Chow Mein

I LOVE Chinese food. I hardly ever get it and don't get to make it often at home. This is one of those dishes I get more than others because the kids really love the noodles, not to mention it is really quite simple to make. I always add a few pea pods and take a few liberties with the veggies. I've made this with chicken, pork, beef and even shrimp. If you want a GREAT Chinese Food recipe.. this is it.

Chow Mein

1 1/2 cups bean sprouts
2 boneless chicken breasts sliced thin
2 TBS oyster sauce
2 tsp soy sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 TBS cornstarch
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 pound dry wonton noodles
2 medium celery cut in medium chunks
1/2 medium size white onion cut in medium slices
2 cups cabbage cut in medium slices
1 green onion
2 clove garlic chopped
4 TBS sesame or olive oil

1. Cut chicken into thin strips and set aside.
2. Soften the noodles by placing them in boiling salted water. Plunge into cold water to stop the cooking process and drain thoroughly.
3. Heat a wok or frying pan over medium to high heat. Add 2 TBS of oil. WHn the oil is hot, add noodles, Fry in batches until golden. Remove noodles from the pan.
4. Heat 2 TBS oil in a wok. Add garlic and meat. Let the meat brown briefly, then stir-fry until the redness is gone and the meat is nearly cooked through.
5. Add the rest of the vegetables (except the green onions) and mix well for 3-4 minutes.
6. In a small bowl combine oyster sauce, soy sauce, chicken broth, cornstarch, and salt and pepper. Make a "well" in the middle of the wok for the sauce. Quickly stir and mix everything together. Stir in noodles and green onions.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Pasta Fagioli with Sausage

This is a great ol stand by for our family. Quick and easy to make and down home yummy we can whip this up in about half an hour. You can play with the ingredients a bit using sweet or breakfast sausage or even chicken or hamburger. Always a crowd pleaser, it's definetly a tried and true at our house.

Pasta Fagioli with Sausage

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 3 large chicken bouillon cubes, dissolved in 6 cups hot water
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon onion salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pound ditalini pasta
• 2 cans (19 ounces each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

In large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Crumble sausage into saucepan; cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes or until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook for 1 minute.

Add dissolved bouillon cubes, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, onion salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in pasta. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 11 minutes or until pasta is tender.

Stir in beans; cook about 1 minute or until beans are heated through. Serve immediately with cheese.

Easy Alfredo

This is my favorite recipe for Alfredo Sauce. It's quick and simple and doesn't require special items. Make an extra batch because it stores in the fridge for a week and the freezer for up to 3 months. We use it on pasta and on our yummy chicken pizza.

Homemade Alfredo Sauce

1 1/4 cups whipping cream or half and half
1 cup chicken broth
1 TBS cornstarch
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 TBS olive oil
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese


In a meduim bowl stir together cream, broth, cornstarch, pepper, and nutmeg. (set aside) In medium saucepan heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic. Cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add broth mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Stir in Cheese. (Makes 2 1/2 cups)