Wednesday Dinner

So today, since I am still recovering from July I thought I would turn the blog over to a fantastic woman I know! She's a smart, super crafty mom, who just happens to own her own online business, Violets Buds. I know I have introduced you to her before, and I hope you enjoy this great recipe she put together for us! It's coming to you just in time for back to school, when we can all use something easy and YUMMY! Enjoy!!!




After too many disappointing Chinese take-out meals, my husband Scott & I decided we had enough. He did some online research and found a few recipes that we tested. This recipe for Orange Chicken & Fried Rice is one we tried, made a few changes, and now is a regular in our house.

We take a shortcut to make it an easy weeknight meal by using frozen breaded chicken nuggets or tenders. The following recipe makes 4 servings, and can easily be increased. To get the main part of the Orange Chicken & Fried Rice started you will need: Frozen breaded chicken nuggets or tenders 2 cups Rice (white or brown)

Start by cooking the rice & chicken nuggets according to package directions. While the chicken & rice are cooking you can start the orange sauce.

Orange Sauce 1/2c water juice & zest of one orange 1/4c lemon juice 1 tbs rice vinegar 2 tsp soy sauce 2 tbs brown sugar 1/2 tsp ginger (we use powder, but fresh is good) 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or a dash of cayenne pepper) 1 tbs cornstarch Mix all sauce ingredients thoroughly, then bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once it starts simmering, reduce heat & stir constantly until the sauce thickens. Turn heat to low. By now the chicken & rice are probably done. Next step is to start the fried rice.

Fried Rice Cooked Rice 1 cup Frozen mixed vegetables 1 cup Frozen shelled edamame 2 eggs, scrambled 2 tbs soy sauce 1 tsp brown sugar In a large skillet or on a flatop griddle pan, start by cooking the frozen mixed vegetables & edamame over medium heat with either a pat of butter or coconut oil. Add the rice, then sprinkle with the soy sauce & brown sugar, stir well. Push the rice & veg off to one side of the pan, then start frying the eggs (add black pepper if desired). When the eggs are done, mix with the rice & veg.

Right before serving, toss the chicken nuggets in the orange sauce to coat & serve over a bed of fried rice. Or, if you prefer, you can spoon the orange sauce over the fried rice & chicken.

I hope your family enjoys this easy, tasty meal as much as our family does!
 
Violet's Buds
http://www.facebook.com/violetsbuds
http://violetsbuds.storenvy.com/ 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/VioletsBuds
http://violetsbuds.blogspot.com/

Mother's Day Treats

Today, I am so please to turn over the blog to Melanie from Violet's Buds. I have introduced her to you prior because of her shop... and her incredible creations... but today she's sharing this super sweet treat with us - that I must say, I think I am going to ask for tonight! It's simple enough my husband and daughter can do it all by themselves!

I hope you try too! Oh, and btw, Melanie has her own blog - you should check her out!
http://violetsbuds.blogspot.com

Now... enjoy!

Chocolate & sour cream. Doesn't sound good does it? My husband decided he wanted this cake for his birthday. I promise that this "cake" is good-- and super easy to make.

You will need: 1 pkg, 10 count, large flour tortillas 1 bag, 12 oz, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips 16 oz sour cream 1/4 c confectioners sugar

And the Winner IS.....

If you remember when I first started this blog I offered an UNBELIEVABLE $100 product photography gift certificate prize giveaway. If you have been with us since the beginning you know that Kim over at Chronically Kim - The Queen of overdoing won that prize. She was so sweet and excited and after looking at her designs in her shop at Bluebird Bijoux Designs I was equally thrilled! I couldn't wait to do some killer photography for her shop!

After talking to Kim, I learned that she was looking at opening a sweet shop, and wanted to know if she could use her credit for that... I must admit I did a little happy dance! Not only would I get to do some great photography, help out a new shop opening... but I would also get to be one of her taste testers as well!!!! YUMMMM-O

Kim, over-doing it yet again, has put together some rather scrumptious treats! As I sit enjoying my coffee I have pulled out my box of "goods" now that the shoot is over and I get to enjoy them... all by myself! *happy dance* - now it wouldn't be very polite of me to have coffee with you and not show you some of these treats, now would it! Here are a few from the product shoot I did for her shop.

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip... super sweet and everything you love about both!

Key Lime Spritz - These are delicate and just enough key lime flavor to remind you of Key West!

Chocolate Crinkles- This is a serious tie for BEST cookie ever! Its like the best brownie ever... only a cookie!

Covered Pretzel Rods- I had this with my coffee and seriously I want a TUB of these! This one has a layer of caramel then chocolate, then drizzled chocolate... so sweet, salty, gooey... GOODNESS!

I have to tell you... heavenly does come to mind! Plus, since I am not much of a baker - I know have a connection for those treats for school bake-sales, and presents... and I can NOT tell you how excited that makes me!!!!

Plus, added bonus for both Kim and myself, even with creating some custom props - which will ONLY be used for her shop, photography, edits, watermarking and all.. She STILL has $$ left over with me for MORE photography! (and that means I should be getting more goodies as well!)

I am going to finish my coffee... and maybe two or three more samples! But, if you liked these photos - do me a favor and check out Kim's new shop it opens TODAY, and I know you will LOVE her treats! 

Comfort Food

You know that rule... don't grocery shop when your hungry... it should apply to violently angry as well.  Apparently there might be something to that "emotional eater" thing I have heard so much about. 

For the first time in years I found myself wondering the snack isle, desperately looking for something "comforting" that I didn't have to cook myself. It's been a rough month for us personally... so I just wanted a little something for me. 

While I picked up some horribly bad for you goodness, I also found myself reverting back to a popular comfort food that I learned about a few years ago.  Chilaquiles. If you have never had these... YOU MUST try them! There are a ton of ways you can prepare this... mine is a complete "fast fix" 
1. Tortilla Chips (make your own, or buy them... up to you)
2. 1 can of Green Enchilada sauce (personally I think brands count here, so I use the one with the green label in the ethnic section of the store)
3. Eggs (omit if you don't like, but this adds to the rich flavor, esp if you cook over easy)
4. Feta or a Salty Mexican Crumbly cheese ( I typically have feta on hand so I use that, but I am currently making it with different Mexican versions to find a flavorful yummy one!)

Really all you do is fry your egg(s)
I put them on a plate and use the same pan to warm my chips, then I pour the sauce over them and let it bubble up a bit (soaking the chips) put that on the plate and top with crumbled cheese..... 

There is a little vinegar taste from the sauce, creamy richness from the egg, salt from the cheese... and gooey love overall... I am telling you - hangover, or comfort... you will LOVE this... by the way... its going to be dinner tonight as well... because well.. thats the week I had! 

What's your go to comfort food?