Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti

I love reading The Pioneer Woman. Hell, I've even found myself envious of her life. She has some great recipes...and this is the 2nd one I've tried. I like it. It's got good flavor and it's one of those comfort foods. Here's the recipe link:

PW's Spaghetti Chicken

Josh said it tastes just like a chi-chi...which is a delicacy where he works. Ramen noodles, cheese (or cheese puffs), onions, and chicken (or other available meat). Nice.

Korean Beef Stir-Fry

Yay! I've finally made a stir fry that I actually like! I served this with rice noodles.

3 tablespoons mirin

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon canola oil

8 ounces flank steak, trimmed of fat and very thinly sliced against the grain

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

2 teaspoons chopped jalapeno pepper, or to taste

1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger

4 cups mung bean sprouts

1 6-ounce bag baby spinach

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, optional

Combine mirin, soy sauce and cornstarch in a small bowl.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spread steak out in the pan and cook until seared on one side, about 1 minute. Add garlic, jalapeno and ginger and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add bean sprouts and spinach (the pan will be very full).

Pour the mirin mixture into the pan and stir gently until the sauce thickens and the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes. Stir in cilantro and sesame oil. Serve topped with sesame seeds (if using).

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Blondies

What can you make with a few ingredients that's sweet and satisfying...and you're out of chocolate?! Blondies! Of course, you can toss in any nuts or chips that you like. This is what I had on hand from making the Blueberry Banana Peanut Butter Bars.

6-7 TBS butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt1 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder (optional, creates lighter blondie texture)
1/2 cup of white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts

Preheat oven to 350.Line an 8x8 pan with foil and lightly spray with PAM.In a large microwave safe mixing bowl melt the butter. Allow to cool for 5 mintues. Mix the brown sugar with the melted butter and beat until smooth. Beat in egg and then vanilla. Add salt, stir in flour and baking powder (if using). Mix in any additions .Pour into prepared pan and use a greased spatula to evenly spread mixture in pan and level the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until set in the middle. Cool on rack before cutting.

Blueberry Banana Peanut Butter Bars

Josh found this recipe in an issue of Backpacker Magazine and boy, am I glad he did! I love these suckers. Chewy, crunchy, fruity.....good in every way!

1/4 Cup honey

1/4 Cup brown sugar

1/4 Cup peanut butter

2 Cups of flake cereal (preferrably bran flakes or kashi flakes), crushed

1/2 Cup dried blueberries

1/2 Cup slivered almonds (or nut of choice)

1/2 Cup dried banana chips

1/3 Cup of white chocolate chips

Break the banana chips into small pieces and set aside. Heat the honey and brown sugar in a large skillet and simmer for 1 minute. Over cooking will make the bars brittle. Removed the pan from the heat and stir in the peanut butter. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well.

Coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square pan with vegetable oil or PAM. Scoop the mixture into the pan and pack down evenly. Freeze for 30 minutes. Transfer the contents of the pan to a cutting board. Allow to come to room temperature and cut into 9 bars.

Can keep in freezer for 3 months.