Orange Chicken

I seriously just cooked a dinner that took 2 1/2 hours.  It was not a casserole or anything that needed to bake for a long period of time.  In fact...it was a mostly fried dish so the actual cooking only took 15 minutes.

The other day I started craving orange chicken from The Cheesecake Factory.  I. Love. That. Stuff.
So i search online for a recipe that resembles it and I find one.  Not only is it similar but the website says it is the EXACT recipe.  That was the one I had to cook!!

I must say that I am not the cook in the family.  That role is definitely filled by Artie.  I did not realize how long this little venture would take.  It turned out really yummy and was well worth the wait but man...it will definitely not go on the weekly rotation.  It is really close to the exact thing and will fill my cravings until I get to visit The Cheesecake Factory again.

Here is the recipe...try it once!

Cheesecake Factory Orange Chicken
1 1/2 pound Chicken thighs -- skinless trimmed and cut in 1 1/2-inch pieces (I used breasts)
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup orange juice (fresh squeezed)
1 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
8 strips orange peel (each about 2 inches long by 1/2 inch wide)
6 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup dark brown sugar -- packed
3 cloves garlic -- minced or pressed
1 piece (1 inch size) ginger -- grated
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch PLUS
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water (cold)
8 small whole dried red chiles -- optional
***Coating and Frying***
3 large egg whites
1 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups peanut oil

FOR THE MARINADE AND SAUCE: Place chicken in 1-gallon zipper-lock bag; set aside. Combine chicken broth, orange juice, grated zest, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and cayenne in large saucepan (with at least 3-quart capacity); whisk until sugar is fully dissolved. Measure out 3/4 cup mixture and pour into bag with chicken; press out as much air as possible and seal bag, making sure that all pieces are coated with marinade. Refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes, but no longer.

Bring remaining mixture in saucepan to boil over high heat. In small bowl, stir together cornstarch and cold water; whisk cornstarch mixture into sauce. Simmer sauce, stirring occasionally, until thick and translucent, about 1 minute. Off heat, stir in orange peel and chiles (sauce should measure 1 1/2 cups); set sauce aside.

FOR THE COATING: Place egg whites in pie plate; using fork, beat until frothy. In second pie plate, whisk cornstarch, cayenne, and baking soda until combined. Drain chicken in colander or large mesh strainer; thoroughly pat chicken dry with paper towels. Place half of chicken pieces in egg whites and turn to coat; transfer pieces to cornstarch mixture and coat thoroughly. Place dredged chicken pieces on wire rack set over baking sheet; repeat with remaining chicken.

TO FRY THE CHICKEN: Heat oil in 11- to 12-inch Dutch oven or straight-sided saute pan with at least 3-quart capacity over high heat until oil registers 350 degrees on instant-read or deep-fry thermometer. Carefully place half of chicken in oil one piece at a time; fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes, turning each piece with tongs halfway through cooking. Transfer chicken to large plate lined with paper towels. Return oil to 350 degrees and repeat with remaining chicken.

TO SERVE: Reheat sauce over medium heat until simmering, about 2 minutes. Add chicken and gently toss until evenly coated and heated through. Serve immediately


I served mine with brown rice.  Artie asked where the cheesecake was after dinner...I about fell out of my chair!  Haha...he was just kidding since it took so long to prepare.

Just a few more days left!  I have been keeping myself busy with the party preparations.  I can't wait to share it all with you!  Have a great day everyone! 

A random post

Man, each week seems to be busier than the last!  This week was church, baton, dance, baton, church, FIND OUT THE GENDER, work, and the gender reveal party.  I can not believe that we will know our little precious baby is this week.  We have been counting it down...everyday I wake up and Artie has sent me a text "10 more days...5 more days...".  It is such a great way to wake up and it also reminds me how much I have to be thankful for.  

I know a lot of people think a gender reveal party is silly but, for me, I was not able to tell my family in a special way about the baby.  So this will be special for us.  

I am so excited about my new spring wreath!! 

It was super easy too!  Can you guess what it is made out of?  Cupcake liners! 

I just took a plain styrofoam wreath and wrapped it with plain pink ribbon.  Next I took each liner, gathered it a bit at the bottom and hot glued it down on the wreath.  I like this one...but I think I am going to make another one using green ribbon and white cupcake liners.  My wreath was 18 in and took about 150 liners.  

Every day, Suzan and I get to enjoy the mayor of Jonesborough stoping by The Christmas Shop to grab some treats! 

Well at least SHE thinks she is the mayor.  Her owner works in the shop next door and she will run over everyday to see if we have some treats for her.  We really enjoy getting to love on her!  

  

Next Sunday I will have a post about the baby and let everyone know what this little blessing is!  I would have it ready soon but the reveal party is on Saturday and Sunday I am revealing it to the majorettes.  I do not want to spoil the surprise!

I am almost caught up on all the baby sizes and will back post them all at once!  WAHOO! 

I think this is it for the random post!  I hope everyone has a great week!!

The Crash

Oh man what a day.

This morning Artie rolled his Jeep over a couple of times.  He was driving down the interstate and a semi truck swerved to miss a dog and ran Artie off the road.  Well it was a steep embankment and once he hit it...the jeep started rolling.  He called and the first thing he said was "I'm ok but..."

NEVER START A SENTENCE WITH THAT!!!

He really was fine.  He had some cuts on his hands and arms from climbing out through his busted window.  Once we got home I looked him over with a fine tooth comb and he has some bruises that are coming up.  He told me he is very sore as well.

I was so amazed when we went to pick up the jeep from the tow yard...it does not look as bad as it could have been.  I was thankful that these things are built for rolling just in case.  Seriously yall...well you will see.

See?  I was shocked.  His window is busted out as well but he was able to drive it home from the lot. 

Poor thing...today he also had to go to court for the break ins that we had in the fall.  He had to sit in the courtroom for HOURS just waiting until it was his turn.  Luckily he told someone that he had been in a wreck that morning and they put him on the stand first so he could leave. Needless to say, it was a rough day for him.  

Tonight we are thanking God that the wreck was not as bad as it sounds.  I just do not know what I would do without him.  

The Chicken Head

The year was 2004 and I was meeting Artie at his house for our very first date.  I knew that he had a dog and I wanted to get in good and bring Kasey (his dog) a present.  (I was working at PetSmart at the time which is where we "re-met")  I picked out a Greenie and a latex chicken to take.  She LOVED them!  In fact, we have a picture on our dresser right now of her eating that Greenie.  Well that poor chicken was loved as well.  A little too much.  It was ripped apart limb for limb until all that was left was the head.  

Since the chicken was as big as the poodle, he never wanted to play with it.  Once it became just a head, he was ALL OVER IT.  He carried it around for years.  Sometimes the chicken head would go missing for months...and then it would pop out of hiding.  

Artie and I move and thought the chicken head was long gone and then BAM, the poodle pulled it out from hiding.  

We move again and the chicken head disappeared again.  

Fast forward to last weekend. 

Artie and I sold our old washer and dryer because we bought new ones last fall.  He was delivering it to the family and there was the chicken head, under the washer.  The poodle has never been so happy!  

Grateful

I promise a baby size update is coming..I have just been really busy today!

I have just been feeling some things in my heart that I need to get out.  

Everyday someone asks if I am so excited or happy.  And I am...a million times over.  But I have to say that in my heart I feel so very undeserving.  I am on my knees everyday thanking God for this opportunity. I could thank Him and praise Him until the end of eternity and it would never be enough to convey my appreciation.

I am so grateful that I have a God who deserves a fanfare but accepts all that I can give.

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."  Psalm 100:4-5

Thinking Too Much

Ok.  So you know how I said I was going to update the baby size posts last week?  Well I truly had all intentions on doing it.  Somehow, every time I think about doing the picture I have a mini panic attack. This is what goes on in my head..."It needs to accurately depict what is going on that week.  The first week it snowed, the second week was Valentine's week.  Oh my gosh, this will go in the memory book.  It is important.  What week is it? How many do I have to make up is it 2 or 3? Are turnips available right now?  Oh my gosh the baby is going to be here soon.  Is every pregnancy this fast?  OH MY WORD I NEED TO BREATH!"

Shew.  

I think it would be easier if I was the one who was pregnant because I could just pose with the "item" in front of my cute little belly and call it a day.  But I am not pregnant so that throws that plan out of the window.  So this week I am going to get my backside in gear and post these baby updates.  

And this time I will not pinky promise.

Here is a picture of Artie and I the day we found out that we would receive this baby.  This is before our meeting.  I have been meaning to post it...I think my husband looks so handsome.  I also like it because you can kind of tell how nervous we were.

Lastly, please go visit Layla Grace's website and say a prayer for them.

Photoshop

It looks like it will be another quiet day...which is a nice change from crazy busy.  The only things on the agenda are laundry and to put up my spring/Easter decorations!  So I am going to relax a little today.  Wahoo!!!

In other news...I am learning how to use photoshop!  It is really really hard but there are lots of great tutorials out there.  I love how it can take a lovely photo and give it a creative edge.   I took a picture of Alison last night at practice so I could practice using photoshop on a person and not the dogs.  Haha!   So here is the before...

Isn't she gorgeous?

Here is the after....

I think it turned out great!  Well I must get started on my lazy day...I hope everyone has a wonderful day!