Thursday, February 27, 2014

Asian Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:
2 cucumbers - halved lengthwise,
seeded, and sliced
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
4 fresh red chile peppers, sliced
Directions:
1.Put the cucumber slices in a colander and sprinkle with salt; set aside to drain for 1 hour.
2.Whisk the vinegar and sugar together until the sugar is dissolved; add the sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sesame seeds; stir.
3.Rinse salt off the cucumber slices by running under cold water; place in a large bowl with the sliced red chile peppers. Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat. Serve immediately.


I really liked this but Pete and the kids didn't.  If making again, Make for self only

Zuppa Tuscana



Ingredients

    • 1 lb Italian sausage ( I like mild sausage)
    • 2 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices
    • 1 large onion, chopped
    • 1/4 cup bacon bits (optional)
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 cups kale or 2 cups swiss chard, chopped
    • 2 (8 ounce) cans chicken broth
    • 1 quart water
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

  1. Chop or slice uncooked sausage into small pieces.
  2. Brown sausage in your soup pot.
  3. Add chicken broth and water to pot and stir.
  4. Place onions, potatoes, and garlic in the pot.
  5. Cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.
  6. Add bacon.
  7. Salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
  9. Turn to low heat.
  10. Add kale and cream.
  11. Heat through and serve.

Cowboy Cookies

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease baking sheets. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2.In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Gradually stir in the sifted ingredients. Stir in the rolled oats and chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets.
3.Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before removing.

Orange Chicken

So So Yummy!! This served 6 people

 

Ingredients

    • 4 lbs boneless skinless chicken, chopped into bite sized pieces
    • 2 egg
    • 3 teaspoons salt
    • 2 to taste white pepper
    • 2 to taste oil ( for frying)
    • 1 cup cornstarch, plus
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
    • 1/2 cup flour
    • 2 tablespoons gingerroot, minced
    • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon crushed hot red chili pepper
    • 1/2 cup green onion, chopped
    • 2 tablespoons rice wine
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

    Orange Sauce for Stir Fry

    • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 3 tablespoons water
    • 10 tablespoons sugar
    • 10 tablespoons white vinegar
    • 2 orange, zest of

Directions

  1. Place chicken pieces in large bowl.
  2. Stir in egg, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon oil and mix well.
  3. Stir cornstarch and flour together.


Directions

  1. Mix flour mixture and egg mixture.
  2. Add chicken pieces, stirring to coat.
  3. Heat oil for deep-frying in wok or deep-fryer to 375 degrees.
  4. Add chicken, small batches at a time, and fry 3 to 4 minutes or until golden crisp.
  5. (Do not overcook chicken).
  6. Remove chicken from oil with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; set aside.
  7. Clean wok and heat 15 seconds over high heat.
  8. Add 1 tablespoon oil.
  9. Add ginger and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant; about 10 seconds.
  10. Add and stir-fry crushed chiles and green onions.
  11. Add rice wine and stir 3 seconds.
  12. Add Orange Sauce and bring to boil.
  13. Add cooked chicken, stirring until well mixed.
  14. Stir water into remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch until smooth and add to chicken.
  15. Heat until sauce is thickned.
  16. Stir in sesame oil and orange zest if desired.
  17. Serve over jasmine rice.