Beef Brocolli over Pan Fried Noodles

One of my most favorite things to make is my mom's version of Beef Oyster Sauce over Pan Fried Noodles. It is soooo yummy. I don't have a recipe because I just make it the way my mom used to make it, so please bear with my instructions here!

Here's the ingredients list:

1 lb. Flank Steak, cut into thin one inch strips
Soy Sauce
Chicken Broth (Not sure exactly how much I use, but I'd say it's about(2) 15 oz. cans
Cornstarch
Olive Oil
Oyster Sauce
Brocolli
*Baby Corn
*Water Chestnuts

Here's a photo of the Soy Sauce and Oyster Sauce I used:

So, the first thing you do is..... soak (marinate) the beef with about 1/2 cup of Soy Sauce, 1 can of chicken broth and 2 tbls. of Cornstarch. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.

In a separate bowl, mix approximately 3 tbls. of Cornstarch with 1/2 can of chicken broth. Set aside.

Meanwhile, cut brocolli into bite size pieces. Boil it for approximately 15 minutes, drain.

Heat the Oil in a Wok (or in my case, I use an electric skillet. YES, I KNOW... I'm Asian, and I don't even have a Wok). Heat it so it gets really hot!!! Then add the beef mixture. Be sure to mix it quickly as if stir frying.

Once you have the beef to your desired doneness, ( I prefer more on the Medium side) add the Cornstarch mixture and mix in good.

Add 2 tbls. Oyster Sauce and mix well. Bring to a boil stirring frequently, add the Brocolli, Water Chestnuts and Baby Corn, cover and simmer for approximately 20 minutes.

(The picture below doesn't have the Water Chestnuts & Baby Corn)

There you have it! Yummy Beef Brocolli!! You can serve it over Pan Fried Noodles, or Steamed Rice. I love making extra gravy and have leftovers the next day. Gravy and rice. So yummy!!

You can finish it up with dessert! Like an AWESOME Malted Milk Chocolate CuppyCake!!

~ Tasty Tuesday ~

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

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Here's the list of ingredients:

1 Onion, chopped
3 Cloves of Garlic
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
2 teaspoons Chili Powder
1 (28 oz.) can Crushed Tomatoes ** I use Diced Tomatoes
1 (10.5 oz) can Condensed Chicken Broth
1 1/4 cup Water
1 cup Whole Corn Kernels, cooked ** I use an entire 15 1/4 oz. can, drained
1 cup White Hominy ** I use an entire 15.5 oz. can, drained
1 (4 oz.) can Chopped Green Chilie Peppers
1 (15 oz.) can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped Fresh Cilantro
2 boneless Chicken Breast Halves, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
Crushed Tortilla Chips
Sliced Avacado
Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
Chopped Green Onion

(Recipe Courtesy of All Recipes)

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Directions:

In a medium stock pot, heat Olive Oil over medium heat. Saute chopped onion and minced garlic until soft.

Stir in Chili Powder, Oregano, Tomatoes, Chicken Broth and Water. Bring to a boil then simmer for 10 minutes.

(Here's two chicken breast halves boiled and chopped into bite sized pieces)

Stir in Corn, Hominy, Green Chilies, Black Beans, Cilantro and Chicken.

Simmer for 15 minutes.

Ladle Soup into individual serving bowls; top with crushed Tortilla Chips, Cheese, Green Onion and Avacado Slices.

Y U M M Y

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MALTED MILK CHOCOLATE CUPPYCAKES

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Here's the list of ingredients for the CuppyCakes:

3/4 cup Water
2 sticks of butter
3/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 cup Carnation Malted Milk Chocolate Mix
2 cups All-Purpose Flour
2 cups Sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
3/4 teaspoon Salt
2 large Eggs
2/3 Sour Cream

1/2 cup Crushed Malted Milk Balls for Garnish iced CuppyCakes

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To make the CuppyCakes:

Pre-Heat the Oven to 350 degrees; In a medium size saucepan, melt the butter. Add the Cocoa Powder and Water and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine the Flour, Sugar, Baking Soda and Salt.

Using an Electric Stand Up Mixer (Like a KitchenAid), using the paddle attachment, beat together the Eggs and Sour Cream until well blended. Add the Butter/Cocoa mixture and beat just until it's combined.

Slowly mix in the dry ingredients to the Egg/Sour Cream mixture on low speed until just incorporated.

Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full. Bake for approximately 16 minutes. (Check readiness with a toothpick)

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Here's a list of ingredients for the Butter Cream:

2 sticks of butter
1 cup Carnation Malted Milk Chocolate Mix
2 tablespoons of Cocoa Powder
3 tablespoons of Milk
2 cups Powdered Sugar
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Mix all ingredients together in an Electric Mixer until smooth and to your desired consistency.

Pipe frosting in the center of each CuppyCake

Sprinkle crushed Malted Milk Chocolate Balls on each CuppyCake.

Top with a Malted Milk Chocolate Ball!!



There you have it! Two of my FAVORITE things to make!!!

Try these recipes out and let me know how they turn out!!

http://shellilynn.wordpress.com

Happy Saturday!!

Since I am still without the internet at home, I'm unable to copy & paste my posts from my WordPress blog to Blogger, so I am encouraging you to check out my WordPress blog today!! Here's the link:

http://shellilynn.wordpress.com

You can also subscribe to that blog by clicking on the "Subscribe" button the right side tool bar!! This way, you won't miss any of my blog posts I post utilizing my Droid Eris HTC phone!!!

So, cllick on the link above (or just copy & paste) and enjoy!!

Happy Saturday!!

Zumba Anyone?!?!?

So, a neighbor of mine and I happened to both be getting out of our vehicles at the same time earlier today. She was carrying a gym bag and looked like she just had a work out from hell. Mind you, she’s older than I am, by maybe 10 years or better, but I always see her either coming or going to the gym.

Today, I asked her if she had a great work out, and she said “Yes, I did ~ two hours of non stop Zumba”. She opened her jacket and showed me her shirt which said “ZUMBA” on it in bright colors. She then proceeded to tell me that she’s a Zumba Instructor at a local In-Shape City gym. Wow.

We got to talking for a bit, and she invited me to join them this Saturday for a “Master Class” where there will be 5 different instructors. Are you serious?!? Can I actually do this? I’m so un-coordinated, it’s pathetic!!! I’ve always wanted to try it because I’ve heard it’s a lot of fun and a great work out. But seriously, me?!? In front of others? Zumba? Do you think I can do it?

I have exactly 60 days before we leave for the wedding of my life. I need to get rid of my poochy stomach, (although, I fit in my dress perfectly as I did back when we purchased it in July). Most say I don’t have a “pooch”, but I do…I see it.

So, it’s clearly a matter of whether or not I have the ability to throw caution to the wind and just do it, or let my self-consciousness get the best of me and chicken out. Ugh!!!

So many decisions to make these days!!!

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On another note.... today was the last day for all guests who are cruising with us to have their cabins paid in full. And guess what?!?

Each and every cabin is booked! Yay!! Another step closer to reality!! Yikes!!

The next 'major' thing I need to do is get the seating arrangement figured out and give it to Carnival by March 5th. Carnival will keep our group together, however they have tables for 4, 6, 8 or 10 people. I figured we'd do the tables of 8. So, in our case, we have 34 people in our group, so we'd have to do three tables of 8 and one table of 10. This seating assignment is only for Dinner, and it's for all four nights of the cruise.

At least I have several weeks to come up with a plan that everyone will be comfortable with.

Hope you all had an AMAZING Tuesday!