Easy Mac N Cheese Bites

Mac n Cheese Bites

 

  This week, I signed up in an event with other cooks and chefs in a group on Google. Our challenge was to use a main ingredient and give it a creative twists. So our special ingredient was Mac n Cheese or Crackle barrel. This is how I came upon this idea of a Mac n Cheese Bites. It's a simple, easy to whip up but delicious and full of flavor! 

Here are a few simple ingredients you will need:

• 1 box of Mac N Cheese, cooked as directed and chilled until solidify

• About 1 cup of cooked shredded chicken breast ( I use the rotisserie store bought chicken)

• 1 box of low sodium Stove top chicken flavor stuffing. (crushed finely)

• 1-2 eggs,lightly whisked 

• Vegetable oil to fry with

Directions: 

Cook the Mac n cheese as directed to the package then take off the heat and mix in the shredded chicken breast.

Chill the Mac n Cheese so it's solidify. While it's chilling, crush the stove top stuffing into a very fine consistency in a medium bowl. Whisk lightly the egg in a small bowl. 

Deep fryer is highly recommended. 

 Once the temperature reaches 325 degrees it's time to start the frying process. 

 Roll the Mac n cheese into a ball and dip into the lightly beaten egg then roll it into the crushed stove top stuffing. Deep fry the Mac n cheese ball for about 2 minutes or until golden browned and rotate it. Drain excess oil on a napkin.. 

Garlic Fried Chicken

GARLIC FRIED CHICKEN

 

 How about a easy and quick juicy fried chicken for dinner tonight? Full of bursting flavors as you bite into the crunchy outer skin but tender and juicy inside. These little fried portion wings works great as appetizers or snacks during a football game or any parties.

GARLIC FRIED CHICKEN

Ingredients

• About 2-lb of chicken portions
• 3 teaspoons of salt
• 4 tablespoons of chicken granulate (low or no sodium)
• 2 teaspoons of paprika
• 2 teaspoons of granulated garlic
• 2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons of ground dried ginger
• 2 teaspoons of ground dried onion
• 1/2 a package tempura flour

My favorite brand

Bot Chien Ga (Fried Chicken Batter Mix with Garlic & Pepper) - 8oz (Pack of 6)  

• Electric fryer is recommended
• 1 large plate line with a couple of paper towels

IN a large bowl, rinse your portion wings and add all the spices in except for the tempura flour. Once everything is very well mixed, cover and store in refrigerator for about 30 min - 1 hour to marinade.


Set the marinaded chicken portion outside for about 5-10 minute.


Heat frying oil to 375 f. Best method is to use a electric fryer. Spread the tempura flour evenly on the marinade, mix in well. 


Drop about 6 - 10 chicken portions in the fryer at a time to prevent from sticking to each other, cover. After about 5 minute, rotate the portion wings and cook for another 2- 5 minute until nice and golden. 


Drain and place on a prepared dish lined with a couple of paper towels, this way it will absorb the excess oil. Serve as a great appetizer or side meal.
  

Simple Lettuce wrap

Having a party or a get together? Here is a Quick & Easy appetizer. This no guilt appetizer is perfect for Game Day or a little get together before the main meal. Its savory, healthy and delicious! 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups of shredded chicken breast (store bought rotisserie chicken works great!)
• about 1/2 a package of cooked vermicelli noodles
• 1 package Romaine leafy lettuce
• Cocktail cucumbers, sliced thinly length wise

Ingredients for sweet and sour dressing:

• 1 cup of vinegar
• 1 cup of fish sauce
• 1 cup of sugar
• 3 cups of water
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 3 red peppers
• 3rd a cup of shredded carrots
• Crushed roasted peanuts
• Honey (optional) 

sriracha hot sauce image by google images

1 Teaspoon of sriracha hot sauce (for extra spiciness)

     In a large pot on MEDIUM heat, combine vinegar, water, sugar, fish sauce and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool down for about 10 minutes. Then ground the garlic and peppers together and stir into the liquid. Stir in the shredded carrots. Stir 1 Teaspoon of sriracha hot sauce (for extra spiciness).  Honey is added for an extra sweetness. This sauce can be used as a vinaigrette and dips for all kinds of food. It can also be stored in a plastic container for about 6 months.

Arrange in order, lettuce, cucumbers, vermicelli noodles, crushed roasted peanuts and drizzle on top a spoon full of the vinaigrette. Serve immediately after you drizzle the dressing.  

NO DOUGH ELEPHANT EARS

SIMPLE ELEPHANT EARS

NO DOUGH Elephant Ears this is one of my favorite dessert and it's very easy to make as a quick snack. PERFECT snack!  Great with vanilla ice cream! 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 3/4 cup of sugar

• 2 teaspoon of cinnamon 

• 5 flour tortilla

• Vegetable oil

Stir in the cinnamon and sugar together. In medium heat, about 1/2 inch of oil, fry the tortilla one at a time. It takes less than 15 - 20 seconds each side to become golden brown. Place fried tortilla on a paper towel and sprinkle the cinnamon & sugar. Best served hot.

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Simple Sandwich with a twist

Simple Sandwich with a twist

BORING sandwich? Dress it up with a little HOMEMADE Garlic spread that will entice that taste buds!

INGREDIENTS for the Spread

3 table spoons of room temperature salted butter ( add a pinch of salt if its unsalted)

1/2 teaspoon of paprika

1/2 a teaspoon of ground black pepper

2 table spoons of finely minced or crushed garlic

1 a teaspoon of parsley

4 to 5 slices of bread

OPTIONAL:

Roasted turkey breast

Romaine lettuce

seasoned bacon ( sprinkle paprika, ground black pepper while its cooking)

mozzarella cheese

tomatoes slices  

DIRECTION:

Mixed all the ingredients together. Use a BBQ brush and brush on one side of the bread and place on a preheated skillet or oven. Then brush on the other side. Once both sides are nice and toasty to your preference add your favorite slice of ham, seasoned bacon,  lettuce etc..... Garlic spread can be refrigerated for about 3 weeks.

 goo.gl/Y2sO3j

Simple Spring Roll

Spring Roll

Easy&Healthy spring rolls with fresh veggies and savory vinaigrette side dip! Simple, quick and scrumptious!



Ingredients

• 1 chicken breast
• About 9 to 10 pieces of shrimps (peel and Devine)
• Pork with the skin on
• A third of the package of vermicelli noodle
• 1 package of medium to large spring roll wrapper
• Sliced thin lengthwise cucumbers

• Basil leaves or mint
• Cilantro
• Romaine lettuce ( any leafy lettuce)

Natural Unbleached Bean Vermicelli 80

Directions:

Boil the chicken breast and pork in the same pot, once it is cooked add the shrimp, stir and remove to cool down. While the meats are being cooled, boil the vermicle as directed by the package. Slice the chicken, pork thinly and set aside.

My Favorite brand, click picture to find out more.

    

 
In a bowl,
large enough to rinse the rice wrapper in, add Luke warm water. Rice wrappers does not require soaking. You can also simple rinse/ wet it and set it on a large flat dish.
It takes about 1 minute for the wrapper to be ready.
     Place on top of the rice wrapper, a couple of lettuce leaf, cucumbers follow by the herbs then vermicelli.  Add a few variety of meats and wrap everything firmly just like a burrito.

Make the  Vinaigrette dipping Sauce in about 5 minutes. 

Mango salsa

Salsa with mangos

Scrumptiousingredients.blogspot.com

Add a little sweetness to that boring salsa! This is a simple but also delicious! Smell the aroma of the cilantro and the deliciousness of ripe mangos with a little kick of jalapenos. Whether its summer or fall, its a great way to upgrade that boring taco or just add as a topping of appetizers. The delicious and great fall colors will grab the attention of your guests!

Ingredients :

• 1 diced, seeded jalapenos
• 1cup of ripe diced mango
• 1 seeded and diced tomatoes
• half a medium diced onion
• 1 minced clove of garlic
• 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped cilantro ( use less if prefer)
• about 2 tablespoon of lime juice
• pinch of salt (prefer natural sea salt)
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 table spoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of vinegar

Directions:
Combine the jalapenos, mango, tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro and mix. Add the lime juice, salt, black pepper, oil and vinegar. Mix well and let it sit for about 10 min in the fridge. Stir once and serve with chips or in tacos etc...

Easy BBQ Pork Sandwich

 BBQ Sandwich

 

 

 

 

Easy sandwich made from left over BBQ ribs. We made baked BBQ ribs for dinner and have plenty of left overs. So after a fun full, exhausting day we just created a "new" dish that the kids loved.

Things you'll need:

Left over BBQ pork ribs
BBQ sauce (sweet baby ray's is our favorite)
Bread (your choice)
1 teaspoon of Butter
Corn (optional)


Direction: Grill the bread on low heat and brush a little butter until toasted. Add the shredded BBQ pork and drizzle the BBQ sauce. Add a side of corn on the cob or your favorite side dish.

Shrimp Eggrolls

  

Shrimp rolls

Everyone loves egg-rolls! Its a big hit in parties, gatherings or just for a snack. Best of all it can be frozen for future use.This appetizer is sure to please the crowds at parties, gatherings or snacks.


Vinaigrette for dipping




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Ingredients you will need:

About 2lbs. of  Divine tail on (black tiger) shrimp
2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoon of MSG or 3 teaspoon chicken granulated as an alternative
1 package of All purpose spring roll wrapper ( I like to use the MENLO brand)
3 egg yolk or 2 table spoons of all purpose flour with one teaspoon of water
1 Large bowl
1 Medium tray line it with parchment paper
1  flat surface plate (cutting board works great)
Vegetable oil
deep frying pan or fryer

Make sure to rinse and pat dry the shrimp. Place the shrimp in a large bowl, season it with salt, black pepper and MSG (or chicken granulate). Cut the spring roll wrapper in a triangle shape and separate the sheets. On a plate place a sheet, one shrimp, and roll from the bigger end of the wrapper tightly towards the point. Use the egg yolks or flour paste to seal the egg roll flap and place it in a tray. Deep fry at 375 degrees in about 2 inches of oil until golden. Place in a strainer to let all that oil drip out and serve.



Ingredients for sweet and sour dipping sauce:

1 cup of vinegar
1 cup of fish sauce ( available just about everywhere, even Wal-Mart)
1 cup of sugar
3 cups of water
4 cloves of garlic
3 red peppers
3rd a cup of shredded carrots
Crushed roasted peanuts
Honey (optional)

In a large pot combine vinegar, water, sugar, fish sauce and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool down then add mince or ground the garlic, peppers together, add shredded carrots and stir it into the liquid. Peanuts are optional and honey is added for an extra sweetness. This sauce can be used as a vinaigrette and dips for all kinds of food. It can also be stored in a plastic container for about 6 months.

Eggrolls

Chicken with pork egg-rolls

Eggrolls with pork and chicken.

Eggrolls is a great appetizer for all occasions. This can be made with your choice of meat(s). Eggrolls goes very well with sweet and sour dipping sauce. It can also be frozen for future use (when its frozen do not thaw, fry it while frozen but only few at a time).

Egg-Rolls

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Chicken or Pork
• 1 small bag of coleslaw mix vegetables ( if you want it fresher you can shred the carrots, broccoli stem and red or green cabbage)
• 1/2 lb of bean sprouts
• About 1 cup of sliced thinly yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons black ground pepper
• 4 teaspoons of ginger
• 4 to 5 cloves of minced Garlic
• 2 small bundle of soaked, drained sliver bean thread

Season with...

• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
• 4 cloves of minced garlic (or 4 teaspoon of granulated garlic)
• 2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 3 teaspoon of MSG (3 tablespoons of granulated chicken stock)
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Binding 

3 lightly beaten egg yolk or 3 tablespoons of corn starch paste (starch and water)

Vegetable oil to fry


Filling:

In a large pan add olive oil, ground meat, garlic, stir frequently until its about half way cooked, then add the vegetables, seasonings and stir frequently for about a minute. 

Drain the excess mixture drippings, stir in the drained bean thread and let it cool down before you begin rolling. On a flat surface (small cutting board works perfect) lay on a sheet of spring roll wrapper with one pointed end towards you, put about a teaspoon of mixture towards you, fold the pointed end once and fold the other sides and roll it tightly(not too tight it might break the wrapper) and seal the end of the flaps with egg yolk or starch paste. A fryer is a best investment and it's inexpensive.  Deep fry at 375 degrees in about 2 inches of oil until golden.

Sweet and Sour dipping sauce

INGREDIENTS for Sweet and sour dipping Sauce:

• 1 cup of vinegar
• 1 cup of fish sauce ( available just about everywhere, even Wal-Mart)
• 1 cup of sugar
• 3 cups of water
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 3 red peppers
• 3rd a cup of shredded carrots
• Crushed roasted peanuts
• Honey (optional)

Direction

 In a large pot on medium heat, combine vinegar, water, sugar, fish sauce and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool down.

Mash the garlic, peppers together, and add shredded carrots, stir it into the liquid. Peanuts are optional and honey is added for an extra sweetness. This sauce can be used as a vinaigrette and dips for all kinds of food. It can also be stored in a plastic container for about 6-8 months.