Something funny,...

2 muffins sitting in a oven the one muffin looks over and says "its hot in here eh?" the other muffin look over and says "OMG A TALKING MUFFIN!"

A cooking adventure!

To me the flavors of Asian style cooking are amazing and delicious...Umami (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umami)

I decided to venture into that world this evening by making my very own Orange Baked Chicken. I recently came to love orange chicken and most of the places that I've had it has been fried and usually very sickly sweet. Too sweet for me!

I attempted again to search for a good recipe with no luck... I took a pinch of this and a dash of that and made my own savory and healthier version of this classic Asian dish.

When i tasted it...mmmmm... it was great! I can feel the tiny little taste buds springing off my tongue with each bite, sweet orange, spicy ginger and salty soy sauce. delish!

Orange Baked Chicken

1 pkg boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 large orange
4 tbsp. orange juice concentrate
1/2 tsp. ginger (ground or fresh)
2 tbsp. soy sauce
salt and pepper

preheat oven to 350 degrees.

wash and pat dry chicken breasts. cube 1/2 in. or so.
heat medium skillet over medium heat and add a pad of butter and chicken. lightly salt and pepper chicken. cook chicken until almost done.

add chicken to a foil lined 9x13 baking dish

using the same medium skillet add concentrate, ginger, soy sauce. roll orange on counter, cut in half and squeeze juice of orange. cook over medium low heat until bubbly.

pour sauce over chicken in pan. grate orange zest over chicken mixture.
bake for 30 minutes.

serve over rice - use remaining orange sliced for garnish.

Hope you try and enjoy!

Happy Cooking,
Diane

Things in the pantry...

Hello foodies!

Nice to see you've come back for more!

Well, I've been under the weather and stuck at home which leaves me bored and stressed. (NO FUN!) So today I decided to bake something. I went through my pantry to see what i had and started to brainstorm. I researched the internet for recipes on what I had in mind and couldn't find any, so the creation is up to me.
Apple Pie Cake

1 pkg. white cake mix
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. water
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 can apple pie filling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine cake mix, oil, water, and eggs. Mix well with wire whisk. Add vanilla, cinnamon and apple pie filling. Mix with a spoon. Add mixture to a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle cinnamon/sugar mixture over the top evenly. Bake for 40 min. (until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.)

I topped mine with whipped cream and cinnamon sugar sprinkle. I am also toying with the idea of a powdered sugar glaze, powdered sugar dusting or even just a cream cheese frosting.

Hope everyone gets to try and enjoy! Its very delicious and moist!

Happy Cooking,
Diane

Welcome!

Welcome to Polka dot Press!

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Diane and Katie

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