Onion Strings

Well I have found a new favorite side. Holy cow these are tasty. Soooo tasty, that I am doing all that I can NOT to eat more while they all sit boiling hot on the table and I sit here waiting for my husband to get home with my monkeys so we can all eat them together. I am posting this BEFORE I even eat all of them. So yes go ahead and plan it in your menu. And I cut it straight from The Pioneer Woman. Her verbage at the bottom of the instructions is ooooh so true. I just wish I had another onion so that I actually could eat the entire first batch.

1 whole Large Onion
2 cups Buttermilk
2 cups All-purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon (scant) Salt
¼ teaspoons (to 1/2 Teaspoon) Cayenne Pepper
1 quart (to 2 Quarts) Canola Oil
Black Pepper To Taste

Slice onion very thin. Place in a baking dish and cover with buttermilk. Soak at least an hour.
Combine dry ingredients and set aside.
Heat oil.
Grab a handful of onions, throw into the flour mixture, tap to shake off excess, and PLUNGE into hot oil. Fry for a few minutes and remove as soon as golden brown.
Repeat until onions are gone.
Eat before your family sees them.
Repeat with another onion, because they’ll be really mad they didn’t get any.

On The Menu ...

MONDAY
flying home ... whatever airport food looks appealing

TUESDAY
Clean out my freezer night - Tilapia, peas, corn, homemade ice cream

WEDNESDAY
Blueberry muffins for breakfast
Mahi Mahi burgers (again clean out my freezer night)Onion Rings?

THURSDAY
Black Bean and Pumpkin Soup Yes it's time to pull out the Pumpkin. And this sounds HEAVENLY! and some crispy sourdough bread.

FRIDAY
Campout ? Hot dogs and s'mores?

SATURDAY / SUNDAY
Conference foods

Chocolate Ice Cream

So I recently stole my parents ice cream maker (with their permission) and have been determined to find the right recipe. THIS one is for sure a keeper. I've modified it a bit so it will fit my maker. It makes about a half gallon, which just isn't enough for any growing family. I guess I need to two ice cream makers.

10 egg yolks
4 Tbs sugar

3 1/2 cups milk
1 cup milk chocolate cut into small squares
1/2 cup dark chocolate cut into small squares

2 cups heavy cream whipped
____________________

Mix the eggs and sugar together in a large bowl. Set aside.

Scald the milk. Turn off the stove. And slooooooowly pour the the milk into the egg mixture 1 Tbs at a time at first. Whisk it quickly so you don't get scrambled eggs. Once it is all blended. Return the mixture into the pot and turn the heat back on to med-med low. Continue stirring constantly reaaaaally good for about 5-10 minutes until the custard thickens but does NOT become scrambled eggs.

Once it is nice and thick pour it back into the large bowl and add the chopped chocolate. It melts fast. Let the mixture get REALLY cold in the fridge. About an hour or two. Then add the whipped cream and blend in gently. Pour it in your mixture and wait ... if you can ... or steal a lick or two as it starts to thicken.

On The Menu ...

MONDAY - Vacation anything goes

TUESDAY - Ham steak, corn on the cob, fresh bread, broccoli

WEDNESDAY - Tilapia, salad, sourdough toast

THURSDAY - Garlic Chicken Legs, Sweet Potatoes, microwavable green beans (from a bag =)

FRIDAY - pizza?

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

I have an aversion to the Crockpot. We just aren't friends. Buuuut, I'm determined to find recipes that work for it b/c every Thursday I'm going to need it after soccer practice ends at 6pm.

This recipe is simple and thanks to Trader Joe's again, I found an easy great meal.

1 package of Chicken Thighs (yes that makes all the difference)
1 package of Taco Seasoning
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of chicken broth

Simmer for a few hours in the crockpot. And serve with lightly fried tortillas, fresh tomatoes, cilantro, lettuce, cheese, etc.

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Torta Panini

I LOVE Trader Joe's. Really. But now I am learning to love some Trader Joe's more than others. La Canada TJ's has the best samples, hands down. I sampled this one last week and knew what dinner was going to be the next night. I made this along with a salad, some fresh strawberries, and Charlie could not stop commenting on how this was the perfect meal.

1 container Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
1 container Genova Pesto
1 container whipped cream chees
Tuscan Pane (or other sourdough type bread)
sliced turkey
sliced Fontina

Mix the top three ingredients and spread on one side of each piece of bread. Add turkey and a slice of fontina. I put it in th broiler for a few minutes and then sliced them up. Perfect.

Chinese Chicken Salad

Mmm. Easy dressing. Thanks Yum Sugar for this one. I modified it a bit.

Ingredients

1-inch piece of grated ginger
3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons soy sauce
Freshly ground pepper

sliced chicken
4 scallions
1 cup mung bean sprouts
1 cup chow mein noodles
1 medium carrot, julienned
1 bunch chopped cilantro
1/4 cup chopped almonds
cucumber chunked

Directions

1. In small bowl, whisk the rice vinegar with the sesame oil, soy sauce, grated ginger. Season with salt and pepper.
2. In a large bowl, toss everything with the dressing and enjoy.