Near East Herbed Chicken Couscous

I love Near East Herbed Chicken Couscous- but as I am quickly realizing.. for my family of 4, 1 box isn't enough. I looked at the ingredients and realized I'm going to give this a shot making it homemade. Here are the ingredients:

Couscous
Carrots (I'm going to shred a small quantity)
Salt
Onion (I may go the dried minced route here)
Parsley
Garlic
Chicken Broth
Celery (fresh grated)
Turmeric
Butter

SO I'm going to try a combination of this tonight when I make couscous for my Indian Curry. I'll let you know how it comes out.

Strawberry Cheesecake EASY

When I had my second child, I signed up for this Mom's meals service- where moms would come by and drop off a 3 course dinner for your whole family. It is volunteer service... Out of it I got a few really great recipes. This one apparently is on the internet and super easy..

She brought me a "Chocolate Eclair Cake"

2 (3oz) Instant Vanilla Jello Pudding
3C Milk
1 (8oz) frozen whipped topping

Then you have graham crackers separating the layers SO it would be:

Graham Crackers layer
Pudding Layer
Graham Cracker layer
Pudding layer
(you can keep layering if you have more)
The woman who brought this "cake" topped hers with chocolate frosting out of a can.

I didn't want to put the chocolate on top so I put fresh fruit of mine.
SO tonight's dessert will have the pudding/graham cracker layer (actually I have instant cheesecake pudding I believe, if I don't vanilla is fine) and then I have fresh strawberries that I'll put on top.

The graham cracker layer softens into the pudding and is SUPER yummy! I generally am not into things that are semi homemade but this is one to keep on file as something really quick to whip up. :)

Aloha Pork Chops

This recipe comes from the Slow Cooker Revolution cookbook. Here is what I did:

Almost 3# Pork Chops
sprinkled a little salt and pepper on them

1- 20oz crushed pineapples
1/4C- B. Sugar, packed
1T- Cider vinegar
1T- Soy Sauce
1T- Curry Powder (a bit more than the original, but we love curry)
1/2tea- ginger

I put all this in the slow cooker-- low for about 8hrs, halfway through I give the whole thing a stir...

THEN at the end I pull out any bones and sort of mash up the pork
I whisk

Water + 2T- Cornstarch together and then dump the slurry into the slow cooker- give it a stir and cook for 12 minutes or until the sauce begins to thicken.

I also make coconut sticky rice.
Pretty simple, I put a sushi rice in my rice maker and dump a large can of coconut milk in there as well. I normally make 3C rice with (up to my rice maker's instructions) 3 servings fill line with water. If the can of coconut milk doesn't satisfy the water requirements then I fill the rest up with water- trust me, a large can of coconut milk will impart enough coconut flavor into your rice!!

Then I just serve the two together!

Kettle Corn

Want to make your own kettle corn??

(Not photographed is my two pot holders- you will need a pot holder to help you shake the pot)


1/4C- Oil (I used veg) toss a few kernels in the pot. It will alert you that the oil is hot enough when your testers start to pop

1/4C- Popcorn kernels

 The testers are starting to pop! Add your popcorn!

 

2T- sugar

As the popcorn starts to pop, add the sugar and with your hands protected- shake the covered pot until all the kernels pop & the sugar is thoroughly swirled & mixed into to popcorn.

1/4tea- salt

This is it all poured out & waiting for the salt. Stir with a wooden spoon to evenly incorporate the salt in the popcorn but place a 5 minute timer on it. The popcorn has hot sugar and you could burn your fingers ( and mouth ) if you don't let it sit. Resist the urge-- it's worth the wait!

Chicken and Dumplings

Thank you America's Test kitchen for putting this beloved classic into slow cooker ease... I'm trying this one out for the first time... Here's the recipe:

3#- Skinless bonless thighs
3T- Veg Oil
Lightly brown thighs

2 onions minced
2 Celery, sliced 1/4"
6 Garlic Cloves, minced
2 tea- Thyme
1T- Tomato Paste
Cook until veg is lightly browned

1/3C- Flour
Add to vegetables

1C- Chicken Broth to deglaze the pan

Add all the above to the slow cooker and add:
4C- Chicken Broth
4- Carrots (I'm using a bag and a half of baby carrots)
2 Bay Leaves
1C- Frozen Peas
3T- Parsley


On low for about 6 hours THEN add the dumplings

2C Flour
1T- B. Powder
1 tea- Salt

1C- Milk
3T- Butter
Microwave this for about a minute and then mix into your flour mix.
Form golf sized dumplings and put on top of the chicken stew... cover it back up and cook for another 35 minutes.

YUM I can't wait!!

Balsamic- Garlic Crusted Pork Tenderloin

Thanks to Pinterest I got the idea to make a grilled balsamic- garlic crusted pork tenderloin. With my pork defrosted I plan on rubbing this on the pork tenderloins this morning and grilling it up later today if the weather holds out. If it doesn't I'll have to prepare it in the oven.

http://kitchenconfidante.com/if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-part-ii

7-24-12 UPDATE We had this last night for dinner. I thought it was REALLY good BUT I would have cut back on the salt-- it was WAY too salty. BUT, the pork tasted really good and so did the marinade. ALSO I loaded it up with lots of cloves of garlic, not just the 3 or 4 it called for. I also did not end up with a paste, it was more of a liquid but that was ok because I just put the pork in a ziplock bag in the marinade and it was still really good. :)

Lamb Stew with Dried Plums

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Katnisss-Favorite-Lamb-Stew-with-Dried-Plums-395189

I made this recipe last night. I put it (almost all) in my 6qt slow cooker and HA it didn't all fit! I had to omit the 2 diced onions, 1/2C of celery and until most of it cooked down-- I had left out 2C of plums until I had more room.

I was given this recipe by a friend. She raved about it and I thought it sounded good, but I hate lamb. She said it was so good- the lamb doesn't bother you-- she's not a lamb fan either.

She was TOTALLY right! First of all, the plums make the sauce very rich and dark. All the vegetables and meat came out so tasty! For someone who isn't a fan of lamb, I have to admit the dish is good. That being said- I think it's more of a stick to your ribs kinda meal and would probably think about making it in the winter AND would skim about a 1/4 off the recipe. I like the amount it made-- but I had to leave out ingredients to put it in my slow cooker. OH yea, I know the original calls to do this on the stove- but the slow cooker (on low, over night) works well too! I would say that within 12 hours it was done, but since I added the 2 missing cups of plums, I left it in for 2 more hours.

If you want to give it a try and want to ask me any questions, email me at:

diycookingnation@yahoo.com

Kettle Corn

I just had kettle corn for the very first time. OMG! I always saw kettle corn at fairs and thought- what a waste of money... I'm going to go for the cotton candy or something... it is just popcorn... HA! Today I went to a fair and it was slim pickins for the food but they had kettle corn. My stomach was a little uneasy and I wanted something dry to snack on. I figured buying a small bag would be a good idea, I pop plain popcorn all the time at home. Well, all I can say was I bought this kettle corn and we (meaning my entire family) couldn't stop eating it. We were still stuffing our faces with it and we decided to buy a large bag to bring home with us. I have it in the closet (for now- ha ha ha) but I can't help but think- I MUST MAKE THIS STUFF! There has to be a super delicious DIY recipe for kettle corn and I think I'm determined to find out how.

I know it's not on the exact subject BUT a very good friend of mine (and her mother) make AWESOME Caramel Corn... She was so generous to give me the recipe, but I've been too lazy to make it at home :P But, seriously- it is REALLY good stuff! :)

With every fiber of my being I am going to try to hold off on eating the kettle corn until my husband gets home but I must find out a DIY way to make kettle corn! Any suggestions?? diycookingnation@yahoo.com

If I find anything I will post it here! ;)

BTW- Kettle corn is popcorn mixed with sugar and salt... Caramel Corn has more of an even dark caramelized sugar that is like cracker jack popcorn... Kettle corn is lighter- Caramel Corn is more like candy


7-23-12 UPDATE- So, I have pulled up a few recipes and today I figured I'd give one a try. http://tipbusters.com/2012/microwave-kettle-corn-in-a-brown-paper-bag/ Failed, in every way. The bottom kernels burned... Nothing tasted really salty or sweet enough. I have a few other recipes to try... sigh. I still have the large bag of kettle corn that we really like. I sadly tried it afterwards... not even close yet...

7-19-12 German

My husband and I are learning German for fun (GUTEN TAG!) and we are having a great time learning it. We're still on lesson one, but it makes me want to try spaetzle again.. anyone have any great German recipes out there?? I know I have a few German readers! :)
diycookingnation@yahoo.com

Moroccan Chicken with Dried Apricots and Chickpeas (Slow Cooker)

 I just put the following into my slow cooker:

3# skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 large can of chick peas, rinsed and drained
2 chopped onions
3 chopped cloves of garlic
chopped up dried apricots
1 1/2 tea- paprika
1/4 tea- cayenne
1/4tea- nutmeg
1/4tea- allspice
2 bay leaves (I used crushed dried equivalent)
1 Cinnamon Stick
3T- Tapioca
1 1/2T tomato sauce
5C- Chicken Broth
a dash of brown sugar
a dash of dried cilantro
a dash of sea salt
1T- Veg Oil

I put it on low in the slow cooker for about 8 hours... Veggies need to be soft and chicken needs to be fork tender.. If after 4 hours I give it a stir... if it seems like everything is still too firm and won't cook quickly enough, I'll crank it up on high for the remaining time. :) I serve this over a bed of chicken flavored couscous... this is a family favorite!

Slow Cooker Lamb & Plum Stew

I just got this recipe from a friend and as much as I hate lamb, she says that it's a must in this recipe... So, I'm going to give it a try...

5# Lamb (filet, shoulder, or leg) cut into 2" pieces
Coated with:
Salt, pepper & 1/2C- Flour

2T- Olive Oil- Saute lamb until brown on all sides and then put into slow cooker
in the same pan saute:
3 cloves- garlic, minced
1 large- onion, chopped
until golden and then add to the slow cooker
use a 1/2C- water to deglaze the pan and add it to the slow cooker

Add to the slow cooker:
4C- Beef Stock
2tea- sugar
3tea- B. sugar
3C- Carrots, diced
3C- Zucchini, diced
1 1/2C- Celery, diced
2lg- Onions, diced
3- potatoes, cubed
5C- dried plums
2tea- thyme
3tea- rosemary
2tea- basil
1tea- parsley
1C- Ginger Ale

on low for 12-14 hours.

I plan on getting some of my missing ingredients on Friday and trying it out--- will let you know how it turns out! :)

Patak's Chicken Curry

When my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I got into curries I didn't know how to make them. In fact, a co-worker would bring in this curry that she made and it smelled amazing. She told me how easy it was to make and that she used Patak's Mild Concentrated Curry Paste and followed the recipe on the back. I found a jar and made it. It was our go to recipe if we wanted curry for a while.

It's 1 onion that you saute in some veg oil.
Chicken (1 to 2 breasts) cooked until lightly browned (I usually cube mine)
4+ T- Patak curry paste (this is really to taste)
1/2- 1C- diced canned tomatoes
(Water, which I omit)

Today I'm going to substitute the canned tomatoes for fresh ones because I have a whole bunch.
And I'm going to add chickpeas to it.

I have been making my curries from scratch and not from a paste for a long while now, but I ran across a jar of this stuff and I'm making it because it's nastalgia food for us. In fact, I'm really excited to "go there" tonight! LOL!

7-17-12

Starting next Tuesday I should have a whole bunch of NEW stuff on here... I still have to figure what that is... :P

Sweet Potato Fries

I made a Coconut Curry Sweet Potato Fry & a Sesame Lime Sweet Potato Fry. I have to say that the curry one was much more intense in flavor. My son & I liked the curry fries & my husband and daughter liked the sesame lime flavored one... So-- I can't say which one won over the other!

Here is the Coconut Curry Sweet Potato recipe I try (I did not make a dipping sauce)
http://peasandthankyou.com/2011/07/13/my-french-fry-soulmate/

And here is the the Sesame Lime recipe (didn't make the dipping sauce either)
http://peasandthankyou.com/2011/07/06/name-that-summer/

UK Steak Marinade

I found this recipe online because I'm obsessed with this English pub that makes DEVINE marinaded steak tips & fries with curry dipping sauce. I SO want to make it at home, but can't figure out how they make it (AT ALL). So, I have steak tips for tomorrow's grilling festivities-- I think I'm going to try this steak marinade recipe:
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/15532/super-steak-marinade.aspx

4th of July Menu

Here is what we'll be making for the 4th:

- Marinated Steak Tips
- Veggie Burger
- Corn on the Cob
- Either Mashed Potatoes (maybe even wasabi mashed potatoes) OR Homemade French Fries OR Sweet Potato Fries-- obviously undecided there... LOL

Dessert will be EITHER:

Brownies & Vegan Cookies OR
Pineapple Angel Food Cake

Strawberry Fruit Leather

So, I made strawberry fruit leather yesterday with my brand new dehydrator. It went really well. I sort of made up the recipe... I had 1 1/2 large pints of strawberries that, don't ask me how I timed this one, that were on the cusp of going bad-- but none of them did!

Over ripped strawberries- washed and tops off
1 small individual container of Mott's Applesauce (Natural)
1T- local honey

I put all in the blender and pureed it all. Then I poured the sauce through a strainer to take out the excess seeds. Poured it onto the trays- dehydrated it 6-7 hours & it was delicious! Needless to say, it's all gone now.

So today I went though my fridge & noticed that my bananas were on the verge of going bad-- immediately I thought- No they aren't!!! I pureed the bananas, put a small individual container of Motts applesauce, a squirt of lemon juice (so they don't brown) and 1T- local honey. It's in the dehydrator now & I set the timer for 7 hours... I don't use recipes, I just figure I need to be happy with the taste before it gets dehydrated or I won't like it after it's done. :)

Let ya all know how it goes!!


PS- The banana fruit leather came out HORRIBLE! :( I did not put a coating of veg oil on the tray so the whole thing stuck. :( I also was not impressed with how it tasted after it was dried. It was good going in, but not so good going out-- Guess that one is a work in progress. :P

General Tso's Tofu

http://vegweb.com/recipes/general-taos-tofu

So, this is the recipe I'll be making today for the entire family. I'm a little nervous because I'm not sure if the kids will like tofu... but, my husband reminded me that not every dinner needs to be one that has meat in it--- so, there we go. Everyone will be trying something new today!! :) The only thing I'm omiting is going to be the crushed red pepper and sherry. Need to make this one kid friendly--- Will post later how it all went & if everyone liked it or not... Crossing fingers.