Carissa's (Continuing) Adventures

Cashew Chicken Recipe : Chicken Breast Broccoli Red Peppers Green onion Cornstarch / salt for coating chicken Soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, spices for the sauce Cost : $4 for the chicken at Aldi, Broccoli and Red Peppers probably around $8 Source : https://www.wellplated.com/thai-cashew-chicken/ Basic Directions: Coat chicken in cornstarch and salt, fry until browned in skillet Add broccoli, peppers, and green onion and sauté until cooked Add cashews and cook for about 30 sec-1 min Add sauce and stir until everything is covered Served with: Asian salad kit and rice Why I chose it:  I'm always looking for different ways to use chicken. I was actually looking for a peanut-chicken recipe but thought this looked good too. Things I liked : So easy, easy to make a double batch for community group, and tasted pretty good Things I’ll try differently next time : Might experiment with different veggies and sauce ratio Husband say...

Pesto Sauce Recipe : Lots and lots of basil Pine nuts Olive Oil Garlic Cloves Parmesan Cheese Salt Cost : $5 for two basil plants (I use mine so often there are never enough leaves to make pesto) $3 for grated parmesan cheese Everything else was already in my pantry Source : https://www.thespruceeats.com/classic-basil-pesto-sauce-recipe-995923 Basic Directions: Put everything in a food processor Pulse and fiddle until it's right Served with: Pasta, Bread, and Salad Why I chose it:  I was taking a meal to a friend who just had a baby and she eats mostly a plant based, very low dairy diet. I didn't want to make red sauce because without meat it can be a bit much. Things I liked : It was much much better than jarred pesto, which I can't stand. I made it a bit thick initially but mixed with a bit more olive oil it was a perfect change of pace Things I’ll try differently next time : I did not have enough pine nuts so I added some wal...

Italian Wedding Soup Recipe : Ground sausage & beef   Tiny pasta - Spinach Onion Bread crumbs Chicken stock Egg Parmesan Cost : ~$15 - I shopped at Lidl instead of Aldi and they had no normal meat, only "organic" which I don't normally buy. Their cheese was also more expensive.  Source :https://www.cookingclassy.com/italian-wedding-soup/ Basic Directions: I halved the original recipe so I only used 8 oz of sausage. I also use homemade stock, accidentally included the onions in the meatballs and didn’t have carrots. Make meatballs with meat, crumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, and spices, brown in skillet Boil meatballs and pasta in broth for around 10 min Add spinach until wilted Served with: Focaccia bread and parmesan cheese on top Why I chose it: Needed a new soup recipe! Also was in the mood for Italian food that wasn’t pasta Things I liked : Very light and fresh taste, easy to make. Nice to have a soup r...

Naturally Leavened Sourdough Recipe : Ripe starter Flour Salt Water Cost : All items already in pantry/fridge Source : https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/naturally-leavened-sourdough-bread-recipe Basic Directions: Mix Knead Let rest Knead Let rest Bake Served with: Was meant for fancy grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup Why I chose it: I have a starter that I’ve been keeping alive for months and felt ready to let it do it’s thing unaided by commercial yeast Things I liked : Nothing. It was not good at all. Things I’ll try differently next time : Literally everything. It turned out terribly, like a rock. Could have been used as a weapon. Some have suggest too little water, too much kneading. I also used bread flour instead of all purpose but didn’t think that would be the culprit. I've had a lot of success with King Arthur so I will try again! Husband says : I didn’t let him try it. I threw it out before he ...