New Toy

I have a new toy and a confession....

My name is Jenny Saunders and I am addict.  

I am addicted to utensils, gadgets, gizmos and other fun unique appliances. Other than your usual electric mixer, blender and food processor....I own immersion blender, 2 crock pots, mini chopper, 2 waffle makers, George Forman 5 in 1, toaster oven, air popper, Chop Wizard, 12 pc. Genius Nicer Dicer, tortilla maker, Jack LeLann's Juiceman, Cotton Candy Maker, Sno-cone maker, S'more maker (so many more I can't remember what is in the drawer) and my latest acquisition....

Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker.  Found it on Amazon.com for only 16.99.  Don't know why they are $19-$33 now.  It came in a plain brown box not like the ones you see all pretty with their product on the outside.  Perhaps that is why.  It was sent in this box from HB for Amazon.  I guess the pretty pictured box cost $4-$16 depending on who you get it from.  I do make a lot of breakfast sandwiches for K-man.  Since I have received it last week I have made 5 sandwiches.  4 for K-man, one for me.  It's very petite and I really like it!!!

When you heat up the maker, you get out your needed items, english muffin, meat/sausage/bacon, cheese slice, egg/egg beaters, toothpick and non-stick spray.

When the green light come on you spray the surfaces with Pam.
1.  Place the bottom muffin on the lower area and on top of the muffin your meat of choice and cheese. 
2.  Lower the upper section and place your whole egg (pierce the egg yolk with toothpick), scrambled egg or egg beater product. Season as you like, top with remaining muffin and close maker. 
3.  In 4-5 minutes it's done.  Slide the hinged middle plate out to the for the egg to drop below to the bottom layer.
4.  Lift bottom ring to reveal your stacked Breakfast sandwich, remove with a non-metal turner.

The above pictured is our "snow day breakfast" of bacon with provolone and whole egg.  Last weekend, since I am doing Nutri System currently I made for lunch with Arnold Sandwich Thins (100 cal), Morningstar Farms Sausage (64 cal), slice FF cheese (31 cal), 1/4c egg beaters (30 cal) and Mrs. Dash.  Not too bad for 225 cal when most NS products are 250 cal.  You do have to trim away some of the bread since these "thins" are wider to get it to fit.  It was pretty good for a lower fat/calorie sandwich. 
You can also make these with deli meats and the cooked egg for a sandwich for lunch.
This little product does help in some areas when it comes to dishes.  No toaster or oven, no bowl or whisk (using the egg product), we always have cooked bacon that I bake on weekends to use during the week for K-man (you can use the pre-cooked bacon from the grocery or deli meat).  The rings totally lift out for easy cleaning, wipe off the cooking surfaces on the maker and ZING....all done.  My new addition to the family will fit nicely in my cabinet between the air popper and blender. 

HEY! Be proud that I did not purchase the breakfast sandwich maker cookbook that Amazon suggested I buy with this maker.  That is another addiction that I am trying to wean off of.....

This was not an assignment from any program or website, no company sent me this for free to endorse.  It was just me, JennyMac who found something new and fun and wanted to share it with you!

PLEASE! Feel free to comment and tell me the gadgets and gizmos you have like this or JUST ask me what other products I didn't list that I have or kicked to the curb.....I have no shame....


Sammich Anyone?

Kick'N Chicken with Mango Salsa

Ooooohhhh, you're gonna like today's post.

Our second recipe to make this month for Allrecipes.com Allstars was Sweet and Spicy Salmon with Grapefruit Salsa. Unfortunately since that recipe was not possible I opted for another recipe from Mazola® Corn Oil.  Aside from chicken being one of our favorite proteins but I really enjoy the "sweet and savory" combination.  This recipe rings some bells.

This recipe came at a good time.  Remember the big rain Los Angeles was having before the Oscars?  That same Monster storm swept across the US and pounded our eastern area with SNOW.  One the day it was supposed to hit...it started to drizzle and I cranked up the grill before the snow developed from the rain.  Best snow day ever GRILLIN'!

Kick'N Chicken with Mango Salsa 
from Allrecipes and Mazola®

4 (4 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons chicken seasoning

1/4 cup Mazola® Corn Oil

3 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice

Mango Pepper Salsa:

2 cups diced fresh mango

1 cup diced red bell pepper

3 tablespoons minced red onion

1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice

2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat grill to medium heat, or between 350 degrees to 450 degrees F.
2. Trim excess fat from chicken, rinse and pat dry. If necessary, pound chicken to 1/2-inch thickness. Place chicken into a 1-gallon size resealable plastic bag. Add seasoning, oil and lemon juice to the bag. Seal bag and turn to thoroughly coat chicken.
3. Grill chicken over direct high heat for 6 to 8 minutes. Turn chicken and continue to cook for 6 to 8 minutes until cooked through. Transfer to a serving plate.
4. Combine salsa ingredients in a bowl; stir and season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made up to 8 hours ahead and refrigerated until ready to serve.)
5. Top grilled chicken with mango salsa and serve immediately.


Cook's Notes:
1. I bought two regular organic breasts.  They were almost about 8 oz. apiece.  I sliced them in half horizontally. If you buy the breasts that are already sliced thinly keep in mind...they will cook QUICKLY.
2.  My husband prefers thighs and I cooked four breasts and several thighs.  I didn't follow the amount of the chicken seasoning because I spread out all the chicken and just seasoned away my favorite Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning.
3.  I used 3 mangoes, half red pepper and two thick slices of red onion, chopped.  I don't chop and measure things like fruit and veggies.  I don't want a 1/4 cup of anything leftover until I have a use for it.  This salsa provided enough for two dinners for two.

I am an Allrecipes Allstar brand ambassador (a voluntary position) and I'm not compensated for my work with Allrecipes.com.  Products received from the advertiser are only used for experienced-based reviews on Jenny Mac's LipSmack.  The reviews, content, and opinions expressed in this blog are purely the sole opinions of JennyMac.  To learn more about the Allrecipes Allstars program visit, Allrecipes Allstars.

#AllstarsMazola®

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Pork Carnitas with Cilantro Tomatillo Sauce

Tasty Time! 
Plus-  New Season of Fun with recipe exploration as a AllRecipes.com Ambassadors AllStar.
This month's Sponsor is with Mazola® Corn Oil 

I have never made carnitas before.  Eaten them plenty.  When I saw the recipe said "pork shoulder" I remember seeing it in the store but I recall making barbecue with either ribs or butt portions.  Our store did not have any out.  I asked for a pound and they were happy to oblige.  The cost of it was rather inexpensive too!
My husband and I are taking a new outlook on eating.  I am currently doing NutriSystem to get my health back on track and my husband (who is a very athletic cyclist) is enjoying eating more vegetables because there are more now in the house instead of breads and cookies and cakes.  Lucky for me my cholesterol level is under the radar but cooking more veggies with heart-healthy Mazola® Corn Oil can help.  Click here for more recipes using Mazola!

Pork Carnitas with Cilantro Tomatillo Sauce 
from Allrecipes

1 pound pork shoulder

2 tablespoons Mazola® Corn Oil

1/4 cup chopped onions

1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands® Garlic Powder

1 tablespoon Spice Islands® Chili Powder

1/4 teaspoon Spice Islands® Chipotle Chile Powder

2 tomatillos, finely chopped

1/2 cup finely chopped tomatoes

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

4 corn tortillas

1.  Cut pork into 1 inch cubes; season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large skillet or Dutch oven. Add pork, onions, garlic powder, chili powder and chipotle chile powder; saute 3 to 5 minutes to brown the meat.
2.  Add enough water to barely cover pork. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes. Remove lid and continue to simmer an additional 45 minutes or until liquid has evaporated.
3.  Combine chopped tomatillos, tomatoes and cilantro in a small bowl.
4. Place an equal amount of pork on each tortilla. Top with tomatillo salsa.


Cook's Notes:
1.  I found the pork shoulder was marbled with plenty of fat.  I think in the future I would  cut off some of the fat to reduce the fat rendering.  It was swimming in fat when it was done.
2.  I find a lot of people do not like the flavor of cilantro.  I admit, it took me a long time to appreciate it.  I suggest chopping the leaves finely and add a little bit to develop it's taste.  Making this without cilantro really would be a crime.  Cilantro adds a lot of flavor....ease your way into it.
3.  I personally added more onions and green peppers to AMP up the veggies content to make this more heart healthy.

I am an Allrecipes Allstar brand ambassador (a voluntary position) and I'm not compensated for my work with Allrecipes.com.  Products received from the advertiser are only used for experienced-based reviews on Jenny Mac's LipSmack.  The reviews, content, and opinions expressed in this blog are purely the sole opinions of JennyMac.  To learn more about the Allrecipes Allstars program visit, Allrecipes Allstars.
#AllstarsMazola

LipSmack this,