Sesame Noodles

Here is another recipe I tried - I added some notes at the bottom for the changes I would make to it.

Better Than Takeout Sesame Noodles (Serves 4)

For the sauce:

6 Tbsp peanut butter
5 Tbsp soy sauce
1 ½ Tbsp sugar
1Tbsp warm water
1 Tbsp Asian sesame oil
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
¼ cup chopped ginger
3 cloves garlic, chopped

For the rest:

½ lb. Thin spaghetti
1 Tbsp Asian sesame oil
½ lb. Cooked and finely shredded chicken
¼ English cucumber, peeled and cut in slivers
½ red pepper, diced
10 snow peas, thinly sliced across
¾ cup bean sprouts

1. Put all the ingredients for the sauce into a blender or mini food processor and whirl until smooth.
2. Cook the spaghetti following package directions. Drain, rinse, and toss with the sesame oil and chicken. Add the sauce and mix until evenly combined.
3. Top with the crunchy vegetables and serve immediately

(This is the original recipe – most of it was good but some changes I would make is skip the red pepper, cucumber, and snow peas and instead use thinly sliced carrots and bean sprouts only. Of course, keep the chicken and noodles too)

Chewy Brownie Cookies

My sister hosted a cookie party and these are the cookies I made and brought. We got judged on the look and taste of the cookies. I didn't win for good looking cookies but I did win for best tasting. I got this recipe from allrecipe.com and it was so easy to make.

Ingredients:
2/3 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening, sugar, water and vanilla. Beat in eggs. Combine flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts if desired. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 7-9 minutes; do not overbake. Cool 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.

I just tried this recipe last weekend and it was pretty good. The dressing is really yummy! Anything Asian goes well with my family :)

Oriental Chicken Salad

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 head iceberg lettuce, torn
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken
1 cup salted cashews
1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 (6 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed
1 (3 ounce) can chow mein noodles
1/4 cup chopped green onions

DIRECTIONS
In a small saucepan, combine the first seven ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool. In a large salad bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; add dressing and toss to coat. Serve immediately

Peach Party

Girls,
With all the great peach recipes everyone is talking about it lead me to and idea. What if we have a peachy get together. The possibilities are endless. Anything that you make with peaches. Leave a comment if you want to come and with times that would work for you. Also what you think you are going to bring. Amanda I am requiring that peach french toast out of you. It looks divine!

Peach French Toast with Peach Syrup

Ingredients:
1 small package (3 ounces) vanilla instant pudding mixed with 2 cups half and half

1 cup finely chopped fresh or canned peaches

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

5 eggs, beaten

12 slices of wheat or whole grain bread

Prepare pudding according to package directions. Fold in chopped peaches, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Add eggs and mix well. Dip bread slices into mixture. Cook on well greased skillet over medium heat, turning frequently so toast doesn't scorch.

Peach Syrup
1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup water

3 cups pureed fresh or canned peaches

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Combine sugar and water in medium saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to boil over medium heat. Boil 1 minute. Add peach puree. Return to low boil and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice. Store in refrigerator in tightly sealed container

Wow...this is so good that is should be a dessert!!

Fresh Peach Pie

9-11 peaches
1 cup sugar
1/2 c. corn starch
1/2 c. cold water
pinch of salt
1 lemons

*makes 2 pies*

Mash 3 peaches. Add sugar and bring to a boil for 3 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine water and cornstarch until dissolved. Add a pinch of salt and the juice from the lemon. Add to the peach mixture and bring to a boil. Should be glossy. Remove from heat and cool to room temp. Peel and slice 6-8 peaches and gently fold into cooled mixture. Fill 2 baked pie shells and refrigerate until set.

*This is really yummy and very peachy. The peach filling tends to set pretty quickly and is a little thick when trying to fold in the peaches. Next time I make it I might decrease the cornstarch by a bit (maybe 1/8 cup???).

Shannon's Famous Fresh Peach Dessert

Thanks Shannon for the recipe.

1/3 cup powered sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 package graham crackers crushed
15 medium peaches peeled and sliced
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 pint whipping cream

Crush graham crackers ( I doubled the crust part of this recipe). Mix powered sugar and butter with the graham crackers. Then press into the bottom of the pan. Reserve some of the crust to sprinkle on top. Make homemade cream with whipping cream. To do that add a little sugar into the whipping cream and beat with beaters until stiff.

Mix sweetened condensed milk with lemon juice. Then place the peaches on the crust pour the sweetened condensed milk mixture over the top. Add the fresh cream on top and sprinkle with crust.