyone all the time.

Avocado would be great in here, or corn, or greens, or cheese. The rice could be any grain or starch – farro or potlenta or orzo or couscous…go wild! I usually do a grain + a protein + 2 or more veggies + drizzle of something. I like contrasts of cooked and raw veggies. Here are others!

June 2021 Recap

June is such a blur – the end of the school year, last tee-ball game, warm weather, and the end of the fiscal year at work all to really start summer. I’m looking forward to more pool days and many many more ice cream trips.

I made rolled tacos as such a fun lunch in the airfryer with some leftovers. There’s pulled pork, black beans, cheese and are topped with a lime crema. The toastiness all the way through makes them special.

The Three Bite Rule - Rolled Tacos

This Lemonade Blueberry Smoothie screams SUMMER!! I love the tartness of the lemonade with the blueberries.

The Three Bite Rule - Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie

It was Birthday burger time – this time was a Waffle Breakfast Burger! The patty had sausage mixed into it and we had them on a waffle with a hot maple aoli.

The Three Bite Rule - Waffle Breakfast Burger

Also, these Italian Deviled Eggs are so packed with flavors. The herbs and parmesan, and balsmic drizzle are so good together. All my fav variations of deviled eggs are there too.

Italian Deviled Eggs - The Three Bite Rule

The Little Girl:
She was so happy her big bro is done with school (him not so much). They’ve had lots of play time and then some solo-time with the grandparents. Pink is her fav these days. We love when she says something she’s eating is “very. very. good.” in a deep voice.

The Big Guy:
He was sad for kindergarten to end. His teacher was so wonderful and the year included all the fun you’d expect for elementary school – field day, popsicles, water balloons. Transitions are tough. He’s around for a few weeks before day-camp starts so we fit some fun things and had some chill time. The libraries being open is thrilling! We’ve borrowed so many fun books. He’s doing swim lessons and it is so fun to see.

Goals:
Year of the fun mail! My coworker is leaving so I sent a card.
More breakfasts: Not really this month
Lunches coordinated or prepped in advance: Mostly sandwiches or leftovers, the rolled tacos became lunch.
I’d like to get the house a bit neater: ehh. I dropped a few boxes at Savers.
Bullet journal – still keeping a meals list.
What I’m reading: I finally got my hands on Vanishing Half which was captivating and had great perspectives. Only after I finished The Astonishing Color of After did I realize it is a YA one- who knew? I flew through The Last Thing He Told Me which was pretty good and a welcomed variety. With the Fire on High wasn’t amazing, her other was unbelievable so my standards are high here.
What I’m Watching: I’m suuuper late but catching up on Million Little Things. We loved Farmhouse Fixer and AGT started.

Italian Deviled Eggs

These Italian Deviled Eggs are a twist on traditional deviled eggs with lots of herbs, some balsamic drizzle, Italian dressing, and parmesan cheese! I loved these and it would be good as egg salad too!

Italian Deviled Eggs - The Three Bite Rule

Italian Deviled Eggs
Ingredients (for 12 eggs)

1 dozen eggs, hard boiled and cooled
2 tablespoons of 2 or more herbs (basil, parsley, chives – or any combo also with rosemary, oregano, or thyme)
3 tablespoons mayo
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
2-3 tablespoons Italian dressing
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1 small tomato, seeds removed
1 tablespoon balsamic reduction (optional)

Directions:
Slice the eggs in half and pop the yolks into a bowl with basil, parsley, chives, mayo, mustard, Italian dressing, parmesan, and salt & pepper.

Italian Deviled Eggs - The Three Bite Rule

Mix very well, breaking up all the yolks. A hand mixer works well or it could go in a food processor.
Place a plastic zip-top bag into a glass or a small bowl to stand upright while you scoop the filling in. (It can remain like this until serving in the refrigerator with the egg halves.)

Italian Deviled Eggs - The Three Bite Rule

When serving, chop the tomatoes separating out the seeds so they are not too wet and drippy.
Push the filling to the bottom corner of the bag and snip the end off to have about 1/4 inch opening.
Fill each egg half (I fill each to be level with the egg to know that there’s enough, then I can go back and top each with a swirl higher to all be even.)
Sprinkle with tomatoes and drizzle with balsamic.
Enjoy!

Italian Deviled Eggs - The Three Bite Rule

I loved these! The herbs and the salty parmesan with the sweet balsamic was so great together. They are nice for variety in a spread – flavorful, not super heavy, protein, no gluten if that matters.

If you have leftover balsamic – you’ll use it a million ways! A drizzle on pizza, on tomatoes, on caprese salad, on grilled veggies, on grilled cheese – or whatever! You could skip it, but it lasts forever and I definitely recommend it. Top with some shaved parmesan if skipping the balsamic!

We often have deviled eggs as a side for dinner or as party food. They travel well – though need to stay very very cold so you could bring them ready to assemble to serve. These little egg holders are worth their weight in gold – for your fridge or transport. Without an egg tray, slice off a little so the egg cup will sit flat. I didn’t transport them to walk them down the deck stairs – they felt so secure as-is!

You also could chop it all and serve it as egg salad! Scoop some onto melba toasts and top with the tomatoes and balsamic reduction.

For other variations of Deviled Eggs or Fancy Egg Salad:
Truffle & Herb Deviled Eggs
French Onion Deviled Eggs
Caesar Deviled Eggs
Greek Deviled Eggs
Taco Spiced Deviled Eggs
Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs
Sour Cream & Onion Deviled Eggs

Waffle Breakfast Burger

For the 10th year of a Birthday Burger, we had this breakfast burger on a waffle with sausage mixed into the patty, a maple aoli, and some goey gouda cheese. Happy birthday my love!

The Three Bite Rule - Waffle Breakfast Burger

Waffle Breakfast Burger
Ingredients: (serves ~4 with a smaller burgers like sliders)
1 Belgian waffle
~3/4 pound ground beef/pork/chicken
~1/4 pound breakfast sausage
2 tablespoons mayo
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
4 slices gouda cheese
1 small sliced tomato

Directions:
Prepare waffle (optional: I added some shredded cheddar into the batter) and let it cool. Slice into 4ths, and sliced in half width-wise for 4 ‘buns’. (2 ‘buns’ pictured). Toast them before serving if they were made in advance.

The Three Bite Rule - Waffle Breakfast Burger

Mix together the ground meat and breakfast sausage until incorporated but not overworked. Preheat the grill.
Grill the burgers until cooked through (depends on the ground meat and the pork). Top with cheese.
While the burgers cook, whisk together the mayo, maple syrup and hot sauce.

The Three Bite Rule - Waffle Breakfast Burger

Assemble the burgers with a spread of sauce on the insides of the waffles (since I halved mine) and add the burgers and sliced tomato.
Enjoy!

The Three Bite Rule - Waffle Breakfast Burger

These were so fun! I had ground pork with the breakfast sausage. I could definitely taste both flavors. Maple breakfast sausage might be very sweet but give it a go!

They would be so fun for a brunch. Using formed sausage patties on tiny waffles (with the cheese and tomato and sauce) would be a great finger food for a breakfast spread!

Adaptations:
Use frozen waffles (a standard one, like an Eggo waffle, would need a whole waffle as the top bun and a whole waffle as the bottom bun – those cannot be halved width-wise! They could be cut smaller to fit a slider-size burger too)
Swap any cheese!
Add a fried egg!
Use maple sausage!
Go for all the hot-sauce you’d like – for me, it was really to keep the sauce from being so so sweet.

The Historical Timeline of the Birthday Burgers:
2020 it was a BLT burger with ground bacon IN the burger and tomato jam
2019 it was a Manchego Burger with manchego, quince jam, and arugula
2018 it was a Garlic Lovers Burger with garlic butter, chips, garlic aoli and white cheddar.
2017 it was an Ultimate Mexican Burger with queso, guac, and beans.
2016 it was a Mac & Cheese Stuffed Burger topped with bacon, onions, and tomato.
2015 it was a Picnic Burger with slaw & potato sticks
2014 it was a German Burger with horseradish, caramelized onions, pickles and a pretzel roll
2013 it was a Vermont Burger with maple mayo, cheddar, bacon, and spinach
2012 it was a Bacon Wrapped Burger – enough said
2011 it was a Stuffed Burger stuffed with bacon & cheddar or bacon & blue cheese

Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie

Hot weather brings on the smoothies! I rarely make them in the winter and this one is so so summery plus I have lots of adaptations for you!

The Three Bite Rule - Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie

It is a bit sweeter than my usual which I credit to a lemonade. Kids would love this and blueberry based smoothies are ideal for hiding greens. I don’t pretend they’re not there, but you also don’t see them in the finished one.

Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie
Ingredients
: (for 2 small servings as snack, or 1.5 large servings as meal)
1 1/2 cups greens (mine is baby spinach, then frozen)
3/4 cup vanilla yogurt
1 cup lemonade
1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 teaspoon lemon juice
lemon zest

The Three Bite Rule - Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie

Directions:
Blend together the greens, yogurt, and lemonade. Then add in the blueberries, protein powder, flaxseed, and lemon juice. Blend well and add a splash of water if needed for consistency and pour into cups.
Top with some lemon zest.
Enjoy!

The Three Bite Rule - Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie

I loved this one and like them to be a breakfast meal – sometimes with a handful of cheerios or 1/2 a granola bar or a hard boiled egg. I often workout in the morning and hate to feel like I’m only on liquids when I’m starving.

Adaptations:
– swap lemonade for: lemon juice + water + honey/agave (doesn’t even have to be mixed- just dump it in!)
– skip the protein powder and/or skip the flaxseed
– increase the yogurt or swap for Greek yogurt
– skip the yogurt all together or substitute banana for creaminess in a dairy free smoothie.
– if using fresh fruit & greens, it won’t be as think/cold but adding in some ice helps.
– if sharing with the kids, I usually water theirs down with whole milk and serve it as a drink, alongside their breakfast (~2 oz smoothie + 2 oz milk).

Since mine are usually a meal, I go for yogurt as a dairy serving and the protein powder to keep it filling (I like this kind best).

The best way to blend the greens is to incorporate with the liquids blending well then adding in other fruits. A high speed blender will blend them all at once. I blend all at once with a Vitamix and used to blend in 2 stages with a Ninja for the best consistency.

I buy baby spinach fresh in a bag and pop the whole thing into the freezer. Pulling out a bunch for the smoothie has such a satisfying splintering effect. Also in real life, I dump into the blender without measuring!

This is a nice twist considering I pretty much only make the Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie anymore. Leftovers are great into popsicle molds!

Happy smoothie-ing!