Showing posts with label Pineapple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pineapple. Show all posts

Sunday, March 14, 2010

The story of "Sweet & Sour Chicken", A Freezer Meal

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Long ago in a far away land, I was introduced to the world of Freezer Meals.  Yes, it didn't take much to pull me in, but it has been a wonderfully rewarding journey ever since.  Right now, I'm on a quest to find and create more and more freezer-worthy meals that my family not just likes, but LOVES.  This is a new love.

Sweet and Sour Chicken from the book, "Dinner Is Ready" by Deanna Buxton.  The main recipe can serve 6-8, I doubled it.  It gave my family of four enough for dinner that night, two left over containers PLUS Two gallon freezer bags filled with dinner for two more nights.  LOVE IT!  Now, I know this looks like a rainbow just landed on our plate...just in time for St. Patrick's Day, but I promise you, if you follow the recipe, it won't look nearly this colorful...unless you WANT it to.  I bought a big bag of sweet peppers at Costco and wanted to use them up...as well as a couple of red onions.  It sure does look pur-ty, though.

Sweet & Sour Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1T. Oil
1 carrot, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. cornstarch
1 1/3 c. water
3 T. Oil
2/3 c. vinegar
1/4 c. soy sauce
1 onion, chunked
1/2 red bell pepper, chunked
1/2 green bell pepper, chunked
1 small can pineapple chunks

Cut Chicken in 1 inch cubes.  Saute in oil with carrot and garlic until no longer pink.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.  Combine sugar and cornstarch in saucepan.  Stir in water.  Add oil, vinegar and soy sauce.  Cook and stir until thick and clear.  Remove from heat.  Stir together chicken, sauce, vegetables and pineapple.  Allow to cool.  Place in gallon freezer bag.  Label and freeze.

To Serve: Thaw.  Heat until hot and bubbly.  Serve over hot rice (mixed with cooked wheat berries if you dare!). 

TIP - Rice freezes really well.  Make a big batch and separate it out into meal-sized portions so you can just grab a bag in the morning to thaw in the fridge and then reheat in the microwave...poof!  Easy!

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Monday, August 10, 2009

Pina Colada Cake

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Sweetened Condensed Milk....MMmmmmmmmm....... one of my favorites!
Coconut...MMmmmmm......
Pineapple...MMMm..........

Yes, This recipe has all of the YUMMIEST ingredients in it, even Mayonaise! Yes, I know it sounds weird. BUT give me a minute to explain. I was in a pinch with time Sunday to make a cake to take to dinner with family. I rummaged thru my cupboards and discovered, VOILA! I have the ingredients that would make a delicious summery cake! I didn't have much time to slave over this one, so I opted for a yellow cake mix. I can hear you now, "Tsk Tsk Tsk, Lisa."
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Hey! Wait! I didn't follow the box directions EXACTLY. I learned a few years ago a pretty schnazy trick to "umph" cake mixes to make them super duper moist and you'd never guess this ingredient is in it...yup, MAYONAISE! I substitute the oil for exact measurement of Mayo (NOT miracle whip and MUST be REAL Mayo. Sorry if you're on a diet, but really, what cake can taste this decadent AND be diet-worthy.)

Okay, okay. Eat only the pineapple on top. That's legal, right!? Wait! You'd be missing the BEST part doing that! Once you've baked this cake, you poke holes all over it and drench, and I really mean drench/soak it in sweetened condensed milk. Ahhhhh....I {HEART} Sweetened Condensed Milk! (Enter dream-like trance...)

This cake ends up being oh so oooey, gooey that it just melts in your mouth. The touch of pineapple baked into the cake and then layered on the top with coconut and coolwhip give it that tropical dreamy goodness that will send you to a dreamy tropical paradise! You just HAVE to try this if you dare to make something so EASY and DELICIOUS!!
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Pina Colada Cake
from: 101 Things To Do With A Cake Mix by Stephanie Ashcraft

1 yellow cake mix
1 LARGE can crushed pineapple, drained
2-14 oz. cans sweetened condensed milk
8 oz. Whipped Topping
2/3 c. coconut

Prepare cake mix as directed on the back of package remembering to substitute mayo for the oil if desired.

Mix 1/2 can of pineapple into batter. Bake according to package directions.

With a fork, poke holes in warm cake at 1-inch intervals. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over cake. Allow cake to cool.

Spread whipped topping over the cake. Sprinkle with remaining pineapple and coconut.
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