CASHEW CHICKEN

Everyone loved, loved this!  There wasn't much left.  If have company over..double recipe.  Found the chicken in the freezer section - used the whole bag.  Think this would be a good recipe to replace chicken with beef and bell pepper with broccoli.  We liked without the green onions.  Took about 30-40 minutes from start to finish.  Good with steamed broccoli, peas and corn.

UPDATE: Would have this any day over Safeway chinese.  Yum!  Good with chicken breast as well.  I didn't have green onions so used celery (added with bell pepper).  Also did some slivered almonds because I only had salted cashews (did any some).  Used Soba noodles (3 pak).  Didn't chop up water chestnuts.  Would be a good meal to take to a family.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/cashew-chicken/

Prep: 5 Minutes	Level: Easy
Cook: 10 Minutes	Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
• 1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Packed Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Oyster Sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil
• 3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
• 6 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs, Cut Into Small Cubes
• Kosher Salt To Taste
• 1 Tablespoon Chopped Garlic
• 1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Ginger
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Chopped
• 1/4 cup Sherry Or Chicken Broth
• 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
• 1/2 cup Drained Canned Water Chestnuts, Coarsley Chopped
• 1 cup Unsalted Cashews (be Sure To Use Unsalted)
• 2 whole Green Onions, Thinly Sliced
• Cooked Rice Or Noodles, For Serving (if Desired)

Preparation

In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Set aside. 

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat and add the chicken in a single layer. Sprinkle with a small amount of salt, then leave it alone for at least a couple of minutes to give the chicken a chance to brown. When the chicken has turned golden, stir it around so that it can brown on all sides. Throw in the garlic and ginger and stir to combine. Stir in the bell pepper and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

While the pan is still hot, pour in the sherry. Stir it around, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen all the flavorful bits. Turn the heat to medium-low and pour in the sauce mixture, then mix the cornstarch with 1/4 cup water to make a slurry and pour it in. Stir the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes to thicken, then add the water chestnuts and cashews and stir to coat everything with the sauce, adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.

Finally, sprinkle on the green onions. Serve with cooked rice or noodles.


CHINESE CASHEW CHICKEN 
https://www.melskitchencafe.com/chinese-cashew-chicken-30-minute-meal/

We all loved this especially Scott.  I doubled the recipe so we would have enough for lunches.  I also added celery, frozen broccoli and sugar snap peas.  I also used roasted garlic.  If the cashews are salted - rinse them first.  I roasted them by toss them in 1-2 tsp oil and roast at 200 for 5-10 minutes.  Had pineapple on the side.  Would be good with yakisoba noodles.  Abagail didn't like the cashews so next time I will not add and just have everyone put some on their dish if they want.

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2- to 1-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 to 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1/2 to 1 tablespoon grated or finely chopped fresh ginger (or ginger paste from a tube)
• 2 green bell peppers, seeded, cored and diced into bite-size pieces
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups roasted cashews (I prefer unsalted)

SAUCE:

• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup oyster sauce
• 3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

1. Place the diced chicken in a medium bowl and toss with the 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.
2. Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a bowl or liquid measuring cup. Set aside.
3. Rinse the chicken in a colander and pat dry (I leave the rinsed chicken in the colander, grab a bunch of paper towels and dab all over the surface, kind of turning the chicken as I pat dry).
4. In a large, 12-inch nonstick skillet heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. You want the skillet very hot.
5. Add the chicken in a single layer and stir constantly; the chicken should turn white as it cooks – but not get overly brown. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes (it’s ok if it isn’t fully cooked yet; it will cook more in the next few steps).
6. Scoot the chicken to the edges of the pan. Add another drizzle (a teaspoon or so) of olive oil to the center of the skillet.
7. Add the garlic and ginger to the center of the skillet and mash gently as it cooks, about 30 seconds.
8. Add the green peppers; stir to combine the chicken, garlic/ginger, and peppers.
9. Whisk the sauce to recombine, and add it to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened, the chicken is cooked through, and the peppers are crisp-tender.
10. Remove from the heat, add the cashews, and serve over hot, cooked rice (if desired).

ASIAN BEEF WITH SNOW PEAS

ASIAN BEEF WITH SNOW PEAS
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Asian-Beef-with-Snow-Peas/Detail.aspx
We all liked this.  Had it with egg rolls (Jill Maner) from McCleve 2nd edition.

Ingredients Edit and Save

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Original recipe makes 4 servingsChange Servings

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice wine
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 pound beef round steak, cut into thin strips
• 8 ounces snow peas

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Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice wine, brown sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in a wok or skillet over medium high heat. Stir-fry ginger and garlic for 30 seconds. Add the steak and stir-fry for 2 minutes or until evenly browned. Add the snow peas and stir-fry for an additional 3 minutes. Add the soy sauce mixture, bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower heat and simmer until the sauce is thick and smooth. Serve immediately.

CABBAGE SALADS

One of my favorite lunch/dinners is salad with a good bread (pugliese or something like that). I also love cabbage salads because cabbage is a power food. During the summer Scott's parents give us cabbage out of their garden - it is the best and makes the best salads. So much better than store bought.


Scott use to make at Izzy's:
1 head of cabbage
1 pkg ramen noodles (crushed)
1/2 -1 onion
1 cup of rice vinegar
1/2 cup oil
2-3 chicken breast (cut-up) canned chicken works too
2 Tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt and pepper

CITRUS-MANGO SLAW

This came from the FOOD Magazine Martha Stewart.  It is light and yummy - both kids liked it too.

In a large bowl, whisk together:

2 tsp sugar

1/3 cup rice vinegar

1/3 cup oil

With a sharp knife, cut away orange peel from 2 oranges and discard.  Working over bowl, cut out segments, then squeeze juice from membranes (I used small can of mandarin oranges).

Cut/shred:

1 large mango, peeled, pitted and cut into matchsticks

1 small green cabbage, shredded (note to self use smallest blade on food processor)

Add everything together and stir.  Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.  

Can serve with 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves. (I didn't add cilantro)

SWEET 'N' SOUR COLESLAW

A nice change.

Taste of Home Quick Cooking 2009 pg. 14.

5 1/2 cups coleslaw mix (if using fresh cabbage, shred 2-3 carrots)

---

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup sugar

3 T white vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

Place coleslaw mix in a serving bowl. In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine rest of ingredients; shake well. Pour over coleslaw mix and toss to coat. Chill until serving.

SPECTACULAR OVERNIGHT SLAW
Taste of Home pg. 51 or Lemon cookbook.

Have taken to a couple of luncheons - goes over really well.

1 medium head cabbage, shredded

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced (white works okay too, just add less)

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper

1/2 cup sliced stuffed olives

---

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp Dijon mustard (honey works too)

1 tsp EACH salt, celery seed and mustard seed

In a 4-qt bowl, combine cabbage, onion, peppers and olives. In a saucepan, combine remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Pour over vegetables and stir gently. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Mix well before serving. Yield: 12-16 servings.

KFC COLESLAW

This did taste like KFC coleslaw. I didn't have buttermilk, so I added more mayo and vinegar to compensate.
8 cups finely diced cabbage (about 1 head) - can shred in food processor
1/4 cup diced carrots - use small holes on cheese grader
2 T minced onions
1/3 cup sugar (next time try not adding)
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 T white vinegar
1 1/2 T lemon juice

Mix cabbage, carrots and minced onions. Mix remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour over veggies and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.


ORIENTAL SALAD
Taylor Relief Society pg. 26
lots of nuts - uses Chinese noodles
*doesn't call for chicken, but it would be good in it.


APPLE-CABBAGE SALAD
McCleve cookbook (2nd edition) pg. 49
just like coleslaw but with apples, good variation