Chicken Nuggets

If you haven't seen the youtube of the magic goop that a certain red/yellow hamburger joint uses for their "chicken nuggets", you may want to... then make mine instead!!

This recipe is an adaption from watching Nigella Lawson on the cooking channel.  I have changed some of the recipe ingredients to my taste and dietary desires.

2-3 cups buttermilk
2-4 chicken breasts, trimmed
Coarse salt
Fresh Ground pepper
garlic powder
Box of Panko Bread Crumbs
Oil

I start off by washing all of my meats.  They've sat in the packing if even for a day still give yourself a true blank slate and peace of mind.  Luke warm/cool water.  Pat chicken dry.  Next cut the chicken breasts into nugget chunk sizes with a knife or kitchen sheers.  Kitchen sheers are easier and my choice of weapon.  (Make sure if you use the sheers they are immediately washed with hot water as anything with meat should be)  Space the chicken out so an even season can be applied.  Sprinkle a layer to taste of salt, pepper, and garlic salt.  Add more if you know you like your meat more seasoned, less if you don't like as much season.  Pour the butter milk into a gallon zip lock bag.  Put the chicken into the bag with the butter milk.  Seal and massage around for 5 min.  Place in fridge for up to 2 days of marinading.  I marinated for 2 days and the chicken was fabulously tender.  The buttermilk tenderizes the meat :)

Once meat has marinated for chosen time, place in a shallow bowl panko bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  You will have to refill your dish a few times during cooking.  Have a tall side sauce pan with a 1/2 cup oil heated.  Take the chicken from the buttermilk directly into the panko bread crumbs and coat well.  Once coated place in oil in pan and cook on both sides until crispy brown and chicken is cooked.  Once cooked place on a rack above some paper towels and allow excess oil to drip off.  You can also bake the nuggets, my husband just has some southern in him.  If cooking in oven follow breading and then place on a greased sheet.  Cook at 425 for 15-20 minutes.

Waaaa la!  That is what an actual chicken nugget is.  Not random pink breaded goo.

Ranch, Honey BBQ Sauce, Wing Sauce, and many more dipping sauces make great friends with the nuggets

Tomato Rice Soup for the two I love!

My best friend Liz is in town this week and I couldn't be happier.  She lives back home in Albuquerque so we see each other major holidays if that.  So having her here is awesome!  I need me some best friend time.  (since 4th grade!) 

So at the request of my hubby and the agree of the bestie I made tomato rice soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner.  Might I say a FINE choice.

While I'm usually inclined to make my tomato soup from scratch, while shopping and found 1.99 pints of fresh made organic tomato and basil soup at fresh and easy on sale.  Their soups are usually full of flavor and yum, so I decided to be a tad lazy and let F/E make the soup.  I steamed rice in the rice steamer and grilled up some grilled cheeses.  This may not be the most "healthy" meal, but man the comfort is there <3



Tomato Rice Soup and Grilled Cheese

2 pints tomato soup (organic or fresh if you can)
2 cups fancy quality rice rinsed
2 cups water
2 slices of bread
2 2% Cheddar Singles
Butter/Margarine

Start the rice in the rice cooker.  It is always same parts rice to water.  I highly recommend investing in a rice cooker if you do not have one. 

While the rice is preparing, start warming the soup in a pan on the stove, covered.  Stir every 5 minutes and allow soup to start to bubble.  Once bubbling reduce to medium low for 5-10 minutes or until soup is hot.  Rice should be done by now.

For grilled cheese put a thin layer of butter on eat side of all four slices.  Place a cheese single between a pair of slices and drop on a griddle on medium.  Watch to make sure bread doesn't burn!  Turn once brown.  Slice any way you like.  I like mine cut on the diagonal twice making 4 little squares, the hubby likes it half down the middle, and the bestie likes it one cut on the diagonal.

Now that sandwiches are done spoon desired amount of rice in bowl.  Follow with a ladle of hot tomato soup... and dinner is served!

You can of course add cheese, sour cream, Tabasco, and many other condiments.

We went the old school way :) Belly's full of warm comfort food equals happy laughing people.  And made Liz sleepy. 

Hubby and I are now in the living room sharing some tea.  Well he's playing Black Ops COD and I'm blogging :)

Tomorrow may be Monday, but tomorrow we make a pork shoulder. Oooh the possibilities :)