Honey Mandarin chicken salad

Hi everyone:

Going to a summer BBQ?  This might be a good choice to take along with you.

I call it Mandarin Chicken Salad

Just in case you don't want to add chicken this salad is super tasty with a lettuce mix.

Toasted Almonds really add to the flavor.

Enjoy!

Salad dressing 

 1/2 cup orange juice, 

1  1/2 tsp. Honey, 

1/4 cup olive oil, 

1/4 cup chopped chives or green onion.

 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard 

Pinch salt and pepper.

1/3 cup toasted almonds.

I shake all but the almonds in a container with a lid until all are incorporated. Add chicken and almonds after tossing romaine with dressing .

Ingredients 

8 oz cubed chicken cooked 

1 large romaine shredded

1/4 cup toasted almonds

1 jar mandarin oranges drained

From my kitchen to yours

Easy Homemade Peach Ice Cream

Summer's here and yep I want ice cream.  I am not a person who loves ice cream but on some days I do crave some.  Tonight I was browsing around the internet and I came across this 3 ingredient recipe for homemade ice cream.  It said chocolate or vanilla but being an adventurous person lol  I opted to make peach. It did help that I had 3 large ripe peaches!

Here is my recipe:

2 cups heavy whipping cream 
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk(not canned coffee cream)
3 large peaches(skin removed and diced)
1 T real vanilla extract

 

Place whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in electric mixer. (you can use hand held mixer as well)

 Beat until stiff peaks form.  Add diced peaches and stir with wooden spoon to combine. Line a bread pan with either wax paper or cling wrap. Pour into pan and freeze at least 4 to 6 hours.  I let mine freeze overnight.

I used a bread pan which I thought would be easier to scoop out ice cream or any deep container will work.  

Summer fun!

Note:  I think you could use any diced or sliced fruit with this recipe.  The original recipe called for 1/4 cup condensed milk and 3/4 cup chocolate syrup for the Chocolate Ice cream recipe.

Chili with Jalapeno Recipe

It's chilly in PA today so I think it'll be a good day for spicy Chili!

If anyone needs help in what to make for dinner this week I've decided it's chili today and breaded chicken cutlets for (Tuesday) tomorrow. I just put the chili in the crockpot.!

I get bored very easily if you haven't noticed yet. lol and it allows me to explore different ideas I may have in my recipes and also in my home and garden ideas.  It keeps me busy and yes I do like to be challenged with my likes and yes dislikes too.

I decided yesterday that I was going to make chili or chili con carne as it is sometimes called.

Beef is my meat of choice and although I have used small beef cubes as well as a stir fry beef I always come back to ground beef.

This recipe I added cumin, diced tomatoes and jalapeno's which I have not ever done.

My hubby just had a huge dish and said "make it this way all the time" which kind of surprised me...He doesn't like me to change my recipes at all....

You can add some Monterrey Jack or cheddar cheese to top it when serving.

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 medium onion grated 

1 large can diced tomatoes juice included  Note: ( I usually use either tomato juice or tomato sauce) it all depends on what I have in my pantry and if it's crockpot or on the stove top.

2 cans kidney beans drained and rinsed.

3 tsp. Chili powder 

1 tsp. Chopped jalapeño or more optional (remove seeds)

1/4 tsp. Cumin

Salt and pepper 

Top with lots of cheese if desired.  Yummy!

Set on low for 5 to 6 hours.

FYI:  I fried my beef first with onion, salt and pepper  in a wee bit of oil until slightly browned. Drained slightly and placed in crockpot first and then added the other ingredients and lightly stirred and placed lid on tightly. Have a great day and here's the link to the chicken cutlets if you decide to make them.😊💕 M.j.

Chicken Cutlets

https://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/2013/08/breaded-chcken-cutlets.ht





From my kitchen to yours,

Making Scones with Self Rising Flour!

 I have used self rising flour only once. I bought some for a biscuit recipe and today I decided to make scones using the self rising flour and trying to keep them healthier I again substituted the butter with applesauce.  They look good right now fresh from the oven so here's a few photos to show how I made them and I'll give you this recipe if you would like to make them. There is no need to add salt or baking powder since it is already added to the flour.

Note: I baked them on parchment paper since there wasn't any shortening in the recipe. You can spray your cookie sheet with cooking spray if you do not have parchment paper.

This recipe is a double recipe.  You will get anywhere from 12 to 18 scones depending on size.

Moist, tender and light in texture.  Good recipe! *Note: a healthy option

4 cups self rising flour
1/2 cup sugar plus 1 T for sprinkling on top
3/4 cup natural applesauce
2 eggs
1/2 cup dried cranberries, cherries, blueberries 
1/4 cup fresh cranberries (optional)
chopped almonds, pecans, walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup *1% milk (if batter is too thick add a little more if necessary) 
* I am sure skim can be used too!

I made these in a large mixing bowl by hand.

Whisk eggs, add applesauce and sugar continue whisking until blended.  With a large cooking spoon add flour slowly with milk. Batter will be thick and stick to spoon so keep mixing until dough looks like cookie batter.  Once all flour has blended add dried fruit. Place on well greased or parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake 425 degrees approximately 13 minutes or until browned.

Cool and remove from cookie sheet

I'll give you the link to my original scone recipe for those who opt to use it.  Note:  The original uses butter and all purpose flour!!
Easy Drop Scones

Cucumber or Zucchini Dip

I've been wanting to make this dip ever since I saw it was a recipe from Taste of Home Magazine.

They call it Cucumber Dip but I used a medium zucchini and it turned out great so I believe either vegetable can be used!

Here is the recipe.  Use the cucumber as it is written or substitute a grated zucchini as I did.

1 large cucumber or *medium zucchini cut, skinned, seeded and grated
3/4 cup plain yogurt
3/4 cup sour cream
3 T olive oil
4 tsp. fresh dill *I used dried fine dill and I used 1/2 the amount
4 tsp. red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. *garlic powder or 3 garlic cloves minced
1/2 tsp.* salt

Hubby liked it! Note: He didn't ask and I didn't mention there was zucchini in it...........lol

  Grate cucumber or zucchini.  Place grated cucumber or zucchini on paper towels and squeeze several times to remove excess moisture.

In a medium bowl place sour cream, dill,  yogurt, oil, vinegar, salt and garlic.  Stir well  then fold in cucumber or zucchini and stir until mixed.  Refrigerate until chilled.,

Serve with crackers, pretzels, raw veggies or pita bread if you like.  Yummy! 

I will definitely make this again.  A great appetizer for the holidays.

10/27/14