Chicken Cakes

I've said several times in different posts, that I always have a roasted chicken in the refrigerator.  I can make so many things with leftover chicken.  And one of the things my family likes is chicken cakes.  They are a knock off of crab cakes.  So easy to make, and very inexpensive.  Let me show you how I make mine.

You will need:
2 1/2 cups of cooked chicken
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup tartar sauce
1 teas. dried parsley
1 teas. garlic powder
1 teas. paprika
1 teas. dried tarragon
1/4 teas. salt
1/4 teas. black pepper
2 dashes of your favorite hot sauce
1 egg
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
olive oil

Into a food processor, place your chicken, (after you have removed the skin and bones),  I like to break mine up into chunks.

Pulse a few times until chicken is crumbly.

Transfer chicken to a medium sized bowl and add:
bread crumbs, onions, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, tarragon, salt, pepper, hot sauce, and egg.

Mix well.

Form into palm sized patties, (I get about 6 patties)

Coat each patty with Panko bread crumbs on both sides.

Add about 1/4 cup of oil to a frying pan over medium heat and cook the chicken patties for 5 minutes, until nicely browned.

Flip over and cook on remaining side for another 5 minutes until nicely browned.

Removed to paper towels to drain, and continue cooking the rest of the patties.

And that quick, you have dinner ready.

You could even make these into smaller sizes if you have children at home who need smaller sized cakes.

These are so good, and in 10 minutes they are warmed and cooked through.

They make great sandwiches.  Just add some lettuce, mayo, tomatoes, a little mustard.  Served on a toasted bun.  Yummy !!

With a side salad and some vegetables, you have a complete meal.  My family like to add a little more tartar sauce on top of the patties when they eat them.

Next time you have some leftover chicken, give this recipe a try and surprise your family.

It's a quick, easy, and inexpensive meal.

Enjoy !!

Hearty Minestrone Soup

Autumn means cooler temperatures, the garden starting to wind down on production, and hearty meals to warm the tummy and the soul.  A hot bowl of soup is just the thing on a cool evening.  And with just a few items from the garden, you can quickly prepare a large pot of minestrone soup to feed the whole family.  And I'll show you how to make this soup with meat, or vegetarian.

You will need:
1 large, (or 2 medium) carrots, chopped
1 1/2 cups trimmed green beans, (fresh or canned)
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup red or green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup zucchini, chopped
1 teas. dried oregano
salt and pepper
1 teas. garlic powder
2 Tabs. olive oil
6 cups chicken broth
28 ounce can tomatoes
1 14 ounce can beans, (canneillini or kidney)
1 cup elbow pasta
Parmesan cheese

In a large pot, over medium heat, add the oil.
Add the chopped onions, celery, and pepper.  Cook until the onion is softened, (about 4 or 5 minutes).

Note: If you want a meat version of minestrone, now is the time to add ground meat, (hamburger, turkey, venison, your choice).

Make sure to season with salt and pepper well, (about 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper - to taste).

Once the onion is softened, add the chopped carrots, zucchini, and oregano.  Cook for another 5 minutes, (to start the carrots cooking).

Add the green beans.

Add tomatoes, I like to break up most of my tomatoes, as I add them to the soup.

Add chicken broth.  Make sure to taste, and if needed season again with salt and pepper.

Note: If you want a vegetarian version, you can use vegetable broth.

Bring the soup to a boil, lower the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Add the pasta.

 Drain and rinse the beans and add to the soup.  Stir well.

Today I only had chickpeas, so I used them, (any bean will work).

Return the heat to medium, and cook for another 10 minutes, until the pasta is done.

And you have soup.

Top with a generous portion of grated Parmesan cheese and serve.

Tonight we are have minestrone soup with grilled cheese sandwiches, (on homemade rosemary and Parmesan bread).  YUMMY.

So for just a few ingredients and a little time, you can have a large pot of soup, and feed a crowd.

Enjoy !