Wednesday, June 1, 2011

I am here and so is SUMMER!

Again, I have lost track of time and posting. Life has gotten pretty crazy with work, birthdays, the holiday weekend, and unexpected health problems with a friend (who thank God is making improvements!!!!!!!). So I have a couple recipes for you!

Last week I made these amazing homemade chicken tenders! Got the recipe, but from who else, Rachael Ray!

Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders (Rachael Ray with some modifications)
1 bag salted pretzels
Salt and Pepper
2-4 eggs
16 chicken tenders or 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

 
Pre-heat the oven to 300°F.

Place the pretzels in a food processor or blender and grind until fine (We don't have a food processor and if you don't I suggest using the blender. I placed mine in a ziploc bag and used a rolling pin, but it left some bigger pieces of pretzel). Transfer to a shallow dish, season with salt and pepper and mix to combine.

Crack and beat the eggs in a second shallow dish with a splash of water.

Coat the chicken in the ground pretzels, then the eggs, then the pretzels again.

Pre-heat a large skillet with EVOO, enough to go a quarter-inch up the sides of the skillet (eyeball it), over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces to the hot EVOO. Cook in a single layer, in two batches if necessary, about 3-4 minutes on each side, until the cutlets' juices run clear and the breading is evenly browned. Transfer the finished chicken strips to the oven to keep warm as you cook remaining strips.

Nothing like celebrating memorial day with a cook out!!!
Beer Brats and Burgers 
1 yellow onion
butter (half a stick)
beer
brats
burgers
onion powder
salt and pepper
buns
Brats
Place the butter and yellow onion in the bottom of a kettle (depending on how many brats you have will depended on how big of a kettle you need). Place the brats on top and then cover with beer! (I had eight brats and used four bottles of beer). Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and let simmer for 15-20 mins (or until the brats are cooked)

Then place on grill!

Burgers\
I added a dash of onion powder, and salt and pepper to each side of the burger and then placed on grill.

Place the buns on the top rack of the grill to warm and toast!

**Make sure the grill is hot, and you used a wire brush to clean it. Also take a paper towel and dip it in some vegetable oil and use your grill tongs to oil the racks on the grill before placing food on grill.
Yes, I did the grilling!
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This weekend Josh and I have been engaged now for two years and hit the 5 month mark to our wedding!!!! We also celebrated Josh's birthday. On Monday night my mom made him a pumpkin pie as she has done since we have started dating and we had a cookout. Last night we celebrated with his family with steaks and a DQ ice cream cake!

Hope everyone has been having this glorious summer weather and has been able to get out and enjoy it! Hopefully be back sooner then later!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

All this food is making me hungry, I really like the chiken tenders, will give those a try. As for the Brat's yummy!! I cooked some up this past weekend myself.

I will pray for your friend that she continues get better.

Love you, Miss You
Aunt Laurie

Uncle Mike said...

Wow, maybe you should go into being a master chief!

Love ya
Uncle Mike

MOM said...

The chicken tenders were pretty good. I recommend crushing up the pretzels. They were to big, but really good. I would eat those again. The cook out was great. you sure do catch on.Do not forget the sourkraut for the brats. Love to try all the food you prepare. Love you Mom