Crockpot General Tso's Chicken

I love General Tso's Chicken!  I ate more of this dish in college than any other meal.  Main Moon made great, cheap, fast Chinese food.  One order could feed me for three days...once I got that refrigerator.  Now with three kids our food outings and take-out usually revolve around pizza.  When I found this recipe on Favorite Family Recipes, I had to try it!  Despite the large number of ingredients, it was super easy.  My husband was astonished that such a meal could come out of my crock pot.


INGREDIENTS:

• 2 pounds chicken breast, 1 inch pieces
• 1 cup flour
• 1 t salt
• 1/2 t pepper
• 2 T oil
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 t ginger
• 1/4 t cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup cornstarch (optional)
• 4 green onions

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a bag.  Add chicken.  Shake to coat.
2. Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat; cook 2 minutes per side.
3. In the crock, mix sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and cayenne.  Whisk.  
4. Add chicken.  Cook on low for 3-4 hours.  
5. Serve over rice or quinoa.  Garnish with green onions.

Note: the cornstarch acts as a thickening agent if you feel your sauce is too thin.  

Difficulty: Easy
Time:15 minutes prep, 3-4 hours baking time
Source: Favorite Family Recipes

Mac and Cheese with Squash

I am not really the type to "sneak" veggies into things because I am fortunate enough to have kids who are at least willing to tolerate them (if not enjoy them) when they are perfectly visible.  However, when faced with the opportunity to make a family favorite healthier by adding pureed acorn squash, I decided to go for it.  Little did I know that not only would it be healthier, it would taste awesome, too.  My family gobbled up this delicious mac and cheese!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 acorn squash (I used one a little larger than a softball and have used some slightly smaller, as well)
• salt and pepper
• 3 cups (dry) penne pasta
• 2 1/2 cups milk, divided
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 3 Tbsp flour
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 Tbsp dried rosemary
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (or a mixture of cheese to suit your tastes)
• 1/2 cup panko 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Using a sharp, sturdy knife, halve the acorn squash.  Remove seeds and place on a baking sheet, skin side down.  Sprinkle with salt and roast for about 50 minutes, until fork tender. (Time saving tip: I bake multiple squashes at once and save the others for other dishes or freeze to use in this dish at a later date.)
3. While water is boiling for the pasta, scrape the cooked squash from the skin and place in a food processor or high speed blender with 1/2 cup of milk.  Blend until pureed.
4. While pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the flour and nutmeg, whisk for 2-3 minutes.  Add remaining milk, whisk until smooth.
5. Increase heat and bring the flour/milk mixture to a boil, whisking the entire time.  Once thickened, turn the heat to low and whisk in the squash and rosemary and salt and pepper as desired.
6. Add the cooked macaroni to the mixture and combine thoroughly.
7. Pour half of the noodle and sauce mixture into a greased 2 quart baking dish.  Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese on top.  Add the remaining noodle mixture and then the other cup of cheese.  Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until melted and bubbling.  Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Difficulty: medium (but oh so worth it)

Time: 50 minutes to bake the squash (can be done ahead), 20 minutes hands-on, and 25-30 minutes baking time

Source: adapted from multiple sources, including www.twopeasandtheirpod.com