Mommy Tricks

<--To the left here you will find my new favorite product for getting a meal on the table in a hurry.  Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips- if Tyson ever changes their recipe or discontinues this item....  well I'll just have to write 'em a letter!  That's what my papa John used to say when he would get disgruntled with anyone including the Federal government "Im just gonna write 'em a letter!!"  That'll fix 'em!  Ok, I digress, back to the chicken.  Us mommy's have to a few tricks up our sleeves to keep the masses happy and well fed.  You may be thinking, "alright Rebecca, why are you so hyped up over a bag of frozen chicken? Get a life sister!"  This ordinary bag of frozen chicken strips first of all tastes just like REAL fried chicken, not that pressed together, weird, I'm not sure what I'm eating, sort of resembles chicken stuff.  That should be enough to sell it right there.  For me though, it is the jumping off spot for SO many recipes.  I will tell you three different ways we use it.  

First (and by far the family fav) is Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Bake the strips in the oven till completely hot, get yourself a jar or bottle (or better yet mix up your own) of wing sauce. They sell Hooters wing sauce at Wal Mart!  When the strips are fresh out of the oven pour your sauce over them and stir till coated nicely.  Serve the strips on hamburger buns (I toast mine) with a slice or sprinkle of you favorite cheese.  Put the ranch or blue cheese dressing on the table and some kind of side dish (we like Mac N Cheese) and TA DA, you've got dinner.  

Next we have Sesame Chicken

Bake the strips and then cut them up into small bite size pieces.  While the chicken is baking put some rice on to cook.  Then you can mix up a quick sauce of

1/2 C water

1 C chicken broth

1 T Vinegar

1 C sugar

2 T soy sauce

A dash of sesame or olive oil

a sprinkle of ground red pepper (to taste, my people like it hot!)

1 clove garlic 

2 T sesame seeds

1/4 C cornstarch

Put all the sauce ingredients into a sauce pan and bring it to a bubble.  The cornstarch will react with the sugar when the heat gets to it and it will get thick and sticky.  At this point pour the sauce over your chicken pieces, stir till coated and serve over rice.  

If you want to get fancy, throw some cut up bell peppers or other veggies in.  Instant asian meal without having to speak engrish with the No.1 Chinee take out lady down the road.  You rike eggroll wit dat?

Next we have Italian Chicken

Put your strips in a 9x13.  Pour you favorite sketti sauce over the strips, sprinkle with an italian mix of shredded cheese and bake till the chicken is hot and cheese is melty.  In the meantime cook up some pasta.  Serve together with a nice salad and bread.  Your family will say "Mama Mia! " 

Speaking of Salad, we like this chicken chopped up into a salad too.  Asian Salad is the best.  Salad greens with chicken (of course) a can of drained Mandarin oranges, a sprinkle of Craisins and rice noodle and toasted almonds.  Toss it all together and top with an Asian Sesame dressing, YUM-O!  

I have plenty more ideas where those came from, want more?  Let me know.