Just another attempt at Stir Fry

This one goes out to all the wannabe's that need to start somewhere.  You really can't screw this one up!

Broccoli.....String Beans...Mushrooms....Chicken Stir Fry!:)

Ingredients

• 2 Chicken Breasts cut into 1 inch cubes
• Package of Broccoli florets
• Handful of string beans
• Sliced Mushrooms
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• Package of Tofu Spaghetti
• 2 scallions sliced thin (white & green parts)
• Tablespoon of Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons of Sherry
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons of canola oil
• Chili Flakes
• Mae Ploy Chili Sauce
• Teaspoon of corn starch
• 1/2 cup of water
• Toasted Sesame seeds
• S&P

Marinate chicken for 15 minutes in Soy Sauce, Sherry, Sesame Oil, Garlic, Corn Starch.

In a separate pot, preferably a wok, heat up canola oil.  Add water,broccoli, string beans and cook until tender yet still crunchy.  Add chicken into pot.  Add chili sauce, chili flakes and mushrooms & noodles.  Combine well together and cook for additional 30 seconds.  Top with scallions and serve.  Top with sesame seeds.

Total cooking time: 15 minutes

Enjoy!

30 Minute Meals??

Is it me or does the Food Network seem to be moving past all the great cooks? For G-d sake, Mario, Emeril, Morimoto, Jamie....where have you gone?? I do enjoy watching Bobby man the grill but I must say I am starting to get fairly disappointed in all these new mom's who think the recipes they put out in 30 minutes, 5 ingredients, or ten dollars are even close to reality!

Now I must say I do have the guilty pleasure of being addicted to watching the Food Network for most hours of the day so in honor of the fallen men I admire I've made my attempt at creating a Top 10 List of the worst FN shows of all time.

1. Everyday Italian - Good to look at but emphasis on P.A.N.A. C.O.T.A and the lack of chewing her food turn me off.
2. Tyler's Ultimate - Applebees For Real???
3. Paula's Home Cooking - Leigh loves her but the Fried Butter recipe freaks me out
4. Rescue Chef - I wanna be I wanna be like Bobby!
5. Secrets of a Restaurant Chef - Anne Burrell - Yah baby...can I get some salt with that???
6. Worst Cooks in America - I'd rather watch reruns of "Average Joe"
7. Ace of Cakes - It's cool the first time but how many times can you watch someone bake a cake!
8. Semi-Hommade Cooking with Sandra Lee - I guess it was cool in the 1980's!
9. Down home with the Neely's - In fact their restaurant in Memphis is awesome but this show is close to being considered soft porn

And my all time not so favorite Food Network Show......

30 Minute meals, Tasty Travels, $40 a day - Bad voice...bad knives..need I say more.

So to all the aspiring cooks out there..here's my version of my 15-30 minute meal.

Grill Chicken Stir Fry with Sweet Chili Sauce

• 2 Chicken Breasts cut into 2 inch Strips
• 1 Red Bell Pepper cut into Strips
• Package of Broccoli torn apart by hand
• 1/2 Sliced Red Onion
• Chopped Green Onion
• Mae Ploy Chili Sauce
• 2 Cloves of Chopped Garlic
• Pinch of Red Pepper
• Tablespoon of Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper

Heat Olive oil & garlic over low heat (prevent browning of garlic) until fragrant. Add Chicken, pinch of salt & pepper and cook until done. Add pepper, broccoli and Red onion and cook until broccoli is tender yet still crispy. Add 1/4 cup of Chili Sauce continue to cook until well combined. Top with Red Pepper flakes & green onion and serve.

This recipe is extremely quick so if you have time left serve with a salad!

Enjoy!

Spicy Chicken Stir Fry w/mixed vegetables

Back on the healthy kick post Thanksgiving weekend. Hit the gym, the grocery store & now back in the kitchen. My wife has me on a strict timetable post work hours this evening so I have to make sure I'm prepped and cooked by the time she gets home. So keeping along with the Asian theme that we've seen over the last few posts, we decide to go big & bold with a Spicy Chicken stir fry with mixed vegetables and a mighty tasty sauce! A special shout goes out to my boys at Huy Fong Foods for making the most AWESOME hot sauce on the planet!

Let's start with the prep..Most important step in the meal in order to time this pefectly.

• 2 chicken breasts or a package of stir fry chicken strips rinsed and set aside in a bowl. Marinate in 3-4 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce. I prefer Tamari.

While the chicken is marinating

• 1 large purple eggplant rough chop large pieces
• 2-3 handfuls of greenbeans trimmed
• 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
• Handful of your mushroom of choice (i prefer shitaki or white) sliced
• Handful of cashew nuts chopped

Once your veggies are prepped it's time to start cooking. If you have a Wok I suggest you use it but if not any large saute pan (preferably non stick) will do the job.

• 2 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil over medium heat
• Pour chicken and marinade into hot pan
• Cook 5-6 minutes until tender

• Once the chicken is cooked toss in eggplant, then green beans.
• Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until green beans begin to wilt
• Add mushrooms and chopped garlic and toss for 10 seconds

Now the sauce

• 2 tablespoons of Hoisin sauce
• 2 teaspoons of sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon (or more depending on level of spice) Sriracha Sauce
• 1/4 cup of tap water
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• tablespoon of honey

Combine all ingredients over high heat until reduced.

Finally add in chopped cashews and white sesame seeds and toss for 10-15 seconds.

Serve immediately and enjoy!