Sweet n' Sour...

I had been craving Chinese food for like months...and then I remembered that mom would make this yummy sweet n' sour recipe. I called her up and made it...boy was it delicious!!! I like it with chicken, but pork is always yummy too.

Makes: about 4 servings

2 medium chicken breasts
-or-
pork (same equivalent of chicken)
1 egg
1/2-1/3 cup flour
1 Tbsp. corn starch
1/3 cup vinegar
1 medium green pepper
1/2 medium onion (I don't like this, but others seem to)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 20 oz. can of chunk pineapple - still in juices
1 Tbsp. soy sauce

Prep Notes:

I would cut up the vegetables while the chicken is cooking. Doing this saves time and makes it possible for you to add it right into the sauce when you're ready for it.

Cube chicken breasts (or pork) into approximately 1 inch cubes. Beat the egg in a bowl. Dip the cubed chicken in the egg and then in the flour, creating a breading. Melt grease in a large sauce pan (or you can use olive oil) until hot. Placed breaded chicken in pan and cook until it is browned and cooked. Remove chicken from the pan and drain any excess oil or grease.

In the same sauce pan mix the corn starch and brown sugar, soaking up any oil or grease in the pan. Stir in the pineapple with the juices, vinegar, and soy sauce, mixing it until the sugar is dissolved. Boil sauce mixture, stirring constantly. Once it is boiling add the chicken back into the pan with the sauce.

Reduce the heat so the the mixture simmers. Cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add peppers and onions. Cover again and simmer for about 5 more minutes.

Serve over rice and enjoy!!!

Girls' Night Pizza

I call this Girl's Night Pizza because I perfected the topping and all that with my bestie, Becky Loew, over the many nights her mom would leave us alone in the house with pizza fix-in's. So...this recipe is dedicated to her!!!!

Makes: 1 rectangle cookie sheet pizza

Pizza Crust:
2 1/2 to 3 cups flour
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. yeast
3 Tbsp. oil
1 cup warm water

Pizza Toppings:
1 tiny can of tomato paste - water down to desired thickness of sauce
Pepperoni
Black Olives
Mozzarella Cheese - shredded
Pineapple
Mushrooms
Italian Sausage
Onions
Bell Pepper

Prep notes: To be completely honest, I don't use all of the toppings that I listed, they are just some of the most used pizza toppings that I know of. Feel free to use what ever you really want on the pizza...after all, you are the one that will be eating it. Also, when getting the warm water, make sure that it is warm...too hot or too cold will cause the yeast not to activate.

In medium bowl, mix yeast, salt, and sugar. Add warm water and oil. Let sit for a while so the yeast can activate and start to grow. Add flour by the 1/2 cup until the dough is no longer sticky to touch. Knead until springy and smooth. Cover with plastic and let raise until about double it's size.

Oil a rectangular cookie sheet and then spread the pizza dough into the pan. Spread desired amount of sauce onto crust...I don't like a ton of sauce, so the one can lasts me through two pizzas, but hey...others' may like more sauce. Sprinkle a thin layer of cheese over sauce. Add any desired toppings. Cover completely with cheese...I put on enough that you can't see the toppings underneath.

Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes or until the cheese on top is a nice brown and the crust is browned as well. Remove from over and cut into desired size pieces. Enjoy!!!

Shepard's Pie

I needed another ground beef recipe and something to do with leftover mashed potatoes. I came up with this age old classic. It's hearty and taste great on a chilly day with homemade bread.

Makes: 1 square baking dish

1 lb ground beef
1 can of mixed vegetables
1 packet of brown gravy mix
3-5 medium potatoes (depends on how much you want)
sliced cheese ( I prefer cheddar)

Prep notes: You can use leftover mashed potatoes from a different meal or just make them fresh for this...either way works great.

Peel and cube potatoes. Cover with water and boil until soft. Drain and mash. I mix a little of butter and milk into my potatoes to make them creamy.

Fry hamburger in pan until browned. Drain grease from the meat and then add the mixed vegetables. Mix the gravy packet as instructed on packet and then add to pan with meat and vegetables. Stir often until heated.


Pour pan mixture into a square baking dish. Spread potatoes evenly over the meat mixture. Add cheese slices over the potatoes. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. I then like to turn the oven to broil and let it brown the cheese on top...about 5ish minutes.