SLOW COOKER MOO SHU CHICKEN & GREEN ONION PANCAKES

SLOW COOKER MOO SHU CHICKEN 
1/2 cup Hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons white wine
4 teaspoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
16 ounce package coleslaw mix (cabbage and carrots)
1 bag shredded carrots
5-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
green onions for garnish

  • Combine Hoisin sauce, water, sesame oil, soy sauce, wine, cornstarch and garlic.
  • In slow cooker place cabbage and carrots on the bottom.
  • Top with chicken pieces.
  • Drizzle 1/4 cup of the Hoisin sauce mixture.
  • Cover and cook on low 6 hours.
  • Stir in remaining Hoisin sauce mixture.
  • Serve over green onion pancakes.
  • Top with green onions for garnish.

GREEN ONION PANCAKES 6 servings
2 cups flour
1 cup boiling water
3 tablespoons sesame oil
1 1/4 cups chopped green onions including tops
fresh ground salt and pepper to taste

  • Sift flour into a bowl and make a well in the center.
  • Pour boiling water into the well.
  • Working quickly, use a wooden spoon and work water into the flour to make a stiff, but not dry dough. Knead lightly into a bowl.
  • Remove dough from the bowl and brush with sesame oil.
  • Invert bowl over dough and let cool 5 minutes.
  • Lightly knead dough until smooth and elastic.
  • Brush again with sesame oil and place in plastic bag. 
  • Set aside for an hour.

  • Roll dough back and forth to form a log about 10 inches long.
  • Cut into 6 equal pieces.
  • Roll each piece into a ball.
  • Roll out each ball to a 7 inch pancake.
  • Brush with sesame oil.
  • Sprinkle with salt.
  • Top each pancake equally with green onions.
  • Roll into a tight coil.
  • Brush with sesame oil.
  • Using a rolling pin flatten into a thin 5 inch pancake trying to keep the onions on the inside.
  • Use enough coconut oil to make 1inch deep in a shallow skillet.
  • When oil is hot, cook pancakes until golden brown, turning once.
  • Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.

Chicken Gumbo & Sweet Chile Buttermilk Herb Dressing

This recipe originally called for okra.  Not even this southern girl likes okra and the best substitution for okra is eggplant, but hubs can’t stand that so I substitute the split peas.

CHICKEN GUMBO
*1 1/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken pieces
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
1 large shallot, chopped
5 ribs celery, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 KNORR chicken gel bouillon
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup dried split peas
1 can petite diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons file’ powder
Fresh ground salt and black pepper, to taste
2 cups water
Brown rice

  • Oil sides of crock pot.
  • Place onions, shallots, tomatoes, garlic and celery on bottom of crock pot.
  • Top with split peas and then chicken.
  • Whisk together water, bouillon gel, thyme, salt, pepper and file’ powder.
  • Pour over Chicken.
  • Cover and cook 8-10 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high.
  • Serve over rice.

*I add these frozen and they work great.

SWEET CHILE BUTTERMILK HERB DRESSING
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small shallot, minced
2 teaspoons freshly chopped chives
1 tablespoon parsley paste
1 tablespoon Frank’s Red Hot Sweet Chili Sauce
Fresh ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • Using a quart  jar, add all ingredients and shake to mix well.
  • Chill several hours to blend flavors.
  • Shake well and toss with salad.

SLOW COOKER CARNITAS

I LOVE carnitas! This is one of the tastiest and easy recipes.  So add some sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions, guacamole and add it to your next TEX-MEX gathering.

SLOW COOKER CARNITAS
3-4 pounds pork shoulder, cut into several pieces
1 bottle green taco sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can original Rotel tomatoes
1 can chopped green chiles
Fresh ground Sea Salt and Black Pepper
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
1 cup water

  • Place onion pieces in bottom of slow cooker.
  • Pour Rotel tomatoes and green chiles over onions.
  • Add pork pieces.
  • GENEROUSLY salt and pepper pork.
  • Whisk together water and taco sauce.
  • Pour taco sauce over top of pork pieces.
  • Cover and cook 6-8 hours on high until meat shreds.
  • Remove from crock pot (reserving 1/2 cup of liquid) and shred all your meat.

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup liquid from crock pot

  • Preheat oven to 300°.
  • Whisk together the milk and cooking liquid.
  • Place shredded meat on a cookie sheet.
  • Pour liquid over meat shreds.
  • Bake 45 minutes until meat begins to crisp.

Golden Blend tortillas
sour cream
shredded cheese
sliced green onions
guacamole

    BUTTERMILK CHIVE CHICKEN

    One of the things I love best about this recipe is the tenderness of the chicken.  Marinating in buttermilk (especially for beef) is one of the best tenderizers available.

    BUTTERMILK CHIVE CHICKEN recipe for 4

    MARINADE
    1 chicken breast per person
    1 tablespoon Litehouse freeze dried red jalapenos
    1 tablespoon Litehouse freeze dried chives
    1 tablespoon Litehouse freeze dried garlic
    1 cup buttermilk
    1/2 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
    1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

    • Whisk together marinade and soak chicken for at least 4 hours.  I prefer overnight.

    2-3 tablespoons butter or avocado oil
    Wondra
    salt and pepper to taste

    • Heat butter or oil over medium high heat.
    • Dredge chicken in Wondra.
    • Salt and pepper to taste.
    • Brown first side and then turn.
    • Now cover and cook until cooked through.

    SAUCE 
    1/3 cup mayonnaise
    1/4 cup buttermilk
    3 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
    1 tablespoon Litehouse freeze dried red jalapenos
    1 tablespoon Litehouse freeze dried garlic

    • Blend together in small food processor and serve room temperature over chicken breast and veggies. Can be made ahead and refrigerated, but bring to room temperature while cooking the chicken.

    When I’m making a couple of veggies and want less clean up, I cover the cookie sheet with foil and then make foil dividers.  These Brussels Sprouts were roasted in a balsamic glaze while the asparagus was done in a lemon butter.

    LEMON GOAT CHEESE CHICKEN BUNDLES

    This recipe is so simple, but always looks and tastes so classy.

    LEMON GOAT CHEESE CHICKEN BUNDLES
    1 chicken breast per person
    1 ounce goat cheese per person
    Juice of 1 lemon
    Baby Asparagus spears
    egg wash
    Panko crumbs
    1 tablespoon butter per breast
    Salt & Pepper to taste

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
    • Flatten chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness.  I place them between 2 sheets of wax paper and use a rolling pin.
    • Salt and pepper each breast.
    • Spread a layer of goat cheese.
    • place several asparagus spears on one edge of the breast and begin rolling. Secure with a cooking band.
    • Roll chicken bundle in egg wash.
    • Dredge chicken bundle in Panko crumbs and place in baking dish.
    • Sprinkle with lemon juice and melted butter.
    • Bake 30-45 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

    BLOODY MARY Roast

    I’ve had this recipe floating around for awhile, but lately cooking with alcohol has been calling my name, so CHEERS and bottoms up.  The flavor was fantastic, but I will use chuck roast next time instead of brisket.  It is my preferred cut of meat with better marbling for roasts.

    I have to give a shout out to my favorite butcher, NICKABOBS OUTPOST for the success of many recipes, but especially this one. I went in for the brisket and he brought out a 15 pound side to see which end I wanted him to cut off for me.  They always go above and beyond to help me get my exact cuts.

    BLOODY MARY ROAST
    2-3 pound brisket
    3 1/4 cups Passata*
    2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    1/2 cup Lemon Vodka
    2 cups cold water
    a few drops Tobasco sauce
    1 bunch celery, sliced
    2 red onions, quartered
    1 bag baby carrots, halved
    coarse ground sea salt
    fresh ground black pepper

    • Preheat oven to 250°.
    • Heat avocado oil over medium high heat.
    • Add celery, carrots and onions, sauteing slightly.  
    • Add veggies to large non-reactive casserole pan.
    • Season brisket with salt and pepper.
    • Brown it in the same pan.
    • Brown both sides evenly and place into non-reactive casserole pan on top of veggies.
    • Whisk together the Passata, Worcestershire sauce, Lemon Vodka, Tobasco sauce and water in a saucepan. 
    • Add salt and pepper to taste and bring to a boil.
    • Remove from heat and pour over meat.
    • Cover with parchment paper and then foil. Tomatoes and foil are not friends directly so be sure to use the parchment paper!
    • Roast 5-6 hours until beef is tender and beginning to fall apart.

    * Passata is an uncooked tomato puree that has been strained of seeds and skins. It originated in Italy. Some passatas are chunkier and some are smoother, depending on the brand. You will also see it spelled passato and passata di pomodoro. Passata is sometimes hard to find in the U.S., but can be found in many specialty grocery markets. 

    SAVORY PARMESAN FRENCH TOAST

    SAVORY PARMESAN FRENCH TOAST
    6-8 slices thick french bread
    4 large eggs
    1/2 cup whole milk
    1/2 cup heavy cream
    salt and pepper to taste
    1/2 teaspoon Frank’s hot sauce
    1 clove garlic, minced
    1/2 cup + garnish amounts to taste grated Parmesan cheese
    fresh minced Italian flat leaf parsley
    1 batch Bolognese sauce

    • Combine eggs, milk and cream in mixing bowl. 
    • Whisk in Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic and hot sauce.
    • Pour into shallow dish larger than bread slices.
    • Heat griddle or large skillet coated with butter.
    • Dredge bread slices through egg mixture coating both sides well.
    • Add bread slices in a single layer and cook until golden brown. Flip and brown second side.
    • Top with Bolognese sauce, a pinch of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

    PORK SCHNITZEL, PLUM SHALLOT CHUTNEY & GRANDMA DOLL POTATO SALAD

    PORK SCHNITZEL
    6-8 thin pork cutlets
    1 cup Panko crumbs
    1/2 cup Wondra flour
    Coarse sea salt to taste
    Fresh ground pepper to taste
    1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    2 large eggs, beaten
    4 tablespoons butter

    • Stir together the flour salt, pepper and cayenne.
    • Melt butter in large skillet over medium high heat.
    • Dredge each cutlet through the egg and then the flour mixture before adding to the hot butter.
    • Brown to golden on each side.

    PLUM SHALLOT CHUTNEY
    1 jar Smuckers Red Plum Jam
    1 large shallot, sliced thin

    • In a small food processor add both the jam and shallot slices, processing until smooth AND chunky.

    GRANDMA DOLL’S POTATO SALAD
    3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, baked and cooled
    4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
    1 small red onion, chopped
    2 large kosher dill pickles, chopped
    2 tablespoons dill relish
    Lots of mustard
    A little mayonnaise
    salt and pepper to taste

    • Grate potatoes in a large mixing bowl.
    • Add eggs, onion, pickles and relish, mixing to blend well.
    • Add mustard and mayonnaise to taste and desired consistency.
    • Add seasonings to taste.

    CHICKEN FRICASSEE

    I love to cook.  I love to rehab recipes that I found in magazines or the bottom of my gram’s kitchen drawer. I found this recipe in a Sunset magazine and then changed it to fit our likes, but on the whole it was VERY tasty.  I should have made mashed potatoes though to go with it.

    CHICKEN FRICASSEE – SERVES 6
    6 chicken breasts
    salt and pepper to taste (I use fresh ground Himalayan Pink salt and black pepper)
    2 tablespoons butter +1/2 cup butter
    1 or 2 large leeks (white and light green sections), halved and sliced thin
    3 cloves garlic, minced
    2 tablespoons Wondra flour
    1 tablespoon sugar
    3 cups white moscato wine
    1/2 cup chicken broth
    Juice of 1 lemon
    3 egg yolks
    1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
    baby Asparagus spears

    • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in skillet.
    • Add chicken breasts, salt and peppering to taste. Saute’ until golden on each side. Keep warm.
    • Melt 1/2 cup butter in large saute’ pan over medium high heat.
    • Add leeks and garlic, sauteing until soft and tender.
    • Add asparagus spears, sprinkle with sugar and cover for 3-4 minutes.
    • With a slotted spoon remove asparagus and leeks to chicken plate.
    • Add flour whisking until golden.
    • Add wine, lemon juice, chicken pan drippings and chicken broth to remaining butter and bring to a boil, reducing to about 2 cups.
    • Reduce heat to low.
    • In a separate bowl whisk together the egg yolks and whipping cream.
    • Gradually add a small amount of the wine mixture to the egg mixture to temper it.
    • Gradually add egg mixture to pan and whisk until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
    • Salt and pepper to taste.
    • Plate chicken and vegetables.
    • Ladle sauce over and enjoy.

    GARLIC CIDER CHICKEN

    Hubby keeps telling me that he wants more greens in his dinner.Unfortunately he didn’t see the humor in this recipe.  All kidding aside, the flavor was awesome.

    GARLIC CIDER CHICKEN
    4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
    3 tablespoons avocado oil
    1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    Juice of 1 lemon
    2 cloves garlic
    1/2 cup (packed) fresh Italian parsley (no stems)
    coconut oil
    Wondra
    fresh ground salt and pepper

    • Place chicken breast between pieces of saran or in a ziploc bag.  Using a rolling pin flatten chicken pieces to even sizes.
    • Generously salt and pepper each chicken breast.
    • Lightly dredge chicken pieces in Wondra.
    • In a large skillet melt coconut oil over medium high heat.
    • Add chicken pieces and saute’ each side until brown.
    • In a small food processor combine garlic, green onions, avocado oil, lemon juice, parsley and apple cider vinegar and process until smooth.
    • Transfer sauce to microwaveable measuring cup.
    • Microwave 30-45 seconds until warm.
    • Plate chicken.
    • Cover with sauce.
    • Enjoy.

    DURANGO CHICKEN & I LOVE MY BAKING BANDS

    DURANGO CHICKEN
    4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    1 can diced green chiles, drained REALLY well
    1 green onion per chicken breast, minced
    1 1/2 slices thin swiss or jack cheese
    8 ounce package Old El Paso Roasted Tomato Mexican Cooking Sauce
    salt and pepper to taste
    1 tablespoon butter per chicken breast, melted and cooled slightly
    1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
    1/2 cup fresh fine bread crumbs
    1/2 tablespoon chili powder
    1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    • Crush together the bread crumbs, chili powder and garlic salt until you have fine crumbs.
    • Add Parmesan cheese and blend well.  Set aside.
    • Pour sauce into bottom of baking dish.
    • Flatten chicken breasts – I like to put them in a large ziploc bag and use a rolling pin.
    • Season with salt and pepper.
    • Add a single layer of cheese on chicken breasts.
    • Top with green onions and green chiles.
    • Carefully roll chicken breasts, securing with baking bands. DO NOT USE RUBBER BANDS.
    • Roll each breast in butter and then the crumb mixture.
    • Place on top of sauce.
    • Bake uncovered 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
    • Plate chicken.
    • Ladle sauce over chicken.
    • Enjoy.

    GARLIC BROWN SUGAR CHICKEN

    Today I was using up some wingettes, but I prefer to make this recipe with the boneless and skinless thighs.

    GARLIC BROWN SUGAR CHICKEN adapted from Damn Delicious
    8 skin-on boneless chicken thighs
    Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
    4 cloves garlic, minced
    1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
    1 tablespoon honey
    1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley, garnish

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    • Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
    • Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. 
    • Add chicken, skin-side down, and sear both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side; set aside. 
    • Place chicken pieces in baking dish.
    • Melt remaining tablespoon butter in the skillet. 
    • Add garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. 
    • Remove from heat.
    • Stir in brown sugar, honey, oregano, thyme and basil until well combined. 
    • Pour over the chicken in the baking dish..
    • Bake about 25-30 minutes or until cooked through.
    • Garnish and serve chicken immediately.

    Prep Time:   10 minutes
    Cook Time:   40 minutes
    Total Time:  50 minutes
    Yield:            8 servings