Over The Top Mommy

Recipes

Cooking It Up with Ling Ling Asian Food and Chef Katie Chen

This post was sponsored by Ling Ling. All opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Last week, I had a unique opportunity to attend a Ling Ling Asian Foods cooking class in L.A. at Hipcooks. The class was led by Chef Katie Chin and attended by a fun group of local influencers. The place was beautifully adorned with festive red and gold decor and some traditional New Year’s decorations. ling-ling-asian-food-group-shotSince Chinese New Year is just around the corner, falling on Friday, February 16 this year, I was excited for the opportunity to try out several simple-to-prepare-at-home Ling Ling items that you can put together to make an easy meal for your family. I’m addicted to Ling Ling Potstickers and now they offer Fried Rice and Noodles, too! All of the Ling Ling items are perfect for preparing your own an authentic Asian Chinese New Year meal at home.ling-ling-asian-foods-potstickersIt was night of laughter and learning led by Chef Katie Chin, who is an extremely talented and just an adorable person. She shared so much with us. Not only did she give us some helpful tips to plan our Chinese New Year menus, she was also very open and personable and sharing quite a bit about her personal story and how she came to be involved in the culinary industry.ling-ling-asian-foods-chef-katie-cooking-1Chef Katie started off by teaching us how to blanch kale and green beans to use in 2 simple recipes: a Kale with Ginger Salad and Sweet & Spicy Green Beans. I had no idea how easy it is to blanch veggies but I know I’ll do it more often now. Both of these recipes make great side dishes to feature on your Chinese New Year menu. (Please see down below for recipes.) ling-ling-asian-foods-side-dishesAfter we were finished preparing these two dishes, we all sat down to enjoy an early Chinese New Year dinner together. The table was filled with delicious Ling Ling entrees and New Year’s decor.ling-ling-foods-table-decorLing Ling’s most well known product are their potstickers. Have you tried them before? ling-ling-asian-foods-potstickersThey’re made with delectable chicken or pork, and tender vegetables and are expertly combined in a mouthwatering dumpling wrapper. Each comes with Ling Ling signature dipping sauce and they are so delicious!ling-ling-asian-foods-fried-riceLing Ling also has Fried Rice dishes from Japan and China. Their authentic recipes are expertly crafted and made with tender vegetables, delicious proteins and flavor infused rice that tastes great down to the last grain. You’re going to love these once you try them and they are so simple to prepare at home. Ling Ling Fried Rice is available in Yakitori Chicken, Yakiniku Beef, Thai-Style Chicken, Chinese-Style Vegetable, and Bibimbap Beef flavors.ling-ling-asian-foods-noodlesAnother great Ling Ling product available in stores are the Authentic Asian-style noodles infused with delicious sauces, succulent proteins, and vegetables. There are two traditional Asian varieties to choose from: Drunken Noodles and Yakisoba Noodles.ling-ling-asian-foods-decorAside from all of the food, I also enjoyed getting to learn about some Chinese New Year customs and traditions from Chef Katie. Here are some of the DOs and DONTs to follow for starting out the New Year:

  • Don’t use foul language or bad words on New Year’s Day or they will follow you throughout the year.
  • Don’t wash your hair on the actual Chinese New Year because you will “wash away” your good luck for the year.
  • Greeting friends with oranges or tangerines (with the leaves still attached if possible) during the New Year will ensure that your friendships remain intact
  • Don’t sweep on New Year’s Day as you’ll “sweep” all your good luck out the door
  • Be sure to step into new shoes on New Year’s morning to start your year off on the right foot. This was a personal favorite of Chef Katie and I can see why.

One of the cool customs we also learned about was the distribution of red envelopes to children, filled with money to start the year with prosperity. These signify Joy and Luck!ling-ling-asian-foods-decor-2I was so inspired by Chef Katie, that I went and purchased her latest cookbook, a tribute to her mom; Everyday Chinese Cookbook – 101 Delicious Recipes from My Mother’s Kitchen. A very special thank you to Chef Katie Chen and Ling Ling Asian Foods for hosting me for a fun night out! ling-ling-asian-foods-kaleKale with Ginger (serves 4)
Ingredients:

  • 1 large bunch kale, rinsed with hard stems and center ribs removed and coarsely chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh minced ginger
  • 2 teaspoons neutral oil, such as canola
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Instructions: Blanch kale in boiling water until bright green. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to an ice bath to cool. Drain and set aside. Heat the oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the kale and stir-fry for a few minutes until wilted but still slightly crunchy. Add the soy sauce and sesame oil and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.
h the beans in boiling water until tender-crisp (about 3 minutes). Using a slotted spoon, transfer to an ice bath to cool. Drain and set aside.ling-ling-asian-foods-sweet-and-spicy-green-beansSweet & Spicy Green Beans (serves 4)
Ingredients:

  • 1 pound green beans, washed and trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 Tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon Srircha sauce
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 green onion, green and white parts, finely chopped

Instructions: Blanch the beans in boiling water until tender-crisp (about 3 minutes). Using a slotted spoon, transfer to an ice bath to cool. Drain and set aside. Heat the oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the drained green beans, Srircha, soy sauce, oyster sauce and sugar and stir-fry for 1 more minute, then add the green onions and stir-fry for 30 more seconds.ling-ling-asian-foods-decor-3I am excited for Chinese New Year this year because I feel like I can prepare a meal for my family with these Ling Ling products plus the 2 additional recipes from Chef Katie, and I feel confident that will look like I’ve spent hours cooking and that they’ll actually eat. As a busy mom, I don’t always have hours to spend in the kitchen, but preparing something quick and simple, with quality products is something I can be proud of. Ling LIng authentic asian foods are so simple to work with and I appreciate that.ling-ling-asian-foods-potstickers-2

To find a store near you where Ling Ling products are available, please go here. How will you be celebrating Chinese New Year? Will you be preparing any special dishes for your Chinese New Year menu? Share with me in the comments.

Connect with Ling Ling on Facebook and Twitter.

Easy to Make Mickey Mouse Cookie Recipe #HappyBirthdayMickey

I love all things Mickey Mouse and since it’s our favorite mouse’s birthday, I decided to share an easy to make recipe to celebrate him!happy-birthday-mickey-2017

I’m a strong believer that anything shaped like Mickey tastes better! Don’t you agree? I thought It would be fun to make an easy snack in the kitchen, that my daughter could help with. This is a very easy Mickey Mouse Cookie recipe using store bought cookie dough, because I’m about saving time. Enjoy!  easy-to-make-mickey-mouse-cookies

what-youll-need

  • store bought sugar cookie mix or pre-made dough. (If you have more time you can make it from scratch too)
  • “Mickey” cookie cutter
  • flour
  • light corn syrup
  • parchment paper
  • sprinkles easy-to-make-mickey-cookies-sprinkles

baking-directions

  1. Prepare the sugar cookies as directed on package. I wrap my cookie dough in plastic and stick it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, just to chill it.
  2. Cover a counter top area with some flour. Roll out sugar cookie dough with a rolling pin until the dough is the desired thickness. (between 1/4″ and 1/2 ” thick)Mickey-Mouse-Cookies-dough
  3. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. I like to bake these on parchment paper so they are easier to transfer from the baking sheet to the cooling rack, with less chance of breaking.Not-So-Spooky-Mickey-Mouse-Halloween-Cookies-Baking
  4. Cut out Mickey heads and place each one on baking sheet, leaving plenty of distance between each one
  5. Bake as directed on package.adding-sprinkles
  1. After removing cookies from oven, transfer to cooling racks and allow them to completely cool down.
  2. Baste a thin layer of light corn syrup on the tops of the sugar cookies and shake sprinkles on top, allowing them to dry and stick.Not-so-spooky-mickey-mouse-halloween-cookies-cool-downnot-so-spooky-mickey-mouse-halloween-cookies-ready-to-eat

enjoy-your-cookies

So, what’s your favorite simple snack recipe to make? Is it something Mickey-shaped, too? Don’t forget to wish Mickey a very Happy Birthday by posting on social media using #HappyBirthdayMickey!

Despicable Me 3 Inspired Unicorn Bait Recipe

This post was sponsored by Bounty. All opinions are 100% my own. 

I absolutely adore all things Despicable Me and was overjoyed about the release of the latest film in the series, Despicable Me 3, now in theaters! Have you seen it yet? (It’s really cute.)bounty-napkins-fun-prints-unicorn-baitIn honor of the latest film release, Bounty has introduced limited-edition Bounty with new Despicable Me 3 prints paper towels and quilted napkins. They are so cute, you’ll want to stock up your cupboard with a plethora of them. Bounty paper towels and napkins make clean-up quick and fun!, especially now with the new Despicable Me 3 prints. My daughter and I tend to get a little messy in the kitchen together whenever we cook, bake, or make anything, so these durable paper towels really help us clean as we go. Making messes together is half the fun though, right? unicorn-bait-recipe-blue-meltsOne of my (many) favorite parts about Despicable Me 3 is Agnes’ infatuation with unicorns. At the mere mention of the word “unicorn” she practically implodes! She’s beyond adorable when she talks about how they’re “just so fluffy”. We feel the exact same way about unicorns. I think people are drawn to unicorns because everything associated with them seems so happy and colorful. unicorn-bait-recipe-rainbow-candiesAfter seeing Despicable Me 3 in theaters, we were inspired to to spend an afternoon together, whipping up a batch of delicious “Unicorn Bait”. unicorn-bait-recipe-pink-and-blue-meltsBounty with new Despicable Me 3 prints are in stores just in time for Summer break with the kids and all the messy activities that come along with it! It was fairly simple to make this recipe and we only used 3 ingredients. (please see below for the exact recipe.)unicorn-bait-recipe-pink-meltsSince I love the color pink and my daughter loves the color blue, we used both colors in the popcorn coating, mixing together to even get bits that looked marbled. I was happy to have Bounty paper towels nearby to help with our sticky fingers after all of the mixing of colored candy melts and popcorn. unicorn-bait-finishedunicorn-bait-recipe-titleTo make this recipe, you only need these few ingredients:

  • 2-3 bags Microwave popcorn, popped and cooled
  • 1 bag pink candy melts
  • 1 bag blue candy melts
  • 1 bag brightly colored chocolate candiesunicorn-bait-ingredients

Unicorn Bait Preparation

  • For the unicorn bait, we made one batch of “pink” popcorn, and one batch of “blue” popcorn before combining together in a big bowl. Lay wax paper on a flat surface ahead of time. Prepare the pink candy melts by placing in a microwave-safe bowl and cooking for 30 seconds. Remove and stir. Microwave for 30 more seconds, remove, add a tiny bit of vegetable oil, and stir until smooth. Spoon over (or just pour) the popcorn in a bowl and use your hands to mix together well. Place pink popcorn onto the wax paper to cool and prepare the blue candy melts, repeating the steps to coat the popcorn.
  • When you have both popcorn colors prepared, layer them in a large bowl, alternating pink popcorn and blue popcorn. Mix together while the melts are slightly wet still so you get the marbling effect.
  • Finally, add the brightly colored candies to the mixture. You can add extra ones to the top for a finishing touch.unicorn-bait-marbling

Serve your unicorn bait in small snack cups or by the handful, on one of Bounty’s colorful napkins featuring the new Despicable Me 3 prints.unicorn-bait-snack-on-a-minion-napkinNot only is unicorn bait scrumptious, but legend has it that you can also leave some out in a small pile, to capture your very own unicorn! You just have to believe! unicorn-bait-recipe-ready-with-bountyAfter you make this sweet treat, keep the celebration going and be sure to check out Despicable Me 3 in theaters now! It’s rated PG and fun for the whole family.

 

DIY Outdoor Movie Night + Bambi Snack Mix Recipe

I received promotional products from Walt Disney Studios in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Summer is here and we decided to celebrate by throwing an outdoor movie night for a few friends and family. I couldn’t think of a better way to do so than by showing one of Disney’s all-time classic films, “Bambi”, which joined Walt Disney’s Signature Collection at the end of May, in honor of its 75th anniversary.diy-outdoor-movie-night-plus-bambi-snack-mix-recipeI loved this movie as a child and was so excited to introduce my daughter and my nieces and nephews to it also.bambi-coverThe Signature Collection release, now available at retailers, contains a variety of new bonus material including:

  • Recordings of Walt Disney discussing the challenges and triumphs during the production of “Bambi;”
  • Deleted scenes and characters;
  • Dtories and effects that “Bambi” had on the Studio, other films and artists;
  • and much, much more

Additionally, the Digital HD release includes an exclusive, heartfelt feature on the incredible artist, Tyrus Wong, who inspired the film’s soft watercolor backgrounds and beautiful palette. Here’s a sneak peek:
In our home, movies always call for snacks, which is why we whipped up a batch of “Bambi Snack Mix” for our guests to enjoy while watching “Bambi” at our outdoor movie. (Please see bottom of this post for snack recipe.)bambi-snack-mix-inside-bagI was delighted to received an amazing bundle of goodies in the mail from Disney to host my outdoor movie night. My bundle contained an AAXA P300 Pico/Micro LED Projector, an Ion Audio Tailgater Portable Bluetooth PA Speaker System with Microphone, an Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter for iPhone, and a copy of Disney’s “Bambi” on Blu-Ray. I couldn’t wait to get started.set-up-your-own-outdoor-movieSetting up your own outdoor isn’t difficult. I promise. You can choose to project your movie onto on a light colored wall or garage, use a white sheet as a makeshift screen, or even purchase an inexpensive, portable movie screen. We opted for a wall to project ours onto.

The projector we received to use for our movie was a P300 Pico mini projector. It’s small and pretty lightweight. It also produces the most clear, beautiful projections, with high resolution and vivid colors. This projector has the capability to show movies, as well as photos and videos and pairs up with your phone or mobile device or laptop. It’s tiny but mighty and can be set up almost anywhere.bambi-home-movie-projectorAlthough the mini projector already has sound coming out of it, pairing it with the Ion Tailgater speaker system really amplified the sound, to make it even louder for the outdoors. This portable sounds system includes speakers, an amplifier, audio inputs, and wireless Bluetooth technology, all in one durable cabinet that has handles for easy transport and allows you to enjoy your music whenever and wherever you want. . (It also works with iPad, iPhone, iPod, Android devices and more.)diy-movie-setupFor our outdoor movie, I streamed the digital copy of “Bambi” on my phone by using the digital code inside the DVD on the Disney Movies Anytime app. (Do you have this app yet?) Since my laptop doesn’t have the capability to run an internal DVD, I just streamed the movie on my phone with Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter and my phone hooked directly up to the projector. It was much easier than setting up a laptop anyway. bambi-digital-copyWhenever we have a party or a get-together, we like to do something thematic. Hosting an outdoor movie doesn’t have to be complicated and you can get away with just serving simple snacks like popcorn and drinks. We decided to whip up a batch of “Bambi’s Favorite Snack Mix” which is just a few goodies mixed in with popcorn and served in these adorable Bambi bags that my daughter created out of simple brown lunch bags we had in our cupboard.bambi-outdoor-movie-with-bagbambi-snack-mix-recipe-textTo make your own batch of “Bambi Snack Mix”, here are the ingredients you’ll need:

  • microwave popcorn, 4-6 bags, popped and cooled
  • pretzel sticks or small pretzels, 1 bag
  • chocolate chips or chocolate candies, 1 bag
  • small marshmallows, 1 bag bambi-snack-mix-ingredientsbambi-snack-mix-ingredients-mixed-together

It’s so simple to make, you just combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. After ours was mixed together, I just filled up each Bambi snack bags with the mix and set out on a table for guests to grab before we started our outdoor movie.bambi-snack-mix-ready-for-guestsTo recreate these Bambi snack bags, you’ll just need brown paper lunch bags, a black marker, scissors, a glue stick, and a cotton ball for each one.make-a-bambi-snack-bagbambi-snack-back-supplies Here’s a short time-lapse video showing how my daughter made a Bambi snack bag.

We had so much fun hosting our very first “Movie Under the Stars” and watching Disney’s “Bambi”. I can’t wait to host our next outdoor movie party. Have you hosted an outdoor movie party before? Tell me what you watched and share some of the details of your outdoor movie party with me in the comments.

Sneak peak film footage is property of Disney. 

Holiday Peppermint Bark Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ad #MakeHeartburnHistory #CollectiveBias

The holidays are the best! I love everything about this time of year! The decorations, the shopping for gifts, the festive music, and all of the opportunities to celebrate with family. Our family celebrations always revolve around food. That’s normal, right?holiday-peppermint-bark-for-santaSpending time in the kitchen with my daughter and getting to cook and bake with her this time of year is so special and one of the activities we love doing together most. What I don’t love about this time of year is my “holiday heartburn”! It literally tries to ruin my time! Heartburn is the worst!holiday-bonding-timeI didn’t always suffer from heartburn but now whenever it flares up, I’m extra sensitive to many of my favorite foods and have to miss out. Well,  I am NOT going to let heartburn ruin my holidays this year!Thank goodness I discovered Nexium® 24HR Capsules 42ct at Walgreens near the antacids! It’s just one pill a day and it gives me all-day and all-night protection. nexium-at-walgreensIt’s such a great way to treat frequent heartburn and gives me the confidence and comfort to enjoy all of the festive holiday foods, especially my most favorite: peppermint. I could eat peppermint everything! I think peppermint should be its own food group! I even stock up on peppermint goodies this time of year so I have enough to last me once winter is long gone.holiday-peppermint-bark-mmmOne of the recipes I always make during the holidays is Holiday Peppermint Bark. It’s so simple to make and I get asked for the recipe quite frequently by other family members. The recipe only has a few ingredients and doesn’t take very much time to prepare. all-things-peppermintHoliday Peppermint Bark is also perfect for gift giving. Who doesn’t love to receive homemade goods at the holidays? It’s also something special you can leave out for Santa when he visits your home on Christmas Eve. This year I’m going to leave out some Holiday Peppermint Bark for Santa, along with some Nexium® 24HR. I know he’ll appreciate this too! for-santa

holiday-peppermint-bark-recipeIngredients:

  • 24 oz. White Chocolate Baking Chips (usually 2 bags)
  • 24 oz. Dark Chocolate Baking Chips (usually 2 bags)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Peppermint Extract
  • 12 large or 24 small candy canes, crushed
  • Vegetable oil

Preparation:

  1. Remove wrappers from candy canes, place in a sealable sandwich bag, and crush up to your liking. (Some people prefer to use a food processor but I like my pieces larger.) Set aside.
  2. Line a baking sheet or pan with parchment or wax paper.
  3. Place Dark Chocolate Baking Chips in a microwave safe bowl to melt them in.  Heat for 1 minute, remove, and stir. Put back in for 30 seconds, remove and stir again. At this point, you should add in a little bit of vegetable oil, which will help it stir easier. If it’s still not completely smooth, try microwaving it for about 10 more seconds. *Do not overheat the chocolate.
  4. Pour melted dark chocolate into pan and level it out.
  5. Stick into the refrigerator for 20-25 minutes to firm up. Remove from refrigerator and set aside.
  6. Repeat same steps for microwaving but with the white chocolate baking chips now. Once it’s melted and you can stir it easily, add the peppermint extract.
  7. Pour melted white chocolate into pan, on top of dark chocolate layer, and level with a spatula.
  8. Immediately sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top to your liking.
  9. Place back into the fridge.
  10. Remove and allow to get to room temperature before cracking the bark to serve or package up for gifts.holiday-peppermint-bark-cut

*May take 1 to 4 days for full effect. Use as directed

Thanksgiving Cornucopia Salad Recipe

This is a sponsored post written by me for Evite. All opinions are 100%  my own. #PasstheGiving

To celebrate Thanksgiving this year, I teamed up with Evite® and 7 other influencers to compile a special #Passthegiving Holiday Planning guide to help inspire fun, new twists on old traditions. Check out our Table of Traditions here to refresh your holiday celebrations. You can also download the holiday planning guide which has lots of creative ideas you can use for your own celebration! How amazing did our “Friendsgiving” table turn out? (Keep reading to find out which contribution in the photo was MINE!)evite-tableI’m always excited for the arrival of Fall because it means the holidays are on their way. Once Halloween is over, we can fast forward to Thanksgiving. It’s one of my favorite times of the year to gather with family and friends, enjoy great food, and enjoy each other’s company.memories-of-my-childhood-thanksgivingsWhen I think back about the Thanksgivings of my childhood, I remember my grandmother preparing the entire meal and our families all coming together to spend a day together. I don’t know how she pulled it all off all at once and served it hot! (My grandmother had this thing about her food being hot.) I’ve attempted to cook an entire Thanksgiving meal a couple of times and found it rather challenging.whats-your-favorite-way-to-celebrate-the-dayMy most favorite way to gather together and celebrate is by asking each family member or friend in attendance, to bring something table to share. Traditionally, our mothers taught us never to show up empty handed to someone else’s home, but that meant you should bring a plant, some flowers, or even a bottle of wine. I request each guest to prepare a dish to share that’s special to them. I like to use an Evite to keep track of who is coming and what they’re bringing. Have you seen their adorable collection of Thanksgiving invitations? It’s such a quick, easy way to send out invites with no postage required.  For the past few years, it’s been a real success and I love the variety of recipes that end up on our table.evite-friendsgiving

My grandmother used to make a salad to include as part of our Thanksgiving meal. Although her salad was a childhood favorite of mine, it was basically iceberg lettuce with carrots, tomatoes, and croutons and was topped with Thousand Island dressing. I don’t know many people who would choose to eat that nowadays. Does Thousand Island dressing even exist anymore?a-new-twist-on-an-old-traditionI do love to include a salad in our own Thanksgiving meal but my “go-to” salad is the “Cornucopia Salad“. It’s kind of a like a new twist on an old tradition. My salad combines baby lettuce, green apples, dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, feta cheese crumbles, and candied almonds and the combination of the flavors is so delicious. I toss it in a light olive oil-based dressing.bountiful-harvest-salad-add-insCornucopia Salad is something I prepare several times a year because it just pairs really well with pretty much everything. It’s nice to have something that’s so simple to throw together. yet always seems to be a favorite among all of your guests. I’ve even prepared it for the days after Thanksgiving and thrown leftover turkey into it.cornucopia-salad-finished

cornucopia-saladIngredients for salad 

  • 6 cups lettuce of your choice, washed. Tip: Used bagged lettuce to save time. 
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple, chopped
  • 1 11 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained (I use 2 cans.)
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds, sliced
  • 1/2 cup Feta cheese crumbles (blue cheese also works with this recipe)
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • the juice from 1 lemoningredients for the candied almonds #EasyAsPotPie #ad

Ingredients for dressing

  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

instructionsCandied Almond Preparation
Preparing the almonds is something that can be done ahead of time, like the day before. It is a little bit time consuming but well worth it because the candied almonds add such an amazing flavor to your salad. You’ll find it very “necessary” to sample a bunch of the candied almonds after they’ve cooled down.ingredients for the candied almonds #EasyAsPotPie #ad

  • In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and almonds and put over medium heat.
  • Continue to stir the mixture every couple of minutes until the sugar starts to melt.
  • Once this happens, continue stirring evenly to sugar coat all of the almonds evenly and then transfer from the pan to some foil, allowing the almonds to cool down and solidify a little bit.

Dressing Preparation
The dressing can also be made ahead of time, but no more than the night before.

  • Whisk together salt, pepper, sugar, and olive oil in a small bowl.
  • Finely chop up parsley and add to the mixture.
  • Set dressing aside and shake well before tossing onto Cornucopia Salad.bountiful-harvest-salad-dressing

Salad Preparation

  • Add lettuce to salad bowl.
  • Cut and core apple and either cut into large apple slices or dice it up. Next, add to salad bowl. If you don’t plan on serving right away, squeeze lemon juice onto apple to prevent browning.
  • Drain mandarin oranges and add to salad.
  • Add dried cranberries, feta cheese crumbles, and candied almonds to the bowl and mix everything together.
  • Set salad aside until you’re ready to toss with dressing and serve.

cornucopia-side-viewDo you have any special dishes that you like to prepare each year for Thanksgiving? This salad is one of the recipes I prepare that my friends and family are constantly asking for more of. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

Bountiful Harvest Salad With Cranberries and Apples + Free Fall Printable

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BetterWithCraisins #CollectiveBias bountiful-harvest-salad-with-cranberries-and-apples

I don’t know about you but I get really excited about the arrival of Fall every year. I think a lot of people would say it’s fun to finally to break out the sweaters and boots, but when you live in Southern California, that isn’t usually the case. (It’s usually still sandals weather around here.) pumpkinsWhat I do get most excited about are the beautiful, seasonal colors all around, pumpkins appear in the stores, and the feeling that we’re on fast-forward towards the holiday season! My most favorite part about this time of year though, are the foods, I could spend all day cooking and eating my favorite fall recipes! It’s Fall, Ya’ll! (Grab this free Fall printable, here.)its-fall-yall One of my most popular recipes to make is my “Bountiful Harvest Salad” made with cranberries and apples. It’s a really light and delicious salad that combines baby lettuce, Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries, green apple, mandarin oranges, feta cheese crumbles, and candied almonds. Tossed in a light olive oil-based dressing, this salad goes really well with just about any meal or even just on its own. It’s also pretty simple to throw together! This salad is probably the most requested thing I get asked to bring to friends’ parties and family get togethers. find-craisins-here

I used to buy the Craisins® Dried Cranberries for my recipes from Sam’s Club but they seem to have disappeared from their shelves. Luckily, I picked up a couple of bags at Target. In addition to adding these little yummies to a salad or baking with them, they are perfect to snack on, right out of the bag. craisins-out-of-the-bagI think it’s the “zing” that make them unique. 1/4 cup of Craisins® Dried Cranberries provides 1/2 cup of fruit. bountiful-harvest-salad-made

Here’s how you can whip up your own “Bountiful Harvest Salad”!
bountiful-harvest-salad-greensIngredients for salad

  • 6 cups lettuce of your choice, washed. (I sometimes use bagged lettuce to save time.)
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple, chopped
  • 1 11 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained
  • 1/4 cup Craisins® Dried Cranberries
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds, sliced (for toasting)
  • 1/2 cup Feta cheese crumbles (blue cheese also works with this recipe)
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • The juice from 1 lemon

bountiful-harvest-salad-add-ins

Ingredients for dressing

  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

Preparing your candied almonds is something you can do ahead of time. Allow for some time to do this though. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and almonds and put over medium heat. Continue to stir the mixture every couple of minutes until the sugar starts to melt. Once this happens, continue stirring evenly to sugar coat all of the almonds evenly and then transfer from the pan to some foil, allowing the almonds to cool down and solidify a little bit.

harvest-salad-almond-preparationThe dressing preparation is another step that can be done ahead of time and set aside. I usually double the recipe for the dressing in case I need to whip up another batch of the salad. (I told you it’s very popular at parties!) Whisk together salt, pepper, sugar, and olive oil in a small bowl. Finely chop up parsley and add to the mixture. Shake well before tossing onto the salad. bountiful-harvest-salad-dressingSalad Preparation

  • Add washed and dried lettuce to salad bowl.
  • Cut and core apple and either cut into large apple slices or dice it up. Next, add to salad bowl. If you don’t plan on serving right away, squeeze lemon juice onto apple to prevent browning.
  • Drain mandarin oranges and add to salad.
  • Add Craisins® Dried Cranberries feta cheese crumbles, and candied almonds to the bowl and mix everything together.
  • Set salad aside until you’re ready to toss with dressing and serve.

I hope you love my Bountiful Harvest Salad as much as I do! Leave me a comment if you made it too. Also, don’t forget to grab your “It’s Fall, Ya’l” free printable above! To find more great ideas and recipes to use in and a store near you, go here.

Kids in the Kitchen: Hatch Chile Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

This post sponsored by Gigasavvy. All opinions are 100% my own

It’s Hatch Chile Season and you’ll want to get your hands on some of these amazing, flavorful chiles from New Mexico at a Northgate Market near you.  They’re available now through 8/28 at your nearest Northgate Market.northgate-market-truck-chile-seasonDuring the month of August, Northgate Markets are hosting in-store Hatch Chile Roasting events on the weekends. For a list of the locations hosting the events, along with dates and times, visit herehatch-chile-inn-store-1We stopped by the newest Northgate Market location in Anaheim, which is my new favorite grocery store to shop at, and grabbed some Hatch Chiles to take home and cook with. hatch-chile-in-store-2Lately, my daughter has been asking me if she could do more cooking in the kitchen. I’m happy that she has an interest in learning to cook, so of course, I want her to. She suggested we incorporate the Hatch Chiles into one of her favorite foods, Macaroni and Cheese.  hatch-chile-recipe-doneI think most adults love “Mac & Cheese”, too. I know I never turn down a simple comfort food! I love the flavor of Hatch Chiles, so I knew it would be a great combination.hatch-chiles-in-store-2

I first guided her through the process of roasting the Hatch Chiles. It’s not difficult, it just takes some time.hatch-chile-recipe-roastingI love using our cast-iron skillet so we used it to roast the chiles. I like the way they seem to “dance” while they sizzle. You need to allow both sides to roast really well. It’s Ok for the chiles to appear blackened on the outside. Depending on what you’re making, you either remove that part anyway, or incorporate the blackened part into your recipe, to give it a smoky taste. Mmm! hatch-chile-recipe-sweatingAfter the chiles are roasted to your liking, you immediately stick them back into the produce bag (if they came in one) or else into a plastic bag and seal it, allowing them to “sweat”. After about 10 minutes, you’ll be able to easily remove the outer skin of your Hatch Chiles. It will literally just peel off . You’ll slice open down the center and remove the seeds with a spoon. (or by hand) hatch-chile-recipe-peelinghatch-chile-recipe-remove-seedsFor this recipe, my daughter diced up the Hatch Chiles and set them aside while we prepared the rest of the iingredients. hatch-chile-recipe-kids-help

hatch-chile-mac-and-cheese-recipehatch-chile-recipe-dicedIngredients:

  • 3-4 Hatch Chiles, roasted and diced
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups large elbow macaroni (or your preference of noodles)
  • 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups Mexican Blend or Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion flakes or 1/4 cup white onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (crushed croutons may also be used)

Directions for preparation: 

  1. Roast Hatch Chiles, dice, and set aside. (see above for roasting instructions.)
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use non-stick cooking spray to coat your baking dish. (We used a Cast Iron Pan for this recipe.)
  3. Boil the macaroni in a pot of lightly salted water according to the instructions on the package. Drain and place back into pot. hatch-chile-recipe-macaroni
  4. On the stovetop, pour milk into a saucepan and whisk in flour, salt and pepper, and onion flakes or diced onion over a medium heat. After mixture comes to a boil, allow to simmer for about 2 minutes.  You’ll notice the mixture start to thicken. hatch-chile-recipe-mix-in-chiles
  5. In a large bowl, toss the cheeses together, add milk mixture into the bowl and whisk together until all are mixed well. hatch-chile-recipe-cheese
  6. Pour cheese sauce over pasta in the and mix well. Add diced chiles to the mixture.
  7. Transfer to the broiler-safe cooking dish and top with a generous layer of bread crumbs. hatch-chile-recipe-ready-to-bake
  8. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Set the oven to “broil” for 3 minutes, watching it closely, until the top is slightly browned. Immediately remove from oven and allow to cool prior to serving. hatch-chiles-recipe-done-2

This recipe was so simple for my daughter to prepare, with my supervision of course. You can find all of the Hatch Chile recipe ingredients at your nearest Northgate location. Here are just a few locations:

  • 230 N Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92703
  • 2120 Pacific Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806
  • 1410 S 43rd St., San Diego, CA 92113

Click here for a list of all the Northgate Market locations. Do you have any favorite recipes using Hatch Chiles? I’d love to hear about them.

Find Northgate Market on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

Baked Crispy Chicken Tenders Recipe + An Amazingly Easy Clean Up

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ScrubCloth #CollectiveBias baked-crispy-chicken-tenders-plus-an-amazingly-easy-clean-upFeeding my family a well-balanced meal is a priority for me, but it can also be a challenge. I often feel like I run out of creative meal ideas, especially ones that are quick and simple to prepare. As a mom, I think it’s just natural for me to  be on the lookout for meals that will wow my family. I want to be able to answer with something exciting when I get the infamous question, “Mom, what’s for dinner?”. mom-whats-for-dinnerI make a lot of chicken dishes for dinners but wanted to prepare something a little different and new so I whipped up a batch of “Baked Crispy Chicken Tenders“, using panko crispy bread crumbs.(Please see full recipe below.) These help give chicken tenders a crispier texture than just regular baked chicken. I don’t like to fry a lot of foods, I prefer to oven-bake so using these bread crumb crumbs on chicken gives them a little extra “crunch” without having to fry them. crispy-baked-chicken-tenders-yumMy trick is to brown up the panko bread crumbs with a little butter in the skillet before using them on the chicken. Let me just share that doing this, instead of using them straight out of the box on the chicken, makes the chicken extra yummy and is a definite kid pleaser! baked-crispy-chicken-tenders-doneLet’s Talk About Cleanup
My least favorite part of making dinner is the clean up! No one wants to stand at the sink and scrub the dishes after they’ve just spent all that time preparing a meal. (We’ll talk about shared kitchen responsibility in a minute). I don’t care how well you prep a pan or baking dish before using it, cleanup for this kind of a meal requires elbow grease.baked-crispy-chicken-tenders-recipe-scotch-brite-dish-cloths-1Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloths are a new product and they seriously take all of the headache out of cleanup!  I found them at Walmart, on the “Paper and Cleaning” aisle and can’t rant enough about them to you. scotch-brite-in-store-photoFirst of all, they’re cute and don’t look like standard dish cloths. (I like to keep my kitchen stylish.) They’re available in 3 colors: tan, coral, and navy and are priced just under $5.00 at Walmart for a 2-pack. (I bought mine for $4.98.) By still giving you the versatility of a dish cloth, Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloths make cleaning things, like stuck on messes from my chicken tenders dinner, far easier! They basically combine the best of a high quality dish cloth with the power of Scotch-Brite® scrubbing dots for a quicker and easier clean. scotch-brite-scrubbing-dish-cloths-in-basketOne of the things I like best about them is the fact that they will not scratch any surface! With non-scratch scrubbing power I can clean other areas in my kitchen, in addition to using it on the dishes, without worrying about damaging anything. Another one of my favorite things about them is how sturdy they are and the fact that you can wash and re-use them, which helps you stay “green” in the kitchen. Also, right now at Walmart, there’s a $1 off instant redeemable coupon available on the product that you can redeem at the register when you check out! baked-crispy-chicken-tenders-recipe-scotch-brite-dish-cloth-2Shared Responsibility in the Kitchen
So let’s get back to talking about shared responsibility in the kitchen. As I previously mentioned, I have no desire to stand in the kitchen scrubbing away, any more than necessary, especially after cooking dinner. It’s always nice to get some help from other family members with the dishes. I think shared responsibility in the home is a good thing and it teaches your kids valuable life lessons. please-help-clean-upSo, I printed up this cute little printable, framed it, and stuck it in a frame. (To print out your own copy, click here.) After dinner, I usually get asked, “What’s for dessert?” I just point to the printable and wait for them to clue in with the clean up. So far, it’s worked out pretty well. I’m more than happy to break out the dessert when the clean up is all done! kitchen-printableBy stocking our kitchen with Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloths, I just made everyone’s life easier! For more recipes and cleaning ideas, visit here.

Baked Crispy Chicken Tenders
(serves 2-3 people) crispy-chicken-tenders-recipeIngredients

  • 2-4  bonelsss, skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • milk
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs (I use the crispy, plain ones.)
  • dash of salt
  • dash of pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ketchup or other dipping sauce

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Spray baking dish or pan with cooking spray.
  3. While oven is preheating, place butter in a skillet and turn the flame on low. Add panko breadcrumbs and brown them for about 5 minutes. Set aside in a bowl.
  4. Prepare chicken by cutting up into “tenders”. (My daughter prefers smaller pieces to pick up and dip in ketchup.)
  5. Prepare breading station, using 3 bowls: one with flour, salt and pepper, one with eggs and a bit of milk beaten together, and one with the browned panko breadcrumbs.
  6. Place each piece of chicken into flour bowl, coating completely, then shaking off extra flour before moving on. Next, place floured piece into egg bowl and cover completely. Before removing, shake off excess egg. Fnally, place chicken piece into panko breadcrumbs bowl and completely coat the chicken, even pushing breadcrumbs into the chicken. Place in baking dish.
  7. When all chicken has been coated, place baking dish into oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Always be sure to check the inside of your chicken and/or its internal temperature.
  8. Serve tenders with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce