Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Best Pot Stickers Ever!


Ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil...the smell is still lingering in my kitchen this morning. We're talking major salivating going on here. I'm longingly wishing for at least one leftover pot sticker. But sadly, they were inhaled in a couple minutes flat last night for dinner! I've been wanting to make pot stickers like the brand Ling Ling for some time now. So I went to Costco yesterday and read the ingredients on their package. I came home more determined then ever to copy the recipe. You can imagine my joy when Bryn proclaimed, "Mom these are way better then the ones from Costco!" Wahoo! Mission accomplished! These will be a regular on the menu from now on, along with my copycat recipe for Panda Express Orange Chicken. I'll be sharing that one very soon.

First combine:

2 1/2 cups finely chopped Napa cabbage (chop first, then measure)
1/2 Tb salt
In a bowl sprinkle salt over cabbage, stir; let sit for 15-20 minutes. Place the cabbage in a strainer and squeeze the living day lights out of it! The drier the cabbage the better.

Second:
In a medium bowl add:

1 lb ground chicken
2 finely chopped *green onions (tops and bottoms)
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 scant tsp garlic salt (Lawry's)
2 tsp sesame oil
1/2 Tb finely chopped fresh ginger
*green onions sometimes come way thick or really thin. If yours are thick use 2. If they're thin use 2 1/2.

Add cabbage and mix well. If you have time, make this early in the day and refrigerate mixture until your ready to fill wrappers.

Third:

1 package wonton wrappers (2in circle)
*I could only find the eggroll size. I cut them at an angle to make 2 triangles. We actually liked them a little bigger. Add 1 Tb filling in this size wrapper.

Have a small bowl of water on the counter ready to dip fingers in. Spread wrappers over counter. Fill 2 tsp filling in the center of wrapper. Wet one side of wrapper and fold in half and pinch edges.

Fourth:

Heat 2 Tb oil in a non-stick skillet. Heat oil until it smokes; place pot stickers in skillet. Add water one-third way up pot stickers. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook until liquid is gone, about 7 min. Flip and cook both sides until crispy.

Dipping sauce:

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 Tb green onions, chopped
1 Tb water
1 tsp minced fresh ginger
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 Tb rice vinegar

In small mixing bowl whisk all ingredients together. Refrigerate until ready to use.

printable recipe

Monday, April 26, 2010

CookieBar Sundae

This sundae, is a Sunday favorite around here! It satisfies that end of the week urge for a well deserved splurge! I have a few yummy recipes for hot fudge sauce, but Mrs. Richardson's is my favorite store bought sauce when I'm feeling lazy. It's a little thick, so I add some evaporated milk to thin it out. I hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

Beat together:

1 cube butter-softened
1 1/2 cups brown sugar (I use 1 cup light and 1/2 cup dark)

Add:

1 Tb vanilla
2 eggs

Beat until mixture has lightened, let sit 5 min.

Add:

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 scant tsp salt

Mix until combined.

Add 3/4 bag of chocolate chips--let sit 5 min.

Spread into a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes.

Sauce:

Add 1/4 cup evaporated milk to 1 jar of Mrs. Richardson's fudge sauce. Heat on stove until combined. Add leftovers back to jar and keep refrigerated.

printable recipe

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Tasty Turkey Tacos



We are huge Taco fans! They're a regular meal around here. I don't use red meat very often and I love the fact that no one even notices. I use my own spices instead of the package seasoning and I'm telling you, it's way better! I also don't deep fry the tortillas, way to stinky and fattening. I cook them an electric grill, they don't get as crispy, but they're still rather tasty! This is a fast and healthy meal that always satisfies the Mexican food craving I have almost everyday!

Healthy Turkey Tacos

1 package (about 1 pound) ground turkey-7% fat
1 tsp. Seasoned Salt (Lawry's)
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder (or 1 large garlic clove, minced)
1/2 tsp Garlic salt (I love Lawry's)
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp oregano
1/4 heaping cup dried onions (or 1/2 cup chopped onions)
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes-optional
*corn tortillas
* Pam Spray

In a large skillet on med heat, add turkey and all seasonings. Mix together until meat is fully cooked.

Taco shells:

Heat electric grill. Generously spray both sides of tortillas with cooking spray. Place on grill and cook, turning over to cook both sides. They are done when you see a few brown spots. Don't over cook or they get a little tough!

printable recipe