Friday, March 23, 2012

Yummy Sesame Chicken Salad

As all of you know I am an Asian foodaholic!!  So anytime I can make an Asian dish I get very excited :)  I found this recipe on pinterst and had to try it.  Of course I left out the tomatoes(texture thing and Ava is our only tomato eater and she is at my moms)  It is a very simple recipe and not too many ingredients.  You should definetly try this one out!!

Ingredients:

4 cups (1 liter) water
4 slices of ginger, 1⁄4 in (6mm) thick
1 medium onion, sliced
3 boneless chicken breasts(1 lb/500g)
4-5 mini cucumbers or 1 English cucumber, unpeeled (or 1 Kirby cucumber, peeled and deseeded)2 large tomatoes, cut into eighths6 green onions (scallions), finely chopped1⁄4 cup (65 ml) sesame oil
Salt and fresh ground pepper, to tasteVinaigrette
1⁄4 cup (65 ml) light soy sauce1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar1 teaspoon whole pepper- corns, lightly crushed

Directions:

1) To make the Vinaigrette, mix the soy sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, and peppercorns in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for one minute and set aside.

2) Bring the water, ginger, and onion to a boil in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Lower the heat to a simmer and add the chicken breasts. Cook for 15 minutes.
3) Turn off the heat and let chicken sit in the hot liquid 
for 10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the stock, and when it is cool enough to handle, shred the chicken with your hands. Place the chicken back into the stock in a bowl and refrigerate until you are ready to use.

4) Lightly scrape the skin of the mini or English cucumbers with a paring knife.
5 If using mini cucumbers cut them into 11⁄2 inch (3.75 cm) chunks. If you are using an English or Kirby cucum- ber cut them in half lengthwise, and then into 11⁄2 inch (3.75 cm) chunks.

5) Place a chunk of cucumber under the broad part of
a kitchen knife. With your fist, hit the top of the blade once, and lightly crush the cucumber. Repeat with the remaining pieces.

6) Arrange a layer of the crushed cucumbers around a large serving platter. Remove the cold chicken from the stock and place it down the center of the platter. Surround the chicken with the tomato wedges and top it with green onions.

7) In a stainless steel ladle or small pot, heat the sesame
oil over a low flame until bubbles appear, approximately one minute. Turn off the heat and pour the oil evenly over the green onions and chicken. Strain the Vinaigrette and drizzle it over the chicken and vegetables. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

KIDS COULDN'T GET PAST THE GRAPES

So I made these yummy chicken salad croissants last night.  They were super easy and very tasty too!!  Of course my kids saw the grapes and apples and thought it was totally gross!  Oh well that meant more for me and Andy!!Pinned Image
Chicken Salad
  • 2 ( 12.5 oz) cans of chicken (or 3 cups diced cooked chicken)
  • 3/4 cup light mayonnaise
  • 1 cup red grapes, halved
  • 1 green onion, diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup diced apple
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • pecans or cashews, optional
  1. In a bowl, combine the chicken, mayo, grapes, green onion, celery, apple, salt, and pepper.  Combine until well blended.
  2. Serve on rolls, bread, or croissants sprinkle with some cashews or pecans.  This can also be served on a lettuce leaf.

Monday, March 19, 2012

13.1 I'M ONLY HALF CRAZY!!!


Keri and I before the race!!

I actually did it!!  I can not believe 10 months ago I could not even run for 30 seconds without feeling like I was going to pass out and Saturday I ran for 2 hours and 12 minutes.  I wanted to finish in 2 hours and 10 minutes but there were so many people running in the race that I lost some time fighting the crowds.  It is kind of a blur now.  I know I was hurting...I know I was exhausted but it was like an outer body experience and when I think back on it, it is almost like it never happened!!
As soon as we finished Keri said, "So are we going to do the Virginia Beach Half in September?"  Obviously I was still in some sort of blur because I didn't say NO!!!

Keri and I after the race!!!

 I guess most people want to go to Disney after they accomplish something big.  I just wanted to go to Georgetown to DC cupcakes and go shopping.  Georgetown was the cutest town.  I had the best sandwich I have ever eaten(maybe because I had just ran 13.1 miles and all I had eaten all day was an energy bar, a bite of a banana, and a bite of a bagel and it was 2:00) some yummy cupcakes and bought a new running skirt!! 

My reward for running 13.1 miles!
                               

Tomorrow I am going to treat myself to a deep tissue massage!  Then it is back to training for our next adventure.  Maybe the Mud Run in June and then maybe the Virginia Beach Rock and Roll half in September.  Anyone want to join me??  You know the saying is...13.1...I am only half crazy :)

Monday, March 12, 2012

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!

What a great weekend for the Friedlander kids!  Taylor had a qualifying competition in Charlotte for a Virginia Beach competition in May.  All three of her teams had to finish first or second to be able to go to Virginia Beach.  Two of her teams placed 2nd and one team placed 1st and overall Grand Champions.  This is her lowest level team and the one we thought wouldn't have a chance to go but oh man did they perform their butts off and earned that spot!! 


Bryce had his last soccer game of the season they were undefeated going into the game and came out still undefeated!  Way to go Mini Messi's!!


Since Taylor's team won Grand Champions for all Level 2 teams they had their performance posted to YouTube by JamLive!!  Click the link below to view.  It is kind of far away.  The best way to find Taylor is toward the beginning she is the girl that tumbles down the middle while the other girls are sitting down.  In the end she is the one in the middle that does a toe touch and lands on her belly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Q3dU9A9uA&feature=player_embedded

Thursday, March 8, 2012

BRYCE'S SCRIMMAGE PICTURES

Heading out after game
Calling time after his big catch
Hitting it to the outfield
Running out to 1st base
Always wanting to be the first in the field
Waiting to get started

BRYCE'S FIRST SCRIMMAGE AS A MUDCAT

Bryce did an amazing job at his first spring scrimmage.  He had two big hits(one even went into the outfield).  He made it on base both times and eventually scored a run both times.  He played 1st base for 2 innings and shortstop for one.  While playing 1st he got two outs and while playing shortstop he caught an amazing popfly.  Not sure what the final score was but we were playing last years champions so I think they played very well.  The best of course being BRYCE :)

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

WHO KNEW ALL I HAD TO DO WAS MAKE A CUPCAKE TO GET MY CHILDREN TO EAT MEATLOAF :)

That's right!  I made meatloaf cupcakes.  You put your meatloaf mixture into muffin pans and bake.  While those are baking you make your mashed potatoes.  Then when the meatloaf is ready you put the mashed potatoes into a pastry bag and pipe them onto the top like icing.  Then you sprinkle them with bacon!!  Why didn't my mom think of that?  All those Sundays I had to sit at the table until all my meatloaf was gone was TORTURE!!! 
Meatloaf Cupcakes
Meatloaf
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup ketchup, divided
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, extra lean (raw)
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • Cooking spray
Mashed Potatoes
  • 4 cups cubed peeled Yukon gold potato (about 2 pounds)
  • 1/4 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
  • 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Garnish
  • 3 tablespoons chopped chives
  • 4 pieces of bacon cooked and them chopped

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.
Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, chopped carrot, dried oregano, and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Cool.
Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.
Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Top each with 2 teaspoons ketchup. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes.
While the meatloaf is cooking, make the mashed potatoes.  Place potato in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until tender. Drain. Put potatoes into a ricer for best results.  Return potato to pan. Add milk and remaining ingredients; stir with a spoon to desired consistency.  If they are not creamy enough for you, add up to 1/4 cup more milk – although they need to be stiff enough to pipe on top.
Put the potatoes into a pastry bag with a wide star tip and pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the meatloaf.  Sprinkle with bacon crumbles and chopped chives.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

KING OF THE JUNGLE PICTURES

Click the link below to view pictures from Taylor's competition.

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Friday, March 2, 2012

OMG THESE ARE AMAZING!!!

I have made these twice and both times they only lasted about 12 hours and then they mysteriously disappeared :) My neighbor(who likes to eat clean) was asked by her husband to make these!  That's right Keri...you can't make Jimmy go over to the clean side with me as a neighbor :)  I found this recipe on the Pampered Chef website.



S'more Cups

7  whole graham crackers (1 cup finely crushed)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
4 bars (1.55 oz each) milk chocolate candy, divided
12 large marshmallows
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place graham crackers into a large resealable plastic bag. Finely crush into crumbs. Combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and butter in a small bowl.
Place 2 tablespoons of crumb mixture in each cup of a muffin pan. Press crumbs to form shallow cups. Bake 4-5 minutes or until edges are bubbling. Meanwhile, break two of the candy bars into rectangles. Remove pan from oven; place two rectangles into each cup. Add amarshmallow into each cup. Return to oven 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows are slightly softened. Remove pans from oven to cooling rack; cool 15 minutes. Carefully remove cups from pan. Cool completely.
Break remaining candy bars and place in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 20 seconds. Dip the top of each marshmallow in melted chocolate. Turn top-side up and let stand 40 to 60 minutes or until set. Makes 12 cups