Chick-fil-A Nuggets

The result = YUM.

Who doesn't love Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets? Go ahead. Ask around. I'll wait.

Needless to say, when I pinned this copycat recipe from Mandy's Recipe Box I couldn't wait to try to it. My 4-year old's favorite fast food meal is Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets and french fries, so when he found out what was for dinner I knew he'd be the toughest critic.

In this copycat attempt I used the exact ingredients, no substitutions. I didn't make the sauce because my little one prefers ketchup, and I was missing a few ingredients. 

I did vary the preparation slightly. I was a little short on time, so my chicken didn't get to sit as long as perhaps it should have (it marinated for about 1 1/2 hours). It was easy enough to mix the ingredients, and I used canola oil (Peanut oil is suggested). I haven't fried food in years because we're just not a big fried food family, so I dropped one nugget in at a time to test the oil. It took a few botched nuggets before I got the oil hot enough.

Overall the nuggets were very good and flavorful. Comparable to Chick-Fil-A, but not as close as I expected. Perhaps if I let the chicken marinate a little longer, the nuggets would have been more tender. 

We couldn't have Chick-fil-A nuggets without waffle fries, so I baked some. My little one was happy with the end result, and so this is certainly one I'll try again.

Thank you Pinterest & Mandy's Recipe Box!

~ Jessica

Meatless Monday

Gooey Tomato and Cheese Deliciousness.

In an effort to be healthy and get more fruits and vegetables into my families diet, I am testing out this "Meatless Monday" idea. So where do I turn to find good meatless meal ideas? 

Pinterest of course!

(On second thought, I may have initiated Meatless Monday after finding this pin, I don't know...)

Anyway, I found this Rustic Tomato Tart through a Pin to the Lick The Bowl Good blog.

It consists of a homemade crust, Roma tomatoes, Dijon mustard, mozzarella cheese and seasonings. Again, I made do with what was in my kitchen, so I used Dijon Honey Mustard, and for the seasoning I used McCormick Perfect Pinch and garlic salt instead of minced garlic and the others mentioned.

As it baked, it smelled amazing! 

I'm not a fan of mustard really, but you can't even taste the mustard. The tomatoes took on a marinara flavor after being baked, and the crust was crispy and flaky and it oozed with gooey bubbling cheese deliciousness. 

It was easy to cut with a pizza cutter, and kinda reminded me of a stuffed pizza like those you can find in the mall. We had salad with it and let me say, not one person missed the absent meat. It was hearty and delicious. I can't wait to try it again!

Thank you Pinterest & Lick the Bowl Good, it certainly was bowl (cookie sheet actually) licking good.

~ Jessica

Baked Pancake Deliciousness

The end result. It was so good!

Yes, deliciousness is a real word. For a second I thought I might have just made that up, but I didn't.

Anyway. This is about food and my LOVE for pancakes. 

I remember being about eight or nine and watching attentively as my Uncle instructed me on the "science" of making pancakes.

Make sure the pan is hot. 
Wait for the bubbles in the batter. Check the edges carefully.

 But what I remember most is him emphasizing "patience." You must have patience. If you turn them too soon you'll mess 'em up. 

So imagine my excitement, after 20 years and umpteen burned pancakes, when I pinned a recipe for "Baked Pancakes." I was skeptical at first, but after a long day of working and an afternoon of pinning (it relaxes me), I decided to test out this Pinterest find as a quick breakfast for dinner meal. Breakfast for dinner is always a hit at our house.

The recipe is from Big Red Kitchen.

It consists of milk, butter, egg, sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. Basically, you mix up the ingredients to make the batter, pour it in a pan and bake. You don't have to stand over the stove flipping hotcake after hotcake. It only takes 20 minutes to make everyone pancakes, and everything gets done at the same time so everything is hot and delicious when you're ready to sit and eat. No cold bacon while you're waiting to finish up the pancakes!


I did have to do a few substitutions (like I said, it was a long day) based on what I had in my kitchen at the time. As far as I can tell, it didn't change the deliciousness of the recipe. I used Vanilla Soy Milk, added a little bit of vanilla extract and used a round cake pan. I topped it with blueberries and strawberries, and we them it with a side of bacon.

It is officially my favorite breakfast for dinner!

 

Breakfast for dinner deliciousness!

I haven't made regular pancakes since I found this. I have made it for a few house guests, and although they're skeptical at first, not one person has rejected a second helping.

Thank you Pinterest & Big Red Kitchen!

~ Jessica