Herbed Potatoe Dumplings Recipe

Prep: 20 Minutes
Cook: 30 Minutes
Recipe Makes: 6 Servings

Ingredients You Will Need:
1 Egg; lightly beaten
3/4 Cup of Seasoned Dry Bread Crumbs
1 Tbsp. of All-Purpose Flour
1 Tbsp. of Minced Fresh Parsley
1 Tbsp. of Minced Chives
1 1/2 Tsp. of Minced Fresh Thyme or 1/2 Tsp. of Dried Thyme
1/2 Tsp. of Salt
2 1/2 Cups of Finely Shredded Uncooked Potatoes
Additional All-Purpose Flour, may be needed

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix the first eight ingredients. Stir in potatoes. Shape into 1 1/2 in. balls; dust with flour.

2. Drop dumplings on top of a simmering soup or stew of your choice. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 30 minutes or until dumplings are cooked through. Serve immediately.

Tips!
1. Give them space. Leave some wiggle room between dumplings. Steaming broth swells the dough as it cooks.

2. Simmer down. Maintain a slow, steady heat. After an initial boil, a gentle simmer produces the most tender (and fluffiest) results.

3. Don't peek. Lifting the lid lets steam escape and adds to the cooking time.

4. Mind the time. Set a timer to avoid overcooking delicate dumplings. As soon as a toothpick comes out clean, they're ready.

5. Pull them out. Refrigerate leftover dumplings and soup separately. Otherwise, dumplings may absorb too much liquid and turn mushy.

Chicken and Dumbling Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Recipe Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients You Will Need:
3/4 lb. of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts; cut into 1 in. cubes
1/4 Tsp. of Salt
1/8 Tsp. of Pepper
2 Tsp. of Olive Oil
1/4 Cup of All-Purpose Flour
4 Cups of Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth; divided
1 Cup of Water
2 Cups of Frozen French-cut Green Beans
1 1/2 Cups of Sliced Onions
1 Cup of Shredded Carrots
1/4 Tsp. of Dried Marjoram
2/3 Cup of Reduced Fat Biscuit/Baking Mix
1/3 Cup of Cornmeal
1/4 Cup of Shredded Reduced-Fat Cheddar Cheese
1/3 Cup of Fat-Free Milk

Instructions:
1. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir until no longer pink. Remove from heat.

2. In a large saucepan, whisk flour and 1/2 cup of broth until smooth. Stir in the water and remaining broth. Add beans, onions, carrots and marjoram. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes. Add chicken, return to simmer.

3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix biscuit mix, cornmeal and cheese. Stir in milk just until moistened. Drop batter in 12 portions on top of the simmering soup. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of dumpling comes out clean.

Tips!
1. Give them space. Leave some wiggle room between dumplings. Steaming broth swells the dough as it cooks.

2. Simmer down. Maintain a slow, steady heat. After an initial boil, a gentle simmer produces the most tender (and fluffiest) results.

3. Don't peek. Lifting the lid lets steam escape and adds to the cooking time.

4. Mind the time. Set a timer to avoid overcooking delicate dumplings. As soon as a toothpick comes out clean, they're ready.

5. Pull them out. Refrigerate leftover dumplings and soup separately. Otherwise, dumplings may absorb too much liquid and turn mushy.

Something fun for the Kids - Jack on the Box!

I know that this blog is for recipes but I cannot resist putting something up there for kids to enjoy around Halloween and I hope you guys find it as cute as I do.

What You Need:
Juice Boxes
Tape Measure
Black, White, Green and Orange Card Stock
Small and Medium Circle Paper Punches
Clear Tape
Adhesive Wiggle Eyes
Scissors
Scrapbook Adhesive

What You Do:
1. Measure height and circumference of the juice box. Add an inch to the circumference and cut a rectangle that size from the colored card stock. Measure the box's top, adding an inch to the length (for folding over the box sides); cut. Create straw hole with a small circle punch.

2. Use a medium circle punch or scissors to cut eerie creatures' eyes, mouths, hair and stems from card stock. Adhere wiggle eyes to eye cutouts. Stick on your funny faces using scrapbook adhesive.

3. Place the small rectangle on top of the juice box. Align straw hole and tape sides into place. Next, wrap box with the large rectangle, overlapping the ends at the back: tape in place. Share and sip!

I just wish that I could share the picture that is in the magazine! It is so cute!

Fast Fix : Kung Pao Chicken Recipe

Start to Finish: 30 Minutes
Recipes Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients You Will Need:

10 oz. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into bite size pieces
2 TSP. of Low Sodium Soy Sauce, divided
1/2 TSP. of Cornstarch
2 to 3 Dried Red Chilies
2 TSP. of Cooking Oil
2 Cloves of Garlic, finely minced
1 Red Bell Pepper, cut into 1-in. dice
3 TBSP of Fat-Free Vegetable or Chicken Stock
1 TBSP. of Chinese Black Vinegar or Non-Aged Balsamic Vinegar
1/3 Cup of Chopped, Unsalted Roasted Peanuts

Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine chicken with 1 TSP. of soy sauce and cornstarch. Marinate for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, soak the dried chilies in hot water for a few minutes; when softened, chop. You can discard the seeds if you would like the recipe to be a little less spicy.

2. Heat a Wok, or large saute pan, over high heat. When hot, swirl in the oil and add the chicken. Spread the chicken out all over the surface of the pan. Sear on both sides until lightly browned but not cooked all the way through, about 4 minutes.

3. Add the chilies, garlic and bell pepper. Stir-fry until fragrant. Add the remaining teaspoon soy sauce, stock and vinegar. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 2 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Top with roasted peanuts and serve.

4. Enjoy!

Walnut Studded Dark Brownies Recipe

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Bake Time: 25 Minutes
Recipe Makes: 16 Brownies

Ingredients You Will Need:
1/2 Cup of Butter, cubed
4 OZ. of Bittersweet Chocolate (70% Cacao), Coarsely Chopped
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 Cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Cup of Coarsely Chopped Walnuts, Toasted
1/2 Cup Chocolate Milk or Semisweet Chocolate Chips

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 or 9 inch square baking pan.

2. In a medium heavy saucepan, cook and stir butter and bittersweet chocolate over medium heat until melted. Remove from heat. Whisk in sugars. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, until all ingredients are well blended.

3. In a small bowl, mix flower and baking powder; stir into chocolate mixture. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips (batter will be thick). Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until top is set but still soft; do not overbake. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars and serve

4. Enjoy!

Update!!!

Hi Guys!

I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm starting back up this blog once again, only with some different variety of recipes. I will be putting up a few recipes up every day. The recipes that I will be putting up are from the magazine Taste of Home. I know that many of you probably already get this magazine but I wanted to share with others around the world that are not able to see these recipes and so that they have a chance to enjoy it as others enjoy it. So I hope you guys enjoy the upcoming recipes and feel free to comment if you have tried them or if you would like a certain recipe and I will do my best to provide it for you. I live in the Southern United States so we know how to cook food here ;)

Until next time!
Keep Cooking and Smiling!

New Orleans - Cafe Du Monde

Now as I am sure most of everyone who reads this blog has had the beignets that can be found at Cafe Du Monde here in New Orleans. And if you haven't...shame on you!
I first tried these delicious pastries last December and I have been craving them ever since, along with a Cafe Au Lait, which reminds me I might want to get some for breakfast after writing this review.

Cafe Du Monde is the Original Coffee Stand that can be found in the New Orleans French Market. The Cafe itself is opened 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The only time Cafe Du Monde closes is on Christmas Day and on the day that an occasional hurricane passes too close to New Orleans. So unless one of these two are occurring, then you can always expect to see Cafe Du Monde opened and serving customers.

Since it is a coffee shop first and fore most, the items that it serves are very simple and these haven't changed. However, they now serve soft drinks, which is a first for them this year. But the menu itself consists for the following:
Beignets - which are square French-Style doughnuts that have been lavishly covered with powdered sugar.
Coffee that is served Black or as Au Lait, which means that is mixed half and half with hot milk (delicious!)
White and Chocolate Milk
Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

That's it. That is the whole menu. And let me once again say, that it is perfect the way it is. I absolutely love going to Cafe Du Monde and sitting outside as I watch the goings and comings of the people in the French Market and being able to enjoy some music that seems to always be playing near or at this Cafe, it really does set the mood.

And did I mention that even though this Cafe has indoor seating, it mostly consists of an outdoor seating? I didn't? Oh well now I did. Oh and also, you seat yourself and since the menu is so small it is placed on the napkin dispenser, which is just awesome and original in point of view. And another thing that also makes Cafe Du Monde more original, is that you can actually buy the beignet mix so that you yourself can make them at home.

Oh and a warning to those who are clean freaks. Bring hand wipes cause the delicious powder sugar that covered the beignets will get everywhere. But as I have quickly learned, no one who have ate the beignets here has ever complained. In fact, if I am not mistaken it is quite normal to see someone blowing the powdered sugar on their friends and/or family which I think means good luck...? Hmm, I'm going to have to look into that.

Now even though there are many different locations for the Cafe Du Monde, the original one is always the best in my opinion. So I say to all of you who read this blog, go check it out! It is well worth the trip and plus you get to take in some of the culture of New Orleans, which does not disappoint!




Until next time!

Here is the Website for the Cafe Du Monde just in case anyone is interested in it: http://www.cafedumonde.com/