Am I living in Texas? (& a recipe)

This morning was freakishly warm here in the North East.. It was in the 50's on my way to work this morning and rainy... It reminded me of when I lived in Texas -- that is often how the 'winters' felt there.

Now let me clearly state I am not complaining.. I am not a fan of snow -- but I guess although I may not 'like' it, I have become accustomed to it, being I am from the north -- it happens every year or most every year whether I like it not... it comes with each season -- it is part of it.

Much like seasons of life -- you may not like certain parts but it comes with it, you grow use to it accompanying certain things -- it creates the season. It is the season.

It doesn't feel like winter. If it's not going to feel like winter or BE winter. 
I want summer !!! 

That being said I am getting down from my soap/rant box. :o) 

My real reason for writing today is to share a recipe I had a request or two for.. Yesterday Trevor and I decorated for Christmas -- I made him listen (he was quite willing) to my spotify Christmas list.. for the most part he liked the list I created for him and our Christmas decorating festivities. 

 Christmas 2012

 our living room all done up

We decorated for awhile got mostly everything done just in time for Trevor to watch the steelers game... oh did I ever mentioned I married a very big steelers fan (not to mention his family...) they live and breath black and gold... for someone like myself not growing up in quite the same culture, it's interesting. At least I played sports all through middle school and high school so I get sports.. I suppose some of it has worn off on me as well. 

So while he watched the game I made us egg rolls for dinner (& leftovers). He even helped -- he brought the laptop out to the kitchen and between every couple plays he helped me get stuff ready. He's a keeper.

These are one our favorite things to freeze and reheat.. they are so filling and tasty. This is the original recipe but naturally I've made changes.. Are you surprised?

More Awesome Egg Rolls 
 
Ingredients 

1.5 cups broccoli slaw (usually I use a package)
**note: this original recipe calls for cabbage but we find we like the broccoli slaw better it gives it a little more texture and flavor plus its pretty nutritious!)

1 carrot, shredded 
 
1/4 cup finely diced onion 

1 celery stalk, diced 

1 can of water chestnuts, diced 
**(optional if you have them on hand)  

1 cup diced chicken (you can use shrimp, pork or just go meatless if you'd like) 

2 tablespoons soy sauce 
** (we use tamari you can use amino acids I'm sure as well)  

1/8 garlic powder 

1/8 ground ginger 

black pepper to taste 

1 egg, beaten

cornstarch 

20 egg roll wrappers 

Oil for frying (I use a olive oil & veg. oil mixture)

Directions

Step 1 
In a large bowl, mix together broccoli slaw, carrots, celery, and onion. Stir in chicken, soy sauce, garlic powder, ginger and black pepper.
Pour beaten egg into a skillet placed over medium heat; scramble egg ensuring its finely crumbled. Stir egg into cabbage mixture. Sprinkle top with cornstarch, mix, and allow to sit 10 minutes.

Step 2 
Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. Set aside.

Place 2 or 3 tablespoons (I use a cookie scoop) of the chicken/slaw mixture into the center of an egg roll skin. Place square egg roll wrapper with the tips pointing up, roll the bottom corner half way up and make egg roll wrapper like a tube tuck the left and right side of the wrapper on top of the tube and continue to roll. Dip a finger into the water and cornstarch mixture and take the top corner that you just put the cornstarch mixture on and seal the tube with. (this may not make any sense, it doesn't really matter how to wrap just as long it is wrapped and there aren't any tears - otherwise you may have some leakage when you go to fry.) -- bad news bears. 
Step 3
Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan to a depth of 3 or 4 inches, and heat oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). I fry mine in my cast iron pan - I find that warming the pan up on high for a few minutes with the oil and then turning it down the medium is about the right heat. Sprinkle some water on the oil if it sizzles you're in business! Carefully place egg rolls into hot oil, and fry until golden brown. It takes about 3 - 4 minutes per batch. This process is fairly quick so don't walk away, these need to be attended to. Remove and place on paper towels  these suckers need some grease sucked out of them-- I put them in the oven on warm to keep them hot. 


Soooo hopefully this wasn't all too confusing -- it may look a bit overwhelming but once you make these once they are SO easy! If you have questions leave a comment, e-mail me, fb me -- I'm here. 

Happy Cooking!!