Monday, March 26, 2012

Baked Zucchini Fries

We had some spaghetti for dinner and I decided to try this recipe as an appetizer.  It is fairly healthy since it is baked and not deep fried.




First preheat oven to 450 degrees. 
Trim the zucchini and cut crosswise in half, then cut each piece into 1/4 inch stick.



Add cheese to coating mix in shaker bag; shake gently to combine.



Whisk 1 egg in a medium bowl.  Add zucchini; toss to coat. 



Use tongs to place 1/4 of the zucchini into shaker bag; Close bag and shake to evenly coat. 



Spread onto baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.  Repeat with remaining Zucchini.  Bake for 12-13 minutes or until golden brown, turning the baking sheet 180 degrees after 7 minutes to bake evenly.  Meanwhile mix remaining zucchini. 



Remove the baked fries and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.



Ingredients:
3 Zucchini (1 pound)
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 packet Shake and Bake Coating Mix
1 small egg



My wife prepped everything and she said it was fairly easy to prepare.  After baking it for the allowed time, the fries seemed a little soft and not crispy.  I'm not sure if it was too long or not long enough but the outside was golden brown.  The shaker mixture was a bit salty and had a slight kick to it.  I was not to happy with this recipe.  I may have to try it another time and do some adjustments. 


Overall I give Baked Zucchini recipe 3 STARS.  If you try this recipe and it comes out ok, please tell me what I did wrong.

Ginger Pepper Steak

I'm still trying out recipes from Pinterest.  This one is Ginger Pepper Steak.  It is easy to prepare and cook.  It sounded good and looked good so I decided to try it.  This was whipped together in less than 30 minutes.  I made this recipe last night for dinner.  Here is the recipe as follows.





Mix together the gravy mix packet, 3/4 cup water, 1 TBSP shoyu, and1/2 tsp ginger in a small bowl until well blended.



Heat 1 TBSP oil in a large skillet on Medium-High heat.  Add steak and cook and stir for 2 minutes or until no longer pink.



Stir in gravy mixture, onion, and bell pepper.



Beef and gravy with bell peppers added.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes or until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.



Serve over hot rice.



Ingredients:
1 package McCormick Brown Gravy Mix or 1 package McCormick 30% Less Sodium Brown Gravy mix
3/4 cup cold water
1 Tablespoon Soy sauce
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into thin strips
1 small onion, cut into thin wedges
1 medium green or red bell pepper (or 1/2 of each), cut into thin strips
Cooked rice




Like I said it is a fairly easy recipe.  A few tips to the recipe.  Instead of using the ground ginger, use 1/4 tsp of ground red pepper.  Also use 1 bag (16 ounces) frozen pepper stir-fry blend in place of the onion and bell pepper.



Overall I was a little disappointed at this recipe.  My wife suggested using fresh ginger or maybe replace the ginger for red pepper.  I will have to try this again and add a little of my own touch.

I will have to give this first try 3 STARS.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Hey all.  I'm still here and I'm back to blog about dinner I made tonight.  I've been into the website "Pinterest".  It's a site that people "pin" ideas, recipes, things they are interested in, on the "pinboard".  I really like some of the recipes there and I decided to try one out.  This is a very simple crock pot meal that anyone with a crock pot can make.  This recipe is especially good when its cold and rainy outside.  I hope you enjoy this recipe. 



Crock Pot Chicken and Dumpling


You can add your own touch to this recipe.  I added carrots, potatoes, and onions.  Dice the vegetables into bite sizes.


Place 4-6 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts into crock pot.


Add 2 Tbsp butter.


Add 2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup


Add 1 can Chicken Broth


Add onions and any other vegetables


Add 1 Tbsp dried Parsley.  Cook on high for 4-6 hours


After 4-6 hours of cooking time, use a fork and break up chicken into pieces or shred it.  Turn off power.


Take your Pillsbury Grands Flaky refrigerated biscuit can and seperate biscuits.


Cut 4 biscuits into 9 pieces.  


Then stir into hot chicken, turn crock pot back on high, and continue to cook for 30 minutes.


Finished product


Dinner is Served




The biscuit can comes with more than 4 biscuits so we baked the rest and had some biscuits and jam as a side dish.  This recipe is really easy to make. Crock pot meals are the best because you dont have to fuss with too much while it is cooking.  Try this recipe out and tell me how it is.  See below for recipe.




4-6 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
2 Tablespoons butter
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Chicken Broth
1 onion diced (or any other vegetables you want to add)
1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley
4 Pillsbury Grands Flaky refrigerator biscuits



My wife loved this dish and she says it's a "Winner".  My son loved the baked biscuits.  I must say, this meal was easy and delicious.  I give this Crock Pot Chicken and Dumpling 4 Stars.