Category: MEAT, FISH AND POULTRY

Fried Chicken Wings

Fried Chicken Wings

Hello, September bugs. Are you ready for some tasty Fried Chicken Wings? I have been working hard these days especially after reviewing several recipe requests. So, I have decided to make videos. Stay tuned for upcoming recipes because you’re going to love them. With Fall read more

Chicken and Kimchi Pizza

Chicken and Kimchi Pizza

I am fully aware that this is not really traditional pizza, but I like calling it Chicken and Kimchi Pizza, so the name stays. This is easy, tasty, and savory… Oh, this pizza is so gorgeous, my friends! Is it possible to ask for more? read more

Gluten Free Shrimp Pasta

Gluten Free Shrimp Pasta


Happy Friday people… I am always looking forward to Fridays, and most of the time I make pasta for dinner. So how does this look to Y’all? Good, I assume!

Before I start blabbering how good this is, I just want to say that this could be made with any pasta, gluten-free or not and it is equally delicious. This gluten-free one is the best that I tasted, so far. My palate is still adjusting because let’s be honest here, pasta is the best when it’s made with regular flour, BUT, I won’t lie, this brand is not half bad if you follow instructions and of course give it a chance. I tried several different kinds of pasta from Tinkyada brand and all are really good. As for my Alfredo sauce, it’s DE-licious. I enjoy the taste of shrimps and the creamy sauce with al-dente spaghetti… mmm…  It’s like ultimate comfort food right there, and I am 100% certain that you’ll love it as well.

Now the thing is peeps, after experimenting for a few weeks on myself, even though it is still early to tell, but when I eat my bread, or pasta or anything with gluten I cannot keep my eyes open, it knocks me out. I also get a slight headache, belly bloating and I am pretty moody. I increased fresh fruits and veggies that are good for thyroid hormone, as well as low-fat dairy products (cheese, milk, etc.), ditching gluten completely and including more protein (fish, eggs, etc.), I work-out more than I did 2 months ago, like I said before from 3-4 days a week, I am now to 6 days a week (power walk, indoor bike, 10-15 lbs. Weights, etc.).

Even my kids are pretty supportive of this sudden change of my diet, however, I still make bread every single day, I still make regular balanced meals that of course healthy people, like my family should eat.

My advice is to always READ Labels, and get as much as information as possible if you feel like your body is screaming at you and you are not feeling your normal self. I was moody-emotional, almost depressed, most of the time I was cold, I was bloated, gaining weight despite not over-eating, eating pretty healthy and balanced meals and exercising regularly. I was either too tired and slept throughout the day, or insomnia hits me and I cannot sleep at all– sometimes I’d go with 3-4 hours of sleep a night and function normally like I slept 8hrs. All that was not normal, it just wasn’t me… And turns out that I was right, I wasn’t crazy after all! You just have to listen to your body and know when something is going downhill.

Now gluten won’t kill me, but if it’s making me better in any way, I will avoid it… That brings me to one more point, this BLOG will not be gluten FREE…I will still continue to post regular meal, however, I’ll explore this new world and life without gluten for myself, and perhaps post every once in a while something that was really tasty like this pasta.

UPDATE* 
Since Shrimps are high in cholesterol please omit or eat in moderation. Like I said you can use chicken, which has almost half of the cholesterol that Shrimps do, or simply omit all-together and use Broccoli, that you previously blanched. Broccoli is not the best option for people with Thyroid issues, however, if you cook it, it should be ok. 

Gluten free Shrimp Pasta

 

Gluten-free Shrimp Pasta

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Author Sandra | Sandra's Easy Cooking

Ingredients

  • 1 pack Gluten free pasta
  • 2 tbsp. Olive oil
  • 1 pound Fresh shrimps washed and deveined (frozen will work too)
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tsp. Lemon Juice
  • 1/4 onion chopped
  • 1 cup  of assorted sweet peppers red, orange, green, yellow...

Alfredo sauce:

  • 1 Tbsp. Olive oil/ Butter works fine too.
  • 3 cloves garlic pressed or minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Whipped cream/or half and half
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 tsp. Ground Black pepper
  • 1 tbsp. Dry Italian Mix herbs
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • 2 Tbsp. Cornstarch or Rice Flour gluten free + water

Garnish:

  • Red hot chili flakes
  • Dry herbs of your choice basil, mint, oregano etc.
  • Cook pasta according to the pack. Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water.

Instructions

Alfredo sauce:

  1. In a medium saucepan, add oil and garlic, saute for a few minutes on a medium high temp. (Do not burn). Pour in Chicken Stock, heavy whipped cream or half and a half and stir until it starts to bubble. Add Parmesan cheese, and the rest of the ingredients for the sauce (excluding thickening agent-cornstarch or rice flour). Add SALT to taste. Turn down the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. In the cup, add a splash of water and mix cornstarch or rice flour until smooth--this will prevent lumps and it is like a Roux. Add to the sauce, stir until thick. Cover and set aside.

Shrimps:

  1. In the saute pan, add oil and drop the shrimps in that are clean and deveined -- if the shrimps are frozen, defrost. Let it cook until they are pink--few minutes on each side. Season with a pinch of salt and a generous squeeze of lemon -about 2 teaspoons. Once done, transfer cooked shrimps on a clean plate and set aside.
  2. In the same saute pan, add assorted peppers and onion.  Saute for about 5 minutes --it needs to be soft, but still with a bit of crunch. If it's frozen, you don't need to defrost, just look closely so it doesn't burn, trying to separate peppers and onion.
  3. Once the peppers are almost done, add shrimp and stir. Turn the heat on medium-high, then add Alfredo sauce, stir. Last, add pasta to the sauce and shrimps and with kitchen tongs. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

If you don't like shrimps, you can do the same with the chicken breast. I recommend to cut it either into cubes or thin bite-size strips before cooking. If you don't want to make Alfredo sauce, you can certainly use store bought, (read labels for those that are on a gluten-free diet). Use Any pasta that you like!!!

This is not a sponsored post. I like Tinkyada pasta and this is my opinion.

Gluten free Shrimp Pasta
Chicken Burgers

Chicken Burgers

My Chicken Burgers are easy, tasty and quick. You can create an amazing meal around these burgers. Serve over rice or in a bun. I wanted to make a step by step instructions for these Chicken Burgers mainly because I did not like the one read more

Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Burgers with Caramelized Onions

I was debating with myself, as I usually do, should I post one more smoothie and add it to the collection or a burger. Well, of course, burger won; my sinful, delicious, and juicy Burger with Caramelized Onions Yes, you are allowed to drool. The read more

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu is one of those dishes that look complicated, but it is very simple to make. I would say it is also perfect for the holiday table or when you have a fancy dinner.

Even though it is usually filleted such as chicken breast, veal or similar is used to make these roulades. I choose to make it with chicken thighs because it is inexpensive.

However, I am showing you how I make these using chicken breasts as well.

You can pretty much use pork or beef to make roulades and stuff them with smoked ham, deli ham, prosciutto di Parma or just use cheese.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Besides, I used prosciutto and gouda cheese, which is not that cheap but they went very well with chicken thighs.

However, for the chicken breast version, I used carved ham, which is thicker as well as swiss cheese, but mozzarella is amazing too. It worked out great and the best part, it tasted amazing!

Click here for more Chicken Recipes

Chicken Cordon Bleu

My family loves this meal. I don’t make it often enough, but I think I will from now on.

You can serve it with any side that you like and prefer. We love mashed potatoes, rice, just plain salat or steamed veggies.

The sides are really versatile as Chicken Cordon Bleu goes with pretty much anything.

Dinner

This year I have been blessed, and I am thankful to have an amazing support system from my family, friends and you, my readers.

A lot of things changed this year for me on a personal side as well as a business one, and I hope next year will be even better.

Take a little time, be grateful for each moment that you spend with your loved ones. Smile, laugh, sing even if you are the worst singer and do not take anything or anyone for granted.

Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken Cordon Bleu with chicken skinless thighs; picture from 2014

Life is beautiful, just put your phones down, look at the sky, take a deep breath and learn to appreciate what you have.

Happy Holidays!

If you get inspired by my tasty and easy Chicken Cordon Bleu, please tag me on Instagram. @sandraeasycooking using hashtag #sandraseasycooking.

Thank you so much n advance!

Yield: Serves 4

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Recipe
Chicken Cordon Bleu is perfect for holidays or just if you wish to have a different or a bit nicer dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless & boneless chicken breasts
  • Generous pinch salt and ground black pepper on each fillet
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 16 slices swiss cheese, gouda or mozzarella cheese
  • ½ lb ham, thinly sliced or thick as carved
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour, gluten-free if you prefer
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups panko bread crumbs, gluten-free if you prefer
  • Generous pinch of smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons oil

Instructions

  1. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried parsley then tossing to coat evenly.
  1. On a cutting board, place a chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound until about ½ inch (1 cm) thick with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or heavy pan. If each chicken breast half is too large you could slice it in middle and use as two fillets instead of one, as I did on the pictures. If the breasts are regular, size, pound until thin.
  2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375F.
  3. Prepare 2 separate wide dishes with the flour, beaten egg, and bread crumbs. Dredge the chicken first in the flour, then the mixed eggs, and then bread crumbs. Place the chicken in the baking pan greased with oil or for easier cleaning use parchment paper.
  4. Sprinkle each stuffed chicken with smoked paprika and drizzle a bit with oil.
  5. Bake it for about 35 to 40 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken and your oven. If a golden color is achieved while baking, but the chicken’s center did not reach 165°F (75°C), place the chicken cordon bleu back in the oven for another 5-7 minutes or until the temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. Allow the cordon bleu to cool down for about 5 minutes before slicing it.

Notes

Cordon Bleu with Chicken skinless thighs

  1. Cut excess fat off chicken thighs, flattened and hit a few times with Meat Tenderizer/hammer, then add a pinch of salt, pepper, and thyme (or any other herb)
  2. Place 1 slice of prosciutto, then place cheese on the inside of the chicken thighs. Roll it and pin with the toothpick or similar. Smoked Gouda cheese compliments prosciutto and chicken very well. You can use any cheese that you like or have such as Swiss or Gruyère for example.
  3. Add a pinch of sea salt. No need for much salt because breadcrumbs are seasoned as well as flour.
  4. Season the flour with few pinches of salt and ground black pepper. Dredge chicken roulades in flour. Dip roulades in the egg. Coat chicken lightly with seasoned panko bread crumbs.
  5. Preheat oven at 400F and transfer the roulades onto a nonstick baking sheet/or use permanent paper, alum foil, etc. Bake for 25 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  6. Let them cool down for a few minutes before cutting into pinwheels.


My old Pictorial with chicken skinless thighs:

Pictorial with chicken breast:


Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Double Fried Chicken

Double Fried Chicken

It is a long weekend over here, so Happy Labor Day everyone! Let us start on Friday with fried chicken. I love it, but I tend to stay away from it as much as possible. Well, I feel always so guilty after eating it, but read more

Lunch Box: Oven-Baked Panko Chicken

Lunch Box: Oven-Baked Panko Chicken

SCHOOOOOLLLL!!! Is starting tomorrow for us!!! Don’t know if I hate it, or like it…HA!!! Who am I kidding? I love it!!! Doing my happy dances all day… I know I will miss our mornings soon, but as far as of right this moment, it is a read more

Top 10 the most popular grilling recipes

Top 10 the most popular grilling recipes

Top 10 the most popular grilling recipes

Bulgogi Ciabatta Sandwich

Summer is here, and that means grilling season started. I decided to make a roundup of my Top 10 the most popular grilling recipes.

I love walking around my neighborhood, especially on the weekend evenings and just inhaling the aromatic air that goes under my nose from almost every house. Tempting huh? You get hungry in an instant!

One good thing is that we have nice big, man-made grill pit so the grilling was never a problem almost all year round because we have few months or real winter. Although the rainy season can ruin that excitement.

check out more grill recipes.

There is something about grilling in the summertime, grilling on a special holiday or event. Food ends up really special and memorable.

Usually, we eat and remember what we made a previous year… funny, I know! But I guess that is why it is so memorable.

Top 10 the most popular grilling recipes

Asian Beef Skewers

4th of the July is knocking on our door and I thought to post a roundup of top 10 of my most popular recipes from the blog.

That being said, you can perhaps find some kind of inspiration what to make for this upcoming holiday. Well, to enjoy it with your family and friends, of course.

My kids are already looking forward to some of our favorite. We love bulgogi, cevapi, grilled marinated pork, kebabs, etc. Also, we do make a lot of food. However, that is always eaten and I never regret making more than I should.

In addition, I do not serve only meat, but various salads and sides that go heavenly with anything grilled.

Therefore, anything that I will post could be made in a pan in a little bit of oil, marinated and baked in the oven or use option to grill.

I hope you will enjoy my Top 10 the most popular grilling recipes.

If you try this or any other of my recipes please tag me on Instagram @sandraseasycooking using hashtag #sandraseasycooking. Thanks in advance!

My recommendation of some salads that you might enjoy:

Cucumber Radish Salad

BLT Salad

Vegetarian Pasta Salad

Creamy Summer Pasta Salad

So let’s get started! Links are in the title under each image, if by any chance it doesn’t work for you, please let me know! Thank you!   

Top 10 the most popular grilling recipes

Thai Chili Grilled Chicken with Salad

Tofu Recipe

Grilled Marinated Tofu

Top 10 the most popular grilling recipes

Sweet and Spicy Pork Tenderloin

Top 10 the most popular grilling recipes

Grilled Glazed Wild Salmon with Mango Salsa

Japanese food

Honey-Teriyaki Glazed Grilled Chicken

Grilled salmon

Lemon Herb Grilled Salmon

chicken wings

Chicken Wings in Honey-Sriracha Sauce

Korean food

Spicy Grilled Boneless Pork Spare Ribs

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Chicken Pesto Pasta

  It’s that time of the week when the grocery store is calling, the fridge is getting empty and the daunting task of feeding a hungry family awaits, but you do not want to leave your house right now, so you pull out all the read more