Easy Cookie Bars for a Crowd

Easy Cookie Bars for a Crowd

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I LOVE fresh baked cookies. What I don’t like? Plopping them on the baking pan and trying to get them even. This solves that problem! Cookies for a crowd without the spooning and multiple sheet pans! If you’d like to see the original recipe, check it out from Jamie Cooks It Up!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups butter
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 4 tsp vanilla
  • 4 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips
  • 2 cups M&Ms

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. Place butter into a large microwave safe bowl. Melt the butter in the microwave.
  3. Add brown sugar and white sugar and stir to combine. Then, add 2 eggs, 2 egg yolks and vanilla. Whisk it together until well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda.
  5. Stir the dry mixture into the sugar mixture. Don’t mix it in all the way. The trick to making these bars nice and soft on the inside is not to over mix and not to over bake. So, at this stage, leave a bit of the flour showing. It will incorporate nicely as you stir in the chocolate.
  6. Add milk chocolate chips and M&M’s. Stir the chocolate in to combine.
  7. Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray (I use a 12” x 17” pan). Press the dough evenly into the pan.
  8. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until the outside is slightly golden. You want to be sure not to over bake. They are much better if the inside is nice and soft.
  9. Allow them to cool for about 10 minutes then slice into bars and enjoy!
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Green Smoothie

Green Smoothie

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I love smoothies-all kinds. If I know I’m going to be insanely busy I love to make a meal of my smoothies. This one is perfect for a breakfast smoothie-packed with fuel food!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 medium ripe avocado, peeled & pitted
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
  • 1 to 2 Tbsp honey or agave, or to taste

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients to the blender in order if most to least liquid: water, avocado, spinach, frozen pineapple chunks. Blend until smooth.
  2. Add honey or agave to taste, then blend until well incorporated.
Savory Roasted Chickpeas

Savory Roasted Chickpeas

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

When I’m in the mood for something salty and crunchy this easy snack definitely delivers! You can customize the flavor to whatever your craving happens to be. Ranch? Done. Salty? Done.

Ingredients

  • 1 can garbanzo beans or chickpeas
  • seasoning of your choice:
    • Ranch seasoning
    • salt and pepper
    • chili pepper and cumin for some spice

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  1. Rinse and drain the chickpeas and blot dry with paper towel.
  1. Cover chickpeas in desired seasoning and place evenly on baking sheet.
  2. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until crisp.
How to Steam Frozen Soup Dumplings

How to Steam Frozen Soup Dumplings

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Why, oh why did I not invest in a bamboo steamer sooner?! Seriously… bamboo steamers are a complete game changer. I kept seeing ads on Facebook for frozen soup dumplings and my hunger got the best of me and I made an impulse social media purchase. I have to say, it was a great investment and these dumplings and sauce pairings did not disappoint!

Xiao Chi Jie pork soup dumplings and their three sauce soup pack were excellent! The soup dumplings and sauce packets came packed in a cooler with dry ice and were so well packaged. I also purchased a bamboo steamer. The soup dumplings came with steamer basket liners, which made such a huge difference to allow for great steaming without sticking. You can purchase your own here on Amazon. You can also purchase your own bamboo steamer set here on Amazon. You’ll find my instructions below on how to steam your very own dumplings-it’s easier than you think!

Ingredients and Materials

  • Frozen soup dumplings
  • bamboo steamer
  • bamboo steamer mats/liners
  • large skillet
  • sauces (optional)

Directions

  1. Add about an inch of water to a large skillet over medium heat and bring to a boil.
  1. Place bamboo steamer mats or liners onto the bamboo steaming tray. Place frozen dumplings at least an inch apart in each basket. Stack the baskets and place the lid on the top once they are full.
  1. Place the stacked baskets into the skillet and allow to steam for approximately 11 minutes or heated through.
  1. Allow the dumplings to rest in the bamboo steamers for several minutes.
  2. Serve with sauces and enjoy!
Easy (Frozen or Fresh) Air Fryer Salmon with Sushi Seasoning

Easy (Frozen or Fresh) Air Fryer Salmon with Sushi Seasoning

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I love salmon and love finding new ways to cook it. I do believe this may be my new favorite. Bonus? It’s finished in 10 minutes in the air fryer with easy cleanup. Winner!

Ingredients

  • Salmon filets
  • Dijon mustard
  • Onion powder
  • Japanese Inspired Sesame Seaweed seasoning
  • Yum Yum sauce or spicy mayo, for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Spread Dijon mustard over salmon filet evenly.
  2. Sprinkle onion powder over Dijon mustard. Sprinkle Japanese Inspired Sesame Seaweed seasoning evenly over Dijon mustard and onion powder. ** Wait to add toppings if cooking from frozen.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F. Cook salmon in air fryer for 8 minutes at 390 degrees F or until the internal temperature of salmon reaches 145 degrees F. If cooking from frozen, cook on 390 degrees F for 7 minutes. Add toppings to salmon and continue to cook for 8 minutes on 390 degrees F or until internal temperature of salmon reaches 145 degrees F.
  4. Serve over rice, quinoa, or Asian noodles. Top with Yum Yum sauce or spicy mayo, if desired.
Copycat Panera Asian Sesame Salad with Chicken

Copycat Panera Asian Sesame Salad with Chicken

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Love Panera salads, but your wallet doesn’t? Same… same. This copycat is spot on and waaaaaay cheaper. So your taste buds and wallet will both thank you!

Ingredients

  • 2-3 baked chicken tenderloins, seasoned with your favorite seasoning
  • Leafy romaine lettuce
  • Asian Style Sesame Vinaigrette salad dressing
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Sliced almonds
  • Wonton strips

Directions

  1. Add leafy romaine lettuce to a large bowl. Add all toppings over the romaine lettuce and mix well.
Easy Air Fryer Dry Rub Chicken Wings

Easy Air Fryer Dry Rub Chicken Wings

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I love dry rub chicken wings, but never imagined how easy they could be to make at home in an air fryer! These were a hit with my family and I hope they are with yours as well!

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs frozen chicken wings
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp chili pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground pepper

Directions

  1. Mix all dry rub ingredients in a small bowl until well combined.
  2. Place frozen chicken wings in a large bowl and brush each wing with olive oil.
  3. Sprinkle seasoning on wings until evenly distributed.
  4. Preheat air fryer for 3 minutes on Max Crisp (or 450 degrees F if your air fryer doesn’t have a Max Crisp setting).
  5. Once air fryer is preheated, place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook on Max Crisp (or 450 degrees F) for 12 minutes. Turn wings over with tongs and cook another 12 minutes on Max Crisp (or 450 degrees F).
  6. Remove wings from air fryer and continue cooking in small batches until all wings are cooked.
  7. Serve with celery and ranch dressing.
Instant Pot Turkey and Noodles

Instant Pot Turkey and Noodles

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Every year I tell myself that I’m going to save the turkey broth and leftover turkey and freeze it after Thanksgiving and find some great recipe to use the leftovers, but do I? Nope. Until this year! I found this Instant Pot turkey and noodles recipe and adapted it to use leftover frozen turkey and broth from Thanksgiving. If you’d like instructions on how to save broth from cooking turkey breast in a slow cooker, check out the instructions in my Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs turkey breast, fully cooked or 1 1/2 lbs turkey breast cutlets, raw
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 1 quart chicken broth (or leftover turkey drippings/broth from cooking turkey)
  • 1 24 oz bag frozen egg noodles (I prefer Reames)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions

  1. If using raw turkey cutlets, add them to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Spread the soup over the top of the cutlets. Add the remaining ingredients to the Instant Pot. If using fully cooked leftover turkey or turkey breast, set aside and add the noodles to the Instant Pot. Cover the noodles with the broth and top the noodles with all seasonings followed by butter and the can of soup. 
  2. Place the lid on the Instant Pot, making sure the valve is closed. Cook for 20 minutes on the Manual setting on high pressure.  
  1. Do a quick steam release. Remove the turkey cutlets and shred or if using fully cooked turkey, stir the shredded turkey into the noodles until well incorporated and heated through and serve.
Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon and Sugar Donut Sticks

Easy Air Fryer Cinnamon and Sugar Donut Sticks

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Well, I have fallen into the abyss of the air fryer world. So. Many. Options. If you have a can of crescent rolls, cinnamon, sugar, and butter, you can have fresh donut sticks in 4 minutes. Yes, 4 minutes! I adapted my recipe from allrecipes.

The flavor of these “donuts” remind me of Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists. They’re light, but absolutely delicious. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup any flavor fruit jam, chocolate sauce, or cream cheese for dipping (optional)

Directions

  1. Unroll crescent roll dough sheet and pat out to an 8×12-inch rectangle. Cut dough in half lengthwise with a pizza cutter and cut each piece crosswise into 1/2-inch wide “sticks.” Dip doughnut sticks in melted butter and place in a single later in the air fryer basket.
  1. Cook in the air fryer at 375 degrees F until well browned, 4 to 5 minutes.
  2. Stir together sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Remove doughnut sticks from the air fryer and roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Repeat with remaining dough.
  1. Serve doughnut sticks with jam, chocolate sauce, or cream cheese,
Copycat Moe’s Queso

Copycat Moe’s Queso

by Engineered Mama ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Moe’s was my favorite place for queso and loaded nachos for years until they sadly closed their doors in our area. This copycat recipe comes close, so finally you can get your Moe’s fix!

Ingredients

  • 2-8 oz blocks blocks of Pepper Jack Cheese, cubed
  • 1 lb white American cheese (I used sliced from the deli and it seemed to melt much better)
  • 1-4 oz can diced green chiles (I prefer mild since kids will be eating this, but you can use any heat you like!)
  • 2-12 oz cans evaporated milk
  • tortilla chips, for serving

Directions

  1. Place all ingredients in slow cooker. I like to layer the ingredients so they melt together well.
  2. Cook on low for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Stir well after one our and continue to cook on low for another hour, stirring occasionally. Stir well until well incorporated.
  3. Keep slow cooker on low to avoid burning or bubbling.

**Note: Make sure to watch the queso carefully as it melts as heating the evaporated milk too quickly could cause curdling. Make sure to stir the dip frequently to monitor how quickly the queso heats. If it begins to heat too quickly, turn the temperature down to low for the remainder of the cooking.