Chicken Noodle Letuce Cups

I made these for dinner last night and all the kids had fun helping me cut the veggies and put it all together and on the table. Zoe, Austin & I really liked them. Makayla mostly liked them & Holden wouldn't try them at all. As a shortcut, we used leftover rotisserie chicken, shredded.

2 (8oz) skinless boneless chicken breasts

2 tsp olive oil

sea salt & black pepper

1 Tbsp sesamie seeds

1 Tbsp honey

1 bundle dried fine Chinese egg noodles or rice noodles

1/2 cucumber

2 small carrots, pealed

1 cup snow peas

2 scallions, trimmed

1/3 cup cilantro leaves

Juice of 1 lime

1 tsp soy sauce

1 head Bibb lettuce

Optional garnish: 1 red chili pepper, finely sliced

Cook the Chicken: Get your barbecue hot. If cooking indoors, put the grill pan on high heat. Score the chicken breasts with a sharp knife at 1-inch intervals to help them cook more quickly and evenly Drizzle with olive oil; add a pinch of salt & pepper. Cook, turning occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Coat the chicken with sesamie seeds and honey. Move to a cutting board, then use 2 forks to shred the chicken.

Make the noodle salad: Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to package directions and rain well. While they're cooling, quarter the cucumber lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, then finely slice Use your vegetable peeler to cut the carrots into ribbons. Slice the snow peas in half, and finely slice the scallions. Toss veggies with cold noodles, cilantro, lime juice , and soy sauce. Peel whole leaves off the lettuce head, wash, and spin dry (or place between 2 paper towels).

Assemble the cups: Take everything to the table and let the family build their own lettuce cups.

Thai Chicken Tacos

This was a good way to use up some cabbage. It comes from Better Homes & Gardens. For the most part, it was well received by the family.

1 lime halved (about 1 Tbsp. lime juice)
1 lb. boneless, skinless Chicken breast cut into 1/2-3/4 inch pieces
1/4 C. chopped cilantro
1 large shallot finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. fish sauce (I used oyster sauce. Hoisin sauce would work too)
2 tsp. soy sauce
1/2-1 tsp. crushed red pepper. (I used less than 1/2 because of the kid factor, but there was no heat in the end.)
1/2 tsp. hot chili sauce (I used sweet chili sauce)
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
corn tortillas (flour would be easier to get down my kids)
1 recipe cabbage slaw.
Toss together:
2 C. shredded napa cabbage
1/2 C. shredded carrot
1/2 C. sliced green onions
1/4 C. chopped cilantro
1/4 C. chopped peanuts (optional)
1/4 C. rice vinegar -- not allowed by my family :(


Combine lime juice with chicken, cilantro, shallot, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, pepper and chili sauce in a bowl or bag. Marinate at least 1 hour.

In large skillet cook chicken mixture in hot oil until cooked, about 5 min.

To serve, layer two tortillas (I think this is because the tortillas tear, but I think it would be too dry if layered. Do what you want.) Top with chicken and cabbage slaw.

We liked sour cream on top. I think tomatoes would also be a nice addition.

Asian Beef & Broccoli

from savingdinner.com

1 pound round steak, cut into strips (next time i would cube to make it easier on the little ones)
Salt to taste
Dash white pepper
1 big bunch of broccoli, cut into flowerets (cut stems into rounds, too)(You can easily add more veggies to this recipe! If you have anything hanging out in the crisper, use it up!)
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil (available in the Asian section of any grocery store)
1/4 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth (I used beef broth since it has beef in it)
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
6 cloves garlic, pressed
1 1/2 teaspoons grated gingerroot
3 cups brown rice, cooked
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
1-Toss beef with salt and white pepper.
2-Place broccoli in 1 inch boiling water; heat to boiling. Cover and cook 2 minutes. Immediately rinse with cold water; drain.
3-Mix cornstarch and soy sauce; stir in sesame oil and broth. set aside.
4-Spray nonstick wok or 12-inch skillet with nonstick cooking spray heat over medium-high heat until cooking spray starts to bubble. Add beef; stir-fry about 2 minutes or until brown. 5-Remove beef from wok. Cool wok slightly. Add a little oil and rotate wok to coat sides. Heat over medium-high heat. Add garlic and gingerroot; stir-fry 30 seconds. Stir in beef and broccoli. Stir in cornstarch mixture; cook and stir about 30 seconds or until thickened. Serve over brown rice.

This was a very yummy & tasty meal. we have broccoli 2 to 3 times a week so it is a nice change to have it included in the meal.

Pad Thai

This is one of my favorites, but I don't make it often enough b/c it makes so much darn food. It's great for big family get-togethers. I'm using it for a church potluck this week. It looks like a lot of ingredients, but really you just pick and choose your favorites.

1 16 oz. oriental noodles of linguine (I prefer linguine)
1/4 C. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. sweet thai chili sauce (found in the oriental aisle)
3 Tbsp. salad oil
1 sm red pepper
1 green pepper
1 Tbsp. grated ginger root
bunch of green onion chopped
1-2 C. meat (stir fry chicken works well. So does shrimp. I like shredded pork roast the best)
2 C. bean sprouts
red cabbage, sliced
shredded carrots (about 2)
1 shredded zucchini
1 sm tomato, cut in wedges
1/4 C. salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1 Tbsp. cilantro or parsley
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
lime wedges for garnish

Prepare noodles, keep warm.

Combine soy sauce, sugar, chili sauce, 1/2 C. water. Set aside.

In skillet heat oil and cook peppers, ginger, garlic, all but 1/4 C. green onion. Cook until tender and lightly browned. add meat. Stir in bean sprouts and soy sauce mix. Combine with noodles. Top with zucchini, cabbage,carrots peanuts, tomato, cilantro, limes, etc.

Top with two sauces:

Peanut Sauce
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

Combine all and enjoy

Ginger sauce
1 C. soy sauce
1/2 C. rice vinegar
small onion chopped
thumb size ginger chopped

Blend and strain, refrigerate

Citrus Pork Stirfry

This is out of an old Kraft Food & Family magazine. The recipe is for the grill, but I made it in a skillet on the stove. Everybody liked it except for the warm oranges. They suggested using orange juice next time.


Prep: 10 min. | Total: 25 min.

1lb. thinly slices pork loin
2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups slices carrots
1/2 of a peeled orange, cut into large chunks
1/4 cup Kraft Italian Dressing
2 tsp. soy sauce
1/4 cup toasted cashews

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Toss pork, broccoli, carrots, orange, dressing, and soy sauce in a bowl.

Poke small holes in bottom of large disposable aluminum foil pan. Spoon pork mixture into pan. Grill 15 minutes, stirring often, until pork is cooked through and vegetables are crisp-tender.

Sprinkle with cashews. Serve over cooked rice, if desired. Makes 4 servings, 1 1/2 cups each.

**Also good with peanuts instead of cashews.