Take Out Fake Out Food

I'm not sure if many of you are like me.....but I just LOVE cooking shows.  If something catches my eye...you'll find me printing off the recipe to try.  Sometimes the family loves the recipe and sometimes...well, you live and learn through trial and error right?  I've never really gotten into the Next Food Superstar show...or whatever they call it, but this little girl caught my eye.  She was like many of us, she loved to cook and she brought her expertise to the show through trials and errors of her own cooking.  Many of the other contestants gave her a hard time, which made me chime in to give her my support and guess what?  She won!  Booyah to all of the supposedly pro chef's!!    Her show is called Ten Dollar Dinners...right up my alley and her name is Melissa D'Arabian.  That's some catchy name, huh?  I try to watch her when I can.  I can't always do what I would like during the day, but I caught this show a week ago.  She named it Take Out Fake Out Food, hence my blog title!!  She chose a chinese menu and I tell you, the more she cooked it...the hungrier I got!  I had to do this meal.

I tried this recipe on Sunday and it was a hit.  I will without a doubt do a repeat of this!  I called myself cooking enough for 2 meals.  I had in mind that tonight I would add the soup she made and have leftovers.  Leftovers?  Are you kidding me?  I had enough to store away one plate for a quick lunch.  Now my menu for today only consists of soup.  I'll come up with something.

Oh right...what is it??  Sesame Chicken w/rice.  She added a little bit of information that I did not know about rice during her show.  If you rinse the rice before you cook it, it will be fluffier!  It was perfect.  A little rinse, fluffy rice!  I purchased a bag of chinese mixed veggies from the freezer section of the grocery store and I had an awesome dinner on Sunday.

Here's the recipe for the Sesame Chicken!

Ingredients

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, nearly thawed
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
• 1 tablespoon sweet rice cooking wine (aji mirin), or white wine
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• Rice, for serving

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes (easiest when not completely thawed). In a medium bowl, mix together the soy sauce, orange marmalade, wine, and crushed red pepper flakes. Toss in the chicken cubes and marinate for at least 10 minutes and up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.

In another bowl or plastic bag, mix together the flour and sesame seeds. Drain the chicken cubes and blot any excess liquid, and then toss in the flour to coat lightly. Spread the chicken cubes on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with the melted butter. Bake until the chicken is crispy but not dry, about 20 minutes, turning the cubes halfway through. Serve with rice.

Here's the link:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/sesame-chicken-recipe/index.html

I'll let you know how the soup to this menu turns out later.  Here's the link and recipe for it, if you are interested!

Lemony Egg Soup-Sounds delicious to me!

Ingredients

• 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup rice
• 2 eggs
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 green onion, finely chopped
• Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring the chicken stock, water, and rice to a simmer. Cook until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.

In a small bowl, beat the eggs until light yellow. Whisk a few tablespoons of the soup into the eggs. Then slowly add the egg mixture to the soup, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the soup reaches 160 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Add in the lemon juice and soy sauce, stir to combine, and serve garnished with the green onions and freshly ground black pepper, if desired.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/lemony-egg-soup-recipe/index.html


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