Orange Chicken

My neighbor Jackie recommended the Orange Chicken from Trader Joes and I could have easily turned that into an addiction. I made it for Ava and I once when Dave was gone, and we LOVED it! However, I really wanted to find a way to make it at home from scratch. (Cheaper, and more convenient.) I found a recipe similar to this online, and went for it tonight! Wasn't sure how it would turn out. . . but Oh. My. Gosh. It was SO GOOD! Justin and Ava ate WAY more than Dave and I did!

I do have a few ideas or things I may change next time. I felt guilty beyond guilty for feeding my family FRIED chicken for dinner! Next time, I may do a breading and bake it, or just use diced baked chicken, and then toss it in the sauce. Either way, the sauce is amazing!

You'll have to try it and tell me what you think! It's a keeper here!

Orange Chicken Recipe

CHICKEN:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-1/2” cubes)

1 ½ cups all purpose flour

1 eggs (beaten)

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

Oil (for frying)

1. In a large bowl, mix Chicken together with egg.

2. Toss the flour, corn starch, salt, and pepper on top of the chicken, and shake until coated.

3. Fry chicken in a deep fryer, or just do it in batches in a wok or pan.

ORANGE SAUCE:

1 ½ cups water

2 tablespoons orange juice

¼ cup lemon juice

1/4 cup rice vinegar

2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce

zest of 1 orange

1 cup packed brown sugar

½ teaspoon ginger

½ teaspoon garlic (minced)

2 tablespoons green onion (chopped)

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1. Combine all ingredients together in a sauce pan.

2. Bring to a boil, while stirring, and reduce heat.

3. Simmer until sauce is clear and thickened.

4. Toss with chicken, serve over rice, and garnish with green onions and oranges!

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

My kids LOVE oatmeal. . .but they get sick of the same old thing every day. I do have to say, they're a bit picky about their oatmeal. Can't be too mushy or too gritty. Can't be too sweet, but has to be sweet enough. And it can't be those individual packets of quick oatmeal. They hate it.

Recently I've become addicted to Trader Joes Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats. It's amazing. (And I HATE oatmeal!) But the texture of the Steel Cut Oats is so good!

Being fall, I decided to combine my kids favorite fall dessert, with their coziest warm breakfast. Hence: Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal.

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

Single Serving

3/4 cup milk

2 Tbsp pureed pumpkin

1/2 Tbsp brown sugar

Sprinkle of Cinnamon

Dash of nutmeg

Dash of ginger

Dash of cloves

1/4 cup Trader Joes Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats

1. In a small saucepan, combine the milk, pumpkin, sugar, and spices. Bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat, and add in the oats.

3. Cover, and simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes or until oatmeal is thickened, and tender. Be sure to stir every few minues.

4. Top with a splash of heavy cream, and a sprinkle of brown sugar.