Christmas

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

KP Duty Again

…but I love it. I’ve already started our dinner, and I’m taking a little break before I begin to bake. The boys wanted Chinese this time, so I’m making a few separate things (like a Chinese buffet!)

The two of them enjoy General Tso’s Chicken, but it’s a bit spicy for me. So, I’m having Cashew Chicken. Since they’re both chicken dishes, I can start them together. In the slow cooker, I put 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (you can also use chicken tenders.) Then I mixed a can of cream of chicken soup (you can substitute cream of mushroom, too), a half can of water, a quarter cup of soy sauce, a half cup of brown sugar, a teaspoon and a half of ground ginger, and a pinch of red pepper. It’s all in the cooker now for a few hours. Then I’ll take the chicken out and chop it, returning some to the pot, and some I’ll put in a separate pot. To the cooker, I’ll add a quarter cup of hoisin sauce and some red pepper flakes. With the other, I’ll add a package of stir-fry vegetables, a can of water chestnuts, and a little more water. Once the veggies are tender, I’ll throw in the cashews. I’m also making brown rice, and both dishes will be served atop it. I have veggie eggrolls, too. For dessert, I bought some fortune cookies, and I’ll be baking some other cookies, too. That’s our slow boat [cooker] to China!

In the baking department, I’ll make some chocolate chips (my boys’ favorite,) and some Otis Spunkmeyer copycats. I’ll serve some for dessert, and I’ll freeze the others for my daughter’s sale. Tomorrow, I’ll be doing some breads – probably pumpkin and applesauce. Friday will be cupcakes. I’m hoping my hand holds out so I can decorate then before delivery. That process involves mixing a bowl of buttercream and putting it a pastry bag with a big star tip. With my wonky hand, that can sometimes be messy. I thought about doing a cheesecake, too, but that’s some heavy work. Maybe I’ll do mini-cheesecakes.

We’re having a heatwave today – the temps will go above freezing!!

Peace,

Muff

8 comments:

  1. we are often on the same "cooking" "baking" train. the second half of the month involves a lot less work for me. most of the tenants have paid their rent, i have paid most of the bills and finalized the month before for the accountant. i have a lot more free time after the 20th, to have fun, craft and cook. i made a meatloaf this morning for dinner tonight and i already peeled the potatoes and i just keep them in cold water, for mashing later!! i'm having carrots as well.

    we are about 1/2 north of stafford twp. so we were unaffected by the explosion but wasn't that horrible. it looks like there were a lot of trucks parked on the road, on the left. i wonder what type of work they were doing?? my husband's company installed underground utilities, one of the workers hit a gas line once, but no explosion. it was at lone star restaurant on brick blvd and all buildings within a mile were evacuated. scarey stuff and my son was on the job at the time so it must have been summer!!!!

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    1. Yum -- meatloaf. That's another of my boys' favorites! Yes, that explosion was definitely scary!!

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  2. Why would anyone in your family ever go out to a restaurant except to give you a break? You're a resident master chef. I'm envious. I missed that gene.

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    1. You give me way more credit than I deserve. I only do things that I can handle, so they're really no big deal. But thanks for the compliment!!

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  3. You are a baking Energizer bunny.

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    1. I keep going and going and going... Wish I had that energy!!

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  4. HI MUFF - I lov your recipes and cooking shares, Mmmmmmmmmmm We usually order out for Chinese - lazy, right? :-)
    Enjoy
    Love Gail
    peace....

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    1. We used to order out for Chinese, but I like the homemade so much more.

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