EXLINE — Our weather sure can not make up its mind as to what it wants to do.   First, we had unseasonably hot weather, followed by chilly weather and rain most of the time, in between along with a lot of hail recently.

Since this is the time of year when everyone likes to cook on their outdoor grill, I have a recipe for this week that utilizes just that method of cooking.   It is one that I have not tried to make but the recipe is a favorite way that my wife Denise likes to prepare chicken.     She even has a special metal holder that places the chicken at the correct angle to grill it.   So, you can get out your grill. and give it a try.

   

Grilled Chicken with a Twist

 

Ingredients

2 tsp. packed brown sugar

2 tsp. paprika

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. dry mustard

½ tsp. black pepper

½ tsp. dried thyme crushed

¼ tsp. garlic powder

1-12 oz. can beer  (Or your favorite soft drink in a can, may be used also)

1-3 ½ to 4 lb. whole broiler-fryer chicken

2 Tb. butter  softened

1 lemon quarter

 

To prepare the chicken, combine in a small bowl, the brown sugar, paprika, salt, dry mustard, pepper, thyme and garlic powder.   Pour out about half of the can of beer. Add 1 teaspoon of the blended spice mixture to the can of beer. This will cause it to foam up.

Remove the neck and the giblets from the chicken. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the spice mixture inside the body cavity. Rub the outside of the chicken with the butter and then sprinkle on the remaining spice mixture to the outside of the chicken.

Hold the chicken upright with the body cavity at the bottom and lower it onto the can, so the entire can is inside the chicken. Pull the legs forward so the bird rests on its legs and the can. Twist the wingtips behind the back. Stuff the lemon quarter into the neck cavity to seal in the steam.

For a grill that uses charcoal briquettes, arrange the medium-hot coals around a drip pan.   Test for medium heat above the pan.   Stand the chicken upright on the grill rack over the drip pan. Cover grill for 1-¼ to 1-¾ of an hour, or until the chicken is no longer pink.   When the inside temperature reaches 180 degrees, in the thigh muscle on a meat thermometer it is done. If necessary, place a tent of foil over the chicken to prevent over browning.

If using a gas grill, before starting the grill, remove the top grill rack so chicken may stand upright. Then, preheat the grill, and reduce to medium. Adjust for indirect cooking, as you would on a charcoal grill.

When the chicken is done, remove it from the grill by holding the beer can and supporting the chicken. Cover with aluminum foil and let stand for 10 mintutes before carving.  

Use a hot pad and heavy tongs to remove the beer can from the chicken.   Serve and enjoy.   

 

Vacation Bible School was held last week at the Church of Christ in Exline, concluding with the students program during Sunday services, this past weekend. Following the program, everyone went down to the lower level of the church, where a dinner was served to the congregation, along with the students and their parents. It went well.

Get well wishes go out to two local men. Bill Hill, who recently underwent surgery and to Mike Leach who was injured when he was thrown off of a horse.

The Royal Neighbors  of America, Exline Camp 3000, hosted their annual “Coffee Break”  this past Monday. Coffee, donuts and coffee cake were served to everyone that was there. It was reported that they had good attendance at this event.

To help raise money for the upcoming 4th of July celebration in Exline, you may still purchase chances on a raffle that is being held. It is sponsored by the Exline Betterment Committee. The money collected from this fundraiser will be put towards the cost of putting on the all day event, including the evening fireworks.

They are selling chances on the double, red glider that is available to view, at the Exline Old Country Store. That is also where you may purchase the raffle tickets to win the glider. The drawing for the winner of the glider, will be held on July 4th.

At this year’s 4th of July festivities, the Exline Recreation Committee will be hosting their Cake Walk, during the day, at the community center.

As a project, the Exline Chapter 3000, of the Royal Neighbors of America will be baking the cakes that will be furnished as the prizes, during the Cake Walk.   So, that is real community participation.

The schedule has been compiled for the 8th annual Exline 4th of July celebration, which will be on Monday of that week.  The days’ activities kick off with a flag raising ceremony at 10 a.m., which will also be when the car and motorcycle shows begin.

Again this year, they are going to have a pie contest with all pies that are going to be submitted for judging, needing to be at the community center by 11 am. Then, at 11:30 a.m. the pie judging, will begin.

Through the day, they are going to have other activities, including a poker run and a cake walk, both at 1 p.m. At 4 p.m. entertainment will begin, with live music groups performing, followed by the fireworks at dusk. So, it will be a day full of things to see and do.

There is going to be an informational program coming up at the Exline Community Center on Tuesday, June 21 at 6 p.m. The organization, “Iowans Down Wind” is sponsoring the meeting and a picnic style meal will be served. The event is open to the public and everyone is invited to enjoy the meal and the program. A free will offering will be accepted for the meal.

The guest speaker will be, Terry Spence, a private consultant for various agricultural and environmental organizations. He is a Missouri family farmer and past Advisory Board member for the “Center for a Livable Future” at John Hopkins University School of Medicine.

The discussion that Mr. Spence will present, will be on the threats posed by confined animal feeding operations to communities and states and the national perspective on CAFOs and federal regulations.

Further information is available on the “Iowans Down Wind”  organization’s website at:   iowansdownwind.com.