Wednesday, July 9, 2008

I am a horrible blogger.

I've been MIA for a while now, because my life has been consumed with ELD, but i wanted to post some of the recipes that i have tried recently that were all a hit in my home. Hope they will be in yours as well. I will be back on at least a weekly basis, i swear!

Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons grated orange peel
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 (1 ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the sour cream, orange juice and peel. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and grated chocolate; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Fill paper-lined muffin cusp three-fourths full.
Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
Angel Hair Pasta with Peppers and Chicken

INGREDIENTS
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 large red bell pepper, julienned
3/4 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts
1 cup sugar snap pea pods
6 thick slices smoked deli chicken
1 tablespoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pinch salt
1 cup chicken broth
2 (8 ounce) packages angel hair pasta

DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet, heat olive oil to medium high heat. Add the garlic, bell pepper, water chestnuts and pea pods. Reduce heat to medium low and cover. Cook for 5 minutes.
Cut chicken into strips, approximately 1/4 inch wide. Add the chicken, onion powder, ground black pepper and salt to the skillet. Cover and cook for 5 more minutes.
In a separate small saucepan, heat the chicken broth to a near boil. Pour the hot broth into the vegetable/chicken skillet. Toss and serve mixture over cooked angel hair pasta immediately.


Stuffed Strawberries

INGREDIENTS
1 pint fresh strawberries
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, or to taste
2 tablespoons orange flavored liqueur, or to taste

DIRECTIONS
Cut the tops off of the strawberries and stand upright on the cut side. Make a cut 3/4 of the way down from the tip of the strawberry towards the bottom.
Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and liqueur until smooth in a mixer or a food processor. Place into a piping bag with a star tip. Pipe into each strawberry and arrange on a serving platter.


Baked Teriyaki Chicken

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 skinless chicken thighs

DIRECTIONS
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the cornstarch, cold water, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and ground black pepper. Let simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Place chicken pieces in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Brush chicken with the sauce. Turn pieces over, and brush again.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn pieces over, and bake for another 30 minutes, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Brush with sauce every 10 minutes during cooking.