It's time for dinner!

Okay, so I had this for dinner on Sunday, and I loved it! It is easy to make and is very filling. We made one recipe and it filled our entire family of five in one setting.

To get the recipe, go to: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Makeover-Chicken--n--Broccoli-Braid.
However, the yogurt is unnecessary and the almonds are optional. I personally do not care for the almonds myself, but there is a small possibility that one of you may....

Also, you may put more cheese in if desired, as well as sprinkling the top with cheese before it is baked. Of course I would bring more cheese into the mixture.

To further illustrate what this is supposed to look like, this picture is how the final product looks. However, to clarify, you can pack in as much of the mixture as you want, meaning that if you want it more thick or thin, you can make it the preferred way. 

                                                    Chicken Broccoli Braid after it is finished and cooked.

Mmmm!

Okay, so this weeks food is going to be pot stickers! They are SO delicious, and are usually served as an appetizer in many Asian restaurants. However, you can have them as a full meal if you would like.

For this recipe, follow the link at:  http://chinesefood.about.com/od/potstickers/r/potstickers.htm. However, the celery and wine are not needed unless you really want it. They are VERY easy to make, it only takes a few minutes. So, lets get started!

To demonstrate how to properly make them, here is a video explaining the process.

In this video: TJ is showing us how the pot stickers are done.

But, where would pot stickers be without the sauce?? So of course we will include this as well. The sauce is very, very easy that it is almost funny. To further demonstrate the sauce, TJ is back:

                                     TJ making the sauce for the pot stickers.

After all of that is done, go ahead and enjoy the nice, warm things. You know you really want to:) Just as a side note, these pot stickers can theoretically be as large as you would like them to be. If you want them as an actual dinner item, no problem, just stuff a little more meat into each individual one. And you are officially good to go!

The world definitely needs more pies

This is part II of my last post: the crust!! This crust I am referring to will be the crust used to make such pies as pumpkin and what not. It is also referred to as the traditional crust.

For the crust, the recipe can be found at: http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/28518/Homemade-Pie-Crust-Recipe/detail.aspx.

Pie crust mixing itself is pretty simple. Once it is all mixed in together, then comes the part of mixing the ready crust with the ready bowl. The crust is to be placed on top of the bowl, filling the bowl in. Once the bowl is filled in, you need to make "pinches" along the edges. Now, everyone has seen finished pies and know what I am referring to. To do this, just take some dough between your thumbs and  index fingers. It should come as a natural motion.

And once you  have perfected the crust, your pie is then ready for the good part!! But, if you find that your crust is too dry and is not fitting to the bowl, don't panic. All that is needed to do is to add water!

And now it is time to enjoy your delicious pie:) Make sure not to share with anyone (ha ha, I am just kidding)   .

There needs to be more pies in the world!

Ooookkkaaayyyy so naturally now that Thanksgiving is over with, I will share a phenomenal recipe for some delicious banana creme pie (FOR THE RECORD banana and chocolate creme pies are MUCH better than pumpkin pie. Just saying). 

For banana creme pie, the most convenient thing to do for the crust is to just buy the graham cracker crust that is already made from the grocery store. Once that is purchased, a small box of banana pudding is needed.

Make the pudding according to the directions from the pudding box. It is simple, and should take approximately 10 minutes. Once the pudding is made, cut up 1-3 bananas depending on personal preference. Slice them up and place the sliced pieces into the pudding. 

Once the pudding is ready, simply fill the crust with the pudding and banana mixture. Even out the top, and you are done!!! Pretty easy huh? After this step is done, layer whipped creme on the top. The amount of whipped creme depends on how well you like the substance. After this, make sure to refrigerate the completed pie until it is ready to be eaten. You are now the banana creme pie expert!

Some people also prefer to sprinkle the top of the pie with graham cracker bits. I would recommend it! 
Here is a picture of the finished product:

Doesn't that just look so good?

Olive Garden anyone?

Anyone who has ever eaten at Olive Garden may have heard about the Zuppa Toscana. It is one of their endless soups, and also one of their most popular items. So....here I will give the most amazing recipe! Maybe you can make it for a date night, your date will be very impressed =)
Okay, so this recipe will take a little longer than regular. Approx. prep time is 25 minutes, while cooking time is an hour. But IT IS WORTH THE WAIT!
Okay, so lets get started. So the ingredients list is:
1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
1 1/4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large onion, diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic
5 (13.75 ounces) cans chicken broth
6 potatoes, thinly sliced
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 bunch fresh spinach, tough stems removed
Now onto the fun part! The directions!
1. Cook the Italian sausage and red pepper flakes in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crumbly, browned, and no longer pink. 10 to 15 minutes, drain and set aside.
2. Cook the bacon in the same Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain, leaving a few tablespoons of drippings with the bacon in the bottom of the Dutch oven. Stir in the onions and the garlic; cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3.Pour the chicken broth into the Dutch oven with the bacon and onion mixture; bring to a boil over high heat. Add the potatoes, and boil until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream and the cooked sausage; heat through. Mix the spinach into the soup just before serving.
And you ARE DONE!!!
Now you can go and be an Italian Chef!! =)
P.S. Cheese would probably not be the greatest for this creation, but if you try it, let me know how it tastes!

Anyone up for some pasta??

It's pasta time!! This recipe is like spaghetti, but with a little different taste. Its official name is easy spaghetti bolognese. The official recipe can be found at:
 http://family.go.com/food/pkg-family-approved-recipes/recipe-866712-easy-spaghetti-bolognese-t/

Here is the sauce once I had prepared it fully, meat and all:

A few suggestions:
Ground beef is not mandatory, when I made it I used chicken and pork. Any meat will do.
The spinach is not completely mandatory, but adds a nice taste.
I added some herbs to add some flavor. The ones I used were Basil, Garlic, and Oregano.
Here is a picture of  my finished product!

(As you can tell, I am all about the cheese. If you don't like cheese or don't want it, no big deal!)
This recipe took about half an hour tops. It is a very easy one, all that is really required is mixing everything together. Try it and see what you think for yourself. Please leave comments!

P.S. Don't forget the delicious glass of milk and the dessert afterward!

Kara-age(ka-la ah geh in English)

Today we are going Asian food, Japanese to be exact! This recipe is very simple, exact measurements are not needed, but just keep in mind the number of people who are being fed. It is one that is very common in Japan, and is very popular. It is very good!
Okay so on the delicious recipe:
White rice (as much as you would desire)
Chicken (white or brown)
Flour
To prepare: Cook the rice. While cooking, cut the chicken into your preference and desired portions (ex. bite size or tenders). Once cut, dip the chicken pieces into flour until all covered. Heat the pan on medium high until hot. Pour enough oil into the pan so that the bottom of the pan is covered. Fry the chicken until golden brown.
Recommended sauce: A combination of soy sauce and sweet chili sauce.
Combine everything and you are done! Don't forget the cheese on top if it is desired!