Chicken Fried Rice

I have to admit I have a problem when it comes to eating out. I love going to the restaurants because someone comes to wait on me and I don't have to do dishes! But, that kills the budget. I decided yesterday I really wanted some fried rice. We had chicken in the house because hubs made some cutlets for work the other day so I was using it up. So, without further adieu here's the recipe. It's pretty close to takeout. Hubs even enjoyed it as leftovers for lunch. And it would be 4 servings if you actually remember to eat during the day and maybe serving some spring rolls on the side. I had two huge bowls because it was all I ate.

Chicken fried rice.

2 chicken breasts pounded, sliced into strips then cut into pieces

Jasmine rice 2 cups dry rice cooked in 3 cups water and a little salt. (extra was for the kids)

Cook these ahead of time then stick in the fridge to cool until dinner time. I used my cast iron skillet to pound out the chicken because Daredevil ran off with the mallet and it's currently in an undisclosed location. I put a piece of saran wrap over it before I pounded it. Then when it was all ready to cook I seasoned it with more salt and some fresh cracked black pepper. And usually when I talk about salt it's kosher. It adds a nice flavor in the cooking. The Morton's just sits in a shaker on the table for anyone wanting more salt on their dish.

When it's time for dinner have ready:

1/2 sliced onion
4 oz. sliced mushrooms (more if you're in the mood)
Green onions sliced
1 cup of peas and carrots (I used frozen)
Chilled rice
Chilled chicken
Several handfuls of bean sprouts washed and drained
3 eggs ready to scramble

In the wok:
lightly spray the very bottom to scramble up the eggs. When they are scrambled and starting to turn golden brown take them out and set aside.

Then add sesame oil. I also added a little canola just to help with the temperature because I'm getting used to the new stove. Probably 1 heaping tablespoon of sesame oil and 1/2 tablespoon of canola oil. Let it get nice and hot. It should smell like nirvana in your kitchen.

When the oil is heated add the onions and mushrooms and start cooking them. Add some more salt and pepper. When they start cooking about 2 minutes then add the chicken. Another 2 minutes, add the peas and carrots, green onions and sprouts. Let it all cook for another 2 minutes or so when things just start to wilt nicely. Then add the egg and rice back in. At this point you'll also start adding soy sauce in. I eyeballed it so I can't tell you how much I added. Probably a tablespoon or two. Add another little bit of salt and black pepper if it's not the level you're looking for (TASTE IT!). If it's good slap that on a plate and call it good. Shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to cook. Add another drizzle of the sesame oil and let everyone add their own extra soy sauce. And I'm probably making this again this week as a flat out vegetable one and going hog wild with the mushrooms, onions and sprouts. Enjoy everyone! Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. 

The weather is getting cooler

Which means nights filled with knitting! I cannot wait to finish up a couple pair of longies for Daredevil. Her pairs from last year still fit because she's a peanut. But, I'm thinking she needs a black pair this year. And I am thinking I'd like to work on a cloak for myself.

Things are a little hectic here. We've moved into a new place. It's bigger and the kids certainly have room to roam now. And that means I am able to work on some nifty projects for them soon. At least, that's what I'm hoping. I'm headed to Goodwill this week to see what I can repurpose to help give the kids a little more creativity without drawing directly on the walls...or the floors. We shall see what I come up with! Off to drop Tot to preschool.

School is in session!

I have some updating to do. Daredevil and I are fighting nasty colds so a little at a time here. Wanted to share our monster stuffed shells that I've recently made for Tot. He's gotten very picky because he needs some dental work done. And Tot has taken to calling himself Monster Turtle over the summer.

1 small container ricotta cheese (12 or 16 oz I can't remember)
1 8 oz pkg shredded mozzarella cheese (or buy bulk and shred your own)
1 egg
2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
2 Tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
3 oz. Pureed garbanzo beans ( I already had them in the freezer frozen into ice cubes which is about 1 oz)
Pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
3 cups spinach put through the food processor until blended nicely
1-2 tbsp olive oil for flavor

Package of cooked large shells. I only cooked them most of the way about 10 minutes. Put some olive oil over them after drained so they're easier to get apart.
Mix the filling together and stuff the shells with the fling. You'll have shells leftover so you might want to double the filling or make half the shells. I got 15 but I stuffed generously. Cook for about 40 minutes in sauce at 350-375 depending on your oven. Tot enjoys them with extra Parmesan on top and he's none the wiser that I made them nutrient packed for him.

So, I've been MIA

I've had a lot going on. I'll elaborate later, but I'm not ready right now. I am enjoying time with the family. Daredevil has taken on the task of climbing...and falling. Tot has finished school for the summer. His speech has come so far in the past six months. It's amazing and I couldn't be happier. It's just a quick hello for now. Off to wrangle kids.

Officially crazy

I started to make a quilt for Tot a couple weeks ago. The quilt top is done and it is cute. I need time to sandwich it up and finish it. And once I got to working on that I decided to peg Hubs down to help pick out fabrics for a quilt for our bed. So, yes I am crazy. I'm making a KING size quilt for our bed. When I was out picking out fabrics I also found some other cute fabrics to make a couple dresses for Daredevil. I buy the fabric but I need the time to actually make this stuff! I plan on making the time in the next couple weeks though so that Daredevil will have a couple new dresses to get through the upcoming summer. And I also have a couple patterns for Tot too. One of them I couldn't pass up because it was just so cute. I feel like I've really opened up a new thing in my life. I've always loved fashion even though I am not a fashion plate. But, I spent many hours doodling up new ideas. How's that work? Love criminal justice, cooking and fashion with an interest in psychology. There's no denying I'm confused. I'll post the fabrics I picked out another day but for now I have to get going. Daredevil is about ready to nurse and take a little snooze. Have a good day all. Hopefully someone can keep me motivated or talk some sense into me. ;-)

Hello there...

We've been enjoying some family time while the Hubs was on vacation for the past two weeks. He goes back tomorrow and that means that I deal with the crazy hectic schedules again. It's been fairly relaxing though and I've enjoyed it. It allowed Hubs to really see everything Daredevil has been up to and has caught him up on Tot's speech progress. Tot is doing fantastic at his school and I am just absolutely amazed at how far his speech has come in just a couple short months. Daredevil is trying more foods, but we are still dealing with sensitivity issues. But, I'm happy to see that she's definitely willing to try different foods. As a result Tot is now trying more foods as well and re-trying some foods that he used to eat when he was just a bit older than she is now. I'm hoping her positive influence along with his school will encourage him to try more of the foods we are having at home.

I managed to strain my knee last week when pushing too hard on a walk/jog. I actually landed poorly at the end of my session on some soft-packed sand and got the injury that way. So, I'm still healing. As soon as everything is good I can't wait to get back out and put my new sneakers through a good test. They feel great to be honest. I could go for very long stretches in them which is how great they feel on. And I'm notorious for hating to wear shoes even though I used to own a very large number of them. And I have to cut this short as Daredevil is pulling on my shirt. I think it's time for a new diaper and some nursing time.

Oh what did I get myself into?

I went out for a half hour today sans children and Hubs. They started along with me as far as Tot could walk comfortably. I was itching though to go at my own pace because we were going at a snails pace. I'm not much faster, but I at least wanted to try today just for kicks and giggles. I stuffed myself in my one running bra that I could find easily enough. And stuffed is definitely the operative word. I should get the custom done but I want to wait a month before I do it. I actually did a walk today and I managed to test myself with a little light jogging as far as I could for parts of it. I kept tugging at my shorts and I hated my shoes which provide very little support for even walking. I felt good though mentally afterwards. We went out today and I got a brand new pair of properly fitting running shoes (stability with cushioning!) and a running skort. I can't believe how excited I am over this. Hubs is going to start distracting the kids a couple times a week so I can get out. Excited.That's.Me! As for my one hour at a time, we've had a very celebratory weekend so I am up .4 pounds. But, that will go back down since we're done the celebrating now. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!