Tuesday, July 21, 2009

PF Chang's Crispy Honey Chicken


Ingredients
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into medium size chunks
1 T. minced garlic
Vegetable oil for frying
red bell pepper and/or scallions, julliene
Crispy noodles, rice or egg noodles or steamed rice for serving

Batter:
4 oz. all purpose flour
2-1/2 oz. cornstarch
1 egg
6 oz. water
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. baking soda

Chicken Seasoning:
1 T. lite soy sauce
1/8 tsp. white pepper
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 T. corn starch

Sauce:
1/2 cup sake or rice wine
1/2 cup honey
3 oz. rice vinegar
3 T. lite soy sauce
6 T. sugar
cornstarch slurry--1/4 c. corn starch mixed with 1/4 c. water

Directions
To make batter: mix ingredients till just combined. Let rest in refrigerator for a couple of hours. Coat chicken well with seasonings and marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Combine sauce ingredients, mix thoroughly and reserve for serving.

Pour vegetable oil into fryer or heavy bottomed sauce pot. Heat slowly to 340-350 degrees. Put 1/4 of the marinated chicken in a clean bowl and pour enough better over to coat. Remove a few pieces at a time from the batter, using slotted spoon or large fork. Shake off excess batter. Carefully lower chicken into the hot oil. Suspend the chicken until the batter "sets," 20-30 seconds. Chicken is done when golden to light brown and crisp. Remove to platter with paper towels to drain. Repeat for all the chicken. Remember to check the oil temperature, it must remain hot.

To finish the sauce, heat it in sauce pan, bring to a boil. Add cornstarch slurry, a little at a time.The sauce will thicken, let it come to a thickness of "loose honey." Let cook for a minute or two.

Heat 2 T. oil in a wok and add some minced garlic, red bell pepper and scallions and stir-fry briefly. Add 1/3 to 1/2 of the chicken (depending on pan size) and stir-fry briefly. Add enough sauce to just coat chicken. Stir-fry again briefly. Serve over noodles or rice.

Fudgy Cream Cheese Frosting


Ingredients

8 ounce(s) cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoon(s) (1/2 stick) butter, softened
3 tablespoon(s) whole milk
3 cup(s) confectioners' sugar, sifted
2/3 cup(s) cocoa
1/8 teaspoon(s) salt
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract


Directions

1.In a medium bowl, using a mixer set at medium speed, beat the cream cheese, butter, and milk together until smooth. Add the sugar, cocoa, and salt and continue to beat until blended.

2.Reduce mixer speed to low, add the vanilla, and beat until smooth. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before using.

http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/fudgy-cream-cheese-frosting-3628

Pesto Crostini


Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 20 min
Makes: 16 servings, 2 slices each

What You Need!
3 cups fresh basil leaves, washed, dried
1/3 cup KRAFT Classic Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
1/3 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
32 baguette slices (1/4-inch thick), toasted
1 container (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Make It!
PLACE basil leaves, dressing and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese in food processor or blender container; cover. Process until well blended.

SPREAD baguette slices evenly with cream cheese spread, then with pesto mixture.

SPRINKLE evenly with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/pesto-crostini-65089.aspx

Baked Crab Rangoon


Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 40 min
Makes: 12 servings

What You Need!
1 can (6 oz.) white crabmeat, drained, flaked
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA, 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese, softened
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup KRAFT Light Mayo Reduced Fat Mayonnaise
12 won ton wrappers

Make It!
HEAT oven to 350°F. Mix first 4 ingredients.

SPRAY 12 muffin cups with cooking spray. Line each with won ton wrapper, extending edges of wrappers over sides of cups. Fill with crab mixture.

BAKE 18 to 20 min. or until won tons are golden brown and filling is heated through.

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/baked-crab-rangoon-95157.aspx

Sangria Punch


Prep Time: 5 min
Total Time: 5 min
Makes: 8 servings, 1 cup each

What You Need!
1 qt. (4 cups) cold reduced calorie cranberry juice cocktail
1 cup cold orange juice
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
3/4 cup COUNTRY TIME Lemonade or Pink Lemonade Flavor Drink Mix
3 cups cold club soda
2 oranges, sliced
2 limes, sliced

Make It!
ADD cranberry juice cocktail, orange juice and lime juice to drink mix in large pitcher; stir until mix is dissolved.

REFRIGERATE until ready to serve.

STIR in club soda and fruit. Serve over ice cubes.

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/sangria-punch-64881.aspx?cm_re=1-_-1-_-RecipeAlsoEnjoy

Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms


Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 35 min
Makes: Makes 40 servings.

What You Need!
1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1-1/2 cups hot water
40 fresh mushrooms (about 2 lb.)
2 Tbsp. butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Make It!
HEAT oven to 400ºF.

MIX stuffing mix and water in large bowl; set aside. Remove stems from mushrooms; chop stems. Melt butter in skillet on medium heat. Add chopped stems and garlic; cook and stir until tender. Add to prepared stuffing with spinach and cheeses; mix well.

SPOON into mushroom caps. Place, filled-sides up, in shallow pan.

BAKE 20 min. or until mushrooms are tender and filling is heated through.

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/spinach-stuffed-mushrooms-75374.aspx

Layered Black Bean Dip


Prep Time: 5 min
Total Time: 5 min
Makes: 32 servings, 2 Tbsp. each

What You Need!
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup canned black beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (10 oz.) RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Shredded Cheese

Make It!
SPREAD cream cheese onto bottom of shallow dish.

LAYER with beans and tomatoes; top with cheese.

SERVE with tortilla chips.

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/cookingschool/videos/videoplayer.aspx?vid=1086