General Tso's Chicken (healthier version)

My family loooooves General Tso's Chicken from the carry out places but it's so unhealthy the way they make it so I did some research.    I was happy to find this Rachael Ray recipe.  We all loved it.  I made a few changes to the original recipe because we like a lot of sauce.  We served the chicken over brown rice and broccoli.  (I don't have a picture of this dish but my kids have requested that I make it again very soon so I will add one then, lol). 

INGREDIENTS:
1 egg white
5 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoon plus 2 1/2 tsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 1/2  tablespoons vegetable oil
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped




DIRECTIONS:
1.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg white, 4 tbsp cornstarch, 1 1/2 tsp soy sauce and 1/2 tsp ginger. Stir in the chicken until evenly coated.

2.  In a small bowl, combine the sesame oil and the remaining soy sauce, 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1/2 tsp ginger. Stir in the honey and vinegar.


3. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil and swirl to coat. Carefully add half of the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook, turning once, until the meat is no longer pink. about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a plate. Repeat with the remaining 1 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil and chicken.

4.  Discard the excess oil from the wok or skillet   Add the scallions and garlic; stir-fry for 1 minute. Stir in the sesame oil mixture. Return chicken to the pan and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thick and the chicken is cooked through, 1-2 minutes. Serve over rice.




*recipe adapted from Rachael Ray magazine

Crab Cakes & Peach Slaw

This recipe was super yummy.  I found it in a Rachael Ray magazine under recipe makeovers.  Low calorie.  I've made crab cakes plenty of times in the past but I tried this recipe this time and it was very good.  The peach slaw stole the show though.  Even my kids devoured it.  I chopped my coleslaw mix up because my kids hate it when it's stringy but you can do whatever you want.  It was even better the next day so I will probably make it ahead of time from now on.  I used the jar peaches from the grocery store instead of fresh ones since they aren't in season right now.  If you do the same, be sure to let them drain well.  The picture is from the website but I promise mine looked just as good!  :)

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 pounds lump or backfin crabmeat
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped chives
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
1 large egg
1 large egg white
3 tablespoons canola mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 14 ounce bag  coleslaw mix (chopped up if you prefer)
2 medium peaches, cut into chunks (or you can use the jar kind but if you do, let them drain well)
2 pickled hot cherry peppers, sliced
2 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons olive oil




DIRECTIONS:

1.  In a large bowl, toss the crabmeat, bell pepper and herbs. In a small bowl, whisk the egg, egg white, mayonnaise, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.  **I omitted the salt and it still turned out great so do as you wish with that.  Add to the crab mixture; mix until combined. Add the panko; mix gently. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.

2.  In a medium bowl, toss the coleslaw mix, peaches, cherry peppers, vinegar, sugar, 2 tbsp. olive oil and 1/2 tsp. salt. **I again omitted the salt.   Let stand, tossing often, for at least 30 minutes. It definitely gets better the longer it sits. 


3.  Form the crab mixture into eight 1-inch-thick cakes. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 1/2 tbsp. oil over medium. Add 4 crab cakes; cook until browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Place on a rack set in a baking sheet to keep crisp. Repeat with remaining 1 1/2 tbsp. oil and crab cakes. Serve with the slaw.




*photo & recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray magazine