Cashew Chicken

A few months ago my sister, Ashley, gave me a wok. It was bright yellow and she named it Sunshine. We name everything. It's a quirky way of making something our own. It took me a few months to try it out, due to the fact that I only have a partial kitchen right now. We're in the middle of remodeling it, and have been for the last half year, so it takes twice as long to make anything. But when I used my wok for the first time I was ecstatic! It was so fast, easy, and efficient, not to mention, healthy. Chop up some meat and veggies, add a kick-butt sauce, and serve over rice. Did I mention it was fast? Those Chinese and they're ancient culture, they're smart little cookies.

Anyway, I was telling Ashley all of this on the phone when she requested the recipe. So, without further ado, I give you...


Cashew Chicken

• 1/2 cup water
• 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 4 tsp. cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 2 Tbsp. oil
• 3 cups cubed uncooked chicken
• 1 1/2 c. carrots
• 1 1/2 c. zucchini
• 1 1/3 c. cashews

Blend together water, soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic and pepper and set aside. Heat oil in wok or skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken, stir fry until cooked. Add veggies (feel free to use whatever floats your boat), and cook until tender. Add cashews and cook for one minute. Mix in soy sauce mixture until thickened. Serve over rice and enjoy!

Koolaid Play dough

I remember when I was little missing pre-school. I was so sad my mom made me purple play dough. It was the best stuff ever.

I decided to pass it on to LiLi. Only I found a different recipe then what my mom used. This particular recipe uses Koolaid. It's wonderful, because it has a really nice smell, unlike most play doughs. It also gets softer the more you knead and play with it. And it doesn't stain the counter, your clothes, or hands when you make it. Plus the colors are really cute...why doesn't Play-doh make cuter colors? Obviously, you can use any flavor you want. I went to the store the other day and bought every Koolaid flavor they had (which consisted of eight). Today LiLi picked Pink Lemonade.

The recipe is simple:

• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 pkt. Koolaid
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 cup boiling water

Mix dry ingredients in mixing bowl. Stir in oil. Add water and stir with fork until dough-like. When cool enough, knead until smooth. If still to sticky, feel free to add more flour.

Play.



Store in a ziplock (or airtight container) so it won't dry out.