My Rendition of Panera Bread's Fuji Apple Chick-en Salad

I was so happy when I discovered Panera Bread.  Not only is the food delicioso, but, it's cheaper to feed a family of three there than at Wendy's...and it' SOOO much better for you!

The one item I love the most is the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad.  I decided I would try to recreate it at home, and this is what I came up with.  Give it a try and see if you like it!
 

FUJI APPLE CHICK-EN SALAD

Salad Ingredients:

Lettuce. ( I used a bag of Italian Mix, and also cut up 1/2 a head of iceberg lettuce, cuz that's what I had on hand.  I really prefer the romaine, but I had some of that in the above stated bag...)

1/2 red onion (I didn't have really all that much, so I added a few sliced green onions.  That was good, too.)

Chicken Breasts, grilled (I used about 4 of them and grilled them on my Panini press.  I may have overcooked them a bit, but I'll do better next time.  I think about 6 minutes on the panini is good.)  I seasoned these with Chef Paul Prudhomme's Poultry Magic, but you could use sage, salt, and pepper.

Feta cheese (I used about 1/2 a container -- 4 oz., and crumbled it up all by myself.  I could have bought it already crumbled, but I wanted to try my hand...)

1 large roma tomato (cut up).  (You might want more, so add more.)

About 1/2 cup of pecans.  (You can use more if you want.)

1/2 bag or so of Apple Crisps.  I love these guys.  I used the regular ones:

Mix all of these ingredients together.  Right before you are ready to eat, pour the Apple Cider Dressing (below) over it and toss.

Here is the recipe for the Apple Cider Dressing:

1/2 cup Miracle Whip

2 1/2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

1 - 2 Tablespoons Sugar (to taste)

Mix all together and toss  into the salad.

Serve with a nice whole wheat baguette.  It is very filling and very good!  J-GQ asked for this for dinner tonight and I had to oblige...

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CHICKY GROOVY COOLNESS GADGET

T.K. Goforth is a musician and author of the well-received book "Chord Piano is Fun!" She also writes a music blog called "Chord Piano Chick's Mostly Musical Musings.

Springtime (or ANYTIME) Skillet -- nummy one dish meal!

We had this for dinner tonight.  Num.  It is such an easy-to-make meal, and is real COMFORT FOOD.  This recipe was posted on facebook by my friend Amy Sioux -- it is her husband's mom's recipe -- but now it is mine.

SPRINGTIME SKILLET

Brown 1 lb. ground beef in a deep skillet.

Add to this one medium yellow onion (diced), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 3 carrots (diced), and one large potato (diced):

Add 6 cups water, 1 tablespoon soy sauce (can add more or less to taste), 3/4 cup rice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.  (Spices can be adjusted to taste).

Bring to a boil and then once it starts to boil, cover and simmer for about 45 minutes.

Be sure to stir every so often.  Cook until rice and vegetables are tender. Consistency should be like a think stew, not runny. You can either remove the lid and cook or add water as necessary to get the correct consistency.

Serve up in bowl and enjoy!  Delicious!

 

Thanks, Amy!

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CHICKY GROOVY COOLNESS GADGET

T.K. Goforth is a musician and author of the well-received book "Chord Piano is Fun!" She also writes a music blog called "Chord Piano Chick's Mostly Musical Musings.

Grandma Dee's Chick-en Teriyaki (uses only one pan!)

This recipe is one that was passed down by my mom, and is absolutely one of my favorites.  This is so easy to prepare, and is great to make up for others who may need a meal cooked for them.  Just add some rice and a little Asian salad and you have a wonderful meal!

Chick-en Teriyaki

Thaw out 3 lbs. of chicken (you can use a whole cut up chicken, bone-in chicken thighs,or skinless/boneless chicken thighs.  I used skinless/boneless because that's what I had.  You could use breasts, too, but they are typically not as moist and flavorful as the thighs.) 

In a 9x13 pan, mix together 1 cup soy sauce, 1/2 to 1 cup brown suger (depending upon how sweet you like it),  1 clove garlic or 1 teaspoon powered garlic (I used the powdered 'cuz I was kinda in a rush), 1 teaspoon powdered ginger (you can use fresh if you want, but I was fresh out).

You can also add a small can of crushed pineapple to this, but I didn't have any.

Cut up 1 green pepper and 1 onion and stir it into the sauce.

Press the chicken into the sauce, coat them, and lay them out evenly in the pan.

 

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and sesame seeds.

Marinate a few hours, by turning the chicken over every so often. (You don't have to marinate it, really -- it's good even if you just rush it together.  It's just better marinated.)

Cover with foil and cook at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour.

Uncover and cook about 45 minutes to an hour more, until it's all bubbly.

Serve over rice (I use this kind:)

and serve with a nice salad with fried crunchies, almonds, and a nice Asian dressing.

Enjoy!

Recipe in full below:



Chick-en Teriyaki

3 lbs. of chicken (whole cut up chicken, bone-in chicken thighs, or skinless/boneless chicken thighs.)

In a 9x13 pan, mix together:

1 cup soy sauce
1/2 to 1 cup brown suger (depending upon how sweet you like it)
1 clove garlic or 1 teaspoon powered garlic
1 teaspoon powdered ginger (you can use fresh if you want)

You can also add a small can of crushed pineapple to this

Cut up 1 green pepper and 1 onion and stir it into the sauce.

Press the chicken into the sauce, coat them, and lay them out evenly in the pan.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and sesame seeds.


Marinate a few hours, by turning the chicken over every so often. (You don't have to marinate it, really -- it's good even if you just rush it together.)

Cover with foil and cook at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour.
Uncover and cook about 45 minutes to an hour more, until it's all bubbly.

Enjoy with rice and salad!

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CHICKY GROOVY COOLNESS GADGET

T.K. Goforth is a musician and author of the well-received book "Chord Piano is Fun!" She also writes a music blog called "Chord Piano Chick's Mostly Musical Musings.

Peanut Butter Bovines (Cookies)

Like I said -- I love to bake.  Much more than I love to cook.  I really DON'T love to cook, but I am a good cook.  I think if I loved to cook, then I would have to love to diet.  But, I don't love to diet.  So, instead, I bake, because I don't have to bake every day in order to enjoy it, whereas if I loved to cook I think that I would be cooking much more than I do.  Huh?

Anyway, the recipe that I want to share today is one of my son's favorites, as well as the favorite of a family friend, Cody.  I know that when he comes over I need to make a double batch so that J-GQ will have enough for himself.

This recipe was given to me by my very good friend, Kim, who is the author of the blog "Chef By Necessity."  You gotta check it out.  I received a number of nummy recipes from her when I got married, and I always LOVED these.  The original name is "Peanut Butter Blossoms", but we slightly changed it to "Bovine"... really a private joke...

These cookies are easy, delicious, and very peanut-butter-and-chocolatey.  Not as easy as grabbing a Reese's, but nonetheless.  You will like them.  A LOT.

Peanut Butter Bovines

Start out my mixing together 1 cube (1/2 cup) butter and 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter.

 

 

I really like this picture because it is very "swirly".

Add to this 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup white sugar, and swirl some more.

Then add 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  You guessed it -- swirl.

Then, add all together 1 and 3/4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.  (I don't do well with the "Measure dry ingredients together" rule.)  Swirl some more.  The mixture should look a bit "dry", but not overly.

Once it is all mixed together, you are going to form them into 1" or so balls, and roll them in granulated sugar,

and place them on a baking sheet.  Bake them at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes (my oven takes 10 minutes).  While you are waiting for them to cook, unwrap about 36 Hershey's Kisses.

Cookies should bake until they look like this:

Once they look like that, take them out of the oven, and immediately press chocolate kisses into their centers.

Cool.  Yes, they are VERY cool.  And they are good.  Remove from the pan and serve.  They are the BEST when the chocolate is still melted.  Num.  Serve to your best family members and friends. 

And, thank you, Kim, for another fine recipe from your kitchen!

(Recipe in full is below.) 

Peanut Butter Bovines

1/2 cup real butter

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 3/4 cup flour

1 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

36 chocolate kisses

Mix all together and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Press chocolate kisses into center. 

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CHICKY GROOVY COOLNESS GADGET

T.K. Goforth is a musician and author of the well-received book "Chord Piano is Fun!" She also writes a music blog called "Chord Piano Chick's Mostly Musical Musings.

What's for dinner?

Really.  What's for dinner?

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CHICKY GROOVY COOLNESS GADGET

T.K. Goforth is a musician and author of the well-received book "Chord Piano is Fun!" She also writes a music blog called "Chord Piano Chick's Mostly Musical Musings.