Two by Two Chinese Chicken /Tofu and Jo from the Facts of Life???

Hi everyone and please click on the title of this post to read more. This blog is dedicated to Stacey-Happy Birthday! Today’s topic of discussion is not giving up, even though we are getting older. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately because of an email I got from a college friend who saw my blog. She told me that her issue with cooking is that she never really did it and a theme throughout her life has been procrastination. Now that she’s getting older , she wants to put an end to that limitation and really pursue cooking .

I was glad to hear that, as she is a very creative person concerned about her health. I know that she just needs to pick herself up and jumpstart herself , much like Jo from the Facts of Life.

Huh? Jo from the Facts of Life in the eighties? Let me explain; As you know, we watch a lot of T.V. in my house. I’m not proud of it, but there is just so much I can do to keep all my kids contained and safe. This past week, we’ve been watching even more TV, I am sad to say, because we have had a lot of illness, rendering us all housebound.

During this week of stomach bugs, etc. my eight year old turned me on to her new favorite show “Sonny with a Chance” on the Disney Channel. It is about a young teen who goes to Hollywood from Wisconsin to become a TV star. Well, imagine my surprise when I saw that the lead girl’s mother was played by Nancy McKeon , the tough, motorcycle riding, father in jail, mullet wearing new girl at the private boarding school on the Facts Of Life!

I felt less sad about how old I am, seeing her play this middle aged character, than happy for her that she has been trudging along all these years after that hit eighties show and now is on a hip, new Disney show. Good for her! And, might I add, she looks fabulous.

All to say, people, it is never too late to return to being the talented, creative person we were, never were or have always aspired to be. Check her out on the old show below and even some wikipedia info on her. Oh, and also check out my Tofu/chicken dish that allowed me to be the Chinese Chef chef that has been living inside me, waiting to come out:

http://www.videodouble.com/video/the-facts-of-life-intro-1083745/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_McKeon

Two by Two Chinese Chicken or Tofu:(I gave it this cutesy name because most of the ingredients are in twos which makes it easier to remember if you can’t find the recipe-aren’t I clever?)

2 large chicken breasts, thinly sliced in bite sized pieces or 2 Lbs firm tofu cut into one inch chunks
2 small onions sliced into thin rings
2-3 cups chopped green peppers
2 minced garlic cloves
1/2 jalapeno pepper, minced with or without seeds (optional)

sauce:
2 TBS organic ketchup
2 TBS hoisin sauce (from any Asian Food Store, most supermarkets in the Asian section and Whole Foods)
2 TBS Orange juice
(I double or triple this amount to have extra and i suggest you do too)
2 TBS chopped peanuts

1-2 TBS canola oil for frying

In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients and set aside.

Heat large, heavy skillet over med. flame. Add canola oil. When it is hot, add garlic and stir for a minute or so. Add onions and jalapenos if using them and cook for a few minutes until onions are translucent. Add green peppers, cook a few minutes, add chicken and cook and stir until chicken is cooked through. Add sauce, coat chicken and vegetables , heat through and serve with rice, top with peanuts. Enjoy! P.S. you can save the sauce in the fridge for at least a week or two in an airtight tupperware. P.P.S. Check me out discussing my coffee tragedy on www.drinking coffeeallthetime.com

http://www.youtube.com/get_player