TnT: Chicken and Dumplings

So, my first official Tried and True entry for the year: The Chicken and Dumplings recipe from BS in the Kitchen.

So I took a look at the picture below and decided to give it a try!  The recipe available HERE.

However, I did not have time to make dumplings…so I skipped the dumpling phase and served with veggie chili and pita bread.  See below:

 

Summary of TnT entry:

Clarity of instructions: very clear instructions

Ingredients: basic ingredients that should be already available in kitchen or easy to get in local store

Level of difficulty: 1 (fairly straightforward)

Sissi’s Grade: 3.5 stars, the taste is really good and the recipe gets me outside the rut of repetitive weekday cooling, but I feel it’s just a good comfort recipe, nothing overboard…which is a good thing.  Just feel it could be better….had I made the dumplings, maybe my rating would be different 😉

Master Tester’s Grade: 3 stars…very good but room for improvement.

Let me know how yours turns out!

But Ariana, “I HATE exercise!”

Loving this article from Ariana @ Living a balanced Life. This is the first time that I read a personal trainer recommend exercising for healthy percentage of muscle and fat tissues, versus looking slim. I guess I gotta exercise even for 20 minutes now!

A Kick In The Butt

These words have been uttered to me on more than one occasion. As we embark on a new year, I meet many prospective new clients, several of whom admit that they are begrudgingly seeking a new exercise routine because they “hate exercise.” (Often admitted in a whisper while shyly looking over their shoulder as if this is a punishable attitude.)

 

Exercise when achieved through something you have passion for or find fun (tennis, swimming, riding bikes with the kids) is wonderful! Exercise when it feels mandatory (or necessary but not voluntary) and in an uninspiring environment like a gym can feel like drudgery. So for those of you who are raising your hands in the secluded safety of your home that you are one of those exercise haters I have one question to ask you: Why do you exercise?

If your answer is “because I have to, to stay healthy”…

View original post 454 more words

TnT series: Middle Eastern Style Fried Fish

This recipe was a success.  Got it from a yahoo link that I am searching for so will update the post later today. Will also upload more pictures!

 

Veal and salad

Pan-fried veal with a wine sauce (oignon, orange pepper, red wine, broth and salt). Served with blue cheese salad.

Tried-n-True Series: Southern style collard greens with oven roasted chicken (8 Nov 13)

I found this recipe for southern style collard greens from Paula Deen….however, I did not have ham in the fridge…so I used turkey bacon instead 🙂

Master tester’s grade: 3 stars out of 5 (he has never liked vegetables).  I personally liked the greens.  I roasted some chicken pieces and pan-fried some corn – both Sissi style 😉

Related articles

• Southern Collard Greens (youvegottotastethis.myrecipes.com)

Tried-n-True series: Pan-fried Pork Chops (6 Nov 13)

I tried the pan-fried pork chop recipe from the PioneerWomanCooks; served with fried vegetables Sissi style 😉

Master tester’s grade: 4 stars out of 5….

Let me know what you think of the chops when you try yours!

Tried-n-True Series : Garlic Sauce with Broccoli/ Fish and Beef Filets (TnTS 3 Oct 2013)

Last Tuesday, I looked for a cheesy garlic sauce to mix steamed vegetables with.  Found this Rachel Ray recipe.  Turned out great.  Instead of red pepper, I added powdered cayenne pepper.

Served with a beef steak seasoned with salt pepper and olive oil for Master Tester who dislikes fish.  Also served breaded fish filets for my other brother.

Master tester approved the meal!  Pictures below, let me know how yours turn out.

 

TnT Series 25 Sept 2013 – BBQ Porc in Oven

Yesterday I tried a new recipe for BBQ pork chops with a homemade sauce.  Recipe from Bobby Deen’s book “From Mama’s Table to Mine”.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the final outcome (the pork chop on a plate with salad and french fries…).  Master Tester said thumbs up, so give it a try and let me know how yours turn out….if you like BBQ pork 😉

Related articles

• How To: Start A BBQ (jacamoblog.co.uk)

 

Tried and True Series: One shade of Chicken Thighs and MacNCheese (TnT 17sept13)

While at Target, I stumbled upon yet another cook book but this time I held on NOT to purchase it.  It is entitled ’50 Shades of chicken’.  Agreed, a very poor attempt to draw attention to the popular adult novel (not the Anatomy Grey).  I did not read the book and do not intend to.

Back to the shades of chicken, I browsed through the various recipes and decided to try on the chicken thighs with white wine caramelized onions….It is called the “Dripping Thighs recipe”, whatever that means? I wish I could share a link to the recipe online but there is a video I did not check, and do not want to check just in case the publicity stunt goes too far for my sensitive eyes 🙂 feel free to google the recipe name on your own and you should get a quick access to it.

Below, my tried and true pictures.  Master Tester said it was good but could do better 🙂 I feel should have added some honey…on the other hand, not a fan of  too sweet dinners.   Served the thighs with the Foulds Mac and Cheese.  Let me know how yours turn out!

Related articles

• Tried and True Series – 7 Sept 13: Chicken and Herbs (ebelandi.com)

Tried and True Series – 7 Sept 13: Chicken and Herbs

My friend, Miss Cay, was discussing her tried and true list over at her Instagram page.  It was such an excellent idea I am using her approach to motivate me to try different recipes (and justify the purchase of millions of cooking books that I seldom use….).

The first trial for this series is fairly simple: chicken and herbs.  I am posting original recipe and picture, as well as Sissi’s trial 😉  It turned out well, and the master tester (aka my very picky baby brother) loved it….I guess we passed the test! Let me know what you think!

Mixing mint with almond and lemon juice

Chicken I roasted, here half cut as I was getting ready to serve 🙂

And the final product! Pretty close to the original picture 🙂 Good job!

If you would like to try a different recipe for Chicken and Herbs, some links below! Let me know how yours turn out 😉

Related articles

• Roasted Chicken with Fresh Herbs (keelymarie.com)
• Roast Chicken With Italian Herbs (theobamacrat.com)