Polynesian Chicken

This is a great recipe to try when you want something more Hawaiian like. I suggest trying this recipe more than once, actually it is best to try it using both Russian Dressing at one meal and also try it with just French Dressing. I think it tastes better with French dressing. It's a sweet taste to it, but it leaves the chicken so tender and juicy all at once. I served this dish over rice and added a vegetable as well.

2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
4 ounces fat-free red Russian dressing or French dressing
1/2 cup sugar-free apricot preserves
1 small envelope of onion soup mix

Directions
Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F.
Wash the chicken and cut into 2” pieces, and place the pieces in a small casserole dish. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour 1/2 of the sauce over the chicken. over and bake for 45 minutes. Stir in the remaining sauce and bake uncovered another 20 minutes.

Natchitoches Meat Pies Recipe

Natchitoches Meat Pies Recipe

These tasty cajun meat pies are native to Natchitoches (pronounced NACK-uh-dish), Louisiana and are traditionally served on Christmas Eve. 

For the Filling

2 Tbsp Butter
1/2 lb Ground Beef
1/2 lb Ground Pork
1/2 Cup Onion, finely diced
1/2 Cup Red Bell Pepper, finely diced
1/4 Cup Celery, finely diced
1/2 Cup Green Onions
3 Garlic Cloves, minced
2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbsp Hot Sauce
Salt, black pepper, and Cayenne to taste.
1/2 Cup Beef Stock
1/8 Cup All Purpose Flour

Melt the butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat, when hot add the ground meats, cook until browned and cooked through. Add the onions, celery, bell pepper, and green onions, cook until the vegetables are wilted. Add the garlic, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and seasonings, cook for 2 minutes more. Make a slurry of the stock and flour, add to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook for about 5 minutes stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

For the dough:

4 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Cup Lard
1 Egg
1 Cup Milk

Combine the dry ingredients in the mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, with the speed on low add the lard to the dry ingredients and let the mixer cut it in until the fat is broken up into pea sized pieces. Beat the egg and combine with the milk. Add the wet to the dry with the mixer on low, in a slow steady stream. Mix until the dough just comes together. The key is to not overwork the dough.
Cut the dough in half then roll it out to 1/8 inch thickness on a floured counter. Cut into either the more traditional 5 inch circles or as I did about 3 circles,
Adapted from Market Coffee can.

To assemble and cook:

Place 1 heaping Tablespoon (doubled for the larger size) of the cooled mixture to each circle. With your finger wet the edge with a little water, fold over and crimp with a fork. Set aside on a floured surface until ready to fry.

Heat 4 inches of oil in a dutch oven to 360 degrees. Fry the meat pies in small batches until golden brown on each side.

Blue Banana Protein Shake

Everyone is always looking for something that is fast to make and still be healthy to drink.This recipe is really easy to make as well as good for you as well. The recipe below is for one drink only so if you need more just make sure to double what the recipe asks for. You can always substitute the blueberries with another fruit if you don't like blueberries. Strawberries is a good substitute.


Ingredients

1/2 cup frozen chopped banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
3/4 cup 1% milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (6 tablespoons)


Directions

In the blender, place all ingredients. Cover; blend on high speed until smooth.
Pour into large glass. Serve immediately.

Makes 1 shake (1 3/4 cups)

Baked Buffalo Wings

Everyone loves chicken wings and everyone loves Buffalo Wings. To me, this is the best way to make Buffalo Wings plus its a lot healthier. Instead of frying the chicken wings first it is completely cooked in the oven. It also has less sodium as well. You can always add more red pepper sauce to suit your needs of how hot you want it to be. Buffalo wings can be served with either Ranch Dressing or Blue Cheese Dressing. I like to eat mine just the way it is.

Ingredients

2 lb chicken wing drummettes (about 24)
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons red pepper sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Paprika
Celery sticks, if desired


Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil. Remove skin from chicken.
2. In resealable food-storage plastic bag, mix honey, ketchup, pepper sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Add chicken. Seal bag; refrigerate at least 15 minutes but no longer than 24 hours, turning occasionally.
3. Place chicken in pan; sprinkle with paprika. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes or until crisp and juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut.