Mandarin Orange Chicken over rice

I will give  you the recipe as I found it in an old church members recipe book and also the way I changed it to fit my life too.  This is from Feeding our Flock - First church of God

                                                          4 boneless chicken breasts/halved and skinned
                                                           2 tsp veg oil
                                                           1(11oz) can mandarin oranges, undrained
                                                            2 tbs brown sugar
                                                             1 tsp mustard
                                                             3 tbs catsup
                                                             1 tbs vinegar
                                                             1 tsp cornstarch
                                                             1/2 tsp cinnamon
                                                              1/8 tsp cloves

Add veg. oil to large skillet.  Place over med-high heat until hot.  Add chicken to skillet: cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until lightly browned.  Drain oranges, reserving juice.  Set oranges aside.  Combine juice and remaining ingredients, stir well.  Pour over chicken.  Cover and simmer for 30 mins.  Add reserved oranges and simmer additional 5 minutes or until chicken is tender.  Serve over rice. 

Now here's my way for leftovers or just busy day -  I had 2  cooked breasts  leftover from night before.  I cut them up and warmed them with a little olive oil in a fry pan.  I also quick cooked some frozen broccoli and carrots in a sauce pan. I mixed the other ingredients just like it says except a little less - due to 2 breasts.  But not 1/2 I like saucy stuff.  And I had individual mandarin orange cups in the refridgerator, so I used those.  I treated the whole thing as a stir fry.  I poured the sauce over chicken reserving a little for the end if I needed it added the broccoli and carrots and simmered for 5 or so mins.  Then poured over some brown rice I previously cooked - choose whichever rice you like.  I enjoyed this and the cinnamon was just the right hint of spice.  I thought it was very good. 

What was I thinking???

    What was I thinking starting this blog with Christmas so near.  Thought I better put down a few words.  Church on Sunday was bittersweet.  This is one thing I share with my Mother, and with her being in the hospital for so long...I find it sometimes hard to go the church.  I push myself and I always feel better for going.  Well this week a woman, which I don't know her name, asked me how Mom is or where she is.  We see this woman all the time at church.  I looked at her with big eyes and tried to whisper to her what has been going on for 6mos or so.  I may have to backtrack alittle.  My mother, who lives with me and my husband, fell back in May and broke her ankle, so severely that she had to have a plate and screws put in.  Well, that plate and screws became infected(osteo myelitis-spelling) any how, complication after complication and even facing possible amputation, finally a Dr. Tien had decided to take out the plate and put on an external fixator.  Huge monstrosity of rods and pins on the outside of her leg/ankle.  So...short of 1 month she was able to come home, she has been hospitalized ever since May 2011.
        Back to my story - She (the woman in church)  proceeded to tell me that she looks forward to seeing me and Mom in church because it makes her think about her parents that passed a decade ago.  She knew something must be wrong , that she hasn't seen Mom with me in a long time.  She told me it takes a special person to care for someone.  I tried to hold back the tears.  She said "God Bless and Merry Christmas."  I hurried up and recieved Communion and instead of staying for final prayers and song I left...I could not contain my tears anymore.  As I came out my husband was waiting for me in the car.  He saw me crying and said, "What in the world is wrong?  Are you OK?"  I assured him that I was and after calming down I told him the story.  I miss Mom being at home, with us where she belongs.  More later.

Where did the "Aunt B. " come from?

Well of course my name is Brenda, so there is the B.  But it was the loving gesture of my 2 (now grown) nieces part.  An attempt to make fun or a joke about me years ago and it just stuck.  All I can ever picture is Aunt Bea of the Andy Griffith Show tho.  I am not that old!!!  lol.  Thanks Montana and Leah.

PB&J Chocolate chip cookie bars

This is a great recipe I found.  and they are delicious.  Yummm.  I used strawberry preserves but you can use whatever jam or jelly you prefer. 

1 1/4 C flour

1/2 C grahm cracker crumbs

1/2 t. soda

1/2 t. salt

1/2 C softened butter or marg

1/2 C sugar

1/2 C brown sugar

1/2 C creamy Peanut  butter

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

12 oz. pk. chocolate chips

3/4 C chopped peanuts

1/2 C jam or jelly

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine flour, grahms, soda and salt in a bowl and set aside. 

beat butter, sugars, and peanut butter together until creamy.  Beat in egg and vanilla. 

gradually add flour mixture.  Stir in choc. chips and nuts.  Press 3/4 of dough into un-greased 13x9 baking pan.  Bake for 15 mins.  then remove from oven.  Drop spoonfuls of jam ontop.  Wait a few minutes then spread evenly over the top to cover.  Drop remaining dough over jam.  Bake 20-25 mins. until edges are set.  Cool then cut into bars.      Makes about 4 dozen. 

 

My first day

    Just started this blog.  Sure hope I can keep up on this.  Well yesterday was sure a day for the books.  My condolences go out to the Taylor family on their loss.  Mr. Taylor was a wonderfully kind man.  You see he was my brother's father-in-law.  And he passed away a few days ago.  Hubby and I went to the funeral...then I had a dentist appointment for a cleaning, but found out I need some work done, ugh.  Wonder how much my old gold crown is worth on the market?... Well, then on to the hospital, my Mom was having a surgery, minor but still, with Mom you never know...then on to my own Dr. appointment, all's well.  whewww. 
    So today I am kinda taking it easy, if you can call it that.  I am baking for Christmas.  Coffee cakes, PB&J chocolate chip cookie bars, cheesy potatoes.  And our "famous" Christmas buckeyes. I do hope to share recipes here with you all.  once i figure everything out.  But no, not the secret to the "famous" buckeyes.  I will never divulge the secrets. lol  More later.