Beef Lo Mein

Ingredients:

8 ounces Thin Spaghetti; broken in half
1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
1/4 cups Hot Boiled Water
1 tablespoon Beef Better Than Bullion
3 tablespoons Soy Sauce
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
Oil; for frying
1 pound Beef
2 large Carrots
2 cups Broccoli
1 large Onion
4 Garlic Cloves

Directions:

Cook spaghetti per box instructions. Into cooked spaghetti add sesame oil and stir to combine.

Into hot, boiled water add Better Than Bullion and brown sugar; stir to dissolve. Into the mixture, add soy sauce and set aside. Using a hot skillet, brown both sides of the beef. Let beef cool and slice it into two inch pieces. Dice carrots, broccoli, and onions into 2 inch pieces.

Add sliced beef into the same skillet, fry until completely cooked. Into the cooked beef, add sauce mixture, cook all together for about a minute, set aside.

Using the skillet, where you've cooked beef, sautee onions until golden brown. Remove from the heat.

In a separate oiled skillet, sautee carrots until softened, add broccoli and cook for about three minutes. Press garlic into the same mixture and remove form the heat.

In a large dish, combine spaghetti, vegetables and beef, together. Toss to combine, serve hot.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients:
Cabbage Rolls

1 large head green cabbage, about 2 to 2¼ pounds
2 pounds ground beef
2 eggs (not necessary, you can leave them out, but they do make the meat fluffier)
1 medium onion, grated or minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ cup raw long-grain white rice *

Tomato Sauce

2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 medium onion, chopped (medium dice)
2 15-ounce cans tomato sauce or one 32-ounce can whole tomatoes, pulsed in a food processor with juice until pureed.
juice of one lemon or 2 tablespoons (or more to taste) apple cider vinegar
¼ to ¾ cup light brown sugar (Depending on amount of sweetness you prefer. Start with ¼ cup and taste sauce, adding if you like it sweeter. If you prefer it completely savory, add only 1 tablespoon brown sugar and the juice from half a lemon)
Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup golden raisins (optional)
Chopped parsley, for garnish

Directions:

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. When the water comes to a boil, fill a large bowl with ice water. Cut out as much of the core as you can from the bottom of the cabbage, then drop the whole, cored head into the boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes. Once the leaves separate and are pliable, immediately remove and drop the blanched leaves that separated (or whole head if all the leaves did not separate) in the ice water. Once cooled down, remove and pat the leaves dry. Repeat with any leaves still attached to the head that aren't pliable, if necessary. Alternatively, If you've got time on your hands, you can freeze the wrapped head of cabbage for two days then defrost. The leaves will peel off easily and be soft enough to roll.

Here's some other ideas from readers, although I have yet to try them so I cannot confirm that they work. 1. Place the cabbage in the microwave for 6 minutes. The core will slip right out and the leaves will be perfect for rolling. 2. Take a knife and shave down the vein on each cabbage leaf, but they still need to be softened to roll, so you'd still have to blanch them (extra work), so I'm not sold on this one. 3. You can also throw the whole head in the boiling water without coring it. The leaves just won't separate on their own, but are still easy to peel off.

Set aside about 16 of the largest leaves for stuffing and rolling, then chop some of the remaining leaves to make 1 cup of chopped cabbage and reserve.

Mix the ground beef with the eggs, grated onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and rice. (If you use cooked rice, you can test the seasoning of the meat mixture to your liking by frying up or microwaving a piece of it and tasting, if desired). Divide this mixture into sixteen 2-ounce balls. Using moistened hands, form the balls into cylinders. Place a cylinder of filling near the bottom of a cabbage leaf (if the vein in the leaf is really thick, shave it down with a knife before placing the beef on it, being careful not to cut through the leaf itself.). Begin to roll it up, folding both sides over the filling, and finish rolling to enclose the filling, like an eggroll. Continue, filling and rolling all the cabbage leaves. Place them, seam side down, on a tray or baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Over medium heat, melt the butter in a heavy, nonreactive saucepan. Sauté the second onion until soft and golden. Add the garlic and saute for 2 more minutes, then add the reserved chopped cabbage and sauté briefly.

Add the tomato sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt and pepper to taste, and stir to combine. Increase the heat until it comes to a boil, then lower it and simmer for 5 minutes. Add raisins now, if using.

Line of the bottom of a 13 x 9 roasting pan or glass dish with a layer of sauce. Place cabbage rolls, seam side down, on top of sauce. Top cabbage rolls with remaining sauce then cover the whole pan with tin foil. Bake for 2 hours in a preheated 350F oven

Easy Garlic Chicken

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup diced onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
4 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions:

Heat oven to 450°F. Line shallow roasting pan with foil; spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.

Heat oil in small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until hot. Add garlic; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until garlic begins to soften, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in brown sugar until well mixed.

Place chicken breast halves in sprayed foil-lined pan. Spread garlic mixture evenly over chicken.

Bake at 450°F. for 20 to 30 minutes or until chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear.

Firecracker Chicken

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup canola oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt
pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
Sauce:
⅓ cup buffalo sauce (if you like more heat use hot sauce, like Frank’s brand)
1¼ cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.

In separate bowls, place cornstarch and slightly beaten eggs. Dip chicken into cornstarch then coat in egg mixture. I have also found that you can put the cornstarch in a gallon sized bag and shake the chicken to coat.

Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until browned. Place the chicken in a 9 x 13 greased baking dish.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, buffalo sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, salt and red pepper flakes. Pour over chicken and bake for 1 hour.
I stirred the chicken every 15 minutes so that it coated them in the sauce.

Muffin Pan Meatloaf

Ingredients

1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound ground beef
2/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).In a large bowl, combine the egg, milk, cheese, oats and salt. Add the ground beef, mixing well, and form this mixture into eight miniature meatloaves. Place these in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.In a separate small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Stir thoroughly and spread over each meatloaf.Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes.

Oatmeal/Apple/Cinnamon Breakfast

Ingredients:

2 sliced apples
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
4 cups oatmeal
4 cups water

Directions:

Put all ingredients in crockpot in order. Do NOT stir. Cook on low 8 to 9 hours.

P.F. Chang's Mongolia Beef Copycat Recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound of flank steak
1/4 cup cornstarch
vegetable oil, for serving and sauteeing
1/2 teaspoon minced ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, not packed
vegetable oil, for frying
2 large green onions, sliced on the diagonal into one-inch lengths
cooked rice, for serving
steamed broccoli, for serving

Instructions:

Slice the flank steak against the grain into 1/4" thick 1-inch long slices. Add the cornstarch to a wide, shallow bowl and coat the steak with the cornstarch. Set aside and allow the cornstarch to soak into them meat while you make the sauce.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-low heat in a wok or large cast-iron or stainless steel frying pan. Add the ginger and garlic, saute until fragrant about 2 minute, stirring often.

Add the soy sauce and water then whisk in the brown sugar. Turn heat up to medium-high, bring to a boil and cook 2-3 minutes (not longer - the mixture will thicken up when you add it to the steak) whisking often. Remove to a bowl and set aside.

Add 1/2 to 3/4-inch oil to the same pan and heat over medium heat until the oil shimmers. You can test it by adding a piece of steak - it should sizzle and start cooking immediately.

Add the beef to the oil and cook for about two minutes turning the pieces over so they brown on both sides. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider to a paper towel lined plate.

Let oil cool down - then drain off.
Heat the same pan over medium heat and add the meat back in along with the sauce and green onions. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes, stirring to coat the meat all over with the sauce.

Remove the meat and leave the excess sauce behind. Serve over rice with broccoli, if desired.

Bourbon Style Crack Chicken (crock pot style)

Ingredients:

2-3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
2 tbls. cornstarch
2 tbls. extra virgin olive oil
2 large cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 tsp. ground ginger or more if you like a stronger ginger flavor
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper - or more if you like it spicy
2 tbls. applesauce, sweetened or not
1/4 cup bourbon or whiskey
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tbls. ketchup
1 tbls. cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup lite soy sauce

DIRECTIONS:

Whisk all ingredients into a crockpot. Add chicken and coat with mixture.
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Serve over rice.

Whiskey Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 Trusty Crockpot
1 bag (1 lb.) frozen meatballs
1/2 heaping c. Ketchup
1/2 c. Packed Brown Sugar
1/4 c. Whiskey
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

Directions:

 In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except your meatballs. Mix up really well.

Place your frozen meatballs into your crock pot, and pour the whiskey sauce in on top. Mix it up all around so each meatball is coated with the whiskey sauce.

Now turn up the heat to high. Leave it on high for about an hour, stirring a couple times.

Once it appears that the meatballs have somewhat thawed, go ahead and turn your crockpot down to low and cooked until done.

Chocolate/Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Ingredients:

4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter or coconut oil
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar or brown rice syrup
1/4 cup honey
2 cups plain granola
1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter chips

Process:

Line two 9×5 loaf pans or one 11×7 inch baking pan (see tip #4 above if you want to use 9×13) with foil or parchment. Lightly butter or spray the foil.

Combine butter, honey and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter is melted.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sugar is dissolved, 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Add the granola and rice cereal into the saucepan and fold them into the sauce until evenly coated.

Spread the mixture into the prepared pans and press firmly with a spatula to evenly fill. Sprinkle the chocolate and peanut butter chips onto the top of the granola and gently press them down with the spatula.

Let sit for 15-20 minutes or until mostly cooled and set*; lift out of the pan and cut into bars.

Recipe Note:

If the bars are sticky but not quite holding together, place them in the fridge to harden for 10-15 minutes. I’ve noticed that on very warm days, the bars don’t always harden at room temperature, this is especially true if you use brown rice syrup.

BBQ Chicken

Makes 2 bagged meals

Ingredients:

Divide between 2 bags:

3 sweet potatoes, cubed
1 zucchini, chopped
1 onion, sliced
2 green bell peppers, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
4-5 chicken breasts, diced

In each bag, place:

8oz tomato paste
1 tablespoon worchestershire sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon mustard powder
1 garlic clove
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Close up bag, mix a bit and freeze

To cook:

Add 3/4 cup water and mixture to crockpot and cook on low 8 hours

Mini Peach Cobblers

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
a dash of salt
¾ cup milk
1 stick of melted butter
brown sugar
cinnamon
1can diced peaches

Directions:

Put 1 tsp of melted butter into each regular size muffin tin.

Combine the first 5 ingredients by hand… sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and milk.

Put 2 tbsp of batter into each regular size muffin tin… on top of the melted butter.

Then put 1 tbsp diced peaches on top of the batter.

Sprinkle with brown sugar and then cinnamon. I do a pretty generous “sprinkle”.

Bake the regular size muffin tins for 12 minutes.

Let them cool almost completely before taking out of pan.

Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Ingredients:

2 and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup light brown sugar, loosely packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips or chocolate chunks

Instructions:

Toss together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.

In a medium size bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together until no brown sugar lumps remain. Whisk in the egg, then the egg yolk. Finally, whisk in the vanilla. 

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together with a large spoon or rubber spatula. The dough will be very soft. Fold in the chocolate chips. They may not stick to the dough because of the melted butter, but do your best to have them evenly dispersed among the dough. 

Cover the dough and chill for 2 hours, or up to 3 days. Chilling is mandatory.

Take the dough out of the refrigerator and allow to slightly soften at room temperature for 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 325F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.

Roll the dough into balls, about 3 Tablespoons of dough each. The dough will be crumbly, but the warmth of your hands will allow the balls to stay intact. Roll the cookie dough balls to be taller rather than wide, to ensure the cookies will bake up to be thick. Put 8 balls of dough onto each cookie sheet.

 Press a few more chocolate chips/chunks on top of the dough balls for looks, if desired. Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes. The cookies will look very soft and underbaked. Do not bake longer than 12 minutes. They will continue to bake on the cookie sheet. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

Double Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup cocoa
6oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used chocolate chips)
3/4 cup boiling water
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
10 tablespoons butter (1 1/4 sticks)
2 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
5 eggs
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Powdered sugar (as needed)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 12-cup bundt pan with cooking spray. Mix the cocoa and chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over the chocolates and stir to melt. Let the mixture stand to cool. Meanwhile, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Add the eggs to the butter mixture and blend well. Fold the sour cream into the cooled chocolate mixture until incorporated. Add the flour mixture and the sour cream/chocolate mixture to the butter mixture and blend well. Add the chocolate chips to the batter and stir to incorporate. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 55 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool the cake slightly before removing from the pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve. 

Optional: may serve with whipped cream or chocolate ganache. 

Banana Crumb Muffins

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg, and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Meatloaf

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 cup cracker crumbs
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 large egg, beaten
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup tomato sauce

Topping:

3/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons mustard
2 tablespoons vinegar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325.
In a large mixing bowl combine ground beef, cracker crumbs, salt, pepper, egg, onion, and tomato sauce. Mix lightly. Shape into a loaf and place in 9x13 baking dish.

In a small mixing bowl combine the ketchup, brown sugar, water, mustard, and vinegar. Brush the loaf with this mixture.

Place meat loaf in oven and bake 1 1/2 hours, basting occasionally with sauce.

Bourbon Street Chicken

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ginger
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup apple juice
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions:

Heat oil in a large skillet.
Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned. Remove chicken and drain. Add remaining ingredients, heating over medium heat until well blended and dissolved. Add chicken and bring to a hard boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes uncovered. Serve over hot rice.

Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli (Chinese)

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless beef roast, cut into strips
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cooled sauce from the crockpot after being cooked
Fresh broccoli florets, as desired

Directions:

Place beef in a crockpot.

In a small bowl combine broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, oil, and garlic. Pour over beef. Cook on low 6-8 hours.

In a cup stir cornstarch and sauce from the crockpot until smooth. Add to crockpot. Stir well to combine.

Add broccoli to the crockpot. Stir to combine.

Cover and cook an additional 30 minutes on high (sauce has to boil for it to thicken).

Serve over hot cooked rice.

Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 whole large onion, diced
1 whole large bell pepper, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili powder (more to taste)
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more to taste)
Worcestershire sauce, to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional)
Tabasco sauce (optional; to taste)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Directions:

Add butter to a large skillet and over medium high heat and melt. Then add ground need and cook until brown. Drain most if the fat and discard.

Add onions, green peppers, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until vegetables begin to get soft.

Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Tabasco if desires. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Spread rolls with butter and brown on a griddle it skillet. Spoon meat mixture over the rolls and topping with a slice of cheese if desired.

Double Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup peant butter, creamy or chunky
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 cup flour
1 3/4 cup peanut butter & milk chocolate chips (I bought the Nestle brand that come pre-mixed in the bag)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat the butter and both sugars together.
3. Beat in the peanut butter and egg; scrape sides of bowl and beat in the salt, baking soda and vanilla.
4. When well blended, add flour and stir until it is blended. Stir in the chips and any other add ins you may choose.
5. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and arrange on ungreased/unlined cookie sheets and about 2 1/2 inches apart. Flatted balls with a fork ipped in sugar making criss cross patterns; Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly browned around the edges.

(As you can see from the picture I did not press the cookies down with a fork - just depends on what you want to do)