DIY Countertop Update

Hi Friends! I just wanted to write a little post today updating you on how my countertops are holding up!  Back in October I had this genius idea to cover my ugly blue formica countertops with contact paper! I looked into some options, and while I liked the carerra marble paper available on Amazon, the price was a little out of my budget for something I wasn't sure would work.  So, I found some really cheap paper at Walmart and decided to give it a try.  You can read all about how I cut, measured, and applied the paper here.  Here are a few photos that I took on my iphone this morning...

It's been about 6 months now since I tackled this project and I get asked all the time how it's holding up and if I still like it.  My answer: pretty well and yes!  For how much this project cost (about $10) I would say I definitely got my money's worth.  Overall it still looks pretty decent.  If you get up close, you can see some of the seams where the paper overlaps, and there are a few areas where the paper is actually peeling off a little, especially around the sink where there's a lot of water and near the corners.

But I still think this is one of my favorite projects I've done.  It cost so little to do and only took a few hours of work.  The overall results are really amazing and not seeing that blue every day makes me a happy gal!

I hope this answers your questions!  Feel free to leave me a comment if you have more!

Easy Sesame Chicken Dinner

Do you shop at a local Asian or International Market?  If you don't you might want to give it a try. We have a pretty big selection of Markets on the South Side of Sacramento, but not so many up in the area where we live.  However, there is a pretty large international market called KP that isn't too far away.  Especially on the weekend when there's no traffic.

Since the international market has a pretty good selection of traditional Asian foods, spices & sauces I headed over there yesterday to pick up a few things that I needed.  I ended up with a cart full of fresh produce, some egg roll wrappers and some de-boned chicken legs, and let me tell you, I would have easily spent twice as much if I'd bought the same things at Raley's.

I knew I wanted to make sesame chicken and the leg/thigh meat is so much more flavorful, and it was also really cheap!

I found this recipe on Pinterest and it worked pretty well.  I'd definitely try it again!

Ingredients for the Chicken

1 large egg
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken leg/thigh portions
2 Tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)

Ingredients for the Sauce
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp water
½ Tbsp toasted sesame oil
1½ Tbsp brown sugar
1½ Tbsp rice vinegar
1 inch fresh ginger, grated
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp cornstarch 

Instructions for the Chicken:
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg and 2 tbsp cornstarch.. Trim any excess fat from the chicken leg/thighs, then cut them into small 1 inch pieces. Toss the chicken in the egg and cornstarch mixture.
Heat a large skillet with 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil over very high heat. When the oil is very hot (it should look wavy on the surface), add the chicken and all of the egg mixture. Cook the chicken, stirring only occasionally, until it is golden brown and cooked through (about 7-10 minutes). Drain off the excess oil, if desired. (If you double this recipe you may want to brown the chicken in batches so it all gets golden brown instead of just steaming.)

Instructions for the Sauce:
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl stir together the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, minced garlic, cornstarch, and sesame seeds.
Once the chicken is cooked through and golden brown, pour the sauce over top. Toss the chicken to coat in the sauce. The sauce will begin to thicken as soon as it hits the hot skillet. Once the chicken is coated and the sauce thickened, turn off the heat.

Serve the chicken over a bed of rice and sprinkle the sliced green onions over top.

Ham & Swiss Sliders

I first noticed the trend in slider sandwiches on Hawiian rolls on Pinterest, and about a month ago I gave them a try.  The first version I made was with roast beef and provolone cheese (just as good!) and the butter sauce on top was the same as the one here.  Feel free to try out different meat/cheese combinations and let me know which is your favorite!

Ingredients:

1 pkg of hawaiian sweet dinner rolls
leftover ham thinly sliced (or thin sliced deli ham)
6 slices of swiss cheese
1/2 stick of butter, melted
1 tbs ppoppy seeds
1 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp seasoning salt

Instructions:

Remove the rolls from the package and slice completely in half with a serrated knife while still stuck together.  You should have one half with bottoms and one half with tops.  Add a layer of thinly sliced ham and a layer of cheese then top with another layer of ham.  Place the top on the rolls.  In an oven safe bowl melt butter for 30 seconds, then add worcestershire sauce and seasonings and stir well. Place the rolls in a baking dish lined with foil. Pour butter sauce over the top of the rolls and then cover with another piece of foil. Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes covered, then remove the foil and bake for 5 minutes uncovered.