Mini chicken meatball appetizers

We're having a few friends over as a pre- Christmas gathering on Saturday and although I was tempted to make lots of appetizers I am limiting my menu.  I have suggested it to others and I am practicing what I preach and making maybe 3 or 4 at  the most.

I have seen many recipes for small meatball appetizers but not ones like the one I'll be making using ground chicken.  I am sure ground turkey would be fine too!

If you are making these mini's for a marinara type dipping sauce I would eliminate the thyme and definitely add seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Italian cheese.  I'm not saying you should eliminate it but for Italian meatballs I do not add thyme.  I used it for this recipe to bring out the chicken flavor a wee bit but with all the BBQ sauce I hardly know you'd notice.

I baked these mini's for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees, cooled them and refrigerated them in a large zip lock bag  until use on Saturday.  If it were any longer I would have frozen them. Making these a little earlier does save time and why not save  some of your precious time?

Here's my recipe and I have taste tested them.  Yummy!

I'll show the after when I serve these little cuties on Saturday.  Enjoy! 


12/11/14

Lightly browned in oven

I lb. ground chicken
1/2 to 3/4 breadcrumbs( work with hands to make sure you have enough breadcrumbs so you can roll them easily).
 1/4 + chicken broth or vegetable broth (I used chicken broth)
1 tsp. salt
pinch pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried parsley
1 egg slightly beaten

If using a crockpot add 1 or two large bottles of your favorite BBQ sauce and 1/2 to 3/4 cup pineapple juice

In a large bowl place egg and broth and whisk slightly.  Add chicken, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley and thyme. Note: I add a little olive oil to my hands while rolling the balls. Roll by 1/2 tsp. size and place on lined cookie sheet.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Break off pieces of chicken mixture into small size mini meatballs.  Place on lined cookie sheet and bake approximately 10 minutes or until slightly browned.

Serve with warmed marinara sauce for dipping  or 

After baking the balls Place BBQ sauce and pineapple juice in crockpot on low.  Stir and then add mini's and cover until warmed thru.

 Everything that is in the crockpot is cooked so allow about 2 hours to warm thoroughly before guests arrive. Enjoy! ** Place large spoon for easy serving onto small plates.

 *Place container of toothpicks for easily eating.


 ***p.s. I am adding 1/2 cup Pineapple juice along with the BBQ sauce to keep the sauce moist. If you don't have any pineapple juice add a little water if needed.

Weight control suggestions! Moderation not Deprivation!!!

Good Day Everyone!

I saw these two pages in Better Homes and Garden Magazine and I had to share them with you.

I don't subscribe to many magazines but this one has a lot to offer in ideas, healthy food recipes, delicious desserts and everyday advise so I hope you can see the two pages I added to this post.  It eliminated lots of typing. Zoom in if you have difficulty. I did a brief synopsis of it below and also added the photos of the actual article.  

To help along with suggestions of lunches and dinners I am also adding a few meals I have made recently.  I believe in moderation without deprivation so my meals include all veggies, fruits and meats, poultry.  I believe in cutting back(no in between snacking) and if possible cutting back on sugar.

When I make one of my recipes if it isn't my own creation I ALWAYS cut back on the sugar amount and quite personally do not see any major change in taste or texture and sometimes substitute applesauce for the butter in the recipe.  It works!! So here are the resolutions as they call them but I call them helpful solutions.  Enjoy! 

1.  I'm going to eat healthy!

2.  I'm going to get more sleep

3.  I'm going to do some form of exercise

4.  I'll spend more time with family and friends(I'll put away my phone away at every meal.

5.  I'm going to lose some pounds. (I weigh myself daily)

6.  I'll tweak my social media addiction(Log off and stay off for an hour) Hard to do?  I know the pain lol

7.  I'll cut back on sugar.  A small sweet treat occasionally. (I've learned to buy a small package instead of a whole huge bag).  It takes determination to eat only one piece a day but do it!!

8.  I won't let stress rule me. I will mediate for 5 minutes everyday.

9.  I will not sit as much.  I will remind(set a reminder) myself to get up and stretch while at home or work

10.  I'll replace every negative thought with a positive one.  This is a hard one but you must do it.  Even if it's a little one it'll help.

4/11/16

Lemon and Italian seasonings marinated Tilapia.  Baked at 350 degrees in aluminum foil for 30 minutes or less.

Lightly breaded pork chop, green beans, salad and rice medley(1/2 to 1 cup) for potato or rice

Beef and chicken kabobs, asparagus, red beets and unseasoned rice

Jerk style pork(I used a store bought seasoning packet but plan on making my own seasoning. There were peppers an onions in this recipe but I used my crockpot and suggest 
you add them toward the end of cooking.

I

I will continue to regularly post my completed meals on the blog. I hope you will follow my posts and my Facebook page and REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT THE LABELS SECTION.  I TRY TO LABEL ALL MY RECIPES ACCORDING TO HELP YOU. IT'S ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE POST/PAGE.

Good food, desserts and lifestyle changes without the feeling you are doing without.

Please remember to comment. I'd love to hear from you.  

HAPPY BAKING AND COOKING!

 FROM MY KITCHEN TO YOURS,

 

adapted1/6/16 original BetterHomesandGardens

A new adventure: My Facebook Group page

Hi everyone:

I am inviting you to join my group on Facebook.

Here's the link..

https://www.facebook.com/groups/iliketobakeandcook/

Facebook Group Page started 3/5/2018



It's called "WE LIKE TO BAKE AND COOK GROUP".

These are original photos shared by the group

Note: I am not giving up my blog...I will still continue to post my recipes new and old right here as usual.

I just want to explore new avenues on Facebook. My new group page allows all of you wonderful foodies to share recipes from all around the world.  

We'll meet new foodies, have discussions and offer help in areas that we have difficulty in achieving the results we are looking for in our daily baking and cooking.

I think this is the perfect next step in my adventure in social media.  It's all about positivity in all aspects of life and putting a decent healthy meal on our table.  I think we'd all agree that we need to spread love and positivity to everyone.

Come visit, ask to join and that's all there is to it. I welcome all serious foodies and friends of foodies too.  

The note below is what I posted on my I Like to Bake and Cook Blog page which will be archived in 3 days.




To my loyal I Like to Bake and Cook Blog Page followers:

I will be posting my recipes, photos, adventures and fun here in the group page sharing the link to the blog directly with the actual easy to access link. Note: It's usually highlighted in blue.

Please consider joining the group page.  I think you'll like being able to contribute to it by your recipes and photos. We all enjoy food and in particular those who like to share their labor of love; challenges and accomplishments.

I'm excited to go forward with a new group of loyal foodies!

It's been a great 7 years. Never did I think my passion for food and sharing recipes would have been so much fun.  I met so many wonderful people. I wish I could mention them all! My intention was to inspire everyone to get into the kitchen and make homemade recipes that generations would remember and pass on. Wonderful memories...

What surprised me also was that I was so inexperienced on the technical are of a computer so planning and implementing a layout of both sites really was a super challenge.

Thanks, Vanessa and Nathan for your help.  It made me realize that you are never to old to learn. Even though there were days I was frustrated I never wanted to give up this non paying but so rewarding hobby.

I am looking forward to growing this group.  Mention it to your friends and family.  We'll grow and learn so many great recipes and customs  from all over the world! 

❤️

As Always,

The I Like to Bake and Cook Lady

5/28/17

As of May 28, 2017 I started a group page.

Chicken, leek,asparagus and spinach stir fry

5/21/14

1 bunch thin asparagus, broken in pieces and woody ends taken off

1 pkg. baby spinach washed and stems removed

1 lb. boneless chicken breasts cut in pieces or strips

salt and pepper

1 medium leek sliced

1/4 cup olive oil

1 pkg. Uncle Ben's Basmati rice (90second)

1/4 cup vegetable or chicken broth or you can use water

1 fresh lemon

1 clove minced garlic (optional)

Saute chicken in olive oil with salt and pepper until browned slightly.  Add leeks and asparagus and cook until slightly tender but still crispy.  Add broth and spinach and cook until spinach starts to wilt. Add 1 cup or pkg.  cooked rice and mix together gently until warmed.   Drizzle lemon juice on and serve immediately.

 

Cream Puff Ring!

Updated recent photo 9/9/2021
Toasted almonds on top

You are sure to impress with this easy Cream Puff Ring!! It is definitely a Family Favorite!

5/24/14

1 cup water
1 stick butter or margarine
1 cup flour
Bring water and butter to boil, lower heat. Add flour stirring constantly until mixture works away from sides...Take off stove beat in 4 eggs one at a time into flour mixture.

Grease cookie sheet.  Outline a 7 inch dessert dish on cookie sheet using flour.
Spoon approx. 10 heaping tablespoons of dough on inside of circle,making sure each tablespoon touches each other.
Bake 400 degrees for 40 minutes.  Turn oven off leave in oven 15 min. more.
When completely cool.  Cut ring in half and clean out excess batter. Fill with Vanilla Filling.

Vanilla Filling
1 1/4 cup milk
1 pkg. van. instant pudding
1 small heavy cream (substitute Cool Whip) It's a Short cut
1 tsp. vanilla or 1/2 tsp. almond extract

Beat first two ingredients until smooth.  Beat whipping cream separately(STIFF) and then fold into pudding mixture.  Set aside and refrigerate until ready to use.  Sprinkle with confectionery sugar.

**FOR A SHORT CUT USE 1 CUP MILK, 1 PKG. Instant  PUDDING, FOLD IN 8 0Z COOL WHIP AND EXTRACT.

Happy Baking and Cooking from my kitchen to yours,
 

M.J.

9/29/12