Lighter fare

So for dinner last night we wanted to do a lighter fare.  We are both trying to get into shape so that we can go on a 17 mile hike this fall into Yellowstone National Park.  So far we have added a lot of veggies and cut back on portions.  When we are home for a day and are just milling around the house I set out broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots for us to munch on instead of candy and chips.  So far we have noticed that we are filling better.  So now I am looking for tasty yet healthy meals to make for us.  Here is what I came up with for dinner.

Protein:

        2 chicken breasts halved

        2 Tbls extra virgin olive oil

        Salt & Pepper

Starch:

        2 C rice

        3 C water

Veggies:

2 C cauliflower – cut up (I even use the stems if I am steaming it)

2 C broccoli – cut up (again I use the stems for steaming)

2 C carrotts

Directions:

        I always like to start my rice first when I have a simple meal going on with rice.  I have a basic rice cooker that I absolutely love.  Go ahead and get your rice going according to package directions or however you like to make it.

        I then like to get my veggies steaming.  I usually already have my broccoli and cauliflower already cut up and then I add in some of the stocks of the vegetables.  They taste the same as the florets, they can be really chewy when raw, but they get tenderer when you steam them.

In a large skillet heat the extra virgin olive oil till almost smoking, it gets a shimmery look to it.  Season each side of the chicken with salt and pepper.  Place the chicken onto the hot pan.  Brown on each side, I usually leave it on each side for about 4 minutes.  Then you can start checking temps.  Poultry needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 175 degrees F.  I always have my kitchen thermometer handy to check this.  

You can put sauce on your chicken or eat it plain.  I like to put the wing sauce on and my husband likes barbecue sauce. 

 I usually put a little bit of butter on my rice and veggies for a little bit of flavor.  I do not use margarine or any butter substitute.  I like the way real butter works in recipes and it is actually better for you than the substitute products.

Hope you all enjoy eating a little healthier with us.  That doesn't mean that I won’t share some really not good for you recipes for you too, because every once in a while you just need a really good hamburger and greasy french fries to make your day better.

So fitting with my last blog about chicken nuggets, I have found a wing sauce recipe that is awesome.  I have always loved Winger’s wing sauce and nothing else at their restaurant.  Well I stumbled upon this blog where there is an awesome recipe for the sauce.  I made it and it tastes almost exactly like Winger’s wing sauce.  I didn’t have Frank’s Wing Sauce, but I had the original Red Hot Sauce and it was wonderful.  I have put this on many different things, up to and including left over ham.  I know I am a nut case when it comes to my spicy condiments, but this is one of my all time favorites.  Now I no longer have to beg my husband to go to Wingers so I can have sticky fingers.  So I am sure that he appreciates this recipe as well, since that is one of his least favorite places to go eat!

Ingredients:

          1 1/3 C brown sugar

          6 Tbls Frank’s Red Hot Sauce

          4 Tbls water

15 frozen breaded chicken tenders (or the home made ones from my recipe work great as well)

Directions:

1.     Bake chicken tenders, or make home made chicken nuggets

2.     In a small sauce pan, heat the brown sugar, Frank’s, and water until boiling and the sugar dissolves.  I let it boil for about 2 minutes to make the sauce a little thicker.  Serve over chicken or on the side for those who are not as adventurous.  This can also be served with Ranch or Blue Cheese dipping sauce.

Here is the link to the blog that I go this recipe from: http://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com/2013/12/copycat-wingers-sticky-fingers/

Winner Winner Chicken Nugget Dinner

One of my favorite things to make when our nephew is over at our house are my home made chicken nuggets. I came up with this idea by combining a few different recipes to make up what I usually do.  I started out with the chicken nugget recipe that I found in one of the Cook’s Country Kitchen magazines.  They do a marinated chicken nugget.  I have adapted this recipe to make it all my own.

Ingredients:

          For the marinade:

2-4 chicken breasts, cubed into 1x1 inch cubes

¼ C Worchestershire sauce

4 Tbls salt

1 tsp granulated garlic

4 C water

          For the dredge:

          2 C all purpose flour

          2 Tbls salt

          1 Tbls pepper

          1 tsp paprika

          2 Tbls Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning

         

          Canola oil

Directions:

          Mix the ingredients for the marinade and let the chicken sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes.  I have found it works best overnight.  If you are doing it overnight add 2 bay leaves, it just gives it an even better flavor. 

          Heat the canola oil in a skillet or Dutch oven to 375 degrees F.  If it is any colder than this the breading will not stick to the chicken and it gets very greasy.

          Mix the dredge ingredients.  In small batches, I usually do about 5 nuggets per batch, cover the chicken with the dredge.  One way you can do this is by putting it in a plastic bag and do the shake it up method.  I usually just end up mixing it up on a paper plate, then I can add more ingredients if needed.

          Carefully put the chicken in the hot oil and cook 4-6 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temp of at least 165 degrees F.  Once cooked through remove from oil and place on a paper towel lined plate until cooled. 

These great little treats can be served with ranch, fry sauce, ketchup, barbeque sauce, wing sauce, etc… So far they have been a hit with everyone I have made them for.  They are an easy non processed way for kids to eat protein.  I have also just cut the chicken into long tenders and it works great for chicken tenders.

Here is the link to the original recipe: http://www.cookscountry.com/recipes/6177-chicken-nuggets?incode=M00KSCR00

So this is a new experiment for me.  I enjoy cooking and do a lot of it.  Most of the recipes I use I get from pintrest, so I will be adding locations to anything that I use that I haven’t completely changed.  I figured that as long as I am using and making up new recipes I might as well write about it and share the experience with those who also love to cook.  I like to play with different kinds of cooking and you never know what I will be in the mood for at any given point in time. 

Please feel free to share this blog site with any one else who also enjoys cooking.  I love to get feedback and hear about other people’s experimenting with similar kinds of food.  I have found that it is great to get all different kinds of feedback when it comes to cooking.  Also, it is fun to bounce ideas off of another cook.  I will provide pictures as often as possible.  I am horrible at remembering to take pictures of what I have made. 

And just so I don’t get in trouble.  I will not be sharing any of the secret family recipes.  My husband would kill me if I put some of his old world recipes on here.  But anything that I come up with will be added.  I will also try to find some fun new places to shop and get different supplies.

Till next time….  Happy Cooking!