With the weather getting warmer, I’ve been trying to come up with yummy dinners that can be served warm or cold. Recipes that are less heavy, and less creamy than winter dishes.
Today I have an easy recipe for you to try….
First of all, I am a big fan of cooking with what you already have.
My recipes are usually flexible so you can use what you already have or substitute it for something similar.
Here’s what I started with:
honey, sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, smart balance oil mix, rice vinegar, fresh ground black pepper, and soy sauce.
To keep it simple, I combined:
4 Tbsp. sesame oil
4 Tbsp. Smart Balance Oil Mix
4 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar
4 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp. Honey
Taste it as you go to make sure you get the right flavor for your family. For example, soy sauce is really strong! If you like soy sauce, feel free to add a little more to really bring out the taste. If you don’t love it, start with 2 or 3 Tbsp. and taste as you go until you get the right flavor. Same thing with the honey. Start with 2 Tbsp. but add some more if you want it sweeter…
Next I boiled and shredded 2 chicken breasts.
Then slice up 3 scallions, 2 bell peppers, and 1 clove of garlic.
Then I put a 1/4 cup of the sauce mixture into a skillet and slightly cooked the vegetables.
I didn’t cook it for too long because I didn’t want them soggy, but just enough to heat and soften them a little.
Then add the shredded chicken and sprinkle with sesame seeds and toasted almonds and mix it together until heated. I also added a can of sliced bamboo and sliced water chestnuts just for fun. Don’t worry about it if you don’t have them, but I did so I thought it would be good to include.
Last, I added the spinach on top.
Then turn off the heat and put a lid on it.
This will warm up the spinach a little without cooking it too much.
Spinach cooks quickly and looses it’s shape so just the left over heat is enough.
Set aside a cup of frozen peas.
Cook a box of bowtie pasta and just as it’s finished, add the peas to the water and then strain it. Don’t forget to add salt to your pasta water. It’s the only way to flavor the pasta itself.
Last, just mix it all together and ENJOY!
My kids even loved this one because there is such a variety of colors and flavors and textures that it kept them entertained while they ate :)
Here’s the recipe:
Sauce
4 Tbsp. Oil
4 Tbsp. Sesame Oil
4 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
4 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar
2 Tbsp. Honey
Pepper to taste
1 box bowtie pasta
2 chicken breasts shredded
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
3 scallions
1 clove garlic
frozen peas
toasted sesame seeds
toasted almonds
water chestnuts {optional}
sliced bamboo {optional}
This looks so yummy. I am going to have to try this… but leave out the peas!
MMMMM can’t wait to try this! Thanks Cait for sharing! xoxo
This look amazing Brit! YUM!
this looks so good, i want to try!
this looks yummy!