Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Here is a fabulous knockoff of the PF Chang's Soothing Chicken Lettuce Wraps. I don't like mushrooms but in this recipe you cannot taste that they are there. Especially if you dice them fine enough.

Serves 4 for appetizer and 2 for meal

Stir Fry
2 uncooked chicken breasts diced into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup water chestnuts, diced
2/3 cup mushrooms, diced
1/4 cup chopped green onion
2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar (do not use light brown)

2 tablespoons soy sauce (do not use low sodium)

1 teaspoon rice vinegar (available in the asian food isle)

Serve with
1 1/2 cups crushed fried maifun rice sticks, per the package directions - I use Dynasty (orange package) which can be found in asian food isle.
6 iceberg lettuce cups - cut head in half and carefully remove layers to make cups, be careful not to tear them

Prepare sauce and set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil on medium high in wok or frying pan. Cook chicken until no pink remains. Add vegetables and sauce. Sir fry for 5 minutes. Put 1/4 cup fried rice sticks on lettuce cup. Spoon stir fry mixture on top. Enjoy!!!

This is what the noodles look like as you fry them. You do not need the whole package. This process is fun :)

Haluska

Haluska is a hungarian side dish that my grandma used to make. No we are not hungarian, it's just good. The original recipe is loaded with butter. I have revamped it into a much healthier version. Also to make it more of a meal, I have added cooked smoked sausage. I know this recipe is not for everyone but it is one of my husbands favorites so I just had to share.

Serves 4

1 small head green cabbage, shredded
1 large red onion diced - yellow onion works too but do not use white
4 servings egg or kluski noodles, uncooked - Mrs. Weiss are the best
4 servings smoked or kielbasa sausage, diced - I use Eckrich Smoked Turkey Sausage which is lower in fat
1/4 cup light margarine
salt and pepper to taste

Fill a large pot with hot salted water and cabbage. Bring to a boil, cooking for 20 minutes. Add pasta and cook per the instructions on the package. Once pasta is al dente, drain pasta and cabbage. Place in a very large frying pan. Add remaining ingredients and cook on medium high for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. You want a light golden color throughout but do not allow to char.

This is a very low calorie meal when light margarine and reduced fat sausage is used. It yeilds heaping portions. Enjoy!!!

For the LOVE of potato chips...

I love potato chips. I could sit down with a bag of Classic Lays and finish the whole thing myself. Since watching my weight, I cannot buy them. As an alternative, I found this recipe online. Of course I tweeked it because I never make someone else's recipes without making them my own. Enjoy!!!

Homemade Baked Potato Chips

Makes 4 Servings

1 pound russet (Idaho) potatoes, scrubbed

Cooking spray

Salt

Preheat Oven to 350. Thinly slice potatoes to an 1/8 inch. A mandoline slicer works well for this. Do not use a food processor or vegetable peeler. Lightly spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Blot access oil with paper towel. I use a mesh pizza pan which works well. Spread potato slices on pan in one layer. Spray lightly with cooking spray, blotting access oil with paper towel. Place on middle 2 racks in oven. Bake for 15 minutes and switch racks. Bake for additional 15 minutes, turning pans every 5 minutes. Some slices will brown before others so remove them as they become golden brown. Place cooked chips in a bowl, lightly salt and toss. Remove to a paper towl. Repeat until all chips are cooked and salted. Let cool before serving.