What's for Dinner?

Sometimes it's nice to indulge in a old fashioned fried chicken dinner. This recipe is fantastic. I think my 10 year old was quoted as saying "I'm obsessed with this chicken, Mom." When you're not in the mood to count calories, give this one a try! Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients

1 (4 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces
4 cups oil for deep frying
MARINADE
4 cups water
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon monosodium glutamate
COATING
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon monosodium glutamate

Directions

Preheat oil in deep fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
To Marinate: In a large glass dish or bowl, combine the water, salt and monosodium glutamate and mix together. Add chicken and turn to coat; cover and refrigerate to marinate for 20 minutes, turning a few times.
In a shallow dish or bowl, mix together egg and milk. In a separate shallow dish or bowl, mix together the flour, salt, pepper and monosodium glutamate. Remove chicken from marinade (discarding remaining marinade) and drain. One at a time, dip chicken pieces into flour mixture, then egg/milk mixture, then flour mixture again, making sure each piece is well coated. Stack coated pieces on a plate or cookie sheet.
Drop chicken, one piece at a time, into hot oil. Fry half of the chicken pieces (4 pieces) for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown, then fry remaining pieces for the same amount of time. (Note: Stir chicken around halfway through the frying time, so that each piece cooks evenly). Drain fried chicken for about 5 minutes on paper towels or a wire cooling rack before serving.

These were so yummy! The only thing I would change is that I didn't make the basting sauce (out of sheer laziness) and next time I definitely will because the vegetables were a little dry without it. But the simple marinade is PERFECT for the pork! Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound boneless pork loin, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 (14.5 ounce) can low-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3 portobello mushrooms, cut into quarters
1 large red onion, cut into 12 wedges
12 cherry tomatoes
12 bite-size chunks fresh pineapple

Directions

In a shallow dish, mix together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, olive oil, 1 clove minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Add pork cubes, and turn to coat evenly with marinade. Cover, and refrigerate for 3 hours.
In a saucepan, combine beef broth, cornstarch, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, brown sugar, 2 cloves minced garlic, and ginger. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate. Thread pork cubes onto skewers, alternating with mushrooms, onion, tomatoes, and pineapple chunks.
Cook on grill for 15 minutes, or until meat is cooked through. Turn skewers, and baste often with sauce during cooking.

This is a easy way to make take out at home. There are only 5 ingredients! Instead of using a whole chicken, I used boneless, skinless breasts and cut them up in small pieces and served over rice. My family loved it! Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients

1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut in half
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions

Rinse chicken halves, and pat dry with paper towels. Place chicken cut side down in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine sugar, soy sauce, grated ginger and garlic. Mix well, and pour mixture over chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Bake chicken uncovered in the preheated oven for 1 hour, basting frequently. Test for doneness, making sure there is no pink left in the meat. Let cool slightly, then cut into smaller pieces to serve.

This is a simple marinade that packs a lot of flavor into your pork chops. Mine were a tad too salty so next time I think I will use low sodium soy sauce. Also, reduce the cook time to 30 minutes if you are using boneless chops. Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients

1/2 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
4 pork chops

Directions

In a shallow dish, combine soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, lemon juice, pepper and oil. Add pork chops, and turn to coat evenly. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Place marinated pork chops in a roasting pan, and bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, basting meat often with marinade.

This steak was delicious and so simple to make! With a tenderloin cut, you really don't need to do much. This was just enough for flavor perfection. Makes 2 servings.

Ingredients
2 (2 inch thick) steaks beef tenderloin
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 teaspoon meat tenderizer

Directions
Rub meat with olive oil and crushed garlic. Sprinkle with tenderizer. Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat grill for medium high heat.
Brush grate with oil, and place steaks on the grill. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until done.

This is a super simple marinade but it packs a lot of flavor. I only had time to marinate my chicken for an hour but it didn't take away from the taste at all. Add your favorite vegetables and Voila! Deliciousness! Makes 12 servings.

Ingredients
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes
2 cloves garlic
5 small onions, cut into 2 inch pieces
2 red bell peppers, cut into 2 inch pieces
skewers

Directions
In a large bowl, whisk together oil, honey, soy sauce, and pepper. Before adding chicken, reserve a small amount of marinade to brush onto kabobs while cooking. Place the chicken, garlic, onions and peppers in the bowl, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours (the longer the better).
Preheat the grill for high heat.
Drain marinade from the chicken and vegetables, and discard marinade. Thread chicken and vegetables alternately onto the skewers.
Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the skewers on the grill. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until chicken juices run clear. Turn and brush with reserved marinade frequently.

I really like this recipe because the lemon taste is not overpowering. Marinating it in the lemon juice makes the chicken really juicy and tangy but not overwhelmingly lemon. Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 cups fresh lemon juice
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup chicken broth 6 slices lemon
1/2 cup finely minced fresh parsley

Directions
To Marinate: Combine chicken and lemon juice in a large resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out air and seal bag. Refrigerate to marinate overnight, turning once.
Remove chicken from marinade, reserving 2 tablespoons marinade and disposing of the remainder. Mix together flour, salt, paprika and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken breasts one at a time, seal bag and shake to coat evenly.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Fry coated chicken until well browned, about 10 to 15 minutes. Arrange browned chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish and sprinkle with brown sugar. Mix broth with reserved marinade and pour mixture over chicken. Top each breast with a lemon slice and sprinkle all with parsley.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until cooked through (juices run clear) and tender.

This is a delicious Asian marinade. It makes the meat really tender and full of flavor. I omitted the sesame seeds because I am not a fan. Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pound sirloin steak, cubed

Directions
In a glass or plastic bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oil, lemon juice, sesame seeds, sugar, green onions, garlic, and ginger.
Thread the meat onto skewers. (If you are using wooden skewers, soak them 30 minutes first.) Place the skewers in a plastic or glass container just large enough to hold them, and pour the marinade over the meat, turning to coat well. Cover, and chill for a minimum of 4 hours.
Preheat grill for high heat, and position grate 5 inches from coals.
Brush grate with oil, and place skewers on grill. Grill for 10 to 15 minutes, occasionally turning kabobs to ensure even cooking.

This a great marinade with a lot of flavor. My brother was over last night and couldn't get enough of it. You probably already have most of the ingredients at home! Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients
1 small onion, chopped
7 cloves garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons Dijon-style prepared mustard
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 (2 pound) tri-tip steak

Directions
Place onion, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce, rosemary, mustard, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Place steak in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour marinade over steaks, seal, and refrigerate for about 3 hours.
Preheat the grill for high heat.
Brush grill grate with oil. Discard marinade, and place steak on the prepared grill. Cook for 7 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.

This is a nice, simple summer grilling recipe that does not disappoint. Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
3/4 cup Wish-Bone® Italian Dressing
1 (24 ounce) jar Bertolli® Tomato and Basil Sauce, heated
1 (16 ounce) box farfalle or penne pasta, cooked and drained

Directions
Combine chicken with 1/2 cup Dressing in shallow bowl; toss to coat. Cover and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes.
Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade. Grill or broil chicken, turning once and brushing frequently with remaining 1/4 cup Dressing, 20 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Spoon Sauce over hot farfalle and top with sliced chicken. Garnish, if desired, with additional parsley.

Now that the weather is getting warmer, nothing is better than grilling. These shrimp are awesome! Get the barbeque season off on the right foot! Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients
1 pound uncooked extra large fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano leaves (optional)
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 (24 ounce) jar Bertolli® Tomato and Basil Sauce, heated
1 (16 ounce) box farfalle or penne pasta, cooked and drained

Directions
To butterfly shrimp, slice down back of shrimp with small sharp knife, almost completely through. Spread and flatten to form butterfly shape.
Combine olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, basil, parsley, oregano and red pepper flakes in shallow bowl. Add shrimp; toss to coat. Cover and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes.
Remove shrimp from marinade, discarding marinade. Grill or broil shrimp, turning once, until shrimp turn pink. Spoon sauce over hot farfalle and top with shrimp. Garnish, if desired, with additional parsley.

This marinade makes your chicken have the texture of lobster. Dipping it in melted butter as you eat it only adds to the illusion. It's a great alternative to an expensive seafood meal. Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 cup pineapple juice
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Directions
In a saucepan, combine the soy sauce, oil, garlic salt, pepper, brown sugar, mustard powder, ginger and pineapple juice. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil for about 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. When cooled, place the chicken into a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over it. Press out as much air as you can, seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to marinate.
Preheat a grill for medium-low heat. When hot, lightly oil the grate.
Place the chicken on the grill and discard the marinade. Cook until chicken juices run clear, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn as needed to keep the chicken from burning.

For this recipe, I actually didn't marinate the roast, I made it in the crock pot instead. When it was finished, it was so tender that every time I tried to take it out of the pot, it fell apart. Yum! Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients
2 1/2 pounds pork roast
3 cloves garlic, sliced
2 1/2 cups white wine
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
3 onions, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions
Make slits in the roast and insert garlic slices. Combine in a large plastic bag: wine, lemon juice, olive oil, onions, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper. Add roast and marinate overnight in refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove meat from marinade and roast until meat is no longer pink inside and thermometer reads 160 to 170 degrees F (71 to 77 degrees C).

These are fantastic! Such a simple marinade but it packs a ton a flavor. If you're not a year round griller like we are, these can be made under the broiler as well. Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 (4 ounce) boneless pork loin chops

Directions
In a large resealable bag, combine lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt, oregano, and pepper. Place chops in bag, seal, and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight. Turn bag frequently to distribute marinade.
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Remove chops from bag, and transfer remaining marinade to a saucepan. Bring marinade to a boil, remove from heat, and set aside.
Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill pork chops for 5 to 7 minutes per side, basting frequently with boiled marinade, until done.

This is great, easy chicken dish to make on the grill. It comes out really juicy and full of flavor. Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup fresh rosemary
3 cloves garlic
1 lemon, zested
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
6 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
In a food processor, thoroughly blend together the butter, rosemary, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Pour 1/3 of blended mixture into a small bowl for marinade. Cover remaining mixture, and set aside.
Lightly season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Rub chicken breasts with the marinade mixture. Place chicken breasts on a platter, cover, and refrigerate 3 hours.
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate. Pour half of the reserved rosemary and lemon mixture into a bowl for basting. Cover remaining mixture, and set aside for topping cooked chicken.
Grill chicken breasts 4 minutes on each side, basting with rosemary and lemon basting mixture. Remove chicken breasts from grill, and top with small scoops of the remaining topping mixture.

To be honest, I really wasn't sure if I would like these. But, seriously, they were AWESOME! So much flavor and because the chicken marinated with the pineapple, the acidity made the chicken so tender it was almost falling apart. LOVE these! Makes 8 servings.

INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons sherry
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 2 inch pieces
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
skewers

DIRECTIONS
In a shallow glass dish, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder. Stir the chicken pieces and pineapple into the marinade until well coated. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken and pineapple alternately onto skewers. Grill 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, or until chicken juices run clear.

It doesn't get any simpler than this recipe. These are so easy to make, and they are still so juicy and full of flavor. Perfect for a weeknight meal. Makes 4 servings.

INGREDIENTS
4 pork chops, about 3/4-inch thick
3/4 cup Italian dressing*
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

DIRECTIONS
Place all ingredients in a self-sealing bag; seal bag and place in refrigerator for at least 20 minutes (or as long as overnight).
Remove chops from bag, discarding marinade, and grill over a medium-hot fire, turning once, until just done, about 8 to 11 minutes total cooking time.

* Or use a reduced-fat Italian dressing.

This is a great marinade with subtle flavor that is not overpowering. It makes the meat really tender too. Makes 6 servings.

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds flank steak

DIRECTIONS
In a blender, combine the soy sauce, honey, vinegar, ginger, garlic powder, and vegetable oil.
Lay steak in a shallow glass or ceramic dish. Pierce both sides of the steak with a sharp fork. Pour marinade over steak, then turn and coat the other side. Cover, and refrigerate 8 hours, or overnight.
Preheat grill for high heat.
Place grate on highest level, and brush lightly with oil. Place steaks on the grill, and discard marinade. Grill steak for 10 minutes, turning once, or to desired doneness.

These are super simple to make and are delicious. They're quick and easy which makes them perfect for a weeknight meal. Serve them as your entree or cut them up and put them in a salad! Makes 4 servings.

INGREDIENTS
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast meat
1/2 cup Italian-style salad dressing
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons honey

DIRECTIONS
Slice chicken into thin strips. In a small bowl mix together the dressing, lime juice and honey. Place chicken strips in a 9x13 inch baking dish and pour mixture over chicken, covering all. Cover dish and refrigerate to marinate for 1 hour.
Remove chicken from marinade, discarding any remaining marinade. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and saute chicken strips until lightly browned and cooked through (juices run clear), 12 to 15 minutes.

A simple marinade with unexpected ingredients makes for some yummy chicken. I made mine without the sesame seeds. Makes 4 servings.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
garlic salt to taste
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 (8 ounce) package fresh chopped mushrooms
2 onions, quartered
1 green bell pepper, cut into large chunks

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, blend vegetable oil, soy sauce, light corn syrup, lemon juice, sesame seeds, garlic powder, and garlic salt. Place chicken in the mixture. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours.
Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil grate. Thread chicken onto skewers alternately with mushrooms, onions, and green bell pepper. Pour marinade into a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes.
Place skewers on the prepared grill. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, turning frequently, until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear. Baste with the boiled marinade frequently during the last 10 minutes.