Crispy Seasoned French Fries

I was doing a recipe search for homemade seasoned fries. A link was listed for another recipe at http://allrecipes.com/. I looked over that recipe, it sounded good, had great reviews and I could have stopped there. However, I noticed another recipe that had a picture, so I clicked on it. It was for this recipe. It also had good reviews. This recipe was a little different then the rest. They are a batter dipped fry. I tried them tonight. They turned out really good.

Crispy Seasoned French Fries

2 1/2 Lbs Russets, peeled and cut into fries

1 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp garlic salt

1 tsp onion salt

1 tsp salt

1 tsp paprika

1/2 cup water, or as needed

1 cup vegetable oil, for frying

After slicing potatoes, place in cold water so they don't turn brown. Heat oil in large skillet over medium/high heat. While oil is heating, sift dry ingredients into large bowl. Gradually stir in water until mixture can be drizzled with a spoon. Dip potatoes, one at a time, into batter, then oil. Don't let them touch at first or they will clump together. Fry to desired crispiness. Drain on a paper towel.

**I thought cutting them into a fry shape it would take forever to dip them one at a time. So I used my crinkle cutter. Call me lazy, cause not only did I crinkle cut them, I didn't peel them.

Slow Cooker Orange Beef

I found this recipe online, are you surprised by that. I made it once before, Corey and I really liked it. It has Bok Choy in it. The first time I made it I was unsure what Bok Choy was. I Googled it. For those who have no idea, it is a Chinese cabbage. However it isn't in a round head like you would think. It is in stalks like celery, but with large leaves at the top.

Slow Cooker Orange Beef

1 1/2 Lb beef round steak, sliced or stir fry strips

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tsp ground ginger

3 Tbsp honey

1/2 cup orange juice

1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced

1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced

6 green onions, sliced

1 small head bok choy, cut into 1 inch chunks

Marinate meat over night with sauce ingredients, soy sauce, honey, ginger and orange juice. Dump marinated meat and sauce into crock pot. Add vegetables and cook on low six to seven hours, or on high three to four hours. Serve over cooked rice. Top with juice from crock pot.

Cuban Flank Steak Marinade

This is another recipe that I found at http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/. It is a marinade recipe. I thought with Cuban in the name it would be a little spicy. It was good, but not spicy at all. Next time I will add a little more hot sauce.

Cuban Flank Steak Marinade

1 to 3 pound flank steak

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 tsp olive oil

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp ground chipotle powder OR hot sauce

2 tsp lime zest (optional)

Combine all in zip top bag. Add meat, seal and put in fridge all day, up to 24 hours. Bring meat to room temperature before grilling. Grill about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Rest about 5 minutes before cutting.

**I served this with loaded crash potatoes **recipe follows

**I didn't use a flank steak, just some small steaks that were on sale at my grocery

**I cut small slits down the meat to help the marinade soak into the meat. I marinated it in a shallow bowl. I flipped the meat after several hours. I used a fork and poked additional holes randomly on the meat.

Crashed Potatoes

Start them just as if making baked potatoes. I cook mine in my Pampered Chef Micro-cooker. Once they are tender enough, put them on a baking sheet and smash them. I use a small salad plate and press on them. I put a little butter on the top. Put them in the oven at 450 degrees for about half hour. Can serve at this point. To make them loaded add your favorite cheese, and put back in oven for about 5 minutes, until cheese is melted. Add some crumbled bacon (or bacon bits), and sour cream. Could also top with some green onions.

Spicy Orange Beef (or Chicken)

This is a recipe I found online. I did it with chicken this time. It was really good. I thought it might be a little sweet with the orange juice and sugar, but it wasn't. I think next time I will make it with beef and green beans, with some type of potato on the side.

Spicy Orange Beef (or chicken)

3/4 Lb top round, trimmed of fat, cut into thin strips (Or 2 chicken breasts)

2 Tbsp corn starch

2 tsp grated orange rind

1/2 cup low sodium beef broth (or chicken broth)

1/4 cup orange juice

2 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce

1 Tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce OR 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

4 tsp canola oil

1 Tbsp peeled, minced fresh ginger

1/4 Lb green beans, cut in half (optional)

1 red bell pepper, seeded, cut into thin strips

1 carrot, cut into thin matchsticks (or 1/2 small onion, chopped)

Combine beef (chicken), 1 tablespoon corn starch and orange rind in medium bowl, toss well to coat, set aside. Combine 1 tablespoon corn starch, broth, orange juice, soy sauce, sugar and chili sauce (pepper flakes) in bowl, set aside. Heat wok or large deep skillet over medium heat. Using 2 tsp oil cook meat through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove meat from pan. Add 2 teaspoons oil, add ginger. Stir until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add (beans), pepper and carrot (onion). Stir until tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add broth mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until it boils, about 1 minute. Add meat back in and heat.

Caramel Apple Salad

This recipe was posted on a board I read. It sounded good and simple to make. I got the ingredients and was going to make it tomorrow. However, Corey requested a dessert tonight. So I made this. It is really good. It would be great for a carry in or cook out.

Caramel Apple Salad

6 medium apples, cored and chopped

1 small tub fat free Cool Whip

1 cup mini marshmallows

1 (8oz) can crushed pineapples, UNDRAINED

1 small box sugar free butterscotch pudding mix, NOT prepared

Mix all and chill for an hour.

Weight Watchers 1/2 cup = 3 points

**Of course I didn't use fat free items.

**I added extra marshmallows.

**I also added some roughly chopped pecans that I had on hand.

Savory Marinade

This is another recipe I found at http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/. I used it on chicken breasts. But as soon as I took the first bite I could taste it on a steak. It is really good. This is a for sure keeper. I have enough left that I may make some steaks with it next week.

Savory Marinade

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

3 Tbsp mayonnaise

1 - 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (1 for chicken, 2 for pork or beef)

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp veg salt or salt

1 tsp fresh ground black pepper

1 Tbsp poultry seasoning

1 Tbsp garlic puree or garlic powder

1 Tbsp sweet paprika

1/2 Tbsp onion powder

1 tsp thyme (optional)

Put all in jar with tight fitting lid. Shake until well combined. Don't worry if have mayo lumps, will dissolve. Make small slits in meat. Put meat in zip top bag or plastic container with lid. Pout over just enough marinade to cover meat. Marinate in fridge 6 to 8 hours, ( or longer). Grill about 10 to 20 minutes, until done, lightly brown. Extra marinade will keep in fridge.

**If you don't have something with a lid that you can get a good shake on. I would suggest putting it all in a blender and working it through. Then oil seemed to separate quickly. But once I got it blended good it was fine.

**I cooked my chicken about ten minutes, it was perfect.

**This would be great on steak served with a nice bake potato.

Tender & Tangy Ribs

Once again a recipe I found online. I served these with some roasted potatoes with onions and garlic. I just used some boneless Country Style Ribs.

Tender & Tangy Ribs

3/4 -1 cup vinegar

1/2 cup ketchup

2 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp dry mustard

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

2 Lbs pork spare ribs

1 Tbsp oil

Brown ribs in oil in skillet. Combine all other ingredients in crock pot. Transfer meat to crock pot. Cook on low four to six hours.

Roasted Potatoes, how I made mine

Cut potatoes into bite sized chunks. Cut onions into bit sized chunks. Using a chef's knife or large blade knife press garlic and peel. On large piece of foil put potatoes, onions and garlic. Fold up edges slightly. Melt a stick of butter and pour over top coating vegetables. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, (or herbs of your choice). Wrap sides of foil over vegetables. If needed put another piece over top to completely cover. Sit over meat in crock pot. With about 45 minutes left on cooking, pull out foil wrap and put on baking sheet. Transfer to a 450 degree oven. I slightly shook foil packet to redistribute butter. I did not mince garlic. Once cooked unwrap and removed crushed garlic cloves.

**The potatoes is just how I made them. You could easily leave out the onion or garlic. Maybe add some green peppers.