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We chose this recipe because it’s easy, healthy, full of flavour and we can’t get enough of barbecuing right now. Its great for a simple dinner, weekend lunch and it is great for cottage entertaining. Enjoy it summer salad like a coleslaw and pair it with a crisp beer like Corona. We are certain that you will include this in your regular repertoire.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 6 oz chicken breasts cut in half
Marinade:
2 garlic cloves sliced
1 lime zested and quartered
1 tsp crushed pepper flakes
1 tsp chilli powder
2 tbs chopped fresh parsley
3 tbs olive oil

Sandwich:
1 tbs kosher salt
1 tsp cracked black pepper
1 large red onion sliced into thick rings (1 inch pieces)
1 avocado sliced
8 sliced of tomato
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
4 leaves Boston lettuce
½ cup mayonnaise
1 chipotle pepper
4 Ciabatta buns
1 tbs olive oil
1 garlic clove cut in half

Method:
• In a shallow baking dish or large Ziploc bag combine ingredients for marinade squeeze limes and add the remained into the marinade as well)
• Pound out chicken breast halves till about half an inch thick
• Add chicken to marinade and allow to marinate for at least 2 hrs, overnight is best
• While Chicken is marinating make the chipotle mayo: in a processor add mayo and chipotle pepper, process until completely smooth.
• Turn a barbecue to high
• When chicken is finished marinating remove and pat dry this will prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill, discard marinade
• Season with salt and pepper
• Oil grill and place chicken on grill
• Coat red onions with a little oil and add rings to grill
• After 1 min, turn chicken pieces one quarter “clock turn” to get crossed grill marks, leave chicken for 1 more minute
• Flip chicken over and turn down the heat to medium, allow the chicken to finish cooking at this temperature
• Flip the onions
• Take the ciabatta buns and slice them in half, brush a little oil on the bottoms and then rub with the garlic clove
• Place the buns, oil side down on the grill to toast them
• Once toasted remove and spread each side with chipotle mayo
• Top the bottom halves with the Boston lettuce
• Once chicken is cooked (15- 20 min) top the lettuce with one piecea of chicken
• Follow with tomato, avocado, red onions and cilantro
• Close up sandwiches and enjoy!

Otherwise known as a clothing swap, a pot luck purge is a great party theme. It combines some of my favourite activities; organizing my closet, “shopping”, eating and spending some quality time with my ladies. The idea is behind a potluck purge is to host a party where your guests bring purged closet items and a potluck dish. During the party you “swap clothes”, eat food and drink cocktails. After you’ve claimed your treasures any items that are left over are taken to your local clothing drive.

Last week my friend Natalie threw a potluck purge and it was huge success. There were 6 girls there and even though we all have dramatically different body types and fashion styles we all managed to inherit quite a number of new wardrobe pieces. We simply dumped all our clothes in a huge pile and then had an “auction” where one person raised up each piece and we would call out if  we were interested in trying the piece on.  It was like going shopping for free! It felt great to get rid of some items  I had been hanging onto  for years.

To make the whole swapping process more enjoyable we had Natalie make her signature sangria which was the perfect choice. Sangria is a wine that has been infused with fruits and often times another type of alcohol like brandy. It needs to soak overnight so it made for a perfect summer potluck item.

After we purged and swapped we had a barbecue. Natalie delegated what items where needed for the pot luck the week before so it made it really easy. We had chilli shrimp, a quinoa salad, and grilled vegetables and finished off with a simple summer fruit platter. 

The beauty behind a potluck purge is how easy it all is on the host. With the communal efforts of everyone bringing food and drink there is little that needs to be done except for provide a space and perhaps the necessary glassware and eating utensils. Pretty easy.  The entertainment is  participating in the swap itself and your guests will most defiantly leave happy to have cleaned out unwanted clothes and also gaining some new pieces they will be excited about.  If you have never done one before we highly recommend it! It will be an annual occurrence for me from now on!

Happy Hosting!