Spicy Green Beans (Similar to PF Chang's)

I failed and did not take a picture when I made it- this photo is from All Recipes.com

Tired of making the same ole green beans? Look no further! I love the flavor these beans pack- it is almost like the spicy green beans at PF Changs! I loved the recipe because I already had everything in the cupboard. Feel free to adjust the amount of spice to your taste with the chile sauce. Personally, I would add more. They have a lot of flavor though- so don't pair with an entree with a heavy sauce as well - they do better with grilled chicken, etc.

Spicy Green Beans
Recipe from All Recipes

• 3/4 fresh green beans, ends trimmed (you can use frozen if you want, just steam for longer)
• 2 TBSP soy sauce
• 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp garlic chili sauce
• 1 tsp honey
• 2 tsp canola oil

Steam green beans for 3 minutes in a steamer basket or in the microwave. I prefer to put mine in a microwaveable bowl with a tiny bit of water & cover with plastic wrap. Fresh beans only need about 2 minutes & frozen need about 4 (Depending on amount of beans). If you like crispier green beans, than you can skip the steaming as long as they are at room temperature (i.e. not frozen). 

In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, garlic, chili sauce & honey and set aside. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add green beans and cook about 3 minutes. Add sauce and cook 2 more minutes, until sauce is mostly absorbed. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Super Easy Lemon Pepper Green Beans

I needed a good green bean recipe STAT. Thank you, AllRecipes! Can you imagine being so focused on the main dish that you forget about the side dishes? Does anyone ever give you a quizzical look when you offer up BBQ chips as a side dish?

Green Beans to the resuce!

 This tends to happen to me a lot. I forget about the sides! Luckily I had some frozen green beans and this recipe was super quick and delicious. It was even complimented! :) The original recipe had some sliced almonds in it too, but I made it without and it was just as good!

What's for dinner? Sticky Chicken!

I know this is mainly a dessert blog, but I cooked dinner last night so I thought I'd share it. It got a double thumbs up from the bf so I'll probably make it again soon.

I got out of work early so I hit up Central Market for some fresh groceries. I know not everyone prefers to shop at a Whole Foods/Central Market because it can be a bit pricey, but I really notice a difference in the freshness and quality of the food there. The meat is especially one thing that I'm hesitant to buy at HEB and probably will not do again if I can avoid it. Example- I made a lasagna about a month ago (with 100% fresh or organic ingredients from CM) that was dubbed "the best lasagna I've ever had." I remade it about 2 weeks ago with ingredients from HEB (read: not so fresh mozzarella and definitely not fresh ground sausage) and it was AWFUL. I mean the boy barely touched it, and I don't blame him. The meat was lumpy and way too strong for my taste. I normally do not eat sausage, but it blended in well with the flavors in the first lasagna. Next time I make it I'll be back at CM!

Anyway, I decided to try something new with some ingredients I knew I already had at home. After some digging on AllRecipes.com I found this recipe, originally titled "Caramelized Baked Chicken." Mine was really sticky so I renamed my version "Sticky Chicken." I also made some roasted potatoes (per my own made up recipe) and green beans with a simple garlic butter sauce. Recipes below

Sticky Chicken

• 2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can really use wings/thighs/anything you want
• 2 TBSP EVOO
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 2+ TBSP ketchup
• 1 cup honey
• 1-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 TBSP cornstarch
• salt and pepper to taste
  

Preheat oven to 375. Place chicken breasts in 9x13 pan (I used a smaller one since I only made 2 breasts). Heat other ingredients in saucepan over medium-high heat until sauce boils and thickens. Pour over chicken and bake for 45min-1 hour, or until sauce looks caramely. Easy peasy!


M's roasted potatoes:

• 2 small potatoes per person (I used red, but gold work too)
• 1-2 TBSP EVOO
• fresh chopped herbs (or dried). I used fresh rosemary and oregano
• salt and pepper to taste
  

Preheat oven to 375. Slice potatoes into rounds and then cut in half again.

Toss in large plastic bag with rest of ingredients.


Oil a baking sheet ( do not use foil) and spread potatoes in single layer.


Bake for 30-40 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through. I just popped these on the bottom rack of the oven under the chicken for the last 40ish minutes. Keep them in longer if you like them more crispy.


Sweet and Garlicky Green Beans

• 1/2 -1lb. Fresh (or frozen) green beans, depending on # of people
• 1 TBSP butter
• 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp sugar
• pinch of pepper
  
• 1/2-1 tsp fresh lemon juice

After you snap off the ends of the green beans and wash thoroughly, boil for about 4 minutes (or you can steam for about 8 minutes).


In a saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until tender (1-2 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in sugar, pepper and lemon juice. Toss with green beans and serve.



Like I said before, the bf really liked this one. In fact, he thanked me for dinner about 5 times and then I got a couple more texts after I got home! :)

I'm always looking for more chicken/easy dinner recipes, so please pass along your favorites!!


M