Chicken has always been my go-to for children because most will eat it! This is why I know how to cook it in every way - even though I don't eat fried foods... or breaded... or stir fry...
Oh - so, before I forget. Many apologies for these recipes not coming along as originally promised. We can, however, begin to see them more frequently. This is because I now have a boyfriend that appreciates my cooking :) Also, has a picky-eater for a daughter. This will make for great experiments and sharing! Or epic failures and disappointment. Either way, you may get a good laugh!
Onto the recipe. I have posted one in the past about mustard maple roasted chicken. This is a great "child-friendly" choice since it has a hint of sweetness to it. Makes it more appealing to the youngins! And let's face it - you can't go wrong with potatoes!
Rachael Ray's original recipe, you can find here. As usual, I make my own adjustments. And this is a very cheap meal! About $15 feeds a family of four - Can't beat that!
Ingredients
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons spicy brown mustard (or sub regular brown mustard)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 lime for juicing (you can skip this, if you'd like)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 large baking potatoes
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste.
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (I sometimes keep chives on hand. You can skip this, too)
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the honey, mustard, veg oil and lime juice. Add the chicken and let marinate at room temperature for about 20 minutes. You never want to cook meat straight from the fridge - it shocks it and makes it tough when you cook it. While the chicken is marinating, in a large saucepan combine the potatoes and enough salted water to cover; bring to a boil. Cook the potatoes for only about 20 minutes, then drain and let them sit for a few so they can slightly cool. Slice the potatoes into wedges - about one-inch thick, slice long ways. Transfer to a bowl and gently toss with the olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Here, you can try different things with the potato wedges - add parsley or onion powder - garlic salt or seasoning salts. Whatever your taste buds prefer!
Preheat a grill to medium-high. Add the chicken and potatoes, and grill for about 10 minutes on each side. Or, cook stove-top on medium-high heat (same thing- about ten minutes on each side for the chicken). If you choose stove-top for the chicken, pop the potatoes into the oven, preheated at 450 degrees, for about 15 minutes on a broiler pan.
If you have chives, sprinkle the dish with chives before serving. I like to serve asparagus or steamed carrots along side this dish. Carrots are a better alternative with children (which I'm sure you're aware). Enjoy!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
BAKED APPLES! BUT.... IN A CROCKPOT?
I thought when my sister put everything in the crockpot, she was corny - or lazy. Either one, there are just some things that don't belong. Agreed?
Well.... This couldn't have turned out any better - or worse, I suppose. I made a few minor adjustments from a previous recipe I found on facebook (CLICK HERE) because there are just some things that I prefer best. And that is oats over bread crumbs. Who puts bread crumbs on "baked" apples? Reminds me too much of a bread pudding and that makes me gag. I did, however give it shot..
Things just take sooo looooong in a crock pot! (this is me whining). It said it had to cook for FOUR HOURS. If I had children, this would be wonderful torture if they weren't eating their dinner.. they would smell the apples cooking the entire time and BAM! It's bedtime! Don't eat your dinner? No dessert, kiddo. I don't care if it is fruit.
Crock Pot Dessert. That's what this is. Ok - I gave you the "original" recipe up top - this is my version:
Ingredients:
6 cups chunky apple slices
1 cup granulated sugar (when I tried brown sugar here, it turned into a gummy pile of apples)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
juice and zest of 1 lemon
(variation: add fresh cranberries and use an orange instead of a lemon - SO YUMMY!)
Topping:
3 cups oatmeal (dried, Quick Minute oats)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
As a reminder, all of my "measurements" are estimates. I don't measure anything :)
Directions:
1. In a large bowl combine apples, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and lemon juice & zest.
2. In another bowl, combine butter, brown sugar and oatmeal.
3. SPRAY the inside of the crockpot with PAM, EVOO, some kind of cooking spray. It will stick - it's in there for four hours!
4. Dump the apple mixture in, crumble the topping across the top. cover and cook on high for 3.5 hours (until it gets brown and bubbly). Original recipe calls for four hours but I found in my first round, this was too long.
DELISH. I'm so excited for you guys to try it because it's so easy! Now, let's face it - this is most certainly the LONG, drawn out, tedious way of doing baked apples. You can do this same mixture and put it in the oven at 350 degrees, covered for about an hour. My only conclusion to the baked apples in a crockpot is that soccer-mom needed to figure out how she was going to make a same-day dessert since she had to leave for a game and wouldn't be home until 6? Or.. if you work 5 miles from home like me, come home at lunch and throw it all together so it will be ready by dinner! Either way, enjoy :)
Well.... This couldn't have turned out any better - or worse, I suppose. I made a few minor adjustments from a previous recipe I found on facebook (CLICK HERE) because there are just some things that I prefer best. And that is oats over bread crumbs. Who puts bread crumbs on "baked" apples? Reminds me too much of a bread pudding and that makes me gag. I did, however give it shot..
Things just take sooo looooong in a crock pot! (this is me whining). It said it had to cook for FOUR HOURS. If I had children, this would be wonderful torture if they weren't eating their dinner.. they would smell the apples cooking the entire time and BAM! It's bedtime! Don't eat your dinner? No dessert, kiddo. I don't care if it is fruit.
Crock Pot Dessert. That's what this is. Ok - I gave you the "original" recipe up top - this is my version:
Ingredients:
6 cups chunky apple slices
1 cup granulated sugar (when I tried brown sugar here, it turned into a gummy pile of apples)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
juice and zest of 1 lemon
(variation: add fresh cranberries and use an orange instead of a lemon - SO YUMMY!)
Topping:
3 cups oatmeal (dried, Quick Minute oats)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
As a reminder, all of my "measurements" are estimates. I don't measure anything :)
Directions:
1. In a large bowl combine apples, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and lemon juice & zest.
2. In another bowl, combine butter, brown sugar and oatmeal.
3. SPRAY the inside of the crockpot with PAM, EVOO, some kind of cooking spray. It will stick - it's in there for four hours!
4. Dump the apple mixture in, crumble the topping across the top. cover and cook on high for 3.5 hours (until it gets brown and bubbly). Original recipe calls for four hours but I found in my first round, this was too long.
DELISH. I'm so excited for you guys to try it because it's so easy! Now, let's face it - this is most certainly the LONG, drawn out, tedious way of doing baked apples. You can do this same mixture and put it in the oven at 350 degrees, covered for about an hour. My only conclusion to the baked apples in a crockpot is that soccer-mom needed to figure out how she was going to make a same-day dessert since she had to leave for a game and wouldn't be home until 6? Or.. if you work 5 miles from home like me, come home at lunch and throw it all together so it will be ready by dinner! Either way, enjoy :)
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