Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken

This sweet n' sour chicken is absolutely delish.  Pretty sure my family thought this came from our favorite Chinese restaurant.  In their defense, I did stop and get chow mein take out to go with it.  It's true.  If you're a better wife/mom/cook than me (you've got a good shot), you'll probably serve it with homemade stir fry veggies.  I have breaded this before, but tried it this time without the breading (my feeble attempt to cut calories), and liked it just as well.  It's really that good - no one will miss the breading except your waistline.  Enjoy!!

SWEET N' SOUR CHICKEN

4-5 chicken breasts, chopped into 1-2" pieces
3 Tbs cornstarch
1 1/2 c brown sugar
2/3 cup red wine vinegar (can substitute with apple cider or just plain white vinegar, but you'll lose that reddish color)
2 Tbs soy sauce
1 can pineapple tidbits, drained
1/2 green pepper, chopped

Mix cornstarch and brown sugar in saucepan.  Stir in vinegar, soy sauce, pineapple and peppers.  Bring to a boil and continue boiling 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Place chicken pieces into a 9x13 baking dish, greased with non-stick cooking spray.  Pour sauce over chicken and cover with foil.  Bake 20 minutes, remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes.

Serve over rice.  White rice if you like it super delicious.  Brown rice if you're healthy like Kimi.  Or serve it next to ham-fried rice if you're like me and got the chow mein.

Chicken & Biscuit Casserole *Quick Meal*

2 c cooked, chopped chicken

1 can green beans (or 1 1/2 c fresh green beans, cooked)

1 can cream of chicken
1/2 c Miracle Whip (or mayonnaise)
1-2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp lemon juice
1 can refrigerated flakey biscuits (8 biscuits - I buy the store-brand version of Pillsbury Grands)

Combine all ingredients except biscuits in saucepan over medium heat until cheese melts.  Pour into 9x13 baking dish.  Open the biscuits and try not to have a heart attack when it explodes (I seriously jump every stinkin' time).  Peel each biscuit in half (so they're half as thick).  Place the biscuits side by side on the mixture in the baking dish, 3x5.  Yes, that's only 15... if it's just for your family and doesn't have to look pretty, just squeeze that extra one in somewhere - otherwise, just toss it out (or put it in a pie tin and bake for 8 mins).

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  YUM!!!

This is a recipe Kimi got from a host-family while touring with a choir, so I don't exactly know whom to credit this one to. Thank you to the anonymous creator!!  This quickly became a family favorite - quick & delicious!!

Baked Chicken Taquitos *Quick Meal*

Found a new favorite dinner... these Baked Chicken Taquitos from Our Best Bites are amazing!!  Funny, when my hubby saw me making these, he was positive they wouldn't be good (since they're not fried).  I am a huge fan of the green salsa (never bought it before), but if you don't have any, you could use a can of diced green chilis.  If you cheat and use canned chicken like I did, these are a super quick meal.  Try them - you'll love them!

Rubio's Fish Tacos

Mmmm, I love Rubio's fish tacos - they remind me of this great little taco stand in San Clemente, CA.  Thanks to Brooks & Lindsay at Our Family Treat for doing all the work for us - they figured out how to duplicate these scrumptious tacos.  Click HERE for the recipe.

CREAMY TOMATO SOUP (with chicken, bacon & corn) **Quick Meal**

I have such a hectic week, that I was excited to find a new quick meal from Picky Palate (done in 15 minutes!).  Click HERE for the recipe for this delicious Creamy Tomato Soup with chicken, bacon & corn... mmm.

Enchilada Pie - *QUICK MEAL*

We love Mexican food at our house, and here's one of our quick-dinner favorites: (don't judge this yummy dish by the bad picture... it's not so easy to take a pretty picture of a casserole - especially one that's half eaten before I remember to snap a picture)

Enchilada Pie
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced (or about 1/8 cup dehydrated onion)
2 Tbs taco seasoning (or 1/2 packet)
1 can tomato sauce (8 oz - 14.5 oz - anything around there will work)
1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
4 small corn tortillas
1 small can sliced olives
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
 
Brown beef with onion, drain fat (did you see my earlier post for discarding fat??  if not, see below).  Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes.  In a small round casserole dish, layer meat sauce, chopped olives, cheese, then tortilla - Repeat 3 more times.  Sprinkle cheese on top tortilla.

  Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

** Here's my tip for discarding drained fat:  instead of searching for an empty can to pour the fat into, just line a bowl with aluminum foil and pour the grease into it.  When it solidifies, simply throw away the foil for a no-mess solution!!!

2 Ingredient Teriyaki Chicken - *QUICK MEAL*

At least 3 days a week, I run from one job to another and find myself with 15 minutes or less to get dinner prepared before I start job #2 (piano lessons).  Baking time isn't an issue for me - obviously it's prep time.

So here's my go-to dinner on days like that.  I've been hesitant to post this recipe (now I won't be able to take this meal to anyone - they'll know how easy it is), but I've decided to give in and share my 2-ingredient Teriyaki Chicken that is TO DIE FOR!!!!!  This is something that ALL 4 of my kids gobble up - never any leftovers.

Ingredient #1:  Mr. Yoshida's Original Gourmet Sauce (most grocery stores carry it - I got this big bottle from Costco)

Ingredient #2:  Chicken

Ha ha ha - seriously... that's it.  This sauce is killer!!!  You honestly won't need to add anything else.  Just pour some of this sauce over the chicken breasts (make sure chicken is coated and there's 1/2 - 1 inch of sauce in the pan), cover with foil or glass lid and bake at 350.

Those perfectly-sized, perfectly-trimmed frozen chicken breasts from Costco take about 1 1/2 hours.  The thicker variety from your grocery store will take closer to 2 hours.  Serve over rice (spoon some extra sauce on top) with a veggie on the side - broccoli, green beans, or carrots go great with this.  Or you could serve it with stir-fry veggies (again, I use the frozen bag from Costco... hmmm... maybe Costco should start paying me for all of the plugs I give them).

I listed this as *QUICK MEAL* because it takes 2 minutes to prepare.  If you don't have ample baking time, put it on low in the crock pot for 6-8 hours.

White Bean Chicken Chili - Quick Meal

Since I teach piano lessons in the afternoon, I am always looking for yummy QUICK dinners.  Tonight I found a winner.  This white bean chicken chili from Our Family Treat was awesome!  All 4 kiddos ate it right up, even asking for seconds.  I cheated and used canned chicken from Costco, so it was super fast.  It only needs to simmer 20 minutes (told you it was quick!), but since I was going to be tied up until time to eat, I made this ahead of time and let it simmer in the crock pot on low while I was teaching.  Yum!!!

Potato Cheese Soup

Anyone else love soup when it's freezing outside?  Soup is such a comfort food to me during the winter.  I'm excited to try this Potato Cheese Soup from Christy at from glitter to gumdrops. Can you say yummmmm??

Boston Clam Chowder

Our mom makes a killer clam chowder - supposedly the recipe is from a restaurant that used to be around called Brattens.  I made it for my family last night and they gobbled it right up!  So delicious, it could seriously compete with Legal SeaFoods, McGraths, or Market Street.  It's also pretty simple and takes less than an hour from start to finish.

Bratten's Boston Clam Chowder

3/4 lb minced clams, or two 6 1/2 oz cans minced clams
       (you can use chopped, but I don't like chewing on big pieces of clam - kinda rubbery; you can also use just one can if you're not a big fan)
1 small yellow onion, chopped fine
1 c finely diced celery
2-3 c finely diced potatoes, depending on preference
3/4 c butter
3/4 c flour
1 qt. half & half cream
2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp pepper

Drain juice from clams and pour over vegetables in medium saucepan; add enough water to barely cover and simmer, covered, over medium heat until potatoes are tender - about 20 minutes.

While veggies are cooking, in separate pan melt butter, add flour and blend and cook 1-2 minutes.  Slowly add cream and cook until smooth and thick, using wire whisk to blend... STIRRING CONSTANTLY.

Combine cream mixture and undrained vegetables.  Add clams, salt, sugar, and pepper.
Makes 8-10 servings.

ENJOY!!!

Quick Meal - Chicken & Stuffing Casserole

This Chicken & Stuffing Casserole is what we had for dinner last night. (and might I just add that despite the funny looks and moaning from the kids, once they tasted it, this was an instant hit!)  So quick and simple.

Jamie Cooks It Up! gives instructions for making this in a crockpot or the oven (I didn't think far enough ahead, so I went with the oven version).  I am lazy was short on prep time and didn't thaw my chicken or pound it flat - so I added more cooking time... 1+1/2 hours instead of 1 hour.  Turned out great!

Mango Grilled Chicken Salad

Last Saturday night I made this yummy Mango Grilled Chicken Salad from Life Frosting.  I've had it in my files for quite a while and when I saw mangos on sale at the store I knew exactly what I wanted to use them for.  This delicious salad will NOT disappoint; a definite restaurant-quality recipe for sure.  I did tweak the recipe slightly by increasing the chicken (it was for dinner, so I planned on a chicken breast for each of us) and reducing the olive oil to 3/4 cup- I liked it a little thicker and a little stronger.  Honestly mangos and chicken- so yummy (speaking of, have you tried Pei Wei's Mango chicken??  My mouth is watering just thinking of it).

Pizza Crust

Since my family LOVES pizza, I was thrilled to see a recipe for a yummy homemade pizza crust.  This is definitely one I can't wait to try out. Thanks to Alison at Oopsey Daisy, I just might cut back my Little Caesars visits to once a week :)

Strawberry Cashew Salad

Yummy!!  I love eating salads for dinner in the summer- and as long as there is meat in it, my husband loves it too.  This Strawberry Cashew Salad from Our Family Treat is definitely making next week's dinner list.

Baked Ziti

I love baked ziti.  I have a recipe that I tried once, though, and it was just okay- never made it again.  This recipe from Homemade Happiness sounds delicious.  The recipe calls for heavy cream and fresh basil; pretty sure it will be yummy!  Can't wait to try it.  

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

Warmer weather means grilling!!  Who knew that BBQ and Teriyaki could make such a perfect combo?  I tried
this marinade tonight and LOVED it!  My kids seriously couldn't get enough.  I actually marinated the chicken for 2 days (last night's dinner plans changed).  It was so moist and had such a great flavor! 

I served it with what we had on hand - sweet potato fries, corn, and leftover rolls (wow, that was a lot of starch).  Because of the teriyaki sauce in the marinade, I thought it would also be great with grilled pineapple rings, served with rice or a baked potato.  YUM!!  Thanks to Mindika Moments for this delicious recipe!

Creamy Orzo with Chicken, Mushrooms and Red Peppers

This picture totally grabbed my attention (doesn't it look delicious?) - but I was totally sold when I read that it takes under 30 minutes to prepare.  Click HERE for the recipe.  So happy I found this cooking blog...thanks to My Kitchen Cafe for the recipe!!

Taco Soup

I realize taco soup is nothing new or fancy - in fact, when I pulled out the ward cookbook tonight, there were 4 variations!  But none of them was exactly what I wanted.  So I made up my own and it was a hit!  The kids devoured it and it was so quick and easy to make.  If you go light on the toppings, it's a pretty healthy dinner, too (protein, fiber, veggies...).  Here's my recipe:

1 pound hamburger
1/2 onion, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
2 16-oz cans dark red kidney beans (undrained)
1 16-oz can corn (undrained)
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 c water

Brown hamburger with onion, drain grease (here's a tip: instead of trying to find a can to pour the grease into, pour it into a bowl lined with aluminum foil.  Once the fat is solidified, just throw the foil away!).

Combine the meat with all remaining ingredients in a large pot.  Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.

Told you that was fast and easy!  This fed my family of 6 with plenty left over.  If you're only serving 4, you can freeze half for another dinner!

Toppings:
shredded cheese
sour cream
sliced olives
fritos
diced avocado
salsa

Shredded Pork Burritos

What's this, you ask?  Kimi doing her very own tutorial?? It's true.  Several people have asked me for this recipe, so I thought I'd share it here.  It's a newer recipe that I got from my M.I.L. and it is delicious.

Shredded Pork Burritos
4 cups brown sugar, divided
1 bottle mango salsa from Costco (I'm sure you could use any mango salsa, that's just the size and kind I use)
Pork Roast

Blend 1/2 the bottle of salsa and 2 cups of brown sugar until smooth. 

Put pork roast in crockpot.  Pour blended salsa over pork and cook on low 8 hours.  Blend the remaining salsa and 2 cups brown sugar and put it in the fridge for later. 

After the 8 hours, take the roast out and throw away the salsa that the roast cooked in.  Shred the pork and put back in crockpot.  Pour the other half of the salsa/brown sugar blend (that has been in the fridge for the last 8 hours) over your shredded meat and cook until heated through.  I usually turn it up to high for about 30-45 minutes.  Serve in tortillas with your favorite burrito toppings!  This meat freezes really well.  I just divide it into dinner size portions and pop it in the freezer.  When I need a quick meal, I just throw it in the microwave. 

*As a sidenote.  When my mom makes this she does not throw out the cooked in salsa.  She just shreds the meat right in the crockpot and uses that sauce.  Really pork doesn't have a ton of fat, and I never throw out the drippings from Beef Roast or chicken- so kind of makes sense not to waste it.  Any thoughts?? 

Crock Pot French Dip

French Dip sandwiches happen to be my #1 favorite.  So you can bet I was drooling over this Crock Pot French Dip recipe from Smashed Peas and Carrots.  If you are afraid to buy beer (like me), you can substitute with water or broth... I'm thinking water and 2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce... mmm.