Monthly Archives: September 2022

SLOW COOKER CASHEW CHICKEN

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INGREDIENTS

For the chicken:

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thigh
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp canola oil

For the sauce:

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 4 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 4 Tbsp ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 garlic clove minced
  • 1tsp grated fresh ginger 
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup cashews

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Note: I don’t use ginger a lot so to buy fresh ginger for just a small amount isn’t reasonable. My grocery store sells pureed ginger in a tube that lasts longer and you can use it as you need. Or you can freeze your fresh ginger.
  2. For the chicken: Trim any visible fat off the chicken. Combine the flour and black pepper in large Ziploc bag. Add the chicken and shake to coat with flour mixture. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken about 2 minutes on each side. Place chicken in slow cooker. Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes in small bowl; pour over chicken. Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours. Add cashews and stir. Serve over rice. Makes 4-6 servings.

FOR BIRTHDAY OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • pinch cardamom, optional
  • 1 cup quick oats
  • 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)
  • 1 & 1/2 cups raisins
  • 12 oz. mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Start by preparing your raisins and walnuts, if you plan to add nuts. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add 1 and 1/2 cup raisins to a small bowl. Pour the boiling water over the raisins. Set aside to plump (at least 10-15 minutes.)
  • In a small pan, add 1/2 cup walnuts and set over medium heat. Stir frequently for 3-5 minutes, until the walnuts are light brown and fragrant. Don’t burn them! Nuts are so easy to burn. Set side to cool.
  • In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter until is is soft and creamy.
  • Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and beat together. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and beat for another 2-3 minutes, until fluffy.
  • Add 2 eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1 tablespoon molasses. Beat well until incorporated, scraping the sides and bottom.
  • Add 2 and 1/2 cups flour (spooned and leveled!) but don’t mix it in yet.
  • On top of the flour in the bowl, add 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Add in a dash of cardamom, but only if you already know you like cardamom. Stir it into the flour with a small spoon.
  • Use the beaters to stir the flour into the dough, but not all the way. Stop when the dough is still pretty white from the flour. Scrape down the edges.
  • Add 1 cup quick oats, 1 cup old fashioned oats, and the 1/2 cup of toasted walnuts, if you’re using them.
  • Beat just until the flour streaks are gone. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure it has all been mixed properly, but do not over mix (or you will get tough cookies).
  • Drain the raisins through a strainer. Lay out a paper towel on the counter and pour the raisins on top to dry them out a bit. Set aside 1/4 or 1/2 cup raisins to press into the top of the baked cookies, if you want.
  • Use a wooden spoon to stir the raisins and chocolate chips into the dough. If they are still a little wet, they may not mix in very well. Just do your best to get them incorporated.
  • Cover the dough and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 48 hours. If you are in a big hurry, you can shape the dough into balls right away, set them on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes before baking (they will chill faster if they are already shaped into balls).
  • When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Line a few baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
  • Use a 2 inch cookie scoop (< this is the one I have) to shape the cookie dough, or just use your hands. Your cookie dough balls should be about 2 inches across, or a little bigger than a golf ball.
  • Place the cookie dough on the prepared baking sheets with about 2 inches in between each cookie. I was able to fit 12 on a half sheet baking pan.
  • Bake at 350 for 11-12 minutes. The cookies should be firm on the edges and slightly golden. They should not be too shiny. A little bit of shine is okay right in the center, but not much. If the whole top of the cookie is still shiny, leave it in for 2-3 more minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the oven.
  • For an extra thick cookie: Immediately after you take them out of the oven (seriously, don’t wait) use two spoons to gently push each cookie together. I just used two regular spoons, the kind you eat cereal with. Push the cookie together so that it comes up a bit in the middle. That’s how you’re going to get a soft, thick center. If you wait even just a minute after taking them out of the oven, the brown edges will start to crisp up, and you won’t be able to shape the cookies. Work your spoons all the way around the edges so that your cookie is a nice circle shape. Work quickly to shape all the cookies before they crisp on the edges. HINT: do fewer cookies on each sheet
  • Press extra raisins into the top of each cookie, if desired. (You can use ones that you plumped or ones straight from the bag.)
  • Remove to a wire rack and let cool completely. But not before eating at least one!
  • Store covered on the counter. 

Notes

You can make this dough ahead of time and freeze for later. Shape the dough into balls, seal in a ziplock, and freeze for up to 3 months. No need to thaw before baking; put them frozen into a preheated oven and add 2-3 minutes to the bake time. Once the dough has been frozen, there is not as much need to use spoons to smoosh them together, although you can if you want.

Taco Braid

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Ingredients

  • 1 refrigerated pizza crust
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 3 tablespoon Homemade Taco Seasoning
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 cup Fiesta Blend shredded cheese divided, or you can use your favorite. Plus additional for serving, if desired.
  • 1 tomato, diced plus additional for topping, if desired
  • 2 tablespoons butter melted
  • 2 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
  • sour cream and taco sauce for serving if desired

Instructions

  • Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with parchment.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until brown. Pour in the water and homemade taco seasoning and mix until well incorporated. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
  • Transfer the piece of parchment to your work surface and using a rolling pin, roll out the pizza dough so that it measures 10 x 15-inches. With a knife or pizza cutter, make slices 1½ inches thick and 3 inches long down both long sides of the dough.
  • Leaving about an inch at the top and bottom, place the ground beef down the center of the dough. Cover the beef with 3/4 cup of the cheese, and then add the diced tomato.
  • Beginning at one end of the braid, fold the end up and wrap the first two slices over to secure it. Repeat the wrapping with opposite slices just until the last two. Fold the end up and wrap the last two slices over it to secure.
  • Gently brush the top and sides with the melted butter. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese on top.
  • Transfer the braid on the parchment to the rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Allow to cool a few minutes before serving. Cover with chopped Romaine lettuce, additional tomato and cheese, if desired. Serve with sour cream and taco sauce.