Crunchy Parmesan Chicken

Looking for a great chicken dish and short on time. This dish is for you!!! Pair it with rice, pasta or fresh garden veggies and your family will love it. Check out the Food Nanny on Byu TV. She has some great recipes and ideas. Thanks to my friend Mary for sharing this with me.

Food Nanny's Crunchy Parmesan Baked Chicken

(Printable Version )

2/3 Cup Buttermilk or Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
2 Cups Plain Panko Crumbs
1/2 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese
2 Teaspoons garlic Salt
2 Pounds of boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Tenders
1/3 Cup butter
.

1. Preheat Oven to 400* Grease an oblong baking pan (I used a Pampered Chef stoneware Bar Pan)
2. Pour the buttermilk or ranch dressing into a wide, shallow dish or pie plate. Mix the Panko, parmesan cheese, and garlic salt in another shallow dish. Roll each piece of chicken in the buttermilk and then the panko mixture to coat.
3. Arrange the chicken pieces in the prepared pan. Melt the butter in a glass measuring cup in the microwave and drizzle over all the chicken pieces. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender and no longer pink. Sprinkle with Salt and Pepper to taste

Amish White Bread

 I went  looking for a great 2 loaf white bread recipe and found this one . It was great addition to our Sunday meal.  It is easy to make and has a slightly sweet taste.

Amish White Bread  (printable version)

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour ( I used 5 )

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time.( This is important as the recipe called for 6 cups but I only ended up using 5 ). Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

Swiss Steak

We have been eating lots of garden veggies at our house the last two weeks. My son requested requested something with MEAT. This recipe was a compromise ,we used garden peppers and onions, I also added some fresh corn. This recipe fit the requests perfectly. 

Swiss Steak  (Printable Version)

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Ingredients

• 1 round steak (approximately 1 1/2 pounds), see note
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 (14-1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 medium onion, cut into strips
• 1 medium bell pepper, cut into strips

Directions

Cut steak into serving-size pieces. Season, to taste, with garlic powder and salt and pepper. Dust meat with flour. In heavy skillet, brown both sides of meat in vegetable oil. Transfer to Dutch oven. Combine garlic, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and 1 tomato-can measure of water. Pour over steak and simmer over low heat until meat is tender, about 1 1/2 hours adding water, if necessary to keep meat partially covered. Season, to taste, with additional salt and pepper.

Hint: Cook this in a slow-cooker, according to manufacturers instructions, on low for a most fabulous dinner. Low heat on a slow cooker is about 200 degrees F and high heat on a slow cooker is about 300 degrees F.


Note: to ensure tenderness, it is necessary to have the butcher run the round steak through a cuber.

Cucumber Salad

Another garden fresh recipe for you to enjoy.

Cucumbers can vary in their level of bitterness. Usually the older the more bitter, and the seeds are often more bitter than the flesh. Once you cut into a cucumber, taste it. If bitter, scrape or cut away the seeds. You might also want to soak the chopped cucumber in salt water to help offset the bitterness. The cucumbers we get are usually fine as is, but I have had some bitter ones. With regards to peeling, we almost always peel our cucumbers, but there are some varieties with thin, mild peels that you don't need to peel. Taste first if there is a question.

Cucumber Salad

From Simply Recipes

(Printable Version)

Ingredients

• 1-2 large cucumbers (or 4-5 lemon cucumbers), peeled, quartered lengthwise, then sliced crosswise
• 1-2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill, basil, or Thai basil*( I used fresh basil)
• 2-3 Tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

*To chop the basil, chiffonade it by stacking the leaves on top of each other, rolling them up like a cigar, and taking thin slices from one end to the other.

Method

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, toss to coat. Serve immediately, or make ahead (up to a couple of hours) and chill.
Serves 2-4

Ratatouille

Are you experiencing vegetable overload ? I am gratefully getting an ample supply of summer veggies from our garden. I sought out this recipe and substituted with the veggies I had on hand . The result was perfect. The kids thought it was great and then requested to watch the Disney movie "Ratatouille" before bed. This is a flavorful side or maindish. Enjoy!!

Ratatouille

(printable version)

John Ratzenberger's Ratatouille:

    ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    1 large onion, chopped into chunks
    3 garlic cloves, minced
    1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
    1 small yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
    1 small green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares ( I only had green today so I used 2)
   1½ pounds fresh tomatoes coarsely chopped (leave in skins and seeds or you can substitute 15 oz can of diced tomatoes)
   1 small can tomato paste
   ½ teaspoon dried thyme
   ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
   1 teaspoon dried basil
   1 dried bay leaf
   1 teaspoon salt
   ½ teaspoon pepper
   1 medium eggplant, unpeeled, cut into chunks (didn't have an eggplant so I used some Patty Pan squash)
   2 average zucchini, unpeeled, cut into chunks

Heat oil in a large pot with a heavy bottom over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent, then add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Once onions are a light golden color, add peppers and cook for five minutes. Mix in tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, basil, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Then add eggplant and zucchini and cook for about 5 minutes.

Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until vegetables are tender -- about 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf and enjoy!
Cook's note: This dish is even better the next day!!

Make ahead S'mores

Don't you just love the Summer and camping and S'mores? I have been making these babies for awhile and they are a great alternative to the real deal when you want something fast that can be made ahead of time. These are a big hit with the young and old.

Make ahead Smores .....(printable version)

• 1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk), divided
• 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate mini morsels, divided
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• 11 whole graham crackers, halved crosswise
• Toppings:
• chopped peanuts, candy-coated chocolate mini pieces, sprinkles

DIRECTIONS

Microwave half of Eagle Brand in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup chocolate morsels until smooth. Stir in marshmallows.

Spread evenly by heaping tablespoonfuls onto 11 graham cracker halves. Top with remaining graham cracker halves; place on wax paper.

Microwave remaining Eagle Brand at HIGH 1 1/2 minutes; stir in remaining 1/2 cup chocolate morsels, stirring until smooth. Drizzle mixture over cookies; and sprinkle with desired toppings.
If you want to make these on a stick ... Let stand for 2 hours; insert a wooden craft stick in center of each cookie

Revisiting Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad

 

I have made this salad over and over again. I first posted the recipe 2 yrs. ago but I did not take a picture. So here it is again in picture form . You can find the recipe here. I did do a couple of things different this time . For one I did not have any bow tie pasta and used small shells instead. I also substituted the orange juice for the juice off the mandarin oranges. Both changes worked perfectly. This is a great salad to entertain with.

Corn on the Cob

I found a new and easy way to make great corn on the cob. It is another fabulous recipe from Melanie at My kitchen Cafe. I have used a milk boiled corn recipe in the past. This recipe has moved to the top of my list. Our garden is loaded with sweet corn soon to be harvested. We will be using this recipe for sure. Thanks!! Melanie.

Perfect Corn on the Cob

from My Kitchen Cafe

(Printable Version)

7-8 ears of corn, husked and silky threads removed
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar
Bring a large pot of water to a boil (probably about 4-6 quarts of water). When boiling, add the sugar and vinegar and bring to a full boil again. Add the husked corn, submerging all the ears in the water the best that you can. Bring the water to a full boil again. This is important! It may take a few minutes for the water to come back to boiling temperature once the corn is added but let it come to a full boil before moving on. Once the water is at a full boil, cover the pot, remove from the heat and let the corn sit in the hot, steaming water for 10 minutes. (The corn can stay in the water for up to 20 minutes without becoming pithy and dry.)

French Bread

 I found this great french bread recipe and had to try it . I wanted to try out the new pans I purchased here...it turned out great. I brushed it with butter because I was feeding smaller children and wanted a softer crust. This recipe would be great for homemade french bread pizza and french toast.
Grandma’s French Bread
from The Sister’s Cafe
(Printable Version) 
2 ¼ c. warm water
2 T. sugar
2 Tbsp yeast
1 Tbsp salt
2 Tbsp oil
5 ½ -6 cups flour-stirred before measured
Dissolve sugar and yeast in the warm water. Let this proof—or sit for a few minutes until it bubbles. Then add salt, oil and 3 cups of flour and beat well. Add in 2 1/2 -3 more cups of flour. The dough should clean off the sides of the bowl and not be too stick – but be careful not to add too much flour. Knead for a few minutes.
Leave the dough in the mixer to rest for 10 minutes and then stir it down (turn on your mixer for 10 seconds) and then allow to rest another 10 minutes. Repeat for a total of 5 times. Then turn dough onto a floured surface and divide into two equal parts. Roll each part into a 9×13 rectangle. Roll dough up, starting from long edge of loaf to seal. Arrange seam side down on large baking sheet that’s been sprinkled with corn meal, allowing room for both loaves. Repeat with second part of dough. With a sharp knife, cut 3 gashes at an angle on the top of each. Cover lightly; allow to rise 30 minutes. Brush entire surface with egg wash (one egg beaten slightly with 1 Tbsp of water). If desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees.

Stir Fry Sauce

 We celebrated the 4th of July yesterday with the standard BBQ fare. Today we used some garden fresh veggies and found this yummy chinese brown sauce recipe that was the perfect compliment to any stir fry. It is a basic recipe that uses pantry items and creates a fabulous flavorful sauce. Needless to say there were no leftovers. If you like a little heat in your sauce simply add a little red pepper flakes or chili oil. This recipe has limitless possibilities and is a definite keeper in my book.

Basic Stir Fry Sauce (Chinese Brown Sauce)

Recipe courtesy of Blog Chef

(Printable Version)

Ingredients:
3 garlic cloves (minced)
4 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 ½ cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon oil
Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: In a bowl mix soy sauce, brown sugar, chicken broth and corn starch. Make sure the mixture is well combined and set aside.
Step 2: Add 1 teaspoon of oil to a wok or saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and stir fry for 10 seconds. Add the chicken broth mixture and bring to a boil. Cook until the sauce becomes thickened and bubbly.