Wayfinder's Galley

30 Minutes or Less

Air Fryer Wild Turkey Poppers

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These 5-ingredient air fryer turkey poppers are a great appetizer that can be ready in under 30 minutes!

These 5-ingredient air fryer turkey poppers are a great appetizer that can be ready in under 30 minutes!

That’s right!! No rising flames due to grease and no rotating required.  Simply wrap these up and pop them in the air fryer and out comes crispy, perfectly cooked wild turkey poppers! These are great as appetizers for cook outs and parties or you can eat them as a meal.  Here’s a bit of personal advice. If your wife is talking and taking forever to finish her food, that does not mean that she’s finished.  Do not eat the last popper that’s been sitting on her plate, no matter how long its been! These are delicious but resist all temptation. It’s been years, and every time I make poppers I hear about it. 😂

Ingredients for Wild Turkey Poppers

  • Bacon
  • Wild Turkey Breast
  • Cream Cheese
  • Pepperoncini Peppers (sliced)

These 5-ingredient air fryer turkey poppers are a great appetizer that can be prepped and ready in under 30 minutes!

How to Make Air Fryer Wild Turkey Poppers

  • Cut wild turkey breast into strips. This is personal preference but 3×2 inch cuts make a good 1-2 bite size appetizer.
  • Tenderize the strips
  • Place the cream cheese and slice peppers into the center and roll tight.
  • Wrap in bacon and secure with a toothpick.

How Long to Cook Wild Turkey Poppers

I’ve cooked these in a handful of different air fryers and on multiple grills (gas, coal/wood, pellet) the time is different on every single one.  With my air fryer, I set it to 360 degrees and cook for 16-18 minutes.  As a general rule, when the bacon is done, the poppers are ready.  I’ve never used this method and had poppers with crispy bacon but undercooked meat on the inside.

These 5-ingredient air fryer turkey poppers are a great appetizer that can be prepped and ready in under 30 minutes!

I wrap one half around the stuffed turkey strip, turn the strip and wrap the other half piece of bacon around that, making an “X” to enclose the popper before securing with a toothpick.

Tips for Making the Best Turkey Poppers

Tenderize the wild turkey strips.  This can easily be done with a meat tenderizer hammer and makes the entire process, from rolling to eating, much easier. 

Consider using whipped cream cheese.  Regular cream cheese works great and makes delicious poppers.  I just prefer the texture of whipped cream cheese.  That’s pretty much my only reason, ha! Either are great so see what you think!

Roll and wrap the poppers tight but not so tight that you squeeze everything out.  This will keep everything together throughout cooking and give you a clean cohesive bite from your popper versus unraveling all over you as you eat.

Half the Bacon.  I often cut the bacon strips in half.  Then I wrap one half around the stuffed turkey strip, turn the strip and wrap the other half piece of bacon around that, making an “X” to enclose the popper before securing with a toothpick.  Admittedly, the success of this depends on your package of bacon but this method helps the bacon cook better.  When you spiral wrap, sometimes you end up with undercooked bacon between the crispy outside and the stuffed turkey inside.

Use an air fryer! That should go without saying since these are Air Fryer Wild Turkey Poppers but I felt the need to reiterate. I’ve got some self-proclaimed grill master friends and we’ve all agreed that this route is just as good, if not better! You can simply place them in the air fryer and close.  No worries of the flame jumping up due to grease drip, no rotating, just an easy way for delicious turkey poppers.

Other Turkey Recipes:

Turkey, Bacon and Avocado Taquitos 

Baked Turkey Taquitos

Fried Turkey Nuggets

Turkey Meatloaf 

Other Air Fryer Recipes:

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Air Fryer Wings 

Air Fryer Wild Turkey Poppers

These 5-ingredient air fryer turkey poppers are a great appetizer that can be ready in under 30 minutes!

These 5-ingredient air fryer turkey poppers are a great
appetizer that can be prepped and ready in under 30 minutes!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lbs Bacon
  • 1 Wild Turkey Breast
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese
  • 2-3 oz Pepperoncini Pepper (Sliced)
  • BBQ sauce

Instructions

  1. Make sure you have toothpicks.
  2. Cut wild turkey breast into strips.  This is personal preference but 3x2 inch cuts make a
    good 1-2 bite size appetizer.
  3. Tenderize each side of the turkey strips with a meat tenderizer hammer.
  4. Place the cream cheese (1 tbsp) and sliced peppers (1 tsp) into the center of the tenderized strip and fold the turkey strip over, placing one end over the other. Make sure it is tight, but don't press the filling out.
  5. Wrap the bacon around the turkey and secure with a toothpick.
  6. Set the heat on the air fryer to 360 degrees and let the poppers cook for 16-18 minutes or until done.
  7. Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce during the last couple minutes of cooking.



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© Cody
Cuisine: Turkey / Category: 30 Minutes or Less

Quinoa and Black Bean Bowl

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This savory Quinoa and Black Bean Bowl is simple, tasty, healthy, vegan, and gluten-free.  

This savory Quinoa and Black Bean Bowl is simple, tasty, healthy, vegan, and gluten-free.  

To be honest, I discovered this meal by complete accident.  We had quinoa in the fridge for the Healthy Quinoa Breakfast Bowl and some black beans from the previous night’s jerk chicken.  I needed a quick lunch, so I grabbed an avocado from the counter and combined the three.  I was shocked at how good it was, especially considering the absence of meat! To make it even better, it was super easy to make and nutritionally solid.

Handling the Avocado

The key to keeping the avocado in chunks and not smashing to the resemblance of baby food is simple.  Make the cuts before removing the green flesh from the skin. Using a pairing knife, half the avocado, remove the pit, and make both horizontal and vertical cuts on each halve.  Then, simply scoop the perfectly cut chunks out of the skin with a spoon. 

Other Ingredient Tips 

It is 100% possible to make this dish “organic”, if you choose.  When cooking the black beans, I typically add a teaspoon or so of Flavorgod Everything to help develop flavor.  The recipe calls for red quinoa.  Regular quinoa works just as well, but I use red because it has a more nutty taste that adds depth to the dish.  The choice is yours. Enjoy!

Quinoa and Black Bean Bowl

This savory Quinoa and Black Bean Bowl is simple, tasty, healthy, vegan, and gluten-free.  

Ingredients

  • 1 can black beans
  • 1 cup red quinoa
  • 1/4 red onion
  • 1/2 Jalapeno
  • 1 avocado
  • season to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low and cover for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally. A fork works great to break up the quinoa, or "fluff" it.
  3. While the quinoa is cooking, place the beans and diced vegetables in a small pot/saucepan and bring to a boil. Season to taste. Reduce heat to low and let beans simmer until quinoa is fully cooked.
  4. Halve, pit, and dice the avocado.
  5. In a bowl, layer the quinoa, avocado, and beans (in that order) and serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 314Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 554mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 16gSugar: 2gProtein: 13g
© Cody
Category: 30 Minutes or Less

 

Healthy Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

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This healthy and filling Breakfast Bowl with quinoa, eggs, and fresh fruits and veggies is a great meal to start the day. 

This healthy and filling Breakfast Bowl with quinoa, eggs, and fresh fruits and veggies is a great meal to start the day. 

Over the past year, I have cleaned up my diet for various reasons but nearly all of them could be categorized under “improved overall health”.  Earlier this year, I committed to a diet that spanned over a period of weeks, with the most strict portion lasting for approximately one week.  During the peak of the diet, I abstained from salt, refined sugar, alcohol, red meat, pork, animal fats, saturated oils, and hot spices.  This was no easy task, trust me, but the results were shocking!  

Forty-eight hours in, I started to exhibit some pretty significant detox symptoms that had me feeling rough.  What had I been “fueling” my body with!? Once I broke through the withdrawal barrier, I began to notice something.  I felt great!! Not just physically, but mentally, too. Almost as if I had been given a shot of youth. I felt more springy and upbeat.  Discussions with some friends that had undergone the same dietary rigors, led to the topic of our “second brain” and the relationship between digestion and mental health.  If you are unaware of this connection, I encourage you to look into it.  

I have yet to return to my previous dieting habits but my love for food may never allow me to completely omit certain items.  So I maintain a rather healthy diet with minimal unnecessary additives and splurge when my crave meter gets into the red.  I still feel great and my splurge meals are just that much more enjoyable.

Quick, Easy, Healthy

Now, this meal can be prepared fresh in about twenty minutes if you chop the fruit and vegetables and cook your eggs while the quinoa is simmering.  However, if you prepare the quinoa ahead of time (let’s say Sunday evening), then you can reduce the cook time to the 4-6 minute range depending on how you like your eggs.  My wife and I do this pretty much every week.  Reheat the quinoa, chop the fruit/veggies while the eggs are frying, and we’re at the table in no time.  Eggs, quinoa, lime, and avocado are the staples but we often add tomatoes, too.  Occasionally, I’ll toss in some onion or jalapeno slices to shake things up a bit. What will you add?

Healthy Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

This healthy and filling Breakfast Bowl with quinoa, eggs, and fresh fruits and veggies is a great meal to start the day. 
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1/2 lime
  • Optional:
  • Jalapeno (diced)
  • onion (diced)
  • tomato (diced)
  • salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring the water and quinoa to a boil. Then, reduce heat and cover. Simmer for approximately 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. (Remember, making the quinoa prior and reheating will reduce your time significantly).
  2. While the quinoa is cooking, place a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the eggs to your likeness. We stay somewhere between over-easy and over-medium for this recipe.
  3. Slice the lime into wedges. Halve and pit the avocado. While still in the skin, make your preferred size of vertical slices. Once you've sliced the avocado, run a spoon between the flesh and skin to remove the edible part.
  4. Place the eggs and avocado over the quinoa, squeeze your lime wedges over the top, and enjoy!
  5. Optional: We add fresh diced tomatoes pretty regularly and, occasionally, jalapenos and onions. If you choose to do the same, I recommend squirting some extra lime over the fruits/veggies before you add them to the mix.

Notes

Want a little salt & pepper? Check out Flavorgod Himalayan Salt & Pink Peppercorn.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 339Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 372mgSodium: 152mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 6gSugar: 2gProtein: 18g
© Cody

Fried Apples

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These quick and easy fried cinnamon apples are a staple that can be enjoyed with oatmeal, on a burger, in a burrito, or as a stand alone side.

These quick and easy fried cinnamon apples are a staple that can be enjoyed with oatmeal, on a burger, in a burrito, or a as stand alone side.

Fried apples are delicious as a side or dessert,

These quick and easy fried cinnamon apples are a staple that can be enjoyed with oatmeal, on a burger, in a burrito, or a as stand alone side.

or mixed in oatmeal for breakfast,

The Funky Java burger is stacked with bleu cheese, cinnamon apples, caramelized red onions, and espresso rub to create an explosion of flavor!

and even on a burger!

Fried Apples

These quick and easy fried cinnamon apples are a staple that can be enjoyed with oatmeal, on a burger, in a burrito, or a as stand alone side.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 granny smith apples (sliced or chopped)
  • 4 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 tbsp water

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan or skillet (with lid) over medium heat.
  2. Core and slice/chop the apples. Mix the cinnamon and sugar well. Liberally cover the apples and place them in the skillet. Add water, stir well, and cover.
  3. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the apples are soft and golden brown. Give them a good stir halfway through.
© Cody

Peanut Butter & Banana Pita (aka The Elvis Pita)

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This deliciously molten Peanut Butter & Banana Pita with chocolate is the perfect combination of sweet and salty and can be made in under ten minutes!! 

This deliciously molten Peanut Butter & Banana Pita with chocolate is the perfect combination of sweet and salty and can be made in under ten minutes!! 

This is one of our favorite late night fixes. Quick, easy, and tasty, what’s not to like!? Don’t be surprised if some funky dance moves emerge in the kitchen while it’s being made, either.  Rumor is, some of “The King’s” dance moves were inspired by his late night tips with his iconic pb & banana twist!

 

Grab a napkin on the way out for what the finger licking can’t clean up!

Peanut Butter & Banana Pita (aka The Elvis Pita)

Peanut Butter & Banana Pita (aka The Elvis Pita)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 slice Joseph's whole wheat pita
  • 1 tsp salted butter
  • 1/2 banana, sliced
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips
  • (Optional: 1/2 slice of freshly cooked bacon, crumbled)

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Spread the peanut butter over the pita. We use Joseph's Flax Oat Bran and Whole Wheat pitas. Slice the banana to your desired thickness and cover 1/2 of the pita. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the bananas. (If you choose to add bacon, add it now.) Close the pita, folding it in half (like a taco).
  3. Place the stuffed pita into the butter coated skillet. Heat each side until slightly golden (1-2 minutes).
  4. Let it cool for a minute and enjoy!!

Notes

If you choose to add bacon, I recommend cooking it before you begin step 1.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
© Cody
Category: 30 Minutes or Less

Mediterranean Chicken Sandwich

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Fast and filling, these Mediterranean Chicken Sandwiches are full of flavor!

 

Fast and filling, these Mediterranean Chicken Sandwiches are full of flavor!

 

We love these things!! I like using naan bread, but pitas and other flatbreads work as well. You know how, when cooking things like this (or omelette or over sized quesadilla), flipping it causes a disastrous come apart? Yea? Forget about that! With this cast iron skillet method that I got from Guy’s Big Bite, you’ll have perfectly pressed sandwiches.  I prefer this method to a panini press any day, hands down. 

Mediterranean Chicken Sandwich

Fast and filling, these Mediterranean Chicken Sandwiches are full of flavor!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 pieces of naan bread
  • 1 lbs chicken tenders
  • Cavender's seasoning
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 4 tbsp feta cheese
  • 2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup fresh spinach, chopped
  • 4 tbsp peperoncini peppers
  • Also required: 2 different size cast iron skillets (large/med, med/small)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the chicken tenders, pat dry, chop, and season with Cavender's.
  2. Add olive oil to skillet and place over medium high heat.
  3. Add chicken and cook for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until done.
  4. Take one piece of naan bread and top with chicken, spinach, feta and mozzarella, peppers, and tomatoes. Evenly distribute the toppings then place the second piece of bread on top. The goal is to have this pressed tightly and fully filled. It's better to have overflow at the beginning than to have a loose sandwich that falls apart.
  5. Heat two cast irons (one large, one medium or medium and small) over medium high heat.
  6. Place the completed sandwich in the larger cast iron. Then, take the heated smaller cast iron and sit it on top of the sandwich, ensuring that it sits flat to heat evenly. Press for approximately 2-3 minutes, or until lightly browned and thoroughly heated.
  7. Cut in half and serve.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 510Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 1055mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 23g
© Cody
Category: 30 Minutes or Less

Zesty Mac & Cheese

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This simple (no roux) Zesty Mac & Cheese puts a unique twist on the classic favorite!

This simple (no roux) Zesty Mac & Cheese puts a unique twist on the classic favorite!

We had some friends get married recently.  The wedding was beautiful and the entire event was memorable for all.  There was a social hour prior to the food being served and everyone got two free drinks.  To claim those drinks, you paid with thin cuts of tree limbs that my friend cut prior.  I think that is super cool!  If walking up to a bar and paying for your drink with a round wood chip doesn’t make you feel the ways of the old hills, I don’t know what will.  

The food, like everything else, was amazing.  The talk of the table, though, seemed to be the macaroni.  It only took a couple of bites for the light to go off in my head! I suspected that all they did was add ranch seasoning/mix.  So, I gave it a test run.  To this day, I still don’t know who catered or what they put in their macaroni and cheese (for certain).  But, I got pretty close with this! 

Zesty Mac & Cheese

This simple (no roux) Zesty Mac & Cheese puts a unique twist on the classic favorite!
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz medium cheddar
  • 8 oz American cheese
  • 2-3 tbsp ranch seasoning/mix
  • 8 oz trompetti noodles
  • 8 oz milk

Instructions

  1. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Sit the milk out and allow to sit at room temperature until needed.
  2. Add trompetti noodles and return to boil. Cook uncovered until done, or approximately 12 minutes.
  3. Strain noodles and return to pot with milk.
  4. Cube or shred the cheeses and add to the pot. Place on medium heat and cover. Stir often.
  5. Once cheese has melted, remove from heat and add the ranch seasoning/mix. Stir until seasoning is evenly distributed throughout.

Notes

This is best when consumed the same day. If you have leftovers, the best way to reheat is by adding milk and covering. If you choose to do this on the stove top, stir occasionally as it heats to prevent sticking and clumping. If you choose to microwave, remove and stir halfway through, then return to finish heating.

© Cody
Category: Side Dish

Roux or no roux?

A quick Google search of macaroni and cheese recipes will give you a huge variation, but they all (nearly all) have one thing in common……….they are roux based. Roux is just a base of fat/starch (butter/flour) that helps create a creamy end sauce rather than the cheese separating and clumping for an inconsistent, oily, stringy sauce; which can often happen when using natural cheeses like cheddar. Here’s the thing, roux wasn’t even on my radar until my mid twenties.  Growing up, the family recipe passed around was easy……..er. All that was required was Velveeta, milk, and noodles.  

Now, obviously the recipe has evolved a bit. To be honest, the first time I tried my grandmother’s recipe using just cheddar, I ran into the same problem that everyone else seems to when not using a roux. Splitting the difference on natural and processed cheese seemed to be the answer in forming my own recipe but staying true to the family way.  See, cheese like American cheese is processed and contains emulsifiers, such as sodium citrate, to help prevent separation and facilitate a more creamy texture. With half of the cheese in my recipe being American, I have never had an issue with separation.

Baked Life Chicken

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This baked chicken coated with Life cereal is a sweet and salty favorite that can be made in less than 30 minutes!

This baked chicken coated with Life cereal is a sweet and salty favorite that can be made in less than 30 minutes!

I have no idea what gave me the idea to do this, but somewhere in my ventures of fried food alternatives I stumbled upon crispy gold.  I smashed up Life cereal to use as the crust for crispy baked chicken! I’ve made it consistently for the past several years and it’s seemed to be pretty well liked.  Quick and easy, it’s a good change up……….and guess what leftovers mean!? Chicken and biscuits!!…..”or waffles” – Wifey.

This baked chicken coated with Life cereal is a sweet and salty favorite that can be made in less than 30 minutes!

This is a great fall recipe because it pairs well with so many comfort sides like seasoned greens, zesty macaroni, or maple bourbon glazed carrots.  Giving off the sweet and salty vibe, it’s easy to counter and/or compliment. 

Baked Life Chicken

This baked chicken coated with Life cereal is a sweet and salty favorite that can be made in less than 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken breasts
  • 2 cups of Life cereal
  • 1 cup of flour
  • 1 egg
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425.
  2. Wash chicken and pat dry. Slice the breasts in half, long ways as if you were butterflying them.
  3. On one plate, pour flour and salt to taste. I use about 2 tsp per cup. The importance of the salt is to help establish the salty part of "sweet and salty". Seasoning salt is an option as well but, if you opt out of using salt completely, you run a high risk of some pretty bland chicken.
  4. Beat the egg in a bowl and salt and pepper to taste.
  5. In a food processor, blend down the cereal to the consistency of course bread crumbs. Pour the cereal onto a plate.
  6. Dredge, dip, roll. Dredge the chicken in the flour, dip in the egg, and roll in the cereal.
  7. Place the coated breasts on a roasting rack and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until internal temp is 165. You can use a sheet pan or any other preferred pan, but utilizing a roasting rack in a convectional oven helps prevent that soggy bottom and removes the need to rotate (in attempt to prevent the soggy side from staying/sticking). Pssssst! This is very similar to the air-frying method that circulates air more rapidly.
  8. Optional: add some sea salt immediately after removing from oven.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 164Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 127mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 21g
© Cody
Category: Chicken

Buffalo Chicken Mac

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This deliciously gooey and spicy Buffalo Chicken Mac will have you stuffed with satisfaction.  Seriously! I literally eat to excess every time I make this. 

This deliciously gooey and spicy Buffalo Chicken Mac will have you stuffed with satisfaction

Back in my law school days…….well, the two years that I attended anyway, my meal prep/cooking would lag on occasion.  At times it was just easier to swing by somewhere on the two (plus) hour commute to grab food.  The closest restaurant to school had this as an appetizer! I had been warned that it was as filling as any meal but was like, psssshht. I mean, I’m a foodie and can put it away with the best of them.  If you didn’t know this, early phase law students (some……not all) tend to parallel the Globo Gym motto.

Oh, what’d you know!? I was wrong, haha.  I walked into three and half hours of some overly interesting lecture 🤨 (after working the better part of the day) weighted down with gooey deliciousness.  All internal and external signals were saying “sleeeeeep, sleeeeeep”. The struggle was real, but the food was good.  So, I tortured myself with this same scenario on more than one occasion. 

I rarely pass that restaurant these days and am unlikely to make any special trips to make it happen. Instead, doing what I do, I recreated it myself.  When I get the crave, I hit the kitchen and whip this up in less than 30 minutes!

Buffalo Chicken Mac

This deliciously gooey and spicy Buffalo Chicken Mac will have you stuffed with satisfaction
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz mild cheddar
  • 8 oz American cheese
  • 8 oz milk
  • 1 box chicken fry mix
  • 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
  • 16 oz trompetti noodles
  • croutons
  • buffalo sauce

Instructions

  1. Bring water to a boil in a large pot.
  2. Add trompetti noodles and return to boil. Cook uncovered until done, or approximately 12 minutes.
  3. Strain noodles and return to pot.
  4. Cube or shred the cheeses and add to the pot with milk. Place on medium-low heat and cover. Stir often.
  5. Once cheese has melted, remove from heat.
  6. Batter the chicken in fry mix. Follow the instructions on the specific fry mix of your choice. I use Zataran's New Orleans Style Hot & Spicy; which requires me to mix a small amount of water with the mix, dip chicken tenders in the liquid, then roll in the dry mix.
  7. Fry chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165, or approximately 6-8 minutes for tenders.
  8. Chop the chicken tenders and toss in the buffalo sauce of your choice. I like Guy Fieri's Buffalo NY Wing Sauce and Moore's, too.
  9. Mix in with the pasta.
  10. Garnish with croutons and drizzle with buffalo sauce. If you want to get extra cheesy, top with fresh shredded cheese.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 581Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 1269mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 33g
© Cody

Blackberry Jalapeno Waffles

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Spice things up a bit with these quick and simple Blackberry Jalapeno Waffles!

Spice things up a bit with these quick and simple Blackberry Jalapeno Waffles!

I was chowing down on some chicken and waffles with a friend one afternoon.  They were gluten free so the waffles had a bit of a sweet cornbread vibe.  The chicken had some spice and the plate was garnished with thin jalapeno slices.  It was delicious!! Fast forward a couple years to when we had a bunch of extra jalapenos from the garden.  Looking for some alternative methods, my mind went back to those little jalapeno slices that came with that chicken and waffles meal. For reasons still unknown, Blackberry Jalapeno just seemed to be “it”.  I played around with the recipe for a bit and, three waffle makers later, I’ve got it pegged.  

Waffle Makers

My wife and I received a waffle maker as a wedding present.  We loved it!! And we used it until it literally fell apart.  It’s demise was inevitable and really had nothing to do with the quality, in my opinion ( I just wish I could remember the name).  The next one we purchased was terrible! After the first attempt, we were skeptical. On the second, it got tossed.  On the brink of a waffle depression, we came across our current waffle maker.  So far, I’ve enjoyed it and we are back to making our waffles at home.  The moral of the story is that there are good ones and bad ones but  don’t let an awful waffle lead you away from golden crispy glory!

The Mix

You can use any store bought pancake mix here but, make sure you follow the instructions for waffles! We typically use Kodiak Cakes or Krusteaz. 

Blackberry Jalapeno Waffles

Blackberry Jalapeno Waffles
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of pancake/waffle mix
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 3/4 cup of milk
  • 1/4 cup of muddled blackberries
  • 1/4 jalapeno
  • 1-2 tsps of sugar (optional)
  • Toppings: Honey or Maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Turn the waffle maker on and allow to heat.
  2. Rinse blackberries and jalapenos. Pat dry.
  3. Mince the jalapeno starting at the bottom of the pepper. 1/4 of the pepper should stop you short of reaching the seeds. Muddle the blackberries.
  4. Combine mix, milk, oil, jalapenos, and blackberries in a bowl. If you prefer, add a teaspoon or two of sugar to the mix. This can help balance the flavors, especially when dealing with some tart berries.
  5. Pour batter into waffle maker and let cook until golden and crispy. Your machine should let you know when it's done with either a light or beep.
  6. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 484Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 737mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 14g
© Cody
Category: Breakfast