Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Broccoli Beef

I found this recipe and thought I'd try it because it had such rave reviews, but I never thought I'd love it more than take-out chinese Broccoli Beef. I've now made it several times and my neighbor has too, and we all love it. It is really good, and definitely healthier than take out. Enjoy!


INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 (10.5 ounce) cans beef broth
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 pound boneless round steak, cut into bite size pieces (I use whatever steak I have on hand)
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger root
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups chopped fresh broccoli
**I add a little Cayenne Pepper or Red Pepper flakes to add a little kick. Also, I double the beef broth just to make it more saucy.

DIRECTIONS
1. In a small bowl, combine flour, broth, sugar, and soy sauce. Stir until sugar and flour are dissolved.

2. In a large skillet or wok over high heat, cook and stir beef 2 to 4 minutes, or until browned. Stir in broth mixture, ginger, garlic, and broccoli. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes, or until sauce thickens.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Cheddar Baked Chicken

Ok, there are hundreds of variations out there for this recipe. I'm going to post my favorite version and then give you a few ideas of how to change it up a bit. Regardless, this is definitely Aaron's favorite chicken. You can't go wrong!!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup sour cream
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup crushed up goldfish crackers (Ritz crackers work, too!)
1-2 tsp. garlic powder
1-2 tsp. Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbls. butter, melted

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking dish with foil (easy clean up!!)

2. Mis together cheese, crushed up stuff, and spices

3. Dredge chicken in sour cream and then in mix and put in pan

4. Pour melted butter on chicken

5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until coating is golden brown and chicken is done :) I'm sure you'll figure it out

Enjoy!

OPTIONS:
- Use parmesan cheese and crushed up bread crumbs for more of a parm. chicken. You can serve that with spaghetti or alfredo sauce and pasta/

- If you don't have sour cream, you can use 1 egg beaten and 2 tbls. of milk to coat chicken before you put on the mix

- For a little "gourmet" twist, slice a pocket in the chicken and stuff with swiss cheese and ham before covering with all the fun stuff for a white trash version of Cordon Bleu

-Do whatever the heck you want! It's hard to screw this recipe up

Apple Enchiladas

Yum, yum! No explaination needed.
INGREDIENTS:

6 flour tortillas
1 21 oz. can apple pie filling
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Spoon fruit evenly onto all tortillas, sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll up tortillas and place seam side down on lightly greased 8x8 baking pan.

3. Bring butter, sugars and water to a boil in a medium sauce pan. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly for 3 minutes.
4. Pour sauce evenly over tortillas; sprinkle with extra cinnamon on top if desired. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

MY TIP: Serve with Cool Whip or Ice Cream!!!

Recipe says: Makes 6 large tortillas; may be cut in half to serve 12.
Suz says: WHATEVER! Eat the whole dang thing, it's too good to only eat half. IN FACT, I could double the recipe and eat the whole dish myself.