Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Baker Cream Cheese Wontons

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz cream cheese softened
1/8 tsp. minced garlic
1/8 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. chopped green onion
1 egg
24 wonton wrappers

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, garlic, salt and green onion until well mixed.

Whisk egg until well beaten in a small bowl.

Place one teaspoon of cream cheese mixture into the center of one wonton wrapper.

Dip your finger into the beaten egg and lightly coat the outer edges of the wonton wrapper..

Bring all the corners of the wonton together up to the center and pinch. Pinch all the sides together to to form an "X" or star appearance. Place on greased cookie sheet.

Repeat for remaining wontons.
Lightly spray the tops of the wontons with cooking spray.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 7-12 minutes or until tops are golden brown in color.

Cracker Barrell's Homemade Chicken & Dumplings

Ingredient:

2cups Flour
½teaspoons Baking Powder
1pinch Salt
2Tablespoons Butter
1cup Milk, A Bit Less Than A Full Cup
2quarts Chicken Broth
3cups Cooked Chicken

Directions:
                   
In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.  Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a fork or pastry blender.  Stir in the milk, mixing with a fork  until the dough forms a ball.

To cook them, bring the broth to a boil.  Drop the dumplings in one at a time, stirring while you add them.  The extra flour on them will help thicken the broth.  Cook them for about 15-20 minutes or until they not doughy tasting.  Add the cooked chicken to the pot and you’re done!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Cheesy Mexican Rice

Ingredients:

1 onion, diced
1 cup long grain rice
1 can Rotelle tomatoes, undrained
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 tbsp olive oil
salt
shredded cheese - cheddar or Monterrey jack

Directions:

Heat oil on skillet or sauce pan over medium high heat.  Stir in onion and cook until translucent.  Add rice and stir frequently for 2-4 minute so grains don't burn.  Add tomatoes and mix to combine with rice.  Slowly add in broth and bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes, mixing occasionally to prevent rice from sticking on the bottom of the pan.  Remove from heat, add salt for taste and fluff with a fork.  Let rice cool down for at least 5 minutes before serving.   Serve warm in individual bowls and drizzle with cheese on top so it melts.

JalapeƱo Cornbread

Ingredients:

all-purpose flour - 3 cups
cornmeal - 1 cups
Sugar - ¼ cup
Baking powder - 2 tbsp
salt - 1 tsp
milk - 1 cup
beer - 1 cup
eggs - 3, beaten
butter - 1 cup (227g), melted
cheddar cheese - 8 ounces (200 g), grated
jalapenos - 3 – 4 tbsp - pickled, roughly chopped

Directions:

In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients together.In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (including the jalapenos). Quickly add the wet mix to the dry, and stir until the batter is almost smooth. (it will be very thick)

Heat the oven to 425 F (200 C), and let the batter rest while the oven is heating. Grease a 9 x 13 cake pan, scrape in the dough, and smooth the top. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown, and a toothpick comes out clean.

(be sure and do the toothpick test, even though it can appear done on the outside, it’s very important that it’s cooked through).

Cheesy Bacon Potato Bites

Ingredients:

Potatoes
Shredded cheese
Green onions
Bacon bits

Directions:

Slice potatoes into round circles and then boil for 5 minutes. Drain (I pulled out of water with a slotted spoon) and layer on baking sheet.

Top with cheese and bacon bits.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Once baked add green onions.

Cauliflower Cheese Sticks

Ingredients:

¼ of a large head of cauliflower “riced”
1 tsp. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg (white), lightly beaten
½ cup mozzarella cheese
½ tsp. Italian seasoning, divided
Marinara Sauce for dipping

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray.

To “rice” the cauliflower, use your cheese grater (or food processor). When you’re done, you should have about 1.5 cups lightly packed. Place the riced cauliflower into a microwavable bowl and microwave until softened, about 5 minutes depending on your microwave (no need to add any water, drain).

While that is cooking, heat the oil in a small skillet over low heat and add your garlic until softened. When your cauliflower is softened, add the garlic mixture, lightly beaten egg white, Italian seasonings, and 3/4 of the mozzarella. Stir and mix well, then spread onto your prepared pan.

Bake until they start to turn golden brown; about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, flip the loaf over so the bottom side is now on top and add the remaining cheese and a sprinkle more of the Italian herb seasoning. Bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden.
Cool (until they harden slightly) and cut into pieces and serve hot or warm. Heat up marinara sauce and serve.

Monday, February 3, 2014

BBQ Chicken Salad

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 boneless, skinless thin-sliced chicken breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 Roma tomato, diced
3/4 cup canned corn kernels, drained
3/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup Ranch dressing
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
1/4 cup tortilla strips

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat.

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, to taste. Add to skillet and cook, flipping once, until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Let cool before dicing into bite-size pieces.

To assemble the salad, place romaine lettuce in a large bowl; top with tomato, corn, beans, onion and cheeses.

Pour Ranch dressing and BBQ sauce on top of the salad and gently toss to combine.

Serve immediately,topped with tortilla strips.