Taste Trek

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Cream Sauce and Cheesy Roasted Potatoes

Ingredients
For the Chicken Bites:
2 lbs chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup butter
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
For the Parmesan Cream Sauce:
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cheesy Roasted Potatoes:
4 medium potatoes, cubed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. Begin by heating butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper, then sauté them with minced garlic until they are golden brown and fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes. Transfer to a warm plate.
3. Using the same skillet, pour in the heavy cream and add in Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Allow this mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens, then season it with salt and pepper.
4. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
5. Take the cubed potatoes and toss them in a mixing bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper until well-coated.
6. Spread the seasoned potatoes onto a baking sheet and roast them in the oven for about 25-30 minutes until they are golden and crispy.
7. After 25-30 minutes, sprinkle the roasted potatoes with cheddar and Parmesan cheese, then return them to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is perfectly melted.
8. Drizzle the warm Parmesan cream sauce generously over the garlic butter chicken bites and garnish with fresh parsley.
9. Plate the chicken alongside a serving of cheesy roasted potatoes to complete the meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 4 servings

Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

Ingredients
2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1 apple, julienned or thinly sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey or sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. In a large bowl, combine the shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, shredded carrots, apple slices, and dried cranberries.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey (or sugar), salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to coat evenly.
4. Refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield 6 servings

Striped Candy Apples

Ingredients
4 medium-sized apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
4 wooden sticks
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
¼ cup water
Food coloring (red, blue, yellow)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt

Directions
1. Rinse and dry the apples thoroughly before inserting the wooden sticks into the tops.
2. In a saucepan, combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water, whisking until the sugar is fully dissolved.
3. Heat the mixture over medium heat to boiling, avoiding any stirring, and reach a temperature of 300°F (hard crack stage) using a candy thermometer.
4. Carefully remove the saucepan from heat, adding the vanilla extract and salt for flavor.
5. Divide the syrup evenly into three heatproof bowls, adding a unique food coloring to each and mixing well.
6. Dip each apple into the first syrup color until fully coated, allowing any excess to drip off, and place it aside to cool.
7. Once the first layer has set, dip the apple halfway into the second colored syrup to create stripes, then let it cool again.
8. Finally, dip just the top quarter of each apple into the third color and let them cool completely on parchment paper.
9. Arrange the completed striped candy apples on parchment paper to harden fully before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 candy apples

Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until smooth.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until combined.
6. Gently fold in the Rice Krispies and chocolate chips.
7. Scoop tablespoons of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.
9. Cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Yield About 24 cookies