I spaced. Call it age, call it stress, call it not paying attention, call it being too busy….
I freaked out.
In September when I was reading a favorite blog, I saw that she was posting a Secret Recipe Club post for Group C and I freaked.
Literally.
Some inappropriate language may have come out of my mouth.
I immediately went back through my email and sent a frantic message to Debbi, Group C’s host, confessing that I had probably left someone an orphan. She kindly responded back that I had failed to sign up for September (and as it were, for November as well).
Thankfully I did not leave anyone an orphan. I had just forgotten to sign up.
What the heck!?!?!?
I am beginning to worry about myself.
Anywhoo, at least I made it for the October post. And, ironically enough, I got Debbi Does Dinner Healthy, Debbi’s own blog, for October. There I found two recipes that made up a casual weeknight dinner.
Thanks, Debbi. (Do you think she’s trying to keep tabs on me? 🙂 )
Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
based on Spicy Chicken Filet Sandwiches (Wendy’s) from Debbi Does Dinner Healthy1/3 c. hot sauce (I used some more of that great Carrot Karma.)
2/3 c. water
1 c. flour
2 1/2 t. fine sea salt
2 t. cayenne pepper
1 t. fresh ground black pepper
1 t. onion powder
1/2 t. sweet paprika
1/8 t. garlic powder
4 chicken breasts (pounded thin)
Canola oil (for frying)
4 Kaiser rolls
bleu cheese crumbles
mayonnaise
garnishes: lettuce, tomatoes, red onions (optional)Combine hot sauce and water in a dredging bowl (a large shallow bowl).
Whisk the flour, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder in another dredging bowl.
Coat each piece of chicken in flour mixture, dredge in diluted hot sauce and then coat in the flour mixture again.
Heat oil in a large deep skillet. Cook each piece about 3-4 minutes per side or until done and a deep mahogany brown.
Serve on rolls, slathered with mayo and topped with bleu cheese crumbles. Top with other desired garnishes.
For a side dish, I adapted Debbi’s Parmesan Potato Puffs, but instead of frying these little beauties, I baked them.
Baked Parmesan Potato Puffs
based on Parmesan Potato Puffs from Debbi Does Dinner Healthy2 lbs. Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about two large baking potatoes)
1 T. butter
1 farm fresh egg, beaten
1/3 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. all-purpose flour (I used gluten free)
1/2 t. sweet or smoked paprika
1/4 t. onion powder
1/8 t. garlic powder
coarse sea salt
fresh ground pepperPlace potatoes in a large pan and cover with water, set over high heat and bring to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer until they are fork tender.
Drain potatoes and put them back in the pan, set it over the low heat, and cook for a minute or two to dry up any excess water.
Mash them with a potato masher. Add butter and combine until butter is melted and mixed in well. Let mixture cool a bit to room temperature.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Stir in the egg, Parmesan, flour, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder. Season well with salt and pepper.
The paprika gives these a orange hue, almost making these look like sweet potato puffs.
Using a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, make 1 1/2 to 2-inch sized portions. Place on a silicon pad or parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
These little gems are delicious. They would be perfect on a holiday buffet and they are good piping hot, at room temperature, or even cold. We had the leftovers the next night and I didn’t even bother warming them up. (I would love to adapt this recipe further using sweet potatoes, Parm, and rosemary.)
Debbi, both of these recipes are keepers at EE. The Hubs loved the sandwiches and he prides himself in being a Buffalo Chicken aficionado.
Group C is skipping December because we are all super busy bloggers, so hopefully I will see you all again in January.
That is…if I remembered to sign up….
I hope every month that I’ll be matched to either you or Debbi. I’m losing hope that I’ll ever get you guys before I quit SRC!! Jealous you got her. I’ve actually saved a couple recipes to make when I get assigned to her somewhere over the rainbow. The sandwich and puffs sound so incredible – so cool you made an entire meal with recipes from her blog. You totally made up for being a space cadet for two months. haha! I would SO freak out too if I thought I turned someone into an orphan – coulda been worse!
I still feel like a space cadet! I am assuming you are the kind soul who added me to the link up as I didn’t even have time to check until about 10:00. Thanks, Veronica.
I kind of did the same thing, but with meeting Sophie for lunch. I saw what time it was an panicked because I was late. So, I rushed over, just having that lead ball of dread in the pit of my stomach the whole way, only to find out that I was off by an hour and she was still in class. It’s a ‘phew’ moment, but then you feel downright silly. 🙂
I did something similar my second year of teaching. I shared a room with one of the coaches and I was rushing around like mad during homecoming and busted into his room the wrong hour and started bossing around kids. I was so embarrassed when I realized the coach was sitting at the desk. Doh!
Yup, I’ve done it too. I missed one month due to vacation and then got busy and failed to sign up for the next month of SRC and got kicked out! Applied to get back in, but haven’t heard. I’m wondering if I did something else to fall out of grace. Anyway, those parmesan potato puffs have got to be on my table soon. Love that idea.
I hope you get back in. Did you respond to the invitation from Kate?
That’s really hearty and delicious sandwich! That buffalo chicken looks particularly juicy and delicious.
Thank you very much, Angie.
Yowza! Both recipes look amazing!!!! Excellent choices. (I would like them both for breakfast right now…. please.) Glad you’re back for October.
http://makingmemorieswithyourkids.com
Those potato puffs would be great for a breakfast buffet!
So glad the parmesan puffs worked well with baking! I’m going to have to try that!
We’re both losing it when it comes to SRC. Last Friday afternoon, I panicked and for some reason thought it was Monday and I had forgotten to go through all the posts for SRC. How could I mistake Friday for Monday? *smacks hand against head*.
Oh, no! I would be so freaked out if I thought a Friday was a Monday. Whew!
Thanks for the great recipes, Debbi.
We are glad to have you here, for October at least 🙂
See you all again in January! 🙂
That chicken looks so tasty! I love buffalo chicken anything but when paired with those lovely little potato puffs……….YUM!! I’m thinking this may be the new way I make potatoes for Thanksgiving this year. They would be so darn easy but so elegant looking!
I like the way you think!
I practically drooled on my keyboard… these both sound delicious!
Be careful and wipe up that keyboard.
Those potato puffs and that chicken sandwich both look wonderful. Such a great SRC post (especially since I have a lot of potatoes I need to use)
I will definitely make these again and again.
This looks really delicious!! Great post 🙂 This month was my first SRC and I was assigned to your lovely blog, here’s the post http://picnicnz.blogspot.com.ar/2014/10/chinese-five-spice-chicken-noodle-soup.html
Thanks for perusing through EE!
Oh those potato puffs are calling my name… loudly… insisting they hit the menu soon!
They can be a bit of a pest! 🙂
I did the same thing when I was in the SRC. I felt terrible. This dinner would have helped me feel better. It looks wonderful, love the combination. Such a nice change from burgers and fries!
Luckily I didn’t leave anyone hanging…yet…..
The sandwich looks great—I love chicken sandwiches with a little snap. It’s the cheese puffs that had been
grabbing for the pin button. Sorry about your memory loss—Ha!
Thanks, Carol. It seems to be happening more and more often!
So glad you made it back for this month’s challenge! I am always forgetting things too and am just anticipating the day I forget to post and leave someone an orphan 🙁 Glad to have you back, and these Parmesan Potato Puffs sound delightful!
Thanks, Desi. Hope you aren’t as forgetful as I am.
Looks like you made up for missing a month by doing a double recipe post. Spicy chicken and Parmesan puffs you know your pulling on my heart strings, right?
This dish is heart string worthy!
I really like the idea of these! I make Parmesan puffs using a flour dough, but not potato-based ones. Lovely idea! Thanks.
Thanks. These are truly lovely.
What a great dinner. I HAVE to try those puffs. And so glad they are baked and not fried.
I have done that with SRC! Thankfully, I had not signed up for the month I thought I forgot!!
I hope you do try them soon, Margaret. I think I have some sweet potatoes to dig in the garden and I really want to try a baked puff with them. (I think since SRC went to the 2-month signup, it has thrown me off.)
Eliot- I dont’ know which I fancy more, that sammie or those puffs! My ideal lunch would include both. TGIF!
TGIF, indeed!!!!!!! I need to definitely make this again and add it to our rotating meal cycle!
Buffalo chicken ANYTHING is my husband’s favorite, so I’m definitely going to be trying these sandwiches. How yummy!
Thanks for stopping by, Ashley.