Monday, August 29, 2011

Buffalo Chicken Wontons

1-2 chicken breasts
1/2-1C water or chicken broth
1 package wonton wrappers, room temperature
1/4-1/3C buffalo sauce (I used Frank’s Red Hot)
Chunky blue cheese dressing
Celery slices for dipping

**Note: Wonton wrappers should be removed from refrigerator 20-30 minutes prior to filling and frying to bring to room temperature. Cold wrappers break easily.

Instructions:
Prepare chicken by removing any fat and pounding down meat into an even thickness. A meat tenderizer or rolling pin can be used for this. Quick method: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breast and at least 1/2 cup water or chicken broth to pan. Cover, reduce heat to medium low. Let cook on each side for 3-4 minutes before flipping. Add more liquid if needed. Long method: In a slow cooker; add chicken and 1 cup water or chicken broth. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4.

Shred meat with forks. Don’t worry if it isn’t 100% cooked to your liking, just as long as it’s no longer pink. Transfer shredded meat to a medium bowl.

Add 1/4 cup buffalo sauce to shredded chicken. Toss to coat. Drizzle with more buffalo sauce as desired. Depending on the size of your chicken and how much you use, amounts on sauce and liquid may vary slightly … or based on personal preference.

In a deep fryer or large skillet, heat oil to roughly 350 degrees.

Lightly dampen one side of a wonton wrapper. Add a 1 – 1 1/2 tbsp of shredded meat just above the center and towards one wrapper corner. Fold wrapper in half to form a triangle. Wet seams to seal. Repeat until you have used up all of the shredded meat. If not frying immediately, cover prepared wontons with a damp paper towel to keep moist.

When oil is hot, fry wontons for 2-3 minutes total flipping half way through. Carefully remove and transfer to a paper towel lined tray or plate to drain and cool slightly. How many you can fry at a time will depend on the size of your deep fryer or pan. Don’t over crowd them.

Serve with chunky blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Recipe: Link

Monday, August 1, 2011

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

For the cookies:
4½ cups all-purpose flour
4½ tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. salt
1½ cups (3 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1½ cups sugar
3 large eggs
5 tsp. vanilla extract

For the frosting:
5 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/3 cup (5 1/3 tbsp.) unsalted butter, melted
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
7-8 tbsp. milk (plus more, as needed)
Food coloring (optional)
Sprinkles (optional)

Directions:
To make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt, and whisk together to blend. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat together on medium-high speed until soft and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the bowl as needed. Blend in the vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients mixing just until incorporated and evenly mixed. Cover and chill the dough for 1 hour.

When you are ready to bake the cookies, scoop a scant quarter cup of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten the ball slightly and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough, spacing the cookies at least 2-3 inches apart. Bake about 10-12 minutes or just until set. (Do not overbake! The edges should be no more than very lightly browned if at all.) Let cool on the baking sheet for several minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To frost the cookies, place the confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter, vanilla, and milk to the bowl and whisk until smooth. Whisk in additional milk as necessary, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Tint with food coloring if desired. Use an offset spatula or spoon to frost the cooled cookies. (If the frosting begins to thicken as you decorate, just continue to whisk in small amounts of milk to keep it workable.) Top with sprinkles if desired. Store in an airtight container.

Yield: about 2 dozen large cookies