Risotto

This is one of my favorite side dishes. Everyone thinks it's so hard to make Risotto, but I am telling you, it's not. It's simple and after it's done, you'll be glad you made it, I promise. It's soooooo good.

1C Arborio Rice
2 TBSP unsalted butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic salt(I use garlic powder)
1/2 C dry white wine
3 C hot chicken broth(I like chicken stock better)
3/4C Parmesan cheese, grated
freshly ground pepper

In a heavy saucepan,saute rice in 1 TBSP butter,stirring constantly.






Add onion and garlic. Saute until onion is tender. Add wine and saute until absorbed.





Slowly add 1 C hot broth, stirring frequently. As the liquid cooks down,continue to add remainder of hot broth,1/2C at a time, until all the broth is used and mixture is very creamy. Fold in the cheese,pepper and remaining butter. Serve immediately.



Now, I like using Garlic powder better than the garlic salt. I like to control my salt. I also like the flavor of chicken stock better than broth. As for the wine, you don't have to use an expensive bottle. I used what I had left in a bottle that I like to drink. However, if you don't like wine, you can buy a $3 bottle just for cooking. DO NOT buy the kind at grocery stores that are in the vinegar aisle. They are loaded w/sodium. You can add many things to risotto. Asparagus, mushrooms,pumpkin,butternut squash.....the list goes on and on.
Also, you don't have to use wine at all. If you don't like it, just use extra chicken broth/stock.

Easier Rotisserie Chicken??? whaaaa?

I love Rotisserie Chicken. You can have that great flavor w/out a rotisserie though. I buy either a whole chicken or whole chicken breasts. All you need for my recipe is;

Lemons
Chicken of choice
McCormick Rotisserie Seasoning


Zest a lemon and add the juice and zest on the chicken. Sprinkle the seasoning over Chicken and bake in oven at 375 til chicken is done.
So easy and so yummy.

Homemade Hush Puppies

Today, I decided that I wanted some catfish for dinner. I coated it in breading and put it in the oven b/c we all know that fried is BAD lol. Then I went out to the deep freezer for my frozen bag of hush puppies that I buy at Sams. THERE WERE NOT ANY IN THERE. ohhh no. So, off I go looking in my cookbooks for a good recipe. It never fails. If I need a recipe for something, something basic like Hush puppies, I find it in my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. This thing is falling apart lol.

Here's the recipe and my adjustments


1C cornmeal
1/4C all purpose flour
2 tsp sugar
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4tsp baking soda
1/4tsp salt
1 egg beaten
1/2C buttermilk or sour milk
1/4C sliced green onions
cooking oil

In a medium bowl,combine cornmeal,flour,sugar,baking powder,baking soda,and salt. Make a well in center and set aside.
In another bowl combine egg,buttermilk and green onions. This is where I changed it a bit. I didn't have buttermilk. SO there is a recipe on how to get sour milk:

For every ONE cup of regular milk add ONE tbsp lemon juice or vinegar. Stir and let set for 5min. This recipe calls for 1/2C buttermilk so I used 1/2Tbsp on vinegar in skim milk. Remember buttermilk is actually LOW FAT!

I also didn't have green onions but remember that my granny use to use white onions so that's what I used b/c her hush puppies were always GOOD. I also added freshly ground black pepper which the recipe didn't call for but I thought it was needed haha.
Stir til moistened(batter should be lumpy).

Drop batter my tablespoons into deep, hot oil. Fry about 3min or til golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

Crispy Herb Baked Chicken

I adapted this recipe from one a friend gave me. I have to say that it is really good and easy. Also, my son LOVES it. You know anything your kids like is a keeper lol. You can actually add whatever herbs you like to this and make it your own. This is just what we like so far lol. I think some Basil would be really good as well. If you are sick and tired of the same ole chicken all the time, give this one a try!

Crispy Herb Baked Chicken

I use skinless chicken breast only.

INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup dry potato flakes
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic salt(I use garlic powder)
1Tbsp Parsley
1/2 tbsp Natures Seasons
Boneless Skinless Chicken breast
1/3 cup butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
Heat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease or line with foil a baking sheet or a 13 x 9 inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl, combine potato flakes, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder,parsley,and natures seasons. Stir until well mixed.
Dip chicken pieces into melted butter or margarine, and roll in potato flake mixture to coat. Place in prepared pan.
Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until chicken is tender and golden brown.

Rolls

I got this recipe from SistersCafe and I just had to try it out. I am always wanting rolls and never remember to make it til it's too late lol.

30-Minute Rolls

1 1/8 cups plus 2 tsp. warm water
1/3 cup oil
2 Tb yeast
1/4 cup sugar or honey
½ tsp. Salt
1 egg
3 ½ cups flour

Mix 1st 4 ingredients and let rest for 15 minutes. Add salt and eggs - gradually add flour. Shape into dinner rolls, or use in your favorite recipe that calls for dough. After shaped, let rest for 10 minutes. For rolls, Bake 10 minutes @400 degrees ‘till golden brown.


I do agree that these rolls need more salt and I think they could rise a little more. However, if you're in a hurry these are pretty good! I did have to add more flour as mine were pretty sticky. Thanks Melanie for this recipe, I will definitely make them again :)

Apple Dumplings

These little devils are so good. Give them a try and tell me what you think.

Apple Dumplings

3/4C orange juice
3/4C sugar(I usually use less lol)
6tbsp butter
1 can of 8 crescent rolls
One LARGE granny smith apple, cut into 8 slices
cinnamon, to taste

Combine sugar,butter and OJ in a small pan. Heat until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat stove and set aside. Separate rolls. Place one cut apple piece in the wide end of crescent roll and roll up. Do this for others. Place in a shallow baking dish. Pour OJ mixture over rolls.Sprinkle top w/cinnamon. Bake 350 until golden brown. Spoon mixture over rolls and let set a few minutes to allow juice to thicken. mmmmmmmmm