Monthly Archives: May 2023

Mozzarella Sticks

Did you know you can create some of your favorite fried or fast food options at home? In intermediate cooking we learned how to bread and then fry food. It is a three step process that can add flavor, texture, and a crunch to your meals.

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup of water
  • 1 ½ cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 2/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 1 package of mozzarella sticks (16 count)

Directions

  1. Gather all the ingredients.
  2. Create garlic salt by combining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
  3. Whisk the water and the eggs together in a small bowl.
  4. Mix bread crumbs and garlic salt in a medium bowl.
  5. Blend flour and cornstarch in a third, medium bowl.
  6. Turn on air fryer and spray the rack with cooking oil.
  7. After this, slice the mozzarella sticks in half.
  8. Coat the mozzarella stick in the flour mixture, shake off any excess flour.
  9. Next, dip into the egg mixture.
  10. Press into breadcrumb mixture and coat.
  11. Place in air fryer, not overcrowding them. Let them cook for 6-8 minutes.
  12. Serve with marinara sauce and enjoy!

Pickle Juice and Honey Marinade

Nicknamed “The Picky Hicky” this marinade uses a blend of sweet and savory flavors. A marinade is a sauce that soaks meats and vegetables to create more flavor and better texture. Learning about marinades is great considering summer is around the corner…and what’s better than grilling out?

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of pickle juice
  • 1/4 cup of honey
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

Directions

  1. In a bowl, add the pickle juice, honey, olive oil, chopped cilantro, and finely chopped onion.
  2. Mix well to ensure that the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
  3. Place your desired meat, such as chicken, pork, or beef, in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
  4. Pour the marinade over the meat.
  5. If using a plastic bag, seal tight and remove excess air. If using a dish, cover with plastic wrap.
  6. Place the marinated meat in the fridge, letting it marinate for at least an hour.
  7. Next, take out of fridge and let it sit on counter for 15 minutes before cooking
  8. Cook the meat according to preference. This would be a great time to reference a previous recipe on IGNITE cooks: “Three Ways to Cook Chicken.”
  9. After cooking, let sit for a few minutes. This lets the juices distribute evenly.
  10. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired and enjoy!
Print

Chicken Mac and Cheese

Course Dinner
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 7

Equipment

  • 1 Pot
  • 1 Pan
  • 1 Strainer

Ingredients

Macaroni

  • 1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter
  • 1/2 Sweet Onion
  • 3 tbsp Flour
  • 2 Cups 2 % Milk
  • 2 Cups Cheddar Cheese
  • 2 Cups Shredded Chicken
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 8 oz Macaroni
  • 1 tbsp Minced Garlic

Breadcrumbs

  • 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • 3/4 cup Breadcrumbs

Instructions

Macaroni

  • Grab a large pot
  • Fill the pot up halfway
  • Put pot on the hotplate
  • Turn hotplate on high (level 5)
  • Once the pot of water is boiling (big bubbles), add macaroni
  • Cook for 15 minutes
  • Once macaroni is done, strain pasta water
  • Turn the hotplate off

Chicken

  • Grab a cutting board & knife
  • Put the rotisserie chicken on the cutting board
  • Start to cut off slices of chicken
  • Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces

Sauce

  • Grab a knife & cutting board
  • Chop onion into small pieces
  • Turn on stove top to medium (level 3)
  • Add 1/4 cup butter to pot
  • Add onions to pot
  • Cook for 5 minutes
  • Add 1 tbsp garlic to pot
  • Add 3 tbsp flour to pot
  • Cook for 1 minute
  • While continuing to stir, add 2 cups milk to pot
  • Add 2 cups cheddar cheese to pot
  • Stir until cheese is melted
  • Add chicken to pot
  • Add pasta to pot
  • Season with salt & pepper to pot
  • Turn off hotplate

Bread Crumbs

  • Grab a pan
  • Turn hotplate on medium (level 3)
  • Add 2 tbsp butter to pan
  • Add 3/4 cup bread crumbs to pan
  • Stir mixture for 3 minutes
  • Turn off hotplate
  • Add breadcrumbs to pot of macaroni & serve!

Chopping up Fresh Vegetables

Today we will be practicing multiple ways of prepping vegetables. Some will be brought to the farm we are visiting this weekend and others will be enjoyed with some dip. The methods below are just a few of the many ways you can prepare vegetables for summer dishes or snacks!

Ingredients

  • Any fresh vegetable of your choice. Examples can be:
  • Carrots
  • Cucumbers
  • Peppers
  • Celery
  • Broccoli
  • Ranch packet
  • 16oz Sour cream

Directions

  1. Begin by making the dip. Mix the Ranch packet with 16oz of sour cream.
  2. Cover and set inside the fridge for it to set for one hour.
  3. Next, practice some ways to prep vegetables:
  • Chop
  • Slice
  • Julienne
  • Dice
  • Peel
  • Batonnet
Remember all of these techniques require patience and practice. Don’t give up! Also perfection is not the goal, just working on some skills and enjoying the process.
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