Cashew Chicken

I am making this tonight (I found it on Pinterest):

Cashew Chicken
by eclectic recipes

Cashew Chicken Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken, chopped
8 cloves garlic
1 cup cashews
1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
4 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
8 green onions, sliced
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons corn starch
3/4 water or chicken stock
2 tablespoons olive oil
kosher salt and pepper
steamed white rice

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook white rice according to package directions. Preheat large skillet or wok over low heat. Add olive oil, garlic and cashews to skillet. Saute over low heat until garlic becomes golden, but don't let the garlic brown, or it will become bitter.

2. Salt and pepper chicken. Add chicken to skillet and cook until chicken is no longer pink. Add cornstarch to a small bowl with the water and mix well. Add cornstarch and water to chicken. Then add hoisin sauce and vinegar. Simmer for 5 - 10 minutes, until sauce has thickened. Just before serving, add green onions and serve with rice.

Pesto, Sausage Pasta

Pesto, Sausage Pasta
From the Kitchen of Stephanie

Here is a recipe that is super simple that my kids have been gobbling up lately.

What you need:

Your favorite Pesto (I prefer the fresh one from Trader Joe's or homemade)
Your favorite Pasta (We have been enjoying the High Fiber, Mini Penne Pasta from Trader Joe's)
Your favorite Sausage (We like the chicken and sun-dried tomato sausage from Trader Joe's)
Your favorite veggies (We have used peas, broccoli, and brussel sprouts)

What you need to do:

***Before starting anything put water on stove to start boiling for pasta

1. Dice and cut your sausage (I have found that one link per adult and 1 link per 2 kids works out well) and then throw it in a non-stick pan and brown it (I don't put anything in the pan...don't want those extra calories).

2. Add pasta to boiling water and cook as directed. (I tend to do a 1/2 cup of pasta per person eating and then we end up with a little left over for the next day for a lunch or a quick meal the next night)

3. When the pasta has about 4-5 minutes left, throw in your veggies (if it's peas or broccoli) and cook until desire tenderness. (if you're making brussel sprouts, I prefer to sauté them in a non-stick pan with a little bit of diced onion and garlic to brown them).

4. Once everything is cooked, drain pasta and veggies and add back to the pot. Then take 1-2 tablespoon fulls of pesto and add to the pasta and stir, then add the sausage!

Enjoy!

Chicken With Rice Soup

Chicken with Rice Soup
From the Kitchen of Emma Caro

2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder (this is to season the chicken with when you cook it)
Better Than Boullion
32 oz of Water
Near East Rice Pilaf
Carrots (chopped)

1.Bake the Chicken breasts in the oven (I usually bake chicken in the oven at 375 for about 35 minutes)...once done shred or dice
2. Dissolve Better than Boullion (BTB) in the 32oz of water in a big pot on the stove (I followed the measurements for BTB for how much to add to that amount of water, but it's really to taste)
3. Add the rice and contents of the seasoning pouch from the Near East Rice Pilaf
4. If you want to add Carrots, now is the time to add them.
5. Bring to a boil
6. When rice is just about cooked through, throw in the chicken and let it all cook together until the rice is done. (You can add more broth depending on how thick or thin you like your soup)
7. Give a final taste test and adjust salt and pepper if needed
8. Serve with warm bread :)