Easy Mandarin Chicken

I rarely cook Chinese food because I haven't had good experiences with cooking it in the past.  Also, my husband is especially picky when it comes to Chinese food, so we usually go out when we want Chinese.  But, this recipe for Easy Mandarin Chicken really does look very easy.  I've decided to conquer my fear of cooking Chinese food and give it a try! 

Ingredients (printable recipe)
1-1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/3 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 tsp. soy sauce
1/3 cup vinegar (I used rice vinegar)
3/4 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
1. Whisk together sauce ingredients: pineapple juice, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, ketchup and salt. Set aside near stovetop until needed.
2. Cut chicken into bite size pieces. Beat eggs in a shallow bowl with a fork; set aside. Pour cornstarch into a shallow bowl and roll chicken in it. When coated, dip chicken in beaten eggs.
3. Heat just enough oil to cover the bottom of a non-stick skillet on medium-high heat. Place coated chicken pieces into the pan and heat until brown.
4. Pour sauce made earlier onto the browned chicken. Simmer chicken with the lid covering only half of the pan to let the heat escape.
5. Simmer 20-30 minutes, stirring often, until sauce thickens. Serve with rice and ENJOY!

Adapted from Yummy.Healthy.Easy

The Results...
Easy and everyone loved it, including my husband!  The chicken turned out very tender and the sauce was delicious---sweet, but not too sweet.  My 8 yr. old asked me to make this again the next day!  I'm excited to finally add a Chinese recipe to our family favorites list.  Don't be afraid.  Give it a try! :)


I share recipes at these linky parties.

Coconut-Lime Popsicles with Strawberries

It's time for another Behind the Curtain Dessert Challenge by Lady Behind the Curtain!  Are you wondering, 'what's the  Behind the Curtain Dessert Challenge?'  Every month we are assigned two ingredients (this month it's Coconut and lime).  We are to take those two ingredients and create or find a recipe using those ingredients.

It's finally warming up around here, so I thought it would be fun to make some homemade popsicles.  My kids LOVE popsicles.  In the spring/summer months the freezer is always stocked with freezer pops and different kinds of popsicles, but HOMEMADE popsicles are an extra special treat! 

Ingredients (printable recipe)
1 can coconut milk (I used this kind)
Juice of 1 lime
3 Tablespoons of honey
1 pound strawberries, cleaned and chopped
Directions
1. Stir together coconut milk, lime juice and honey in med. bowl. 
2. Add chopped strawberries to popsicle molds. 
3. Pour in coconut milk mixture. Shake molds to make sure you get the coconut milk mixture throughout. 
4. Put in freezer until frozen.  
5. Put popsicle mold quickly under running hot water for easier removal of the popsicles.
Makes about 8 popsicles

Adapted from Anja's Food for Thought

Chopped strawberries added almost up to the "Fill To" line.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

The Results...
Coconut-Lime Popsicles with Strawberries are very simple to make and full of healthy ingredients.  I made these popsicles after the older kids were off to school in the morning.  They were frozen and ready to eat by the time the kids returned home.

All four kids mostly liked them.  My son liked the coconut-lime part, but didn't care for the chopped strawberries inside.  My 8 yr. old suggested that I puree the strawberries next time and mix them with the rest of the ingredients to make a smooth popsicle.  My 5 yr. old liked the chopped strawberries inside.  My toddler didn't say much, she was too busy eating her popsicle.  She ate her whole popsicle, except for one bite that I tried to sneak (which she was not very happy about!).

Here are more yummy coconut and lime recipes from the challenge..........

I also share recipes at these linky parties.

Neapolitan Gooey Cake Bars

I have another sweet bar recipe to share with you, Neapolitan Gooey Cake Bars.  This recipe has THREE cake mixes in it along with THREE sticks of butter and it's topped off with some sweetened condensed milk! OH MY!

Ingredients (printable recipe)
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 box vanilla/white cake mix
1 box strawberry cake mix
3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with foil sprayed with cooking spray.
2. Place chocolate cake mix, a stick of butter and an egg into a large bowl, mix until combined. Press into the bottom of prepared baking pan.

3. Place vanilla cake mix, a stick of butter and an egg into a large bowl, mix until combined. Press over chocolate cake layer.
4. Place strawberry cake mix, a stick of butter and an egg into a large bowl, mix until combined. Press over vanilla cake layer.
5. Drizzle 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk over strawberry layer then bake for 40-50 minutes, until center is cooked through. Let cool completely. Cut off edges, about 1/2 inch, this makes bars look nicer, but not necessary. Cut remaining cake into squares and serve.

Source Picky Palate

Let's get started!

First, the chocolate layer...

Next, vanilla...

Last, the strawberry layer. If you have little helping hands around, let them take some of the cake mixture (which is similar to playdough in texture) and roll it into balls. Then, flatten those balls......

.....and press them into the pan on top of the other cake layers.

I "drizzled" the sweetened condensed milk on top.

A big glass of milk is a necessity with these rich bars!

The Results...
Dense, chewy, super sweet and rich.  I would cut these bad boys into small squares and drink plenty of milk with them.  I really like the idea of a Neapolitan-type brownie, but we weren't impressed with this recipe.  Honestly, we just thought these were OK. 

I also share recipes at these linky parties.