Better Than Take-Out Chinese Food Recipe: Lighter General Tso’s Chicken

It’s Thursday, the work week is drawing to a close, and you are probably EXHAUSTED. Forget ordering in Chinese food and make it yourself! Never cooked Chinese food before? Save some calories and a little cash with this DIY makeover of a popular Chinese takeout meal. Many Chinese recipes are quick, easy to make, or both. Some can be made with ingredients that are available at most local supermarkets, while others may require a trip to a Chinese/Asian market or using a substitute. Whether you’re new to Chinese cooking or just looking for a recipe that doesn’t require spending too much time in the kitchen, you’ll love this recipe! Skinless chicken breasts, a light batter, and just a bit of oil for pan-frying yield the right texture with less fat for “Lighter General Tso’s Chicken.”

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Serving: 4 peeps 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/4 cups long-grain brown rice
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 pound snow peas, trimmed and halved crosswise
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated and peeled
• 3 tablespoons light-brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
• 2 large egg whites
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook rice according to package instructions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1/2 cup cold water until smooth. Add snow peas, garlic, ginger, sugar, soy sauce, and red-pepper flakes; toss to combine, and set aside.
2. In another bowl, whisk together egg whites, remaining 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken, and toss to coat.
3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Lift half the chicken from egg-white mixture (shaking off excess), and add to skillet. Cook, turning occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate; repeat with remaining oil and chicken, and set aside (reserve skillet).
4. Add snow-pea mixture to skillet. Cover; cook until snow peas are tender and sauce has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Return chicken to skillet (with any juices); toss to coat. Serve with rice.

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Baked Corn Dog Recipe that Kids will LOVE

I grew up going to school in Berkeley, California and every day my nanny would take me to a 50s style soft serve joint that served other diner type food like hamburgers, hot dogs and even corn dogs! Every child (well, almost all) love hot dogs, but why not make it fun and do it at home? I found this fabulous baked corn dog recipe that lightens up the calories, but still makes it delicious for your little one. Check it out!

Note: Be sure to buy ice-pop sticks if you don’t have them on hand. You can usually buy them at a craft store or even online at Amazon.com

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for dusting sausages
• 2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 4 precooked smoked chicken sausages (13 ounces total)
• Ketchup and mustard, for serving (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.    Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Make a well in center; add milk, eggs, and oil. Mix just until combined.

2.    Insert an ice-pop stick into one end of each sausage, leaving a 1 1/2-inch handle. Dust with flour; tap off excess. Using handle, rotate each sausage over bowl as you spoon batter to coat evenly. Place on sheet; bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Using a spatula, reapply batter that has slipped onto sheet. Return to oven; bake until golden, 20 minutes. Serve with ketchup and mustard, if desired.

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Fast Chicken Fajitas Recipe – Fantastic and Yummy for the Family!

In college, I remember my roommates and I would have “Taco Tuesday”…so why not make it kid-friendly and make it “Fajitas for the Fam Tuesday”! Travel south of the border in less than a half hour with this at-home Mexican supper for the family.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 pounds chicken cutlets (about 8)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 3 bell peppers (ribs and seeds removed), thinly sliced
• 1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 8 flour tortillas (6-inch)
• Fresh cilantro leaves, for serving
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream, for serving
• Lime wedges, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

• Heat broiler, with rack set 4 inches from heat. Arrange chicken on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil; rub with 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with chili powder, and season with salt and pepper. Broil, without turning, until chicken is opaque throughout, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven; set aside.
• On another rimmed baking sheet lined with foil, toss peppers, onion, garlic, and remaining tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Broil, tossing occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender and slightly charred, 6 to 8 minutes.

• Meanwhile, thinly slice chicken crosswise. Stack and wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel; microwave on high until warm, about 1 minute. Transfer chicken and pepper mixture to a platter, and serve with tortillas, cilantro, sour cream, and lime wedges.

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le•top Chef Series: Herbed Chicken Nuggets

If you kids are anything like mine they’ll just love these quick herb-battered chicken nuggets as an appetizer or a main dish.

Serves 4 people

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs, seasoned
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Trim any fat from chicken and cut into 1 inch cubes.
3. In a bowl beat the eggs with the water and add the chicken.
4. Combine the parsley, thyme, red pepper, bread crumbs, wheat germ, basil and ground pepper. Stir in the oil with a fork and mix well to distribute evenly. Pour seasoning mixture into a resealable plastic bag and the chicken pieces to coat.
5. Place coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 10 minutes, turn the pieces and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

source: kaboose.com

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le•top Chef Series: Chicken Caesar Panini

Here is a quick and delicious meal….

Makes: 5 servings

Prep: 10 minutes excluding the chicken prep
Cook: 4 minutes

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan, divided
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 pound shredded cooked chicken
3 cups shredded romaine lettuce
1 16-ounce loaf unsliced country-style or focaccia bread

http://www.parents.com

DIRECTIONS

1. In blender, combine lemon juice, garlic, 3 tablespoons Parmesan, the Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and pepper until blended. With motor running, slowly pour in oil until well combined.
 
2. In a large bowl, combine chicken and lettuce. Stir in 2 tablespoons dressing, mixing to coat well. Split bread in half horizontally. Scoop out inside of bread, leaving crust shell. Brush bread shells with remaining dressing, then sprinkle on the remaining Parmesan cheese. Place the chicken mixture on one shell of bread; top with other shell to create sandwich. Firmly press sandwich to seal.

3. Heat a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Spray top and bottom of sandwich with vegetable cooking spray. Place in pan, then put a cast-iron pan on top and push down (you can use any heavy pan, or cook the sandwich in a panini maker). Cook 2 minutes. Remove heavy pan and carefully flip sandwich over. Cover again with heavy pan, and cook 2 minutes longer. Cut into 5 slices.

source: http://www.parents.com

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le•top Chef Series: Apricot-Honey Chicken

…An easy main course with only 15 MINUTES of prep time!

Apricot-Honey Chicken
The honey mustard, apricot and ginger give this chicken recipe a wonderful flavor. It will definitely be a hit and is incredibly fast to shop for and prepare.

Serving: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup dijon honey mustard
3 tablespoons apricot preserves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

DIRECTIONS
1. Blend mustard, preserves, and ginger. Brush mustard mixture onto chicken.
2. Grill or broil about 8-10 minutes each side or until done, brushing with mustard mixture frequently.
Recipe provided by ivillage.

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