Stir-Fry Sauce, Homemade

♥ Beginner

Since our house has gone dye and preservative free, we've had to learn how to make a lot of things on our own instead of buying the store bought stuff. One of those things is Stir Fry Sauce. We like a good chicken or steak stir-fry from time to time, so I needed one that was comparable to the packets we were used to. I think this one really hit the spot and is worth sharing. If you have a few extra minutes you can make your own too, and it didn't require any ingredients that were out of the norm for our household. You can use this for chicken or steak too.

What you'll need:
2/3 C. Soy Sauce
1/2 C. Chicken Broth
1/3 C. Rice Wine Vinegar
3 1/2 Tbsp. Sugar
1 Tbsp. Sesame Oil
2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil
1 Tbsp. Garlic, Minced
2 Tbsp. Cornstarch
1/4 C. Water

How it's done:
1. Combine all ingredients except the water and cornstarch.
2. In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and water, until thoroughly combined.
3. Add water mixture to other ingredients.

BBQ Chicken Salad

♥ Beginner

I left the kids at home with the hubby, and left early for work. I worked all day long, then realized that our Home Teachers would be coming by... and earlier than usual. I raced home, and with thirty minutes to spare, whipped out this little gem. It was easy, tasty, and out of the norm for us. The kids were so-so on it, but that's okay for a last minute meal that requires less preparation. And it includes beans. Beans are hard to get my kids to eat, and I don't even think that they realized they were in there. (Win for Mom!)

What you'll need:
2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut in half (made thinner)
1/4 C. BBQ Sauce
6 C. Romaine Lettuce
1 Roma Tomato, Diced
3/4 C. Corn Kernels
3/4 C. Black Beans
1/4 C. Monterrey Jack Cheese, Shredded
1/2 C. Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
1/3 C. Ranch Dressing
Tortilla Strips, desired amount

How it's done: 
1. Preheat oven to Broil. Broil Chicken breasts until cooked fully, flipping once. Cover in BBQ sauce and lower rack in oven. (Keep your eye on it, unless you like blackened, crispy chicken!)
2. To assemble salad, toss lettuce, tomato, corn, beans, and cheeses. Cut up chicken to desired size, and toss into salad. Top with ranch dressing and tortilla strips.

Chicken & Asparagus Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce

♥ Beginner

I've been CRAVING summer. I need some sunshine, a little sand between my toes, fun at the splash park, and maybe even a road trip or two. I need it. My body may start shutting down if this winter continues on much longer. I mean, snow on March 2nd? It feels like some sort of cruel punishment. I am clinically coming down with SAD (Seasonal Affected Disorder), and it's sad. <-- Haha, get it? This is NOT a laughing matter.

When I came across a Pin on Pinterest that made my heart leap, because it made me sense that summer was around the corner I just HAD to give it a try. It turned out pretty well, and I think it shelved my SAD, if just for a night.

What you'll need: 
1 Lb. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
8 oz. uncooked Rotini Pasta
1/2 Lb. Asparagus, Chopped into 1.5" lengths (I used 3/4lb.)
1 C. frozen Peas
1/2 Tbsp. Garlic, minced
1 C. Chicken Broth
1 tsp. Cornstarch
1/3 C. Heavy Cream
2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp. Salt

How it's done: 
1. Preheat your oven to 350*F. Trim your chicken (cut it in half so that it's thinner), and bake it for 20 minutes, flipping once. Baking until the juices run clear. Cover with foil and set it aside. Slice when you have a spare minute.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions, being sure to NOT add salt or oil. While pasta is cooking, cut up your asparagus, and add it to your pasta for the last 4 minutes of cooking.
3. Place your peas in a colander, and drain your pasta over the peas. Set it all aside.
4. In a skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat and add garlic. Saute for 1 minute. Combine chicken broth and cornstarch in a small bowl, stirring well. Add broth mixture to the skillet, and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes, or until thick.
5. Remove the skillet from the heat and add Cream, Juice, and Salt. Add Pasta mixture to the skillet, and  chicken.


Just in case you're curious about the original pinterest pin, here it is.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

♥ Beginner

I LOVE sweet potato fries. Seriously, I love them. If I have the opportunity to substitute regular french fries out for them, I will, no questions asked. So when I started cooking more at home, and I realized just how easy they were to make, I felt like a dummy for always thinking that I had to go out to get them. It's funny how we get like that, isn't it?

Anyhow, it's super easy, and they taste great. The kids went nuts over them, and since they're baked instead of fried I'm telling myself that they are "healthy".

What you'll need:
3 Medium Sweet Potatoes, Peeled and sliced into french fries (I suggest using a mandolin for the slicing, it was SOOO easy)
Olive Oil for tossing
Salt & Pepper to taste

How it's done: 
1. Preheat your oven to 450*F. Line a baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper.
2. Toss fries in a bowl with just enough olive oil to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Lay fries out on the baking sheet, be sure they don't touch each other if you like them crispy.
4. Bake for 30 minutes, turning them over at 15 minutes.

** One of the great things about this recipe is that you can sub out the salt and pepper for nearly any seasoning or spice that you would like. Cinnamon, Sugar, Paprika, Seasoning, Kosher Salt... Get creative!

Cauliflower Garlic Mash

♥ Beginner

Our house is full of mashed potato lovers. If I made them every night, they would eat them every.single.night.

So, I decided to try an alternative - Cauliflower. I didn't get it past them without them noticing that it wasn't mashed potatoes, but they liked it just the same. In fact, my son (who's not even two) ate all of his, and then made the rounds eating everyone else's leftovers.

What you'll need: 
1 head of Cauliflower
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
Salt & Pepper to taste
Parmesan Cheese, if you're into that sort of thing.

How it's done: 
1. Clean, and cut your cauliflower into florettes. Boil them in a saucepan for 8 minutes.
2. Pat them dry, and then throw them into the food processor. Add olive oil, garlic, and cheese, and blend until smooth and creamy.

Ta-Da! Enjoy.