Chicken fried Chicken

Holy Cow this was SO good, it will definately be something I do again, and It was super easy!

Chicken Fried Chicken
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 T garlic powder
1 T paprika
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 T corn starch
4 boneless skinless chicken breast, eith butterflied or pounded thin
oil for frying about 1/2 inch deep



Gravy
2 T oil from frying the chicken
3 T flour use the left over from the chicken
1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste

Combine eggs and milk and place chicken in it. Allow to sit for about a half hour. Heat oil in a pan. Combine flour and seasonings. Remove chicken from egg mixture and coat with the flour mixture. Fry in hot oil for about 4-5 minutes on each side. Discard oil except for about 2 T, keep as many drippings as possible. (extra flavor) :) add about 3 T of the flour coating and cook for a few minutes. Slowly add the milk whisking out any lumps. Cook till thick, if you want a thinner gravy add more milk. Season to taste. Serve with chicken over mashed potatoes.

Gravy would be great the next day over some sausage and biscuits!

cream cheese pudding pie

So I was suppose to make a dessert for a dinner with friends and totally forgot...so I made it yesterday. I didn't want to go to the grocery store again, so I made this with stuff that I had on hand, it actually was really yummy! you could change it up easily as well.

Cream Cheese Pudding Pie
1/2 box graham crackers, made into crumbs
2 T butter, melted
Or you could use a premade graham cracker crust
1 pkg cream cheese softened
1 box instant vanilla pudding
1/4 c sugar
1 c milk
1/4 c carmel sauce
1/4 c chocolate sauce
chocolate curls

Make the crust by combining the crumbs and melted butter and forming into a crust. In a mixer combine cream cheese, sugar and pudding mix, mix till smooth. Add the milk, mix till smooth if too thick add a bit more milk. Spread the carmel on the bottom of the pie pan on top of the crust. Then spread the cream cheese mixture on top. Drizzle with the chocolate sauce and top with chocolate curls. (to make chocolate curls use a veggie peeler) Refridgerate for 1 hour prior to service.

Fresh Blueberries

one of Darwin's co-workers parents have a blueberry farm in Eugene. Every year I help him sell the Blueberries over here in Burns. Except this year...their crop got some type of fungus and they didn't have a good crop this year which was so unfortunate. However, they love us so much they still brought us a big bag full of the yummy balls as Denver calls them!! One of Darwin's favorite things is blueberry pancakes, I perfer blueberry muffins and have a pan of them in my oven right now! I like this simple recipe because there isn't any cinnamon or nutmeg, it is just blueberry goodness. I've also made this before with a cream cheese frosting that I have drizzled over teh tops while still warm as a glaze. Super yummy!


Blueberry muffins

2 cups flour
2 T baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 stick butter melted
1 egg beaten
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups blueberries

combine dry ingredients in mixing bowl, combine the wet in a seperate bowl. combine the wet and the dry and mix just till combined, don't over mix clumps are ok! Add blueberries and fold in. Grease a muffin tin and scoop into 12 muffin tins. Bake a 350` for 10 minutes then remove from oven and sprinkle the tops with some sugar then return to oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Allow to cool and enjoy!

Pesto

I love pesto! Love love love it! I like it in pasta, over chicken, on a wonderful paninni, oh and so many other wonderful ways. Many times I'm pressed on time...I wonder why? not like I have 4 children all 5 and under to care for as well as a house, husband and church responsiblities as well as being a full time student... but on those times I have the ingredients and time I love to make my own pesto. Forgive me though I'm using less common measuring ways and am really just guestamating!

Pesto
1 large handful of fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup toasted nuts*
salt and pepper to taste
squeeze of lemon juice

In a blender or food processor combine all ingredients except olive oil. Mix in food processor till smooth, then slowly drissle in the oil to bring together a creamy texture.
*traditionally made with pine nuts but can really substitute any type of nuts, I've made with pine nuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, and walnuts.
** you can also make a pesto with different herbs and I've even done it with spinach which is super tasty!

Ginger Sesame Rice

So we have the missionaries coming for dinner tonight and I'm making my maple Teriyaki Salmon, I'm making some chicken too incase they don't like salmon! I was trying to come up with some side dishes and made this one. So far it smells wonderful and will hopefully taste just as good!

Ginger Sesame Rice

1 1/2 cup long grain rice
1 T butter
2 cloves garlic
1 T fresh ginger grated
2 T dried onion
2 cup chicken stock
handful scallions
1/3 cup sesame seeds toasted

saute the garlic and onions in the butter, add rice and cook for a few minutes. Add ginger. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil then lower heat to a simmer. Cook till rice is completely cooked and stock absorbed. add more stock if necessary. Add scallions and toasted sesame seeds.


Here is another side dish I'm serving, I'm excited it will be yummy

Corn on the cob with garlic Soy glaze

8 ears of corn shucked
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 T scallions
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 tsp fresh ginger grated
pinch of cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients. Boil corn till cooked through. prep grill. Place corn on gril and baste with the glaze carmelize and serve hot.

Crab Bread

This is one of the best things ever! I love it and it is so simple!!

1 loaf french bread
1 clove garlic
1 pkg garden veggie cream cheese
1 lb shredded crab
2 cups monteray Jack cheese, grated

Split the french bread in half and rub with garlic. Spread cream cheese over bread then top with crab, then top with cheese. Broil in oven till golden brown and cheese is melted.

Chicken Cordon Blue

My parents and two younger sisters are coming for a visit and wanted to make something yummy for them. Darwin suggested Chicken Cordon Blue, so it is. I love this it is super yummy!

Chicken Cordon Blue

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 slices of ham
4 slices of Swiss cheese
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
1 T garlic powder
1 T onion powder
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 tsp poultry seasoning

Season bread crumbs with garlic, onion, poultry seasoning, parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Whisk up eggs in seperate dish, and place flour in a seperate dish as well for the breading. Take chicken breast and either butterfly or pound out thin. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. place a slice of ham and swiss cheese in the middle and roll chicken up. Create a little package filled with goodness. You can use tooth picks to keep it shut if needed. Now for breading, keep one hand for the dry indgredients and one hand wet. place the chicken in the flour and coat, then into the eggs and then in the bread crumbs. Place on a greased baking sheet and top with a dollop of butter. Bake for about 45 minutes until completely cooked through. Serve hot.