Summer Olympic Recipes

We all know that on 8-8-08 the Olympic ceremonies will begin. In honor of the Summer Games' host county, China, why not host your own Olympic party with guests or just have your own Olympic family dinner. Why not make it fun for all? I've found a couple of recipes that will do just that. Below is a simple and easy main dish that can be served over rice.

Olympic Chicken

Ingredients:

1/4 C rice vinegar (unseasoned)
3 tbs. soy sause
2 tbs. honey
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
8 chicken thighs, skinned (or can use breasts)
10 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
Handful of chopped green onions, use also the dark green part for color

Mix together the vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and ginger. Heat enough oil in a large skillet until it just covers the bottom. When it's hot and shimmering, saute the chicken thighs until well-browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and chili powder and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly so the garlic doesn't burn. Pour in the vinegar mixture, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until done. While the chicken is cooking, turn them a couple of times in the marinade. Once they're done, remove the cover, add the green onions, and cook for another minute or so, until the sauce is slightly thickened. Serve with rice. Also good with steamed green beans drizzled with sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Serves 4.

And I know that we need to include an American recipe here (the kids will love this one):

Olympic Rings Desssert

Ingredients:

1 roll of prepared cookie dough (any brand)
1 container vanilla frosting
1 large bag of M&M's (any variation)
10-20 black jelly beans

Separate the red, blue, green, and yellow M&M's and the black jelly beans into their own bowls. Set aside for later. Flatten the cookie dough, and mold the dough on a cookie sheet into the chape of the Olympic rings (3 circles on top, 2 circles on the bottom). Bake the cookie dough in the oven according to directions on the dough wrapper. If the shape of the rings has somehow metamorphasized in the baking process, while the cookie is still warm, trim the rings back to the desired proportion. Once the cookie rings are cooled off, frost them completely with the vanilla frosting. Be generous so that the M&M's and jelly beans have something to sink into. The colors of the rings are blue, black, and red across the top and yellow and green on the bottom. When it is finished, you will have a replic of the Olympic rings for your Olympic party. Enjoy!