Pretzel and Peanut Crusted Chicken Strips

Hello All!

It's that time...time for another great recipe.  And if you don't know already, I love FOOD!  As mentioned in an earlier post I've been surrounded by women that love to cook, and they do it very well.  So when I come across great recipes I can't wait to share them.  Today's recipe I found back in March while watching the Rachael Ray Show.  It looked so good and perfectly cooked on TV, so I figured I'd give it a shot.  The end result was very yummy, and much prettier than I expected my non-professional version to be.  Without further ado, here is what you need to do...

Ingredients

1 bag salted pretzels, any shape
1/2 cup coarsely chopped honey-roasted peanuts
3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed
Salt and pepper
2 eggs
16 chicken tenders or 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips half an inch thick
1/4 cup EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil (eyeball it)
Honey mustard or barbeque sauce, for drizzling

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Place pretzels and peanuts in a food processor or blender and grind until fine. Transfer to a shallow dish, add thyme, season with salt and pepper, and mix well.  I'd recommend using a rectangle or square shallow dish, just so the strips lay better.

A little blurry, but these are the 2 dishes I used.  And the pink gloves as  protection from the chicken.

Beat 2 eggs in a second shallow dish with a splash of water.

Coat the chicken in the ground pretzels and peanuts, then the egg, then the pretzels again.

Preheat a large skillet with EVOO, enough to go 1/4 inch up the sides of the skillet, over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces to the hot oil. Cook in a single layer, in two batches if necessary, about 3-4 minutes on each side, until juices run clear and the breading is evenly browned. Transfer finished chicken strips to the oven to keep warm as you cook remaining strips.

Ok, so they are not all pretty.  But a majority of them were.

Serve topped with a drizzle of honey mustard or barbecue sauce.

Mine

Rachael's

Substitutions

For this recipe we did not add the nuts, and used about 1 teaspoon of  dried thyme instead of fresh.

If you're like me, you agree that EVOO is expensive!  So when adding oil just eyeball it, start by just covering the bottom of the pan, and add more later if needed.

They really are very tasty, and can be served with pretty much any side dish.  Maybe some fries, a nice salad, or a simple veggie.  What is your weeknight routine?  Are there any favs that you like to have every week?  Let me know, I love comments!

Photo & recipe credit

Until next time...

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings

Hi again!

It's Sunday! And that means Independence Day is tomorrow.  Not only are we celebrating a great day for our country, but it's a day that seems to bring people together.  For me I like to think of the 4th of July as a way to get lots of the 3 F's.  Family, Food, and Fireworks....what were you thinking?!?

So what's on your menu for the 4th?  If you're like our family, you may need something small to hold your guests over until the BBQ is ready.  I found a recipe for some chicken wings that is quite tasty and has a sweet kick!

This recipe comes from HomeMadeSimple.com
Sweet Heat Barbecue Chicken Wings
Serves 6
Time for prep is about 10 minutes
Cook time: 30-35 minutes

Ingredients 
For the Sweet Heat Barbecue Sauce
2 cups ketchup
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1/3 cup buffalo sauce (I used Frank's RedHot Sauce)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup packed light-brown sugar

The Sauce

After it's mixed

For the Chicken Wings
4-6 pounds chicken drumettes, patted dry

INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mustard, buffalo sauce, garlic and brown sugar.
2. Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, then coat with nonstick cooking spray.
3. In a large mixing bowl, toss chicken drumettes with 1 cup of the barbecue sauce. Arrange on prepared baking sheet, being sure the drumettes aren’t touching each other.
4. Bake until opaque and cooked throughout, about 30-35 minutes, turning over halfway through cooking.
5. Carefully toss with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce. Serve with remaining sauce, celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.

My version

Variations: Whenever I cook these I usually don't coat them again after they are cooked.  I know some guests don't like a lot of sauce, so we just stick to the dipping sauce.  From my experience they have not been too spicy, and my family has made them several times.  They are more on the sweet side, with just a little added spice.

Really, you can cook these any time, they make a great snack or meal if you can't stop eating them!
I'll be making these along with a big jug of party punch to serve throughout the evening.

So, what are you making for the 4th?  Any fun traditions?  Let me know below, I love comments!

recipe and photo credit

Biscuits and Buttons

Hello Again!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  My husband was gone all weekend so I was home alone, which sucks because I never sleep when he is gone.  Luckily my family only lives about 5 minutes away, so guess where I was?  On Saturday my mother made some of her great fried chicken strips.  Maybe she'll let me post her recipe one day, they are delicious!  But anyway, to go with the fried chicken I made some semi-homemade cheddar biscuits.  You know, the awesome biscuits they serve at Red Lobster.  If you haven't had them before I suggest you try them, ASAP!  If you don't feel like spending an arm and a leg for your family to go to dinner, then I have a great alternative.  The internet is a wonderful thing.  I found this recipe for these biscuits several years ago, and it is pretty close to what Red Lobster serves.

So, for the dough you are going to need:

• 1 1/4 lbs of Bisquick (I calculated it to be 5 cups)
• 3 Oz. of shredded cheddar cheese
• 11 Oz. cold water

 Butter Spread:

• 1/2 cup of melted butter (usually 1 stick)
• 1 teas. garlic powder
• 1/4 teas. salt
• 1/8 teas. onion powder
• 1/8 teas. dried parsley flakes

Mix the Bisquick water and cheese in a large bowl until the dough is firm.  Use a small scoop to place the dough on a baking pan.

Be sure to line the pan with baking paper, like parchment paper.  Bake in 375 degree oven for about 10 to 12 minutes or until they are golden brown on top.

While the biscuits are baking, melt your butter and then add the garlic through parsley to the melted butter.  I like to add a little extra pinch of parsley flakes, but not too much.  Once the biscuits are done, brush them with the garlic topping.  Make sure to brush the butter on while the bread is hot.  Also, occasionally stir the butter mixture while the batches of bread bake, or before you use it again so it doesn't separate.  If the butter starts to firm up, just microwave it for a few seconds.

I usually get a little over 2 dozen using a small scoop.  You can make them bigger if you wish, but you may need to increase bake time by a couple of minutes.  Hope you try this out, and Enjoy!  Let me know if you make them.

One more thing!  I now have a button for my blog.  Woo hoo!  I made it myself, it's nothing fancy but I have to start somewhere right?  Check it out here, or in the sidebar.


<<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">br</span> /> <a <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>="http://<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">dreamcdesign</span>.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">blogspot</span>.com" target="_blank"><<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="http://i6.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">photobucket</span>.com/albums/y208/abl7/dcdb2.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">png</span>"/></a><<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">br</span> />

Newspapers and Lemon Drops

Hello All!

So, Newspapers and Lemon Drop?  What's that about?  Well, a couple of days ago I came across something fun called Newspaper nails on Pinterest.  I thought it was a fun idea so I decided to try it.  So I cut out some of my favorites from an old newspaper, and got to work.  The process is fairly simple, and the result is awesome.  Although, my first try didn't turn out great; seems that I can never let my nails dry before doing other things!  As for the lemon drops, those come after the nails.

Newpaper nails found on Pinterest

So, what do you have to do?  First you are going to need nail polish (light colors such as pastels work best), top coat, scissors, 10 strips of newspaper (enough to completely cover your nail), Vodka (other alcohol like run is ok or rubbing alcohol), and little bowl.

1. You want to paint your nails and let the completely dry.
2. Dip your nail in the bowl of alcohol.

3. Immediately cover your wet nail with a strip of newspaper; hold it for 30 seconds without moving.  The paper will form to your nail after 30 secs.

4. Slowly pull off the newspaper to see the awesomeness!
5. Finish with a clear top coat, and you're done.

First attempt with hot pink nail polish.

Second try with white, and it shows much better!

So, I recommend using a light or pastel color because the ink from the paper will show up better.  Since I used white the second time I was able to use a colored strip of newspaper on my nail.  I'm just a little excited because I have part of the Green Lantern and Captain America on my thumbs! 

Now that you made it this far it is time to get to good stuff!  I figured since you may be using alcohol with this project, why not use it as an excuse to make a good drink.  I was experimenting with drinks one night, and I came up with this drink.  Not sure if it is in a bartender recipe book, but I like to call it a Passionate Lemon Drop. 

What I used:  Lemon Drop mix, Malibu Rum-Passion Fruit Flavor, Grenadine, and 7-Up.

1. Measure out 2 shots of Rum, add to ice filled glass.
2. Add 3 shots of lemon drop mix to glass.
3. Fill with 7-Up and add Grenadine.
4. Enjoy!

This recipe makes a great sweet lemon drink.  If you try out either of these let me know, I love comments!
So kick back, enjoy the paper, and a nice summer drink.

Until next time,

Food For The Soul

Ever since I can remember I have been surrounded by food!  I know food and water are what keep us alive, but I'm talking about being surrounded by women that love to cook...and do it very well. 

Whether it was my great Aunt's salmon croquettes or my mother's...umm...everything, my family has been spoiled rotten when it comes to food.  Because of those amazing women I LOVE food but also love to cook!  Now that I am married I've started thinking about the recipes I would like to continue to pass down, and the new ones that I could throw in the mix.

So, I'm going to start sharing my food experiences with you all.  I just need your input on how or when I should share.  I'm placing a poll to the left so you all can vote.  Once you've picked a winner I'll begin posting, and I already have a couple recipes lined up.  If you all have recipes that you think should be shared with the world, email me and I'll include them.

Thanks for reading