The Best "Fakeout Takeout" Orange Chicken

I have tried several orange chicken recipes, and been quite disappointed.  The sauce is too tart and tangy, or it's gritty and runny.  It just never compared to what I was used to when I ordered takeout.

I decided to give this recipe a try.  It didn't have any hard-to-find ingredients, and it seemed like it might be simple enough to taste good.  I was right!  We will definitely be making this again!  I even had leftover sauce, that I think would be yummy with sauteed chicken in some carrots, bell peppers, pineapple chunks, and water chestnuts--like an orange chicken stir fry!  Maybe some night for a date night-in, I'll serve it up in some take-out boxes.  Easy clean up and fun to eat on the floor watching a movie :)

Orange Chicken

Chicken:
3-4 boneless chicken breasts, cut into chicken tender size
3 1/2 cups cornflakes, gently crushed
1 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 egg whites
2 tsp. water
2 tsp. soy sauce

Sauce:
2 cups orange juice
2 T. cornstarch
2/3 cup white sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
6 Tb. butter

Line a cookie sheet with foil.  Place in oven.  Heat oven to 450 degrees.

In pie pan, combine cornflakes, ginger, and pepper.  Mix well.

In small bowl, beat egg whites, soy sauce and water until frothy.

Dip chicken in egg white mixture and roll in cornflakes.  Place on hot cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 min.

To make sauce, combine ingredients in small sauce pan.  Bring to a boil.  Stir until sauce clears up (about 10 minutes or so).

Serve chicken on rice topped with orange sauce.

Leftover Candy Corns...

It's not a problem I normally have, to have a slew of leftover candy corns.  But if your stash isn't dwindling, as quickly as mine did, I thought some of these ideas were adorable ways to use them up, that aren't all "Halloween-y".

These candy corn penguin cup cakes are from Naomi's instagram (of the fun blog, Love Taza).  From what I can tell, they are oreos, candy corn, and mini chocolate chips.  They look easy and fun, for any time of year!

These are adorable little pretzel turkeys, that look simple and easy!  They would be a fun place setting for the kid's table at Thanksgiving!  For some more "turkey" inspiration using candy corns, I can't get over how cute these nutter butter turkeys are, or try out variations of the Reese's peanut butter cup turkey, here or here!

And if your candy corns are stale, or you are all sugared-out, you and your kids can make a sweet little card, inspired by this handprint turkey, or this Thanksgiving card.

Have fun using up that leftover candy corn!  Now I wish I had some left...I will have to plan better for next year!

Thanksgiving Tradition

We started a new thanksgiving tradition this year...

...a leaf garland in our kitchen, that we write our thankful thoughts on each evening.

It is a simple enough tradition, and not too late to start, if this sounds like something you and your family might enjoy!  I did use my silhouette machine to cut the leaves out, but you could go to a local scrapbook store and use the die cut machine, cut out your own simple leaf shape (have the kids help!), or I'm sure you can find pre-packaged leaves to use.

I like that it helps us narrow in on the true meaning of the holidays, and gives our kitchen some autumn colors.  Have you ever wondered why most of us are all crazy-excited about the holidays?  I honestly think it's all the little traditions that are embedded in this time of year.  Some of the traditions, large groups of people have in common, while other traditions are super specific to our own individual families.  That's why I am so excited to continue the ones that I love, and begin new ones for my own little family.  I also love, that it is never too late to start.  In a few years, I can continue adding traditions that seem to fit my family's wants and needs!

A similar concept to the leaf garland, is writing gratitude thoughts on leaves for a tree, or on feathers for a turkey.  I also really liked this Thanksgiving garland with meaningful words, it would be beautiful to have strewn across your tablescape or draped in the dining area during your Thanksgiving dinner. Or this amazing idea to write on the tablecloth with permanent markers every year, and able to reflect on blessings present and past.

What are your autumn and Thanksgiving traditions?  Do you have a special "gratitude" tradition, a dish you love to make, or a special activity?  Do you eat a special appetizer every year before your turkey feast or participate in a run or walk prior to the meal?  I want to hear!

Family Fun: Firepit

Last year, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law gifted us a firepit for our Christmas gift exchange.  Now that the weather is cooling down, we have been loving putting it to use!

If you don't already have one, it would be a fun Christmas gift for your family to enjoy, whether you buy one or build one (it might seem early to already be thinking of Christmas gifts...but trust me, it'll sneak up on you!).

Here is a simple tutorial on how to build one for a family on a budget that wants a permanent place for their firepit.

One Friday night, we decided to do an old-school hot dog roast for dinner, topped off with s'mores.  We had our friends, the Whitings, over and enjoyed good conversation, nostalgic food, and great weather.  Not to mention, this is a really inexpensive family get-together or date night.  I love slow-paced and laid-back evenings like this, I really need to try to plan for more of them.  They are so good for the soul!

I keep a package of hot dogs and buns in my freezer, so we can do this last minute without a trip to the grocery store!  Unfortunately, when I keep a "stash" of chocolate bars to make s'mores, it disappears rather quickly...!  It would also be fun to cook some tin foil dinners for a different type of meal, if you wanted to change things up.

The babes got to take a bubble bath after crawling around and getting smoky, while exploring the "great outdoors".

What do you and your family love doing together?  Do share, I love new ideas!

P.S.
Our favorite way to do s'mores, is using a Reese's peanut butter cup instead of a regular chocolate bar--it is amazing!  Thomas said he probably won't ever make a s'more another way again.

Some Fun Links...

We had a really jam-packed and fun weekend.  Between scout campouts and Halloween festivities, we stayed busy but had a good time!  My intention was to post this list two weeks ago, but ya know, I forgot.  So here are a few fun links to kick off your week!

the little family at Apple Annie's Orchard and Pumpkin Patch a couple weeks ago

I've been dying to try this hot chocolate recipe for years, and I am determined to this year!

how adorable are these little ghost donut holes?

next time Brett and I are going out to dinner for a date night, I am dying to try this tip to keep sparks flying!

this book is next on my "to-read" list

I made this delicious apple dip last week, and it is sooo yummy and easy, I am planning on making it again for Halloween evening

Stuffed Pumpkin: Bacon Jalapeno Dip

On Monday night for family home evening, we had our good friends, the Mertz's over.  James and Jenessa  recently moved here from Tucson.  Brett and James have been very good friends for years, they grew up in Willcox together.  We like that they live close now!

Jenessa offered to bring tomato soup and bread bowls (you can buy the bread bowls here, they are so worth it!).  I gave my first attempt at baking something in a pumpkin, and whipped up some apple crisp.  It was a fun and relaxing evening.  The stuffed pumpkin was a hit!  I'll probably make it again...this week!    

And can I tell you how much I love eating on the back patio!  We eat out there nearly every single night, and I can't get enough of it!  I'll be disappointed when the evenings are too biting to enjoy the patio, but then we can make s'mores around the firepit and Christmas will be here--so I won't be that disappointed :)

Landon was in a goofy and happy mood, so we had fun interacting and engaging with him a lot.  He was so smiley and corny the whole night long.

So, in case you want to test the waters, and try baking "something" in a pumpkin--give this easy appetizer a try!

Bacon Jalapeno Dip baked in a Pumpkin

original recipe found here

2-3 pound pumpkin, cleaned out

16 oz. cream cheese

2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

2 T. finely chopped jalapeno

2 T. finely chopped onion

1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon

3/4 cup salsa verde

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Place cream cheese in large, microwave-safe bowl and soften

Stir in the remaining ingredients

Place the dip in cleaned pumpkin and place it in a baking dish with 1 inch of water.  Lightly cover the pumpkin with foil.  Place the pumpkin and baking dish in oven and bake for about one hour, or until the dip is hot and bubbling around the edges.  Put the top of the pumpkin in the last 20 minutes, so it looks "baked". 

We served it with the "insides" of our bread bowls and tortilla chips--both were delicious!

Enjoy!

The Yummiest (and easiest) White Chili Recipe

Chili is one of those dishes you think of being a staple during this time of year.  And while I love the traditional chili with cornbread just like the next girl, this is a fun twist on the traditional dish!  Plus, it is even easier to throw together than the regular chili, in my opinion.

This is one recipe that I get asked for a lot, it is a crowd pleaser!  I typically make mine in the crockpot, just so it can simmer/warm through for a while, but it isn't necessary.  It can be done on the stove just as easily!  

White Chili

1-2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (4 oz.) can of green chilies
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tsp. cumin
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
4 chicken breasts, boiled and shredded (I often use leftover rotisserie chicken or canned chicken too!)
5 cups chicken broth
3 (16 oz.) cans of white beans, undrained
3 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Saute onions, green chilies, and garlic in olive oil and spices.

Combine beans, broth, and chicken with onion mixture in crockpot or in soup pot.

Let heat through entirely.  About 30 minutes before serving, slowly add cheese and stir every few minutes until cheese is melted and evenly distributed.

Enjoy!  We eat it plain, but more shredded cheese, sour cream, and cilantro on top would be delicious toppings and add some garnish--especially for a get-together!