Curry Chicken

I first had a dish like this at a very good oriental restaurant called La Cai Noodle House, at 961 s State st. in Salt lake. It is one of my favorite places to eat. The food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. The Curry chicken was so good I had to try to make it at home. This recipe is one of my husbands favorites. I still go to La Cai to get their curry chicken, but when I want to score some brownie points with my hubby I make this! I hope you like this as much as I do!

Ingredients

2-3 chicken breasts (Cubed)
3 carrots pealed and cut into circles
1 onion sliced into long thin slices
2 cans chicken broth
1 can coconut milk
1-2 tsp curry powder (depending on how spicy you like it)
1tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
2 Tbsp smooth peanut butter

Directions

1. In a large skillet add some oil and fry up the chicken breast until cooked through.
2. Take out chicken and set aside. Add some more oil to pan and add the onions and carrots. Fry on medium heat until onions are nice and brown. Take off burner and set aside.
3. In a large pot add last 8 ingredients. Turn on burner to medium high. Add the meat and vegies. cook until boiling.
4. In a small cup add 2 tbsp corn starch and a little water. About 5 tbsp, (it won't matter if you add too much water) stir the corn starch until it is all mixed with water and there are no lumps.
5. Add the corn starch to the curry chicken stiring until it comes to a full boil. Turn down heat and simmer on medium low until you are ready to eat.

Jo's tips: Serve this with rice. If it is too runny repeat step 4 until it is thick enough to put over rice. If you like it really spicy add more curry powder. All curry powder has different spice levels so find one that works for your family.

Baked Potato Soup

This soup is great even if the picture isn't! I made this soup for my husbands work as a Christmas gift and it was a hit! I make this recipe to my tastes, but feel free to mix things up a bit if you want. I sometimes add more sour cream sometimes less. enjoy!

Ingredients

4 or 5 large baking potatoes
2/3 cups butter
1/3 cups flour
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups milk
1 1/2 - 2 cups sour cream
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
10 strips cooked bacon crumpled
1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Bake potatoes at 350* for 65-75 minutes or until tender. Cool completely. Peal and cube.
2. In a large saucepan melt butter. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth with a wire whisk.
3. Gradually add broth then milk. stiring the whole time. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
4. Remove from heat whisk in cheese and sour cream. Add potatoes and bacon. Garnish with green onions.

Jo's tips: Most or the time I just boil the potatoes with the skins on and then peal and cube the potatoes. It seems easier to me. Occasionally I will bake them.

Overnight Danish Twists*

I first had these at a family get together.
My sister in law brought them.
They were so good I ate about 5 of them!
*this is a Betty Crocker recipe!

Twists

2 Tbsp dry active yeast
1/2 cup warm water
4 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1 cup (two sticks) cold butter
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 jar (10oz) of your favorite jam or preserves

Powdered Sugar Glaze

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 to 3 Tbsp milk

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let sit for 10 min. Stir in granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in butter,using a pastry blender or crisscrossing two knives, until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Separate eggs; refrigerate whites for brushing pastry. Stir yolks and 1 cup milk into flour mixture until soft dough forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 8 hours for proper rising, but no longer then 24 hours.
2. Lightly grease two to three cookie sheets. Gently push fist into dough to deflate. Divide dough into three equal parts. Roll 1 part dough into 9x7-inch rectangle on lightly floured surface. Cut crosswise into nine 1-inch strips. For each twist, pinch ends of strip together to form ring, stretching strip slightly. Twist to form figure 8. Place at least 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining 2 parts dough.
3. Beat egg whites; brush over dough. Let rise uncovered at room temperature about 25 min. or until puffy and loops fill in.
4. Heat oven 350*. Make an indentation in the center of each loop. Fill with 1/2 tsp-1 tsp jam. Brush dough again with egg whites. Bake about 15 min. or until light golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
5. In a small bowl, mix all powdered sugar glaze ingredients, with a hand held electric mixer, until smooth and thin. Drizzle over warm twists.

Jo's tips: I made these twists to long the first time I made them, so when they rose in the 8 form, the holes did not fill in. I just lightly pressed the sides to cover the hole, so that my filling didn't fall out. I also used my home canned apple pie filling. Yumm! And for an extra treat I added four Tbsp cream cheese to the glaze before mixing. I also put the glaze in a small plastic bag and cut to tip off to drizzle.

Chicken Stroganoff

I made this recipe last night for dinner and got really excited about it
because there is so much you can do with it!
It is so yummy and rich,and even the kids gobbled it down.
Beware this is not for the calorie counter.

Ingredients

3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves -cubed
3 Tbsp butter
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 can of water (use the empty cream of chicken can)

Directions

1. In a big frying pan add chicken, butter, and Italian seasoning packet.
2. Fry on med-high heat until chicken is cooked through
3. Add cream cheese, cream of chicken, and water to frying pan.
4. simmer until the cheese and soup are well mixed and melted.

Jo's tips: You can also make this in the crock pot. Add the chicken, butter and seasoning to the crock pot, turn on low for 6-8 hours. Add the soup, cream cheese and water to the crock pot. Turn on high and let cook together for about half an hour, until all cooked together and melted.
Serve with rice or noodles. I am going to make this recipe into a casserole. So as to have yet one more way to make the yummy dish. When I make it I will post the revised recipe!

See's Fudge*

This fudge has been a family tradition ever since I can remember. It is the real deal, and is a little bit more complicated to make. It is well worth the effort though. I hope you enjoy our family favorite!

Ingredients

4 1/4 cup sugar
1 can evaporated milk
2 pks. chocolate chips
l large hershey's bar with almonds
1-2 cups roasted almonds
1 jar marshmallow cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 lb. butter
1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp. mint extract

1. In a large bowl add last 7 ingredients. ( I cut the butter into cubes, and break up the candy bar) set aside.
2. Put sugar and evaporated milk in a large pot.
3. Heat sugar and milk stiring the entire time, until it comes to a hard boil.
4. Turn heat down and continue to cook for 6 minutes. stiring the entire time.
5. Pour milk onto the chocolate mixture. Stiring until all the chocolate is melted, (you get to use your muscles on this part)
6. Put into a large buttered casserole dish.
7. Put in the fridge until cooled.

Jo's tip's: *I don't know if this is the real See's fudge. That is just the name of the recipe in the cookbook.

(DeAnn's)Mom's Famous Peanut Butter Fudge

This comes from an old friend who I use to work with
DeAnna B. She mentioned making it one day and I
was intrigued so here you are. This is the easiest fudge
recipe you will see. And it is very yummy enjoy the fudge season!

Ingredients
1 bag chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup peanut butter
dash of salt
1tsp vanilla

1. Coat a square baking dish with a little butter. (to put the fudge in)
2. In a microwave safe bowl add the first four ingredients.
3. Put in microwave for 30 seconds.
4. Pull out and stir.
5. Repeat until melted.
6. Add Vanilla and stir until mixed.
7. Put mixture in coated baking dish.
8. Put in freezer until hard.
9. Cut and serve.

Jo's tips
You don't have to put the salt in if you don't want. I did though.
You can use crunchy or smooth peanut butter I had smooth so that is what I used.
I usually buy my sweetened condensed milk right before thanksgiving when it is on sale. I buy enough to last me through the year. This year I got mine for around 85 cents a can!

Alfredo dipping sauce

This one is "inspired" by The Olive Gardens Alfredo sauce. The first time I really remember going to The Olive Garden was at a girls night out with my in-laws. We had a great time and it was great food. My sister and mother ordered the alfredo sauce on the side to dip their bread sticks in. It was really good! I made up a sauce (with my sisters help) that tastes very similar to me, you can judge for yourself. I don't really like this with noodles it doesn't taste quite right. I am going to make one change and see if I like it better. But, for dipping this is fantastic! I haven't been able to make a bread stick that I really LIKE yet, so until then I will hold off posting a recipe for that. I like to chop up french bread into chunks and dip it into the sauce for a delicious Appetizer. This is great for a cheep stay at home movie night with your husband! I hope you enjoy.

Ingredients

1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp flour
2 1/2 c half and half
1/2 c shredded Parmesan cheese (portioned into 1/4c servings)
1/4th pk of cream cheese (cubed so it will melt easily)
salt and pepper to taste

melt butter in a frying pan on medium high heat. When the butter is melted add the flour whisking it at all times. add half and half still whisking the mixture.

When it looks like this add 1/4 Parmesan cheese and cream cheese. stiring the whole time. When the cheese is melted it should be thick and ready to serve. Take off heat and add the remaining Parmesan cheese. salt and pepper to taste!

Household tip on how to save money!

I tried to make my own dish detergent for my dishwasher to try to save some money and it didn't work out so well. The dishes came out with a thick layer of soap scum on them. (we are still trying to get it of some of the dishes!) I did find out however how to conserve on the detergent. Most dishwashers have two spots for the soap. A prewash and the actual wash. The cups for the detergent are huge! To get the dishes clean you don't have to fill them all the way. (I think it is a conspiracy on the soap and dishwasher makers to try and get us to spend more money) I just put one Tbsp of soap in each spot. I have been doing this for 6 months now and have saved a lot. I only buy dish detergent about every two to three months now. It is great!

My Three Chickens

This year for my birthday, my mom made me a chicken coop, and my brother gave me three of his new chickens! So far they have been really fun. One of them is really feisty and doesn't like going back in the coop when I let them out, but eventually they always get back in there.

this is where I collect the eggs

They love being out of the coop, they scratch up my back yard to their hearts content!

Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is a freezer meal! It is so easy and delicious! My friend Becky called me awhile ago to ask for this recipe, I just got the voice mail today, so, sorry Becky it took so long.
I don't have a picture yet I will post it later.
Make up 3- 4 lbs of cubed chicken breast. I just cut into chunks with my kitchen shears and fry the chicken up in a little oil with salt, onion powder, and garlic powder.

To prepare and freeze

3 divided portions cooked cubed chicken
9 cups tortilla chips (crushed)
6 cups frozen corn kernels or 3 cans of corn
largest pk. Velveeta cheese spread (cut in thirds and cubed dividing into three portions)
3 cans diced tomatoes
dash of cyane pepper (optional)

In three, gallon sized, ziplock freezer bags add all ingredients, one can or portion each. (even the tortillas!) put in freezer! It's so easy!

To finish and serve

pull out out bag from freezer, put contents of bag in large pot on med high heat. (you can thaw bag if you like first.) Add two cans (14 oz each) of chicken broth. Heat until hot and thick.

Garnish with crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, olives, tomatoes......anything you want!

*This is a Pampered Chef recipe
Jo's tips:
If you don't want to freeze this you can just make one batch up by just adding ingredients to the pot and continuing on to finish and serve. I just like making this as a freezer meal because you can buy the cheese in bulk at wall mart for a cheaper price.
You can also add cheddar cheese instead of Velveeta, It is still yummy.
I forgot to put the chicken in once and it was good that way as well.

Mandrine Chicken

I love oriental food! I am the type of person who will go to a restaurant and if I find something I really like I will try to recreate it at home, because let's face it eating out is expensive! This recipe is inspired by a chicken donburi dish at a very expensive Japanese restaurant I use to go to.

Turn on your oven to 350*

For the chicken
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 2" cubes
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. butter or oil

1. combine flour and garlic powder and put in a bowl.
2. add chicken to coat with the flour.
3. put the chicken on a cookie sheet in a single layer
4. drizzel melted butter or oil on the chicken
5. Put in the oven and bake for 30 minutes

For the sauce

2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. minced ginger
1 Tbsp vegie oil

1/4 cup water

4 tsp corn syrup

1. combine all ingredients in a sauce pan.
2.bring to a boil
3. let it simmer on medium for 10 minutes


serve with rice and your favorite vegetables

Jo's tips
You can also make this meal with grilled chicken.

Homemade Laundry Soap

I have been making my own laundry soap for almost a year now and it saves me so much money. I love not having to put laundry soap on my shopping list every month. You can also put all the ingredients in your food storage so you will not have to worry about it if times get hard.

For those of you who are scared of trying it for yourself let me show you how easy it can be!

1 cup baking soda
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax powder
1/3 bar of zote soap

In a large bowl grate 1/3 bar zote soap with a cheese grater. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir it all together. Put the mixture into a food processor to grind the zote soap and mix it all together. Put it in a storage container and you are done!
Add one Tablespoon of laundry soap to the wash!

Jo's tips:
You can get the baking soda and the borax powder at Wall mart for really good price. They might also have the zote soap there as well. I get the washing soda at Reams because Wall mart does not carry it and Reams sells a big box. I haven't seen as big of a box anywhere else. I found the zote soap at Reams as well.
There are also liquid soaps you can make, but I find the powder a lot easier and it works just as well.

Sticky Chicken

Last night I had dinner at my sisters house, she made a dish she saw on Good Morning Utah or America something like that, but it was sooooo good. It was called Sticky Chicken.

-One cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
-one cup apricot jam, or jelly
-one packet of onion soup mix
mix all together and set aside
in a frying pan fry up boneless chicken breast or thighs until done. Add sauce mixture, simmer on med for 5 min. serve with rice.

Johanna's tip's
This sauce was so good! We had it with sticky rice, and just dipped the rice in the sauce.
You could also cook a pork roast in the crock pot and pour the sauce on top for a great pulled pork! If you are single and want to impress a boy just make this it if fool proof! I hope you enjoy.

Easy Recipe

All my friends keep asking me for my recipes. I hardly ever get around to giving them out so I decided to put good/easy/gourmet recipes on my blog! Enjoy. I will label the skill level involved. Today's is easy!

1 pack of hot dogs
8 servings instant mashed potatoes
1/2 to 1 pound shredded cheese

slice hot dogs in half not cutting all the way through, put mashed potatoes in each hot dog. put in casserole dish and cook in oven at 350* for about half an hour or until heated through. put cheese on top and let sit in oven until cheese is melted. The kids will love this dinner. I usually will add a vegie to this meal and the whole family enjoys!

My first post!

Mike and I have a family website, but I find I have no control over it. He is constantly changing things and I am not able to personalize it to my own taste. So, I decided to give blogging a chance. I have a lot to say and I want to be heard. j/k I just think it will be fun learning to use this program and at the same time getting my creative juices flowing.
That's all for now!