Sunday, August 19, 2012

Sweet and Spicy Chicken and vegetables Stir-Fry

I got this recipe out of my Cooking Light magazine. I seen it while I was on luch at work (I have a hour lunch so I bring things to read) anyhow, I knew I was going to make it because it looked so good. I have not owned a wok in at least 25 years, I just use a large pan.















3 T dark brown sugar
1 1/2 T lower-sodium soy sauce
1 T fish sauce (I had to sneak this in because my son hates anything to do with fish) he did ask   
                          if  had oyster sauce in it. I told him no, but failed to say it had fish sauce in it.)
1 T rice wine vinegar
1 T sambal oelek
1 t dark sesame-oil
3/4 t cornstarch
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
8 ounces sugar snap peas
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1/2 medium red onion, cut into thin wedges
1/4 sliced green onions
1/4 unsalted dry-roasted peanuts

Combine the first 7 ingredients, stirring well; set aside.
Heat a large wok (or large pan) over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil to pan, swirl to coat. Add chicken, stir-fry for 4 minutesor until brown and done. Remove from wok. Add remaining 1 T oil to pan. Add snap peas, bell peppers and red onions. Stir-fry for 3 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in brown sugar mixture cook one minute or until thickened. Stir in chicken onions and peanuts.


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Apple Donuts

I love Autumn all the scents and flavors that go with it. I love the Fall recipes, the colors, just about everything. I have a lot of wonderful memories with my kids when they where little and they are all center around Autumn. Some of the places we went were Casa de Fruita, pumpkin Patch, walks to the park and rolling down the hills together, trips to the library (OK, that took place all the time) but there was just something special about going in the Fall. Maybe it was because the books we would get to read together and the planning for Thanksgiving and then came decorating for Christmas. Most of the kids are grown up and on their own now and every time the weather changes I miss them being little again. I think what started it was I seen a little girl who came into the store skipping with braids and she reminded me of my girls when they were little, which made me make the remark to my husband that we should adopt a little one. I think he just thinks I have lost it. We have six kids, two are still at home but time is moving really fast the older we get and I have to say these two are pretty boring, they only like to  play Xbox and computers. :o) But there are times I can drag them out and believe me it feels like I am dragging them sometimes.

Well back to my post. My house smells like a crisp cool Autumn day with these donuts in the oven. I would say between our strange weather and the smell of these baking has got me really thinking about Autumn. Well to be honest with you I have been thinking a lot of about Autumn these past few weeks.
I seen this recipe on Barbara Bakes and knew I was going to change it a little, one thing I did not do and wished I did was either grate the apples or just left them out all together. But my boys are eating them up so they must not be too bad, my 16 year is the one who said I should had left the apples out. I think he is just glad I opened the apple sauce and apple cider so he could have some.



1 cup  apple cider
1/2 cup very finely chopped or better yet grated dried apples
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

In a small saucepan, simmer the apple juice and dried apples over medium heat until all of the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Preheat oven to 325º. Lightly grease two 6 count donut pans with cooking spray or vegetable oil.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat together sugar and egg until well combined. Whisk in vegetable oil, applesauce and vanilla extract. Stir in cooled apple mixture. Add dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
Divide batter evenly into 12 donut cups, filling each about 3/4 full. (Use a pastry bag or plastic bag with corner cut out to make filling the cups easier.)
Bake for 10-15 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
While donuts are baking, in a small bowl combine remaining sugar and cinnamon for topping.
When donuts are done, cool for a few minutes in the pan, remove from pan and dip donut top in cinnamon sugar mixture. Cool on a wire rack.
Makes 12 baked donuts.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Blueberry Bars

http://aprilshomecooking.blogspot.com/2009/07/aprils-home-cooking.html

I cooked some of the berries this time with a T water and spread them on top of the cooked bottom layer, then I added some fresh berries on top, added my top crust and baked. I then added orange juice to powder and while the bars where warm drizzled the mixture on top of the bars.

Cooking with my boys

Got off work a little early today so I decided to take my 16 year old clothes shopping. He is such a funny kid. He only wears red Converse high-tops, blue shirts and either black or denim pants. Now if I can only get him to wear a jacket this year. He also hates long sleeve shirts. Next week it will be my youngest I take shopping, I think I will have to take him shopping on a day I have the whole day off work because he is more of a shopper.
Anyhow, my son Jacob has been asking to make pretzels so over a month now so today I bought some french bread dough from work (because I knew I would not feel like making the dough) did you all know you can buy dough from most grocery stores. I stick it in the freezer and pull it out and let it rise when I need it. Anyhow, back to my pretzel. We don't just make plain pretzels,  we like to  stuff them. We had pepperoni, cheese (I put string cheese in mine) and pizza sauce. Brushed the top with an egg wash and added some salt and grated Parmesan cheese to the top. Baked then in a 400 degree oven until golden brown. I have to say they were really good.
Well I have been up since 1:45 so I think I am going to drag this tired body off to bed. Good night all.


*I hope you can understand my post, I am so tired I gave up trying to understand what I wrote.