Pan-Fried Chicken Fingers with Spicy Dipping Sauce

These were a great alternative to your standard chicken fingers.  The sauce definitely had a kick to it, but Tyler altered the recipe a bit so it wasn’t too much.  We’ll definitely make these again, I think they’d be great with a variety of dipping sauces, whatever floats your boat!

Pan-Fried Chicken Fingers with Spicy Dipping Sauce (from Cooking Light)

• Sauce:
• 1/4  cup  canola mayonnaise
• 1  teaspoons  chili-garlic sauce
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1  teaspoon  fresh lime juice
• 1/2  teaspoon  lower-sodium soy sauce
• Chicken:
• 1/4  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  paprika
• 2  large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1  tablespoon  water
• 3  cups corn flakes , finely crushed (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 1  pound  chicken breast tenders
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1 1/2  tablespoons  canola oil

1. To prepare sauce, combine the mayonnaise, chili-garlic sauce, lime juice, honey, and soy sauce in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cover and chill.

2. To prepare chicken, combine flour, black pepper, and paprika. Place flour mixture in a shallow dish. Combine eggs and 1 tablespoon water; place in another shallow dish. Place crushed cereal in another shallow dish.

3. Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt. Working with 1 piece at a time, dredge chicken in flour mixture. Dip in egg mixture; dredge in cereal.

4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan, swirling to coat. Add chicken pieces to pan; cook 2 minutes on each side or until done. Serve immediately with sauce.

 

Read Full Post »

Spaghetti with Zucchini, Walnuts, and Raisins

We bookmarked this recipe over the summer and Tyler whipped it up for dinner tonight, subbing the raisins for craisins.  It was quick and flavorful, and a really filling vegetarian meal.  Loved it!

Spaghetti with Zucchini, Walnuts, and Raisins (from Real Simple)

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti (3⁄4 box)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup walnut halves, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 pounds small zucchini (4 to 5), cut into thin half-moons
• 3/4 cup raisins
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)

Directions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and return it to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the walnuts and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, about 1 minute.
4. Add the zucchini and raisins and season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the zucchini is just tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
5. Add the zucchini mixture to the pasta and toss to combine. Sprinkle with the Parmesan before serving.

Read Full Post »

Mushroom-Herb Mac n Cheese

I’ve stayed out of the kitchen as much as possible since starting my new job in June, but I finally got up the energy and inspiration to make dinner this weekend, and try a new recipe to boot.  Tyler was happy to have a break I’m sure (and I’m happy to have a break from doing the dishes!)  I bookmarked this recipe months ago and found it sitting there waiting patiently in my Google Reader the other day.  We love cheese and mushrooms so we knew we’d love it.  And love it we did!  Next time I will probably try a different herb mix, or cut back on them a bit as I felt like they overpowered the flavor of the cheese when all was said and done.  The recipe is definitely a keeper though, and it felt good to be in front of the stove again.

Mushroom Herb Mac and Cheese (from Annie’s Eats and Brown Eyed Baker)

Ingredients:
1 lb. pasta shapes
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
1 lb. cremini (baby bella mushrooms), roughly chopped
1/4 cup chopped red onion (HyVee was out of shallots, boo)
2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. fresh rosemary, minced
2 tsp. fresh thyme, minced
2 cups whole milk
6 oz. (1½ cups) shredded Gruyere cheese, divided
6 oz. (1½ cups) shredded white cheddar cheese, divided
½ cup panko breadcrumbs

Directions:
Grease a 9 x 13″ baking dish.  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook the pasta according to the package directions, just until al dente.  Drain the pasta, return to the pot, and set aside.

Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat.  Add the chopped mushrooms and onion to the pan and sauté until the mushrooms are tender and almost all of the liquid has evaporated from the pan, about 5-7 minutes.  Stir in the garlic and sauté about 1 minute more, just until fragrant.  Remove the pan from the heat, season the mixture with salt and pepper, and mix in the white wine vinegar.  Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat.  Once the butter is completely melted, whisk in the flour to form a paste.  Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden.  Stir in the fresh herbs and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.  Whisk in the milk and cook the mixture, stirring frequently, until the mixture simmers and begins to thicken.  Once the mixture has thickened, remove from the heat.  Whisk in the shredded Gruyere and cheddar cheeses until completely melted and smooth.

Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked pasta.  Add the mushroom and shallot mixture to the pot as well.  Toss well to thoroughly combine.  Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.  In a small bowl combine the panko breadcrumbs with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, melted.  Toss with fork to coat the crumbs evenly.  Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the pasta in the baking dish.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, until browned and bubbly.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Read Full Post »