Dinner Tonight - Potato and Cheese Latkes and Zeppolis

For dinner tonight I am making Potato Latkes and Cheese Latkes. For dessert I am making Zeppolis (thanks to my awesome bro and sis in law for this easy "cheating" way to make donuts for my family). I know its a lot of fried but hey, its Chanukah!!!! Enjoy!

2 lbs yukon gold potatoes

1 medium onion

1 large egg

1 1/2 tsp salt

pepper

oil for frying

Grate potatoes and onions. Add egg, salt and pepper. Fry in oil until golden on each side.

3 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup cottage cheese

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder 

1/2 tsp salt

5 tbs sugar

1 tsp vanilla

oil for frying

Combine all ingredients together to form smooth batter. Fry in oil until golden brown on each side. 

1 lb store bought pizza dough cut into 12 pieces 

oil for frying 

confectioners sugar

Deep fry dough until golden brown. Roll in sugar. 

Dinner Tonight - Stuffed Shells and Roasted Brussel Sprouts

For dinner tonight I am making stuffed (cheese) shells and Roasted Brussel Sprouts. I have also been busy baking for chanukah and trying out all my amazing products from Bakto Flavors (see more about that in my upcoming review). Enjoy!!!

1 box jumbo pasta shells cooked and drained according to directions

2 large containers ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
3 cloves garlic crushed
salt
pepper
dash of nutmeg

Combine all together and stuff pasta shells. Place 1 cup jarred marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Place stuffed shells on top. Pour rest of jar of sauce on top and sprinkle with 1 bag 98 oz) shredded cheese. Bake for 45 minutes covered.

Brussel Sprouts:

2 tbs oil
1 tbs sesame oil
3 cloved garlic - crushed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
20 oz bag frozen brussel sprouts

Toss all together and roast in a 400 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

Praline Crunch Toffee Bark:
40 saltine crackers
1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1 bag chocolate/white chocolate chips
Betty Crocker Praline Crunch

Line the crackers on a greased cookie sheet. Met the margarine and sugar together and pour over crackers. Bake on 350 for 9 minutes. Take out of oven and sprinkle bag of chocolate chips on top. Put back in oven for an additional 2 minutes. Take out and immediately spread the chocolate out evenly over the crackers. Sprinkle with praline crunch and place in freezer. When hardened cut into shards.

I also tried out these chanukah cookies, that were featured in the Ami Magazine this past week, as a treat for my children. I could only find large chocolate coins so they kind of take over the cookie but other then that they came out cute.

Dinner Tonight - Baked Sesame Chicken

For dinner tonight I am making Baked Sesame Chicken. It's a lot less work then the fried kind and a lot healthier. I am serving it with rice. Enjoy!

2 lb chicken cutlets - cut into nugget size
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup oil
1 tbs mustard
1/4 cup warm water
1 tbs sesame seeds optional

preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 pan with pam. Place chicken in a ziplock with flour and shake until coated. Place in prepared pan. In a bowl mix together rest of ingrediants except for sesame seeds. Pour over chicken and sprinkle with seeds if using. Bake covered for 1 hour and uncovered for 15 minutes.

Dinner Tonight - Beef Stew

For dinner tonight I am making Beef Stew (from the new Susie Fishbein cookbook). It cooks for a pretty long time, making the meat very soft and tender. I am serving it over egg noodles. Enjoy!!!

2 lbs Beef Cubes
2-3 tbs flour
2 tbs oil
2 cups beef stock
1 cup water
1 tbs balsamic vinegar
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
5 cloves fresh garlic peeled
3 bay leaves
2 medium onions peeled and sliced
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp allspice
3 large carrots peeled and sliced
3 stalks celery sliced
1 cup frozen peas
1 1/2 lbs baby white potatoes cut in half
1/4 cup cold water
2 tbs cornstarch

Sprinkle beef cubes with flour and shake off any excess. Heat oil in large pot and add beef. Brown on all sides. Add in stock, water, vinegar, Worcestershire  garlic cloves, bay leaves, onions, paprika, pepper, sugar, garlic powder and allspice. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaves and add in carrots celery, peas and potatoes. Cover and cook 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine 1/4 cup water with cornstarch until smooth and add to pot. Cook until bubbly. Serve with a crusty hunk of bread or over egg noodles.

Dinner Tonight - Breaded Chicken and Sweet Potato Fires

For dinner tonight I am making Breaded Chicken with Sweet Potato Fries. This was a big hit with my kids. The chicken stays so moist and gets very soft. Enjoy!

8 pieces chicken - skinned
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
corn flake crumbs

Combine mayo and spices. Spread on chicken parts and roll in crumbs. Bake on 400 degrees for 2 hours covered (uncover for the last 15 minutes)

3 sweet potatoes - sliced into french fry shape
3 tbs oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp parsley flakes

spread fries on cookie sheet and toss with oil. Bake on 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Toss with spices and serve.