MOO SHU CHICKEN

 

MARINADE INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

1/4 cup rice vinegar

2 tablespoons oyster sauce

2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

6 cloves garlic, minced

MOO SHU INGREDIENTS:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast- sliced into very thin strips

marinade 

3 tablespoons sesame oil

2 large eggs, whisked

2 cups chopped cabbage

8 ounces mushrooms, stemmed and thinly-sliced

4 scallions, thinly sliced (green parts only)

 Serve over rice or quinoa

Directions:

TO MAKE THE MARINADE:

Whisk all ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl until combined.  Separate the marinade into two portions — one to marinate the meat, and one to serve as the cooking sauce.

TO MAKE THE MOO SHU Chicken:

Add the thinly-sliced  chicken to half of the marinade, and toss until the meat is evenly coated in the marinade. I marinated for about half hour.  

While the meat is marinating, heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large sauté pan or wok over medium heat.  Add the whisked eggs, and let them sit and until they are cooked and form a large omelet.  Transfer the eggs to a separate cutting board, and set aside.   Chop the omelet into small, thin pieces.

Return the pan to the stove, and increase heat to high heat.  Add 1 more tablespoon of oil, and then use tongs to lift the meat out of the marinade and move to the pan, discarding the marinade.  Sauté the chicken, breaking it up and stirring it with tongs, until it is cooked and tender, about 3-4 minutes.  Then place the chicken to a separate plate, and set aside.

Add the remaining oil to the pan, along with the cabbage, mushrooms, and half of the scallions.  Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the cabbage begins to wilt and softens.

Add in the reserved marinade for the sauce, and toss to combine.  Cook for an additional 2 minutes.  Stir in the cooked chicken and chopped eggs, and toss until combined.  Taste, and season with extra salt and pepper (and/or hoisin or soy sauce) as needed.  Sprinkle with the remaining green onions.

When we lived on the Island I use to drive to Patchogue to a Chinese place we loved. It was up island from Sag Harbor but it was worth the drive.

There isn't any decent Chinese food around here. This recipe is very good and I'll add to one of our favorites.

BECKY’S SUGAR COOKIES

The Story Of
BECKY’S SUGAR COOKIES
Rebecca Griffis, Euless, TX

While growing up in Columbia, Missouri in the 1950s and 1960s, I stayed very close by the side of my maternal grandmother, Pearl George. Since Grandma was a marvelous cook who was always on the look-out for new recipes, hanging out with Grandma was a culinary adventure. More than once I was caught in the crossfire of a recipe exchange between Grandma and whomever she struck up a conversation with about cooking. One of my grandmother’s most earnest quests, though, was for a recipe for, “a real good, soft sugar cookie”.
After Grandma passed away in 1974, Grandpa gave me a great portion of Grandma’s recipe collection, which I brought home to Texas. I’m ashamed to say that the box of wonderful, home-style-history papers sat in my garage for many-a-moon, waiting…quietly…patiently, to reveal to Grandma’s Girl its hidden treasures. I really don’t recall the occasion for finally deciding to “twiddle out” (as Grandma would say) those old recipes, but when I finally did, just simply handling the old, worn documents caused happy childhood memories to sweep through my mind and soul. Suddenly, the sweet aromas of Grandma’s kitchen filled my senses, along with a vivid picture of my loved one cooking for her family. I was transported to a place of childhood pleasures, thanks to hundreds and hundreds of wonderful old recipes! Certain types of recipes began to show up time and time again, though, and you guessed it; they were for variations of soft sugar cookies. Grandma’s passion was gently revealed by the old, yellowed sugar cookie recipes clipped from local newspapers and publications, sugar cookie recipes written in Grandma’s own handwriting, (sometimes in ink, sometimes in pencil) on odd-sized scrap paper, sugar cookie recipes written on note paper in someone else’s handwriting, and sugar cookie recipes written on recipe cards. Did Grandma ever find the perfect sugar cookie recipe? I doubt it, but the sheer volume of cookie recipes promising culinary perfection kept Grandma in the kitchen and kept a hopeful twinkle in her eye.
The memory of hearing Grandma’s voice inquiring about a recipe for “a real good, soft sugar cookie” has led me to create “Becky’s Sugar Cookies”. My husband and two strapping sons think these cookies are addictive, and they are! But, nothing is quite as satisfying as knowing that without a doubt, Grandma is looking down from heaven with a satisfied twinkle in her eye.

EASE OF PREP: One bowl
Uses oil (easy to digest)
No shortening or butter
Ungreased baking sheets
HIGH NUTRITION: Contains Wheat Germ and Oat bran
PLEASING APPEARANCE: Crinkled tops
VERSATILITY: Roll in a cinnamon / sugar mixture or plain white or brown sugar, Top with colored sprinkles or Drizzle with icing, any flavor
SIMPLE INGREDIENTS: Inexpensive and readily available
PERFECT TEXTURE: Slightly crisp outside, Soft and chewy inside

BECKY’S SUGAR COOKIES*
An Original Recipe by Rebecca Griffis ( printed with permission)

Blend together:
1 1/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup canola oil
2 eggs
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla 
(or 1 t. vanilla + 1 t. butter & nut flavoring)

Blend in:
2 cup un-sifted plain flour
¼ cup wheat germ 
¼ cup oat bran 
(use 3 cups un-sifted flour if you want to 
omit wheat germ & oat bran)

Shape into 1”- 1 ¼” balls, roll in sugar and cinnamon 
mixture, and place on ungreased cookie sheets. 
Bake at 350* for about 10 minutes. 
(Cookies will be puffed, and slightly golden). 
Yield: 1 ½ dozen.

Note- I used just flour. I didn't have wheat germ. 

First day back at Christin Service Center  volunteering. Wanted to bring something sweet to snack on.

Meyer Lemon Madeleines

 Ingredients

2/3 c. all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

2 large eggs, at room temp

1/3 c. granulated sugar

1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan

2 tsp. grated Meyer lemon zest plus 1 Tbsp juice

2 tbsp. whole milk

3/4 c. confectioners’ sugar

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and granulated sugar until pale and slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.

Gently fold in flour mixture, then fold in melted butter and lemon zest until fully incorporated. Stir in milk (batter should be smooth and shiny). Press piece of plastic wrap against surface of batter, then refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.

Place rimmed baking sheet in the oven and heat oven to 400°F. Brush madeleine pan with melted butter, then dust with flour and tap out excess.

Fill madeleine molds 2/3 to 3/4 full (there will be some leftover batter for a second batch). Place madeleine pan on preheated baking sheet and bake until golden brown and large bumps on top spring back when touched, 11 to 13 minutes. Remove pan from oven and immediately release madeleines from pan by rapping pan on counter. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining batter.

Meanwhile, prepare icing: In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water; drizzle over madeleines.

I haven't been to the library in awhile and called to see if they had a movie I wanted to watch. 

I try to bake for them whenever I go and made this for Debbie and Miss Mary.

Not bad for the first time making them.

CHEESY BAKED BROCCOLI MUSHROOM FRITTERS

 Ingredients:

1 teaspoon butter

About 1 lb. mushrooms

2 – 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped

About 2 cups fresh broccoli florets

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon  salt

1 cup oat flour

1/2 cup shredded sharp, flavorful cheese 

1/3 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

Clean the mushrooms, then chop roughly. Heat a medium frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter in the pan, then add the mushrooms and garlic and saute for a few minutes until the mushrooms are tender. If the mushrooms get dry during the saute, add a splash of wine. Remove from heat and press lightly with a clean towel to remove some of the moisture.

Meanwhile, steam the broccoli until it’s just turned bright green and is still fairly crisp (not crisp tender yet). Remove from heat and dump out onto a flat surface, using a clean towel to remove any excess moisture. Chop the broccoli into small bits.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and seasoning until frothy, then add the breadcrumbs and the cheeses. Stir in the chopped broccoli and mushrooms. Shape into 8 patties and put them on the baking sheet, allowing a little breathing space between your fritters.

Bake for 15 minutes on one side, then flip the fritters and bake for 15 minutes on the other side. Serve warm.

Copycat Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Breast

Ingredients

1 pound chicken breast , boneless skinless, cut into 1" chunks

1 large egg

1/2 tsp salt

1 pinch black pepper

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup flour

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

vegetable oil for frying

Sauce -Honey Sesame

1/4 cup sweet chili sauce

1/4 cup honey

1/3 cup water

2 tablespoons white vinegar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/8 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce

2 teaspoons cornstarch

Add in

1 pound string beans , trimmed

1 yellow bell pepper , sliced thinly

2 teaspoons sesame oil

1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Directions

To coat the chicken breast add the egg, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon oil into a medium bowl and whisk together well.

In a second bowl, add 1/2 cup corn starch and 1/4 cup flour and mix.

In a large dutch oven or a wok, heat oil to 375 degrees (about 2 inches of oil).

Dip chicken pieces in the egg mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture.

Fry the chicken in batches for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden and crisp then remove with a slotted spatula, draining the oil well.

To make the sauce combine the sweet chili sauce, honey, water, white vinegar, lemon juice, salt, soy sauce and cornstarch in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil and cook until it thickens (don't make the sauce in your chicken pan).

When you are done with the chicken, drain most of the oil from the pan (leave about 2 tablespoons).

Stir fry the string beans and bell pepper strips for 30 seconds, then add in the cooked chicken, sesame oil and the honey sesame sauce and toss quickly to combine.

Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

We really liked this- Make it again!!!

Long Island

 

LONG ISLAND, NY, has a population of about 7.7 million in its 118 mile length from New York Harbor to its eastern terminus on the Atlantic Ocean at Montauk Point. It is about 28 miles in width from Long Island Sound on the north to the Atlantic Ocean on the south. Its western end includes the New York City boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn. When Long Island is defined it generally excludes the Queens and Brooklyn sections of New York City. Long Island's political divisions consist of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, 11 towns and 109 villages -- all with their own administrations. The area has had an historical past from the arrival of the first settlers. Here are interesting facts: 

Mastic was the home of William Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

Long Island's 

Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk is the site of the oldest cattle ranch in America, built in 1658, and birthplace of the American cowboy 

The Lighthouse at Montauk became NY's first coastal beacon in 1796. 

The first radio transmission, by wireless inventor Guglielmo Marconi, was in 1901 on Fire Island Avenue in Babylon 

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field, as he embarked on the first non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. 

America's first supermarket, King Kullen, started on Long Island in 1930. 

Levittown, the first suburbia in the U.S., was built on Long Island in 1947. 

The Lunar Module which landed men on the moon in 1969, was built on Long Island by the Grumman Corp. 

The only working water mill and windmill in the US are located in the Long Island community of Water Mill. 

Richard Nixon's deceased dog Checkers is buried at Long Island's Bide-a-Wee Pet Cemetery. 

When the Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883, it became the first land -transport route between Long Island and mainland USA. Before that, the only way to travel between the two was by boat. 

Long Island was sculpted by melted glaciers, which is why there is a clear difference between the hilly North Shore and the flat South Shore of Long Island. 

Long Island is the most populated island in the United States and the 

17th most populated island in the world. Interesting fact: Long Island is more populated than the entire country of Jamaica and of Ireland! 

If Long Island was its own state, it would rank 12th in terms of population. 

Robert Moses creation of a cars-only parkway system created the modern suburbs of Long Island and influenced a generation of engineers, architects and urban planners across the nation 

The North Shore is known for its large mansions, exclusive vacationing, and rich history of its affluent citizens and architecture. The South Shore hosts more entertainment and sports venues together with Atlantic Ocean beaches such as Jones Beach. 

The largest industrial park in the US is located on Long Island - The Hauppauge Industrial Park which houses 1,300 companies and employs more than 55,000 people. 

Together Nassau and Suffolk counties' nearly 180 fire agencies possess more fire trucks than New York City and Los Angeles County combined. 

Suffolk County is the leading agricultural county in New York State based on the wholesale value of its farm products. 

More 7-Eleven coffee is purchased on Long Island than in all of California. 

George Washington commissioned the Montauk Lighthouse so that the ships coming in from Europe could identify the Atlantic Ocean from the Long Island Sound. 

Fire Island got its name in the 17th century when it built fires to identify the coastline to the ships in the ocean. 

After World War II, the Japanese were nationalized and able to fly to just 5 places in the country with Idlewild Airport (JFK International) being one, which is why Canon, Nikon and Olympus located their corporate offices there. 

The Town of Hempstead with 800,000 residents is the largest township in the country, larger than Boston, San Francisco and Baltimore. 

The Nassau and Suffolk population is greater than 20 of 50 states. 

Hicksville was the original home of Fudpucker World Airlines, the Worlds only steam powered Airline. 

Long Island is the largest college "town" in the US with 175,000 students registered in 21 colleges. 

Long Island has the highest level of volunteerism in the world.

Personal notes- Long Island will always be my heart home. Loved the beaches, the farms and woods.

7 11 coffee was pretty good, it all depending on who was making it that day.

I spoke to dear friends who are in their 90's during the covid shutdown. A dear neighbor would shop for them, people who volunteered to make meals would drop off wonderful dinners for them. People took care of each other.

BIZARRE THINGS PEOPLE BELIEVED 50 YEARS AGO

 It is true that the 1960s were full of crazy ideas and ignorant (or maybe just innocent) people who actually believed those crazy ideas. 

This is a cool Article