White Sauce & Gravy!

I love that moment in cooking when a dish no longer becomes a mystery but something simple and delicious!  Country gravy was one of those things.  I have made Tuna Gravy or cheese sauce but I never realized they are all practically the same thing.  It wasn't something that I made often and the store bought packet was just so easy and seemed inexpensive.  Although the store bought packets didn't quite fit my entire families fancy, they raved about my gravy that I made from scratch.  Line upon line.


Country Gravy

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Butter  (1 cube)            
4 Tbsp Flour                    
1 tsp. Salt                      
1 tsp. Pepper                  
4 Cups Milk                  
                                   
Melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook for 2-3 minutes being careful not to scorch.  Add milk slowly, I like to use a whisk.  Add salt and pepper.  Will thicken as it cools.  Add cooked sausage or bacon (can use drippings) for gravy                                                                and biscuits.  
                           
Tuna Gravy      
                         
 Ingredients:                
1/4 Cup Butter              
2 TBSP Flour
Milk (1/4 - 1/2 c)
1 can Tuna, drained                                            
   
Same process.  Best on buttered toast or biscuits.                                   

Spaghetti Casserole

I know Spaghetti is simple enough right?  There are many variations when it comes to Spaghetti Casserole.  Maybe you have a good one too, but this one is good!

Ingredients:
1/2 - 1 lb cooked meat (ground beef, sausage)
1 can tomato soup
1 jar spaghetti sauce
cooked spaghetti noodles (your guess is as good as mine)
grated cheese

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Combine all ingredients except cheese.  Top with cheese.  Bake 30 min or until cheese is melted.  Enjoy!

Orange Chicken!

I have tried a few different recipes that claim to be as good or better than the Orange Chicken at Panda Express (which really couldn't be that hard to beat could it?). Well folks, look no further! Here it is! Not only is it delicious it is made with minimally processed foods. It's so good! Takes a little time the first time, but once you know what you are doing it goes by pretty quick. I actually prep most of it during nap time and then throw it together and then let it cook. Enjoy!



picture taken from: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/fabulous-orange-chicken/

Fabulous Orange Chicken

Ingredients

Chicken:
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons oil or butter
Sauce:
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon finely minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons green onion
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350. In a shallow dish combine the flour, garlic powder and pepper. Dip each piece of chicken in flour mixture and coat evenly.
2. Pour oil (or melt butter and pour) in a shallow baking dish, large enough to accommodate chicken in a single layer. Arrange chicken in pan and bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan combine water, fresh orange juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, orange zest and whisk over medium heat for a few minutes. Then stir in brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and green onion and let it come to a boil. Combine cornstarch with water and let it dissolve and add it to the sauce until thickened.
4. After chicken has baked the 30 minutes, turn each piece over and pour 1/2 sauce mixture evenly over chicken. Bake another 30 to 40 minutes basting frequently.
5. Serve chicken over rice with extra sauce on the side

Dinner Time!

What do you do for dinner?  What good traditions or experiences can you share about dinner time? When do you say "Time to Eat"?
I would love to hear how things are in your kitchen.  What about  cleanup?

I am trying to instill a tradition in our family where we cook together!  I say it's "Time to eat" before the meal is actually ready.  This gives everyone time to wash their hands, set the table, and get their own waters.  When it works I have the kids help husk corn, or other safe tasks.  Although kid's are still young and Dallen is usually still out working it is fun!  Clean up is another thing.  9/25 Updated:  I am about ready to toss in the towel when it comes to dinner.  I just can't keep up.  I guess I will try harder, maybe work on frozen meals, I really don't know but between kids and making dinner, doing homework and everything else, trying to clean up dinner and get the kids to bed it is just not working.  Dal is around sometimes to help and I would like some free time to spend with him.  Advice and ideas are welcome.  I am thankful I have a dishwasher now, that really helps.

Strawberry, Pecan Salad

Strawberry, Pecan Salad
Can use spinach  or  roman or spring lettuce.  Add Strawberry's and candied pecans, can also add feta cheese or crumble goat cheese. I also added some finely chapped red onion.  Now for the dressing:: 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons of honey, salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!