Thursday Treats: Taste the Heat: Jalapeno Chinese Chicken {Pinterest Inspired}

I don't know what it is about packing, but I always wonder why I ever bought all the "stuff". I suppose at the time it seems like a good thing and perhaps even useful...but, when you're downsizing, the only thing you can think is, "Why?!?!". Ah...becoming a college student once more has its benefits and negatives :D

I'm going to have a roomate, and one of the deals was I had to get groceries/cook. I think this will force me to quit living like a bachelor[ette] all the time eating cereal and chocolate milk--to making nutritious, full meals {a lot more often than I did the last year :D}.

A dish that I recently tried, Jalapeno Chinese Chicken will definitely be on rotation.

Jalapeno Chinese Chicken

Pinterest Inspired

[Original Recipe]

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes

1/4 cup cornstarch

4 cups vegetable oil

2 tsp sesame oil

1/2 tsp chopped garlic or 1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp rice wine {have also used regular vinegar}

2 tsp soy sauce

2 jalapeno peppers, sliced {I put in 4-6 depending on how much heat I want that day :D}

2 Tblsp sugar

1. In a seal-able plastic bag, combine the chicken pieces and cornstarch. Shake until the chicken is coated and then let rest for about 5 minutes.

2. Heat the 4 cups of oil in a deep fryer or deep pot until 375 degrees. Drop chicken in batches until all of it has been cooked. Drain on paper towel.

3. In a wok, or large skillet, heat the sesame oil and then add the garlic and jalapenos and fry for 1 minute. Add the rice wine/vinegar and soy sauce and let cook for another minute. Add sugar and cook till thickened.

4. Enjoy on a bed of rice, or just eat as is {I do!}.

Now, the first time I made this, I did not have very much liquid at all and saw no need to put the sugar in. However, the sugar helps to thicken as well as even out the heat from the jalapenos, so I added about 1/4--1/2 cup water/soy sauce mixture before adding the sugar. Worked for me :D As always when cooking, I say go by what you see, taste, and smell. A little bit of this, and a little bit of that. A recipe is just a base for you to jumpstart your creativity!

Thursday Treats: Soft Brown Sugar Cookies {SusieQTpiescafe}

These are another Pinterest treasure. While I wouldn't quite say they melt in your mouth, they are really good. The original recipe says to frost with browned butter frosting, but these cookies are perfect as is. You can follow the link to the blogger's website and grab the recipe from there.

Soft Brown Sugar Cookies

SusieQTpiescafe, Susie

2/3 c. butter, softened
1-1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 c. sour cream

1. Pre-heat oven to 350.

2. Blend together butter and brown sugar.

3. Add the eggs, one at a time; mix well.  Add vanilla; beat until light.

4. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

5. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with sour cream; mix well.

6. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto non-stick or lightly greased baking sheets.

7. Bake for 8-10 minutes.  Remove to a wire rack; cool.

Enjoy!

Bonus Treats: Classic Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting {Flour}

My friend Deb, from work, was lamenting the fact that she couldn't get a birthday carrot cake anywhere in town. Her son is turning 18 this weekend, and that was his choice of cake. Anyway, I offered to make her one and gave cupcake samples this evening.

For this recipe, I turned to my trusted--and treasured!--Flour cookbook by Joanne Chang. Absolutely everything I've made from her book is outstandingly good.

And, this recipe didn't disappoint. I'm not a fan of cooked carrots. And, I cannot stand cooked fruits etc. in my baked goods. BUT, no matter how much you dislike something, if you make it to serve others, you need and must try the dish before allowing others to eat your cooking/baking.

And, they are delicious. Seriously. If there's ever going to be a recipe to win me over to eating carrots in my cake...this one is it. I'll post a picture of the cake on Friday!

Classic Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Flour, Joanne Chang

[I made the frosting first, as it has to be refrigerated for at least 2 hours.]

2 eggs

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

3/4 cup oil

3 tblsps buttermilk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup + 2 tblsps flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger

2 cups tightly packed shredded carrots

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

Cream Cheese Frosting

12 oz cream cheese, room temperature {leave out for 4 hours prior to using}

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 + 2/3 cup icing sugar

1. Pre-heat oven to 350. Butter and flour an 8-in cake pan or line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

2. Using a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment [or a handheld mixer], beat together the eggs adn brown sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture is light and thick. [This step will take 8-10 minutes if using a handheld mixer.] In a small bowl or pitcher, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, and vanilla. On low speed, slowly pour the oil mixture into the egg-sugar mixture. This should take about 30 seconds.

3. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Using a rubber spatula, fold the flour mixture into the egg-sugar mixture. When most of the flour has been incorporated, add the carrots, raisins, and walnuts and continue to fold until the batter is homogeneous. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, or divide evenly among the prepared muffin cups.

4. Bake the cake for about 1 hour, or the cupcakes for 20 minutes. As always, keep an eye on your baking and when the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, remove from the oven. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

5. To make the frosting: Put the cream cheese in the stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and bet on medium speed for about 1 minute, or until smooth. Add the butter and continue to beat for another 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and add the icing sugar. Beat for 1 more minute, or until well mixed. You should have about 3+1/2 cups. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours before using to allow it to firm up enough to pipe and spread.

6. Frost your cake/cupcakes and decorate as you wish.

Enjoy!

Here's the cake. Gotta say, I need more cakes to practice on!

Bonus Treats: Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting {Let's Dish}

I love pumpkin bread--here's my favourite recipe--and decided to try out these cookies I had pinned on my "cookies" board. The link is from Danelle who blogs at Let's Dish.

I really enjoyed the cookies, and not being a huge fan of frosting/icing--I actually liked the caramel frosting too!

My favourite way to eat them, though, is sans frosting...tastes like a cross between pumpkin pie, cake and bread :D

Delicious.

Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting

Let's Dish, Danelle

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

1 tblsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups flour

Frosting
3 tblsp butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
Pinch of salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup icing sugar

1. Pre-heat oven to 350.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars.

3. Add the eggs and vanilla--mix well. Stir in pumpkin.

4. In a medium bowl, whisk [or sift] together the baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, salt and flour.

5. Add to pumpkin mixture and mix well.

6. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and press down to flatten them a little bit. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Frosting

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, cream, and brown sugar over medium heat.

2. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture just begins to boil; remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

3. Cool then stir in confectioner's sugar. Spread frosting over cooled cookies.

4. Enjoy!

Bonus Treats: Wilton's Sugar Cookies {Wilton}

So this week being the last of May and home stretch of my "no chocolate" campaign, I want to share some recipes that so good--you won't miss the chocolate.

To kick the week off, I have Wilton's Sugar Cookies. This is a recipe I got off the back of a Wilton cookie cutter package. I first made them for Russell's baby shower using the train cookie cutter to go with this "Train" theme.

I loved the texture and flavour of these cookies. Best of all--no chilling required!

And then, a couple weeks ago, my friend Sarah and I made a couple batches for the Ladies Tea our church hosted. We frosted some that night, and then Sarah and another friend, Sara, finished up the next day.

I think they are quite pretty! And, they taste very good.

Wilton Sugar Cookies

Wilton

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 tsps baking powder

3 cups flour

1. Pre-heat oven to 350. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.

2. Beat in egg and vanilla.

3. In a separate, small bowl, mix the baking powder and flour. Combine this, one cup at a time, with your butter mixture.

4. Divide dough into 2 discs. On a floured surface, roll each disc in a circle approximately 12" in diameter and 1/8" thick. [I make mine a little thicker--1/4 in thick.]

5. Cut into shapes of choice and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.

5. Remove from sheet and place on cooling rack. Once cookies have cooled--decorate how you want to!

6. Enjoy and have fun!

Bonus Treats: Homemade Pop Tarts {Classic Snacks} + Classy Nautical

I saw this cookbook at the Superstore, and having restricted myself to shop cookbooks with a purpose, I didn't get it the first few times I went grocery shopping.

Every time I would pass by the book aisle [...yes, yes...I didn't have to go down that aisle, but--whatever, I always do :P] I looked and picked it up; tried to find some justification in buying another cookbook--apparently, loving cookbooks doesn't count ;)

Then! I saw a recipe for these babies. You see, I have a dear friend who adores pop tarts, but whose husband doesn't...approve of pop tarts {ya know, 'cause they're bad for you and all. Plus, they taste like cardboard} and I thought this would be perfect for her.

I was supposed to make them several weeks ago for her birthday...but, yeah, I missed that boat. Here's to hoping she'll love them so much, it won't matter if they're a few weeks late :D I took some over to her house last night for us girls to test them out after we helped her pack. Moving and a baby all within 2 weeks? You go, girl :D

I made raspberry, and brown sugar/cinnamon. While I wouldn't call them out of this world good...they are pretty good. I think the more I practice making them, the better they'll be. I used raspberry jam, and I think that had a part in making the tarts a little too sweet. For the brown sugar/cinnamon ones, I need to add more spice. Although, maybe if my crust was rolled out a little more thin, I wouldn't have overfilled the pop tarts and they would've been perfect?

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with how these turned out, but, I have plans for making them taste spectacular :D

Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

Classic Snacks Made from Scratch

Casey Barber

*I used raspberry jam filling, but only because I was running out of time. My next try will be true to the recipe :D*

Crust

2+1/2 cups flour

2 tsps sugar

1/2 tsp salt

8 tblsp chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2in cubes

1/4 cup ice-cold water

1 tblsp distilled white vinegar

1 large egg whisked with 1 tblsp water, for egg wash

Make the Dough

1. Pulse the flour, sugar, and salt together in the bowl of a food processor to sift and combine.

2. Add the butter and shortening and pulse in 3-second bursts until partially incorporated with pea-sized chunks visible and a texture resembling moist cornmeal.

3. With the processor running, drizzle the water and vinegar through the feed just until a shaggy and crumbly dough starts to form. Transfer to a bowl; divide the dough in half and shape into 2 discs. Wrap plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour {or overnight}

Strawberry Filling

1 lb. strawberries, hulled
3/4 cup sugar
1 tblsp lemon juice

1. While the dough chills, cut the strawberries in halves or quarters, depending on size, and mash roughly with a potato masher in a large bowl. Keep a bunch of big chunks in there; they'll break down in the jam, but it'll be more interesting that way.

2. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to break down the berries slightly. Stir once or twice while the berries sit to dissolve the sugar.

3. Pour the strawberries and their liquid into a high-sided pan or Dutch oven. Bring to a low boil over medium heat. Once the berries come to a boil, remove the strawberry chunks with a slotted spoon or flat mesh strainer and reserve in a medium bowl. Continue to let the syrup boil, stirring often, until thickened and jelly-like, about 15-20 minutes.

4. Return the strawberry chunks to the pan and cook for 5-10 minutes more, until the jam is the desired thickness and consistency. Transfer to a clean bowl or Mason jar.

Assemble + Bake

1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat liners.

2. On a floured surface, roll one of the dough discs to a 10x12in rectangle about 1/4in thick.

3. Use a pastry or pizza cutter to divide into 6 {3x5in} rectangles; place on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the second disk, but leave those 6 on your work surface.

4. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of filling into the center of each rectangle on the baking sheets. Brush the edges with the egg wash.

5. Place a reserved dough rectangle atop each filled rectangle and seal the edges by pressing with the tines of a fork. Use the fork to poke vent holes in the pastry tops.

6. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Transfer the tarts to a wire rack and let cool completely before eating or frosting.

Frosting

1+1/2 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tblsps milk
1 tsp vanilla

1. Whisk the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla together to form a thick glaze. Add the final tablespoon of milk a drizzle at a time until the glaze has the consistency you want.

2. Use a basting brush to spread the glaze on the cooled pastries.


Enjoy your homemade pop tarts!!

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My friend Sarah is still in the contest! She won last weeks theme, with her Springtime in Paris look--thanks for voting for her!!

This week, it was all about designing your own fabric. Just look at the adorably simple dress her daughter has on. And, suspenders on her little guy? Cute!!

I love how her nautical theme is classy and yet fun. Head over to her blog to see many more shots of her outfits and sweet kiddos.

And, don't forget to cast your vote for your favourite look! Voting is open through Thursday night at 8 :)

Click HERE.

Thanks so much, guys and enjoy those Pop Tarts while perusing Sarah's blog :D

Have a great evening!