Meatloaf Cupcakes

I'm not really a meatloaf lover, but the other day for April Fools Day I wanted to make meatloaf in a cupcake pan with mashed potatoes as frosting for the kids just for fun.  I found this recipe online (www.allrecipes.com) and made a few of my own adjustments.  It turned out wonderful and moist and I will definetly make it again.

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp. celery salt
• 1 tsp. onion flakes (or you can use fresh chopped onion)
• 1 tsp. beef bouillon
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cups Italian-style dried bread crumbs

Sauce:

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup water

1 tsp. mustard

1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, egg, sour cream, ranch dressing, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix in celery salt, beef bouillon, onion, cheese, and bread crumbs. Form mixture into a ball and put in muffin tin.
3. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes. 
4. Take out and cover with sauce and continue baking for another 10 minutes. 
5. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving for easier slicing.

Quinoa

Quinoa is my new best friend :)  In my attempt to eat healthier this year I had a friend 

recommend Quinoa (prounced Keen-wa).  This is a super healthy grain with lots of 

protein, fiber, and nutrients.  My family isn't sold on it yet, but I keep trying.  It has a 

nutty flavor, but the texture is nothing like any other grain you've had before.  Just try 

it, please.  So far, this has been one of my favorite recipes.  It's simple, makes a great 

side dish and with a dash of lemon is perfect.  You can substitute quinoa in place of rice 

in most dishes.

•                                      1 tablespoon butter

•                        1 cup uncooked quinoa

•                        2 cups vegetable broth

•                        2 teaspoons chopped garlic

•                        2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

•                        1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

•                        1/4 teaspoon salt

•                        1 small onion, finely chopped

•                        1 dash fresh lemon juice 

**I added some cooked edamame to this recipe and I really loved that addition.  I'm sure I'll make is that way all the time.

 Directions

 Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the quinoa, and toast, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, or until quinoa is tender.

In a bowl, toss quinoa together with garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, and onion. Sprinkle with lemon juice, and serve.  This can be served hot or cold.

Bacon and Parmesan Pasta

This pasta dish is simple, flavorful and one that everyone loves.  Served with a nice vegetable this is a perfect busy weekday dinner.

The ingredients:
1 lb. bacon
1 lb. rigatoni, penne, or ziti pasta
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup (2-ounces) cream cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 whole eggs
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
Directions:  In a skillet, fry the bacon until crisp. When done, remove bacon until cool enough to handle and roughly chop.  
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling salted water until done.  

Place cream and cream cheese in a small saucepan.  Heat over low until cream cheese is melted, and whisk until smooth.  Remove from heat.  Add the Parmesan cheese, eggs, pepper, and crushed red pepper and whisk until blended.  

Drain pasta (reserving 1/2 cup of hot water) and return to pot.  Immediately add the white sauce and toss to coat.  The hot pasta will cook the eggs.  Stir in the bacon, and add some reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.  

Enjoy!  




Recipe courtesy of Recipe Shoebox

Cashew Chicken

I found this great new food blog called the Brown Eyed Baker.  There are some amazing recipes and this is definetly one of them.  A very quick and easy recipe with lots of flavor.  I added lots of extra veggies because I like it that way and everyone enjoyed it.

1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons dry sherry (or cooking wine, or omit)
2 teaspoons minced, peeled fresh ginger
3½ teaspoons cornstarch, divided
Coarse salt
½ cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2/3 cup unsalted cashews
2 green onions, white and green parts divided and thinly sliced

**I also added chopped zucchini, broccoli and carrots.  You could really add any veggie your family likes.

1. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with the sherry, ginger, and 1½ teaspoons cornstarch; season with coarse salt. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar and 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Set aside.

3. In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add half of the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil. Add 1 teaspoon of oil to the skillet and cook the remaining chicken (reduce the heat if the chicken is over-browning). Transfer to the covered plate.

4. In the same skillet, add the remaining teaspoon of vegetable oil. Add the cashews, garlic, and green onion whites. Cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic begins to soften, about 30 seconds. Whisk the sauce again to combine and add to the skillet along with the chicken. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 30 seconds. Serve over rice or noodles and top with the green onion greens.

Coconut Chicken and Rice

I wish I could remember where I got this recipe, but I cant, sorry!  Shawn doesn't really like coconut and I really do like coconut so I like to find ways to sneak it in to recipes :)  This recipe is great.  The combinations of breadcrumbs and coconut makes for a nice tasting and crispy crust.  The sauce is great with a little bit of sweet and spicy.

Coconut Chicken

4 chicken breasts (sliced in half, so you have eight  "thin" breasts), slightly pounded

Salt and pepper

3/4 to 1 cup flour

2 eggs

1 cup breadcrumbs (I used Panko)

3/4 to 1 cup unsweetened or unsweetened coconut--I used sweetened.

2-4  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil -- Depending on your pan, you may need to add more oil so the chicken doesn't stick.

Apricot Pineapple Preserves Sauce

1-1/2 cups apricot pineapple preserves (I just used apricot preserves)

2 can diced chilies (4 oz.)

2-4 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

2-4  tablespoons chicken stock

Garnish

4 scallions, whites and greens sliced

Sprinkle salt and pepper on each side of each halved and pounded chicken breast.

Have 3 dishes for coating the chicken. One for flour, one for the beaten egg (also include a splash of water to thin it down), and the last dish for the breadcrumb and coconut mixture, which should be mixed evenly.

Heat the olive in a large skillet over medium heat. Coat each piece of chicken first in flour, then in egg, then in the breadcrumb and coconut mixture. Pan fry until deep golden in color on each side and the chicken is done.  You may need to add  extra olive oil so the chicken won't stick.

In a separate sauce pan, over medium heat, stir together preserves, chilis, vinegar, and chicken stock. Reduce until thickened, about 5 minutes.

Serve the chicken over rice, topping it with the Pineapple Apricot Sauce. Sprinkle green onions for garnish.  I add some fresh steamed broccoli and it was a perfectly balanced meal.

Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Sauce

This recipe is from the Recipe Shoebox and I've found lots of good recipes there.  We really liked these enchiladas and I believe there were originally found in the Food Network magazine.  They have such a great flavor and a great little kick.

We went a little over kill of the feta (that was husbands job), but it was still delicious!

1 small red onion, halved
1-1/2 lbs. tomatillos, husked and rinsed
1-2 serrano chile peppers, stemmed and seeded
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 tsp. salt
pinch of sugar
Corn tortillas
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
2-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for greasing
3/4 cup feta cheese or queso fresco (I used feta cheese)


Directions:  Preheat the broiler.  Slice half of the onion into thin rings and set aside.  Place the other onion half, tomatillos, and serranos on a foil lined baking sheet and broil until the vegetables are soft and slightly brown, 7 - 10 minutes, turning as needed.  Transfer the vegetables and any liquid to a blender, add broth and puree.  Season with salt and sugar. 

Meanwhile, stack the tortillas, wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave just until warm and soft, 1 minute; keep covered.  Toss the chicken with 2 cups shredded cheese  and chopped cilantro in a bowl.  Spoon a portion of the chicken mixture down the middle of each tortilla and roll up.  Place the enchiladas side by side in a lightly oiled 9x13-inch baking dish and brush with the 2 tablespoons olive oil.  Broil until crisp and golden, 3 minutes.

Pour the tomatillo sauce over the enchiladas and top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese.  Return to oven and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 3-5 minutes.  Garnish with onion rings, feta cheese, and any remaining cilantro. (NOTE:  We skipped the raw onion rings, since I knew my kids wouldn't touch them.  I don't recommend skipping the feta cheese.  I loved the flavor it added.)  Makes 6-8 servings.   Enjoy!

Kung Pao Chicken, Lo Mein, and Egg Rolls

Recently we had a family dinner with lots of Chinese Food.  I've had requests for the recipes, so I thought it easiest to post them here.  There are many other asian/chinese recipes on this blog that are also equally good.  Here we go....

Kung Poa Chicken

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into chunks
• 2 tablespoons white wine
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
• 1 ounce hot chile paste
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts
• 4 ounces chopped peanuts

1. To Make Marinade: Combine 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon cornstarch/water mixture and mix together. Place chicken pieces in a glass dish or bowl and add marinade. Toss to coat. Cover dish and place in refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
2. To Make Sauce: In a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch/water mixture, chili paste, vinegar and sugar. Mix together and add green onion, garlic, water chestnuts and peanuts. In a medium skillet, heat sauce slowly until aromatic.
3. Meanwhile, remove chicken from marinade and saute in a large skillet until meat is white and juices run clear. When sauce is aromatic, add sauteed chicken to it and let simmer together until sauce thickens.

**I actually doubled the sauce, because we are sauce people, and I would definetly recommend doing that because it really doesn't make much sauce.

Vegetable Lo Mein

• 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup sliced red bell peppers
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups fresh bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon curry powder

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Heat oil in a large wok or saute pan. Stir fry mushrooms, carrots, peppers, onion and garlic until tender. Stir in bean sprouts and green onions; cook one minute. Mix cornstarch and chicken broth in a small bowl and add to stir fry. Stir in hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, ginger, cayenne pepper and curry powder. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
3. Add cooked spaghetti, and toss. Serve immediately.

**We didn't really love the hoisin sauce in this recipe (the anise spice in hoisin sauce tastes like black licorice).  So, if I made it again, I would definetly leave that out.

Egg Rolls

1 pound ground pork

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 quart peanut oil for frying

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons water

2 cups shredded cabbage

2 ounces shredded carrots

8 (7 inch square) egg roll wrappers

2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)

1. Season pork with ginger and garlic powder and mix thoroughly. Heat mixture in a medium skillet, stirring, until pork is cooked through and no longer pink. Set aside.
2. In another large skillet heat oil to about 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) or medium high heat. While oil is heating, combine flour and water in a bowl until they form a paste. In a separate bowl combine the cabbage, carrots and reserved pork mixture. Mix all together.
3. Lay out one egg roll skin with a corner pointed toward you. Place about a 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the cabbage, carrot and pork mixture on egg roll paper and fold corner up over the mixture. Fold left and right corners toward the center and continue to roll. Brush a bit of the flour paste on the final corner to help seal the egg roll.
4. Place egg rolls into heated oil and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels or rack. Put on serving plate and top with sesame seeds if desired.

**We had a few leftover egg roll wrappers and I wanted something sweet the following night.  I mixed up some cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla, and blueberries and put in the middle of the egg roll wrapper and fried it.  I sprinkled (really more like dredged) them with powdered sugar while they were still hot and they were delicious.  You should try that also :)

All recipes courtesy of allrecipes.com