Ego Boost, Kitchen Edition

My enthusiastic 3 year old watched me make dinner last night.

"Wow, Mom! You're the best cooker ever!"

I think this child might have been born to our family for the sole reason of giving me compliments.

Bacon

I was feeling generous a few days ago. I thought it would be nice for my family to wake up to the smell of bacon. Because this never happens at my house.

They woke up alright, but instead informed me that it smelled like smoke and that the smoke hurt their eyes. You're welcome.

But Kevin said it smelled really good so I'm going with his opinion. Which means a lot because the first time I made bacon after we got married I insisted that the bacon be crispy, instead of slimy.

And we ended up with grey bacon ash.

So really, if it did smell like bacon smoke and bacon ash, Kevin of all people would know. And he said the bacon was good.

Orange Chicken and Spring Rolls

Now, I'll be up front with you from the get go. This is not a homemade recipe.

But the point is, my family thought it was. They raved about it. They all thought it was so good my husband wondered aloud why I had never ever made Chinese in all of our married life together. Which is the reason I'm posting it up here.

I figured they knew it was from a box. But they didn't. I kind of burst the bubble when I pointed to the empty boxes on the counter.

[photo credit: dinnersonme.blogspot.com
This is the same brand I used.
She also had a recipe for additional sauce to spoon over the rice.]

So we loved the orange chicken. The white steamed rice with it was a tasty combination. The spring rolls were a hit, but I didn't realize they were fried so I would try a lower calorie option next time.

Even my picky three year old believed us when we told him they were chicken nuggets with the ketchup already on.

Thumbs down on the Rice a Roni Fried Rice. Which we probably could have guessed before hand, but I like their chicken flavor and I really like their spanish rice with the tomatoes in it so I figured I would give it a try. Won't be making it again.

I got the orange chicken and spring rolls from Costco. It was fast, it was easy, the family scarfed it.

With leftovers I added a little water so it wouldn't dry out as I heated it and it ended up making a little more sauce, enough to spoon over the rice. It was really good this way.

Semi-homemade at it's finest. My only tip is: put away the boxes and take full credit for the meal.

Spike Chicken Salad

Spike Chicken breasts
1-2 heads Romaine lettuce
purple onion
black beans
tomatoes
croutons
olives
parmesan cheese
Light Ranch Dressing, or dressing of your choice

Prepare your Spike Chicken. I can't get enough of this stuff. It's just too easy and way too delicious.

While the chicken is cooking, make a bed of romaine and top with tomatoes, onions, blacks beans, olives, and croutons according to taste.

Slice the chicken into thin strips, about a quarter of an inch wide. Lay chicken across top of salad. (I used a whole breast for each adult and less for the kids.)

Top with parmesan cheese and Light Ranch Dressing.

Yummmmm. Feels and tastes like a restaurant salad. Serve it up with some cold lemonade and you'll have a refreshing summery dinner.

I made the salads up on each plate individually and just set the premade salad in front of my family when it was time to eat.

One Eyed Jacks

Trying something new here. I had never made these before so if anyone has any tricks or tips, feel free to share how you do it.

Use a glass to cut a hole in the piece of bread. Butter one side of the bread and place on griddle set to medium high heat.

Butter the other side of the bread, then crack an egg into the hole. Salt and pepper as desired, flip when ready.

If you like, butter the circle of bread you cut out and cook it on the griddle too. Use it to dip in the egg yolk. Serve with hashbrowns and orange juice.

We thought these tasted good, but it was more of hassle when cooking for multiple people. Faster to just make fried eggs with toast.

Salad Supreme Potatoes

Poke holes in potatoes with a fork and microwave. (I washed 10 red potatoes and microwaved them, oh I don't remember, between 10 and 20 minutes.)

When the potatoes are cooked all the way through, cube into bit size pieces and transfer to a cookie sheet sprayed with non stick cooking spray.

Brush olive oil onto each potatoes. Or, if you are lazy like me, spray them with Pam. (aka canola oil)

Sprinkle with salt first, then the Salad Supreme Seasoning.

Bake or broil until toasted.

Pita Sandwiches

Mix things up: move your sandwich filling into a pita.

I used some olive oil mayo, ham, lettuce, and cheese. Whatever you like on your sandwiches.

To be honest, my kids didn't eat these very well. I thought they would love them. Pocket sandwiches? How cool is that? I was shocked a few days later when they scarfed a "tuna pizza," aka tuna fish mixed with mayo and spread on the top of a pita. I think it must have been the presentation since they were cut into little pizza shaped wedges. Personally, I thought the pita sandwiches were much better.

Here's to mixing things up and trying something new.

Cowboy Cookies

1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
2 c. rolled oats
1 package chocolate chips (2 c.)

Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Originally posted 4/3/07 without picture