Chinese Chicken

A couple of days ago Mark was asking me what we were going to have for dinner and I told him that I wanted CHINESE! He laughed at me and said, "That isn't going to happen" because...chinese food is loaded with Soy Sauce. I have not had an ounce of chinese food in almost 3 months and I was in dire need. You are talking to a girl who normally has a "Panda Express Craving" about once a month.

He was talking to a determined girl and I decided I was going to make it happen! I searched and searched for a soy sauce substitute. To no avail. Not because they don't exist but because I had a lack of ingredients on hand. So I decided to just wing it.

When we were done eating my husband said,"Did you write this down? Because you need to remember it and make it again!"

Lucky for him I did write it down. And it was delicious. And I want to make it every week...for the next 6 months. :)

Here is what you need for the sauce:

1 Cup Orange Juice
1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
3 Tablespoons Honey
2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
1 1/2 tsp Salt
1 Tablespoon Balsalmic Vinegar
1 tsp Corn Syrup
1 tsp Ginger
1 small can crushed pineapple

1 Tablespoon Oil
2 Cloves Garlic Minced

2 Tablespoons Water + 1 Tablespoon Corn Starch Mixed

8 Small Button Mushrooms Sliced

In a small saucepan heat the oil on medium and cook the garlic until nice and golden and delicious. Then add all of the other above ingredients. (I mixed them beforehand-leaving the water/cornstarch separate until putting it in the pan) Turn heat down so it is just at a simmer and simmer for about 15 minutes. Stirring occasionally.

While that is simmering you need to make your chicken. Defrost 1lb. of chicken and cut into cubes.

Dip in a batter made up of:

2/3 cup flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup pineapple or orange juice

Warm up 1/3 cup of oil and add 1/2 of an onion cut into strips. Fry the onion for about 3 minutes on its own. Once the chicken is coated add it to the oil and onion.
Fry in about 1/3 cup of oil until golden brown and chicken is cooked through.

Serve with rice. Smother chicken in the delicious sauce.

I am serious people. Even if you are not Chinese food deprived you will want to eat this again and again. We were so sad when our leftovers were gone.

Tips from Kj:


You could add even more things to the sauce mixture. Mandarin oranges, green peppers, celery, the onion, zucchini etc. Anything you want just think Chinese stir fry and put it into the sauce. Pin It

Honey Balsamic Salmon and a WINNER!

Okay 2 winners :) So I am going to keep this post short and sweet. I have an over the hill cake to decorate (Pictures to come) and candied yams to prepare. Today is my mom's 50th birthday and tomorrow...well you know, its THANKSGIVING!

So now to decide what I should tell you first? The Salmon Recipe or the winners?

I think I'll do the winners...because if I did the recipe first you might just scroll down to see if you won and miss out on simple salmon goodness. Or if I do the winners first I guess you might just see if you won and never scroll down to the goodness. I guess I can't win either way?? I promise that after you see if you won you really should scroll down and see how to make this:

Okay and now drumroll!!!! The winners are:

2 Caramel Apples go to: Hannah A. 

A box of 9 cupcakes go to: Megan H. 

CONGRATULATIONS! Be sure to check your email for instructions on how to retrieve your prize. Thanks to everyone who participated in my very first giveaway! And a HUGE thanks to Sweet Dreams Cupcakes and Treats for being a part of it. If you live in the Utah/Salt Lake County areas you need to keep her in mind if you need treats for any party or special occasion! She will not let you down :)

 I am hoping to have more giveaways in the future and if you could not enter this one because of location do not despair!  I will make sure to have one that can reach all readers...

On to the Salmon. Here is what you need:

2 Salmon Fillets
1 Tablespoon Sea Salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup balsamic vinager

Pre-heat your broiler on high

Mix together the salt, mustard, and pepper. Sprinkle that on the tops and bottoms of the salmon. I like to press it in so it really sticks.

Then put your salmon onto whatever pan you are going to use. (I just used a cookie sheet covered in aluminum foil so it would be easy cleanup after)

Mix your honey and balsamic vinager together. I like to put it in the microwave so the honey really gets liquefied. Drench the salmon in the Balsamic honey mixture.

Place in oven and broil for about 10-15 minutes or until the salmon gets nice a flaky.

Put the salmon on your plate and then cover it again with the sauce that is in the pan. Then die and go to heaven as you eat it! :) I LOVED this recipe. I really just love salmon but when you have the right seasonings it is like a party!

Tips from Kj:

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Eat a lot and don't feel bad...you can exercise later. haha

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Quinoa Salad

Quinoa...what is that?? That is what I first thought when someone said they had something made with Quinoa. It sounded weird, possibly healthy, and like it could be made of chicken hearts or something. Who knew what it was. Come to find out it is a GRAIN! :) Great. I love grain and rice and everything so I got this recipe from my neighbor and gave it a go. (First she brought me some and it was absolutely delicious...so I just had to make it myself!) And lucky me it was soy and dairy free which is always a bonus! Because, then I can eat it. ha

We had this with Salmon and it was amazing. Stay tuned for my salmon recipe it is coming up next. Also keep your eyes peeled for a GIVEAWAY on Sunday!! I am so excited about it so be sure to check in!

You need:

Salad Mixture-

1 1/2 cups cooked Quinoa
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
1 1/2 Tablespoons Vinegar
1 1/2 cups cooked corn
3/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Dressing-

6 Tablespoons Lime Juice
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 1/ tsp Cumin
1 1/2 tsp Corriander
1/3 cup olive oil

Pepper to taste

Basically cook the quinoa according to the package directions. Then add the salad mixture ingredients. Mix the dressing in a separate bowl and then add that to the salad mixture. Voila! Now when we got this from her originally we were unsure if it was supposed to be warm or cold. So we tried it both ways. I personally liked it the best when it was warmed up! But you can have it cold too and it is very good!

Did I mention I am posting a giveaway on Sunday? Silly me! I did..but I thought I'd tell you one more time :)

Tips from Kj:

As you might have noticed there were no black beans in my salad. I didn't have any. So neither did my salad. The great thing is that it was still very good!

You also have a lot of freedom with what you add to this salad. Try tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, chicken etc.


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