It's Asian Theme!
Tammy:
Main Dish
Chicken Lo Mein
Source: Joy of Cooking - All About Pasta
Servings: 4
Comments from Tammy: Can I just say that I totally rocked on Asian Theme Night? Is that too arrogant? Ok, well it wasn't really me that rocked, but this recipe ..... it was so awesome. Far better than what you would lfind in a chinese fast food restaurant. This was classy asian restaurant quality food. This recipe was easy, fast and surprisingly delicious. I pulled it out of a cookbook that I don't think I have ever used. What a shame! That is just going to have to change. Sometimes using a cookbook is a little scary, because you really have no indication if the recipe is good or not. But, I need to be a little more adventurous and take somechances. Yum!!!! Can't wait to make it again!
Comments from Melissa: Well, we cooked this so long ago and to be honest, I have the worst memory (but I think it's genetic so Mom and Sis probably have it just as bad). But I remember this tasting very yummy. It seemed like a safe enough recipe that I could try with my future hubby - because I don't think there is a way to mess it up =) Good job sister!
Comments from Mom: I love Chinese food and this was a great main dish. I loved it! I thought that it was a great choice to go with the other dishes we had. It was a great meal.
Melissa:
Side Dish
Asian Chicken Noodle Salad
Source: AllRecipes.com
Submitted by: Xing Jin
Serves: 4
Ready in: 25 minutes
Comments from Melissa: All I can say is "woot woot!" Haha My appetizer turned out great =) It was sooo delicious and it was easy but not too easy (sis). I had heard of bok choy before but never knew what it was so I had to ask the guy at the grocery store what it was. Then I was very nervous to be making an entire salad out of it with no lettuce or spinach. But the noodles on top and nuts and crunchy snap peas were perfect and making my own dressing was something I have always wanted to do. So proud of myself ;)~
Comments from Tammy: Oh my gosh! This night was so awesome, because all of the recipes were so very good. This was a pretty easy recipe, however, I am going to let Lissa off the hook because it tasted so darn good. The crunchy topping that Lissa made for this salad would go great on any salad. I should just make it and keep it on hand to throw on top of salads for lunch. Then dressing was delicious and I actually liked the bok choy. I am proud of you, Sis, for making your own dressing. How cool is that? Cooking nights totally rock! Well, they rock when our recipes rock. When our recipes suck .... not so much.
Comments for Mom: I thought that this salad was just great. Good job, Lissa. I had never heard of bok choy before, but learned what it was. It could have used a little more chicken, but overall yummy. It had good texture and the dressing was delicious. I will make this sometime.
Janice:
Dessert
Creamy Rice Pudding
Source: AllRecipes.com
Submitted by: Erica G.
Serves: 4
Ready in: 45 minutes
Comments from Janice: This rice pudding recipe was yummy. I have never made anything like this before, so was nervous how it would come out. It was easy preparation. I thought that I would burn it because there was so much liquid left after cooking time. In turn, I cooked it longer than I should have and it was a too thick.
Comments from Melissa: See, I don't remember this being of wierd consistency, I just remember it being sooo tasty! I do remember though, Mom being really worried that it was too runny and so she just kept cooking longer and longer and longer. Haha She is so hillarious to watch because she doesn't care what the recipe says, she just does her own thing and then later she says "oh, I guess I should have paid closer attention to the recipe." I don't think I have had rice pudding but one other time in my entire life - you just don't hear of it at resturaunts. In any case, it was super yummy and with a little cinnamon on top, actually a pretty easy recipe.
Comments from Tammy: I love rice pudding. It is one of my favorite desserts, especially when I am looking for something that is low calorie. Mom's rice pudding was so yummy. It will be on my list of things that I will definitely make in the future. We sprinkled cinnamon on top and it was perfection. Mom, was really worried that it was going to be too runny, but that was not the case at all. She could have stuck to the recipe exactly with regards to cooking time, and it would have turned out perfect. Regardless of consistency, it tasted awesome! Great job, Mom!
RECIPES
CHICKEN LO MEIN:Ingredients/Directions:
In a Medium Bowl Stir :
1tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp toasted seasame oil
Thinly cut one boneless skinless chicken breast and toss with cornstarch mixture. Let marinate for 15 - 20 minutes.
Place on Plate:
4 ounces cut bok choy, in 3 inch pieces
1/4 cup sliced bamboo shoots
3 scallions, cut in 2 inch pieces
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tsp finely minced garlic
In a Small Bowl Stir :
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 Tbsp oyster sauce
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp sugar
To Cook :
Cook 6 oz spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water until cool. Toss spaghetti with 1 tsp sesame oil.
Heat wok over high heat: Pour in 1/3 cup peanut oil, heat until hot. Then add chicken and cook lightly. Drain in a colander. Reheat wok and pour in 3 Tbsp peanut oil, heat until hot. Add all ingredients on plate, stir vigourously and cook for 45 seconds. Pour in chicken stock mixture, stir and cover and allow to steam for 1 minute. Then add noodles and chicken. Stir and toss about 30 seconds. Then add in 1/4 cup bean sprouts. Then stir for about 30 seconds. Serve immediately
ASIAN CHICKEN NOODLE SALAD:
Ingredients
(3 ounce) package ramen noodle pasta, crushed
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pine nuts
3 cups shredded bok choy
5 green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup diced, cooked chicken breast meat
1 (5 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained
12 pods snow peas
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, mix the noodles, sunflower seeds, and pine nuts with melted butter until evenly coated. Spread the mixture in a thin layer on a baking sheet. Bake 7 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until evenly toasted. Remove from heat, and cool slightly.
In a large bowl toss together the noodle mixture, bok choy, green onions, chicken, water chestnuts, and snow peas. Prepare the dressing by blending the oil, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and lemon juice. Pour over salad, and toss to evenly coat. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until chilled.
CREAMY RICE PUDDING:
Ingredients:
3/4 cup uncooked white rice
2 cups milk, divided
1/3 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup golden raisins
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. In another saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups cooked rice, 1 1/2 cups milk, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat until thick and creamy, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk, beaten egg and raisins. Cook 2 minutes more, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in butter and vanilla. Serve warm.
