Asian Stuffed Chicken Leg Quarters

Tip: Read directions completely before preparing.

Ingredients:

4 chicken leg quarters

2 tablespoons carrots, minced

2 tablespoons green onions, minced

2 tablespoons bamboo shoots, minced

2 tablespoons water chestnuts, minced

1/4 bean sprouts

1/2 cup cabbage, finely shredded

2 tablespoon sesame oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 bunch of bean thread

1/2 lb ground pork

Directions:

In a bowl place the bean thread and cover with water.  Let soak for 10 minutes. Drain water. And place in large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Any brand of bean thread is good.

Soaking Bean Thread

Wash the chicken, begin by deboning it. You may want to ask you grocer butcher if they will debone it. If they do not offer this service, here is a link to a video showing exactly how to debone a leg quarter!  Below you can also view how to debone, with a few photos. When you have completed deboning the chicken, set aside.

How to Debone a Chicken Leg Quarter (Click to view video.)

Drain water from the bean thread and chop up into about 1 1/2 inch length. Place in a large mixing bowl. Add carrots, green onions, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, bean spouts, cabbage, ground pork, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, garlic and mix.

Take one leg quarter and firmly stuff it, as shown below. Turn over the leg quarter, with skin side up and place in an approximately, 7 x 11 1/2 baking dish.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Mix the remaining sesame oil and soy sauce and brush over the chicken. Cover dish with foil and seal.

Insert dish in oven and bake for 55 minutes. After 55 minutes are up, remove aluminum and bake another 15 - 20 minutes, or until the skin is nice a brown. Serve and Enjoy!

Servings: 4

Tip: This dish can be served with a salad or any side dish you prefer.

Nuevo Leon Enchiladas

Nuevo Leon is a state in Mexico and this is one of their traditional Enchiladas recipes. The Ancho Sauce in this recipe can also be used for other recipes.

Tip: Read instructions completely before cooking.

Ingredients:

16 Corn Tortillas

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 cups shredded cooked chicken, preferably dark meat, such as thighs

2 cups (10 oz.) Queso Fresco

1 cup white onion, chopped

2 cups of Ancho Tortilla Dipping Sauce  (Click for recipe)

Directions:

Heat a 9" or 10" heavy bottomed skillet and add the 1/2 cup oil.  Heat on medium high. One by one, using a pair of tongs, dip the tortillas in the hot oil until soft, should only take about 4 seconds, lay on a plate and continue until all the tortillas are dipped. See photo.

Heat the ancho sauce in a pan until warm. One by one, using a pair of tongs, dip the softened tortillas in the ancho sauce and lay on a plate. See photo.

In a large baking dish, I use 2, 2 quart rectangular baking dishes, lay a tortilla and add some shredded chicken, a little onion and some cheese. Then add 1 teaspoon of the ancho sauce, roll up, set aside in pan. Continue until you have eight in each pan. Pour the remaining sauce over the 2 dishes. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and onions on the dishes. See photo.

Heat the oven to 375 degree and bake for 25 minutes.

Serves 8, 2 Enchiladas each. Can be served by themselves or with rice, beans or any side dish you would like.

Tip: Queso fresco is the most widely used cheese in Mexican cooking. The firm-textured fresh white cheese. Its name translates as "fresh cheese" and is slightly salty, with a mild, tangy taste similar to farmer's cheese. Like other fresh cheeses, queso fresco is lower in fat and sodium, despite its salty flavor, than aged cheeses. It's easily crumbled to sprinkle on dishes like enchiladas and tamales, as well as soups like black bean and tortilla. It also makes a tasty addition to cold vegetable salads. And although it softens, it does not melt when heated; queso fresco is classically used in the filling for chile relleños and quesadillas. For a snack, heat some on corn tortillas and top with a dollop of salsa.

Chicken Salad with Almonds and Cranberries

Tip:  Read directions completely before preparing.

Ingredients:

3 cups, cooked chicken breast, shredded (Store bought Rotisserie chicken works great)

1/3 cup, red onion, diced

½ cup, apple, diced

1/3 cup, dried cranberries

1/4 cup, almonds sliced

¾ cup, Hellman’s Real Whipped Tangy Dressing

½ teaspoon, garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon, cayenne pepper

¼ teaspoon, sweet paprika

¼ teaspoon, sea salt

¼ teaspoon, white pepper

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine all the above ingredients and mix thoroughly.

This chicken salad was served on multigrain bread, with bacon, lettuce, English cucumbers, and tomatoes!  Enjoy!!!

Tip:  Serve Multigrain bread or any bread you like.  Crackers too!  

Individual Chicken Pot Pies

Tip: Read directions completely before preparing.

Ingredients:

2 ½ tablespoons, butter

¼ cup, onion, diced

¼ cup, carrots, diced

¼ cup, celery, diced

1/4 cup all purpose flour, plus additional for rolling out pie crust

¼ teaspoon salt

pinch fresh ground pepper, to taste

2 cups, chicken broth

2 cups,  cooked chicken, diced

¼ cup, frozen peas

¼ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

1 sheet, pie crust

1 small, egg yolk

1 teaspoon water

Directions:

In a medium saucepan or stockpot, melt butter over medium to low heat. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook until the onions softens, about 3 – 4 minutes.

Add flour, and pepper. Cook, constantly stirring until the mixture has a little light brown,  about 5 minutes.

Add chicken broth and continue whisking frequently. Bring to a boil and continue stirring until it thickens.

Lower heat and bring to a  simmer, simmering for about another 5 minutes, stirring every minute. Stir in the chicken, peas and thyme; season with salt and pepper to taste. Check to make sure salt is ok, and do not over salt. Refrigerate the chicken broth mixture 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 365 degrees.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the pie crust.  Using the ramekins you will be using to bake your pot pies as a guide. Place them lightly on the pie crust and cut around, allowing 1-inch plus larger than dish. With the tip of a knife, cut vents into the pastry.

Divide the pot pie filling between 2 - 12-ounce baking dishes and fill.

Place the pastry cutouts  on top of each baking dish. (You can decorate your pot pies as you like. I used leaf cookie cutters) Optional Beat the egg yolk and water in a small bowl. With a pastry brush, brush a little egg wash on pastry.  Refrigerate the prepared baking dishes for 15 minutes. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Place the cooled baking dishes on the cookie sheet, evenly placed.

Bake until pastry is golden brown and juices are bubbling, about 25-35 minutes.

Carefully place the hot baking dishes on top of individual serving plates and serve. Enjoy!

Servings: 2 Pot Pies

Tip:  Be careful! The dish will be hot!