Simple Sesame Noodles

 Pic courtesy of Pioneer Woman

This is one of those meals that I threw together kind of last minute and I wasn't expecting much, but it was seriously SO good! It got rave reviews from the whole fam!

Simple Sesame Noodles
from Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 12 ounces, fluid Thin Noodles, Cooked And Drained
• 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
• 3 Tablespoons Pure Sesame Oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Hot Chili Oil
• 4 Tablespoons Canola Oil
• 4 whole Green Onions, Sliced Thin

Preparation Instructions

Whisk all ingredients (except noodles and green onions) together in a bowl. Taste and adjust ingredients as needed.
Pour sauce over warm noodles and toss to coat.
Sprinkle with green onions and toss.
Serve in a bowl with chopsticks. Yummy!

Lo Mein

I was dying over this meal tonight--so fresh and healthy! I couldn't get enough, and sadly, my husband wasn't home to enjoy it with the rest of the fam. I'll just have to make it again (can't wait!)...

Lo Mein

adapted from thesisterscafe.com

1 – 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, sliced very thinly (optional--try it without for a vegan meal)

Chicken Marinade:
1 Tb soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch

Sauce:
2 Tb oyster sauce (can substitute stir-fry sauce)
2 tsp soy sauce
4 Tb beef broth
1 Tb granulated sugar

8 ounces linguine, prepared to al dente
1 tsp sesame oil

1/4 cup canola oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped cabbage, such as Napa
1 cup snap peas
1-2 cups bean sprouts
3 green onions, sliced in 1 inch segments, white and green parts
*note: I like to chop up the white parts small and leave the green parts in longer pieces

This part is optional (I left the chicken out to make a healthy vegan meal): Combine marinade ingredients with the chicken and allow to sit for 20 minutes. While the chicken is marinating, prepare the remaining ingredients.

In a small bowl, combine the oyster sauce, soy sauce, beef broth, and sugar. Set aside.

Boil noodles as per package instructions. Drain the noodles and toss with the sesame oil.

Heat a wok (or large, deep frying pan) over medium-highheat. Add the 1/4 cup of oil. Add the chicken. Stir fry chicken until cooked – about 5 minutes. Remove from wok and set aside.

Add another 1 Tb of oil to the wok if needed. When the oil is hot, add the garlic. Stir-fry until garlic browns, then add the carrots. Stir-fry for about 1 minute, then add the shredded cabbage and peas. Cook for 2 more minutes. Add the noodles, bean sprouts, and green onions and cook for about 2 more minutes.

Add the sauce to the wok. Return the chicken to the pan. Mix everything together and serve hot.

Asian Chicken Salad

DON'T FORGET!!! IT'S THE LAST DAY TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE DEMARLE SILPAT!!! SCROLL DOWN TO ENTER!!!!




I found this recipe on My Kitchen Cafe months ago and it's one of my husband's favorite recipes. So good and very quick.

Asian Chicken Salad

1 package (3 ounces) oriental-flavor ramen noodle soup mix (I often use two packages of the noodles to give my kids more crunch to eat - at 14 cents a pop, I figure I can afford the splurge)
½ cup pre-sliced almonds
¾ cup bottled red wine vinaigrette (or make your own following the simple recipe below)
1/2 package (16 ounces) coleslaw mix or broccoli slaw mix (I use the broccoli slaw)
1 package romaine lettuce
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
½ cup fresh cilantro leaves (optional...I have never used it)
2 scallions, both white and light green parts, chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Break up the ramen noodles with your hands and place them and the almonds on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the noodles and almonds turn light brown, 6 to 7 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour the red wine vinaigrette into a measuring cup (or make your own with the recipe below) and stir in the packet of seasoning from the ramen noodle soup mix. Set the salad dressing aside. Place the slaw mix (I only use 1/2 bag), romaine lettuce, chicken, cilantro and scallions in a large serving bowl.

Toss to combine the ingredients well. Just before serving, pour the salad dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Scatter the toasted almonds and noodles on top and serve.

Serves 4 to 6 as a main course

Homemade Red Wine Vinaigrette

Whisk together:
¾ cup vegetable oil
6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
4 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon black pepper
Ramen noodles seasoning packet

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Pic courtesy of My Kitchen Cafe

I have tried many, many sweet and sour chicken recipes over the years and they've all been so-so. Until I tried this one on My Kitchen Cafe. Not only is it relatively easy (for a dredging recipe), but it tastes almost as good as the deep-fried stuff at P.F. Chang's (trust me, I used to work there). I make this ALL the time now and Christian even requested it last week as his "break-the-fast" meal. Next time you're feeling like some Chinese, try this and, I promise, when you're done eating, you WON'T feel like you just drove through Panda Express.

I have something REALLY, REALLY exciting coming up in the next few days...so stay tuned!!!

Sweet and Sour Chicken
adapted from My Kitchen Cafe

Chicken:
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tbl canola oil (the real recipe calls for 1/4 cup, but 2 Tbl will do just fine)

Cut boneless chicken breasts into chunks. Season with salt and pepper. Dip chicken in cornstarch and then in egg. Fry in a little oil until brown but not cooked through. Place in a single layer in a baking dish. Mix sauce ingredients (below) together and pour over chicken.

Sauce:
¾ cup sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
½ cup vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt

Bake for one hour at 325 degrees. Turn chicken every 15 minutes. If you like extra sauce, make another batch of sauce and bring it to a boil on the stovetop. Stir constantly and let cook over medium heat until thickened and reduced - about 6-8 minutes.

Honey Glazed Chicken

This is a new staple meal for our family. I absolutely loved it. I served it with brown rice, and I cooked the chicken for less time than the recipe states. Chicken and rice is always a safe way to go, and this is a new flavor for me. I rarely use curry powder, but the flavors all blended so nicely together.

photo courtesy of My Sister's Cucina

Honey Glazed Chicken

recipe from My Sister's Cucina

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 cup butter

4 chicken breasts (you could use chicken tenders too! I used about 3 of the frozen chicken breasts from Costco cut up)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix flour, salt and cayenne pepper together in a large ziploc bag. Drop chicken in bag and shake to coat. Melt butter and place in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Place flour coated chicken in baking dish and turn to coat both sides with butter. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

Honey Glaze Sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp curry powder

1/4 cup butter, melted

Combine all ingredients. Pour over chicken until well coated. Bake for an additional 45 minutes. Serve over rice. (Keep your eye on it, mine started to burn a little bit).

Asian Chicken Spinach Salad

My new favorite recipe! This salad is addictively delicious! I could have kept eating it all night long. I halved the recipe and it made PLENTY! Must make--AMAZING!
Asian Chicken Spinach Salad
from 320 Sycamore Blog

Dressing:
1 c. canola oil
2/3 c. teriyaki sauce
2/3 c. white vinegar
6 Tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper

16 oz. Pkg bowtie pasta
2 bags fresh spinach
1 (6 oz) bag craisins (I like lots of these)
3 cans mandarin oranges, drained well
½ c. fresh parsley, chopped
4-5 chopped green onions
¼ cup toasted sesame seeds
6 oz. Honey roasted peanuts (I like lots of these too)
2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded (optional)
1 cup fresh 4-cheese Italian blend

Blend vegetable oil, teriyaki sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a blender. Pour over pasta and chill in refrigerator for at LEAST 2 hours (I usually let mine sit overnight, because the flavors come out better the longer it marinates). Toss in spinach, craisins, mandarin oranges, parsley, green onions, sesame seeds, peanuts, and chicken. Sprinkle Italian blend cheese on top and serve cold.

Orange Honey Grilled Chicken Strips

This was surprisingly tasty and refreshing. I made this for Mom's birthday dinner tonight. I served it up with an asian salad with mandarins and some hummus and foccacia sticks. Then we made Rachel's delicious Strawberry Cream Puff Cake. To die for!

Orange Honey Grilled Chicken Strips

Sister’s Café Blog

1 to 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 TB butter softened

2 TB finely chopped scallions

2 TB fresh orange juice

2 TB chopped cilantro leaves (I like a little extra)

1 TB honey

1-2 TB grated orange zest, from ~1/2 an orange (I use just 1 TB)

Cut each chicken breast into 3 length wise strips. (I just bought chicken tenders and used those). Thread 3 strips accordion style, on each of 4-6 long metal or wooden skewers. If using wood skewers, soak them for at least 20 minutes in cold water before using to prevent scorching on the grill. To make the basting sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the butter, scallions, orange juice, cilantro, honey, and orange zest. Brush about half of the sauce on the chicken, covering each strip well. Set aside to marinate for about 15 minutes. If you have to let the chicken marinate longer refrigerate. Prepare grill to medium hot. Grill chicken about 15 minutes, turning several times, until the chicken is cooked through but still moist. Baste several times with the remaining basting sauce. Stop basting 5 minutes before the chicken is done. Remove the chicken from the grill and serve immediately. (Do not serve any of the basting sauce with the chicken.)

Sesame Chicken

This recipe was surprisingly easy and good. I would recommend buying a nice brand of popcorn chicken. I bought the cheapest and you could taste it. Plus, I did not deep fry my chicken, but baked it.

Sesame Chicken

1 1/2 to 2 pounds of frozen popcorn chicken

6 tablespoons honey

4 tablespoons sugar

Salt (to taste)

4 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoon white distilled vinegar

a sprinkle of ground black pepper

diced green onion, optional

sesame seeds, optional

Deep fry your popcorn chicken and drain on a plate lined with a paper towel. In a wok or sauce pan, combine the remaining ingredients and warm over medium heat. Bring to a boil while stirring and simmer until sauce slightly thickens. In the wok or in a serving dish coat chicken with the sauce. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with diced green and sesame seeds.

Oriental Green Beans

I almost always cook my green beans this way (if I have a few extra minutes)--so delicious!

Oriental Green Beans

Adrienne Stowell, a friend from my ward

1 1/2 lbs. fresh green beans, trimmed (I buy a big bag at Costco, pre-trimmed)

3 Tbs. soy sauce

1 Tbs. oriental sesame oil (if you don't have this, sub olive oil, but it's better with sesame)

1 tsp. sugar

6 garlic cloves, minced (I also buy a big jar of minced garlic at Costco, refrigerated)

Steam green beans for 3-4 minutes. Combine soy sauce, oil, and sugar in small bowl. Spray wok or 10" skillet with cooking spray, or small amount of oil. Add garlic, cook for one minute. Add green beans, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Add soy sauce mixture, continue to stir and cook a few more minutes until beans are brown and yummy (but not soggy).

Bourbon Chicken

I just made this for dinner last night and it was a nice change in routine (we don't have Chinese-like food very often). It's kind of spicy, but to remedy that, just don't add as much crushed red pepper flakes. Oliver LOVED this meal and had not one, not two, but THREE bowls of it!

Bourbon Chicken
adapted from My Kitchen Cafe


Ingredients:
2lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons oil (for pan-frying)
cornstarch (for dusting, optional)

Sauce:
1 garlic clove (minced)
¼ teaspoon ginger (I used ground ginger)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to liking
¼ cup apple juice (I used white grape juice and it turned out great)
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
½ cup water
1/3 cup soy sauce

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, and if you choose lightly dust with cornstarch. Heat oil in your wok and fry chicken bits in batches until lightly browned. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

In a bowl combine all sauce ingredients. Pour into wok and bring to a boil. Add chicken bits back to the pan, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve over brown rice.

Thai Peanut Noodles

Thai Peanut Noodles

The recipe & picture is from Our Best Bites

1/2 c. chicken broth
3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
1-2 tsp. Sriracha chili sauce
1 1/2 Tbsp. honey
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh minced ginger
2-3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
8 oz. linguine noodles
Chopped green onions (optional)
Chopped cilantro (optional)
2 limes, cut into quarters (optional)
Chopped peanuts

Cook noodles in salted water. In the meantime, combine chicken broth, peanut butter, chili sauce, honey, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk until smooth and remove from heat. Toss cooked noodles with sauce and divide among 4 bowls. Sprinkle with green onions, cilantro, chopped peanuts, and garnish each serving with 2 lime quarters. Before eating, squeeze lime juice over noodles and stir to combine.

*You can add meat to this dish by stir-frying shrimp or very thinly-sliced chicken (partially freeze it first) in some olive oil with a couple cloves of garlic, some fresh ginger, some green onions, soy sauce, and a small squirt or two of Sriracha chili sauce.

Crock Pot Mango Chicken

This is my new go-to meal! I love, love, love it!

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups tomato based mango salsa- i use the one with peach from Costco
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 TBSP salt

put all ingredients in the crock pot on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6. shred chicken. use in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, salads, etc.