Asian Orange Chicken and Noodles

Oranges and Lemons from California! Summer’s here and the food is appealing and luscious!

These recipes just burst with flavor and supply a healthy source of colorful fruits and vegetables.

Lettuce Wraps with Asian Orange Chicken

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. ground chicken or turkey
1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp. fresh ginger, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbsp. hoisin sauce
2 tsp. brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. low sodium soy sauce
7 drops red pepper sauce
2 oranges, washed, peeled, seeded and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
2 Tbsp. cilantro or Italian parsley leaves, chopped
1 head Iceberg lettuce, separated into lettuce cups

Instructions:

1. Spray a large skillet with a nonstick cooking spray
2. Sauté the chicken over medium heat, crumbling and cooking it until it is white with no pink showing
3. Pour the chicken into a dish, then just set it aside
4. Use the same skillet, but rinse it out and then once again spray with nonstick cooking spray
5. Sauté bell pepper, onion, garlic and ginger for 2 minutes
6. Add meat back into pan.
7. In a small bowl, whisk together and blend the lemon juice, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce and red pepper sauce
8. Pour this into the pan and stir well to completely coat the chicken
9. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring until sauce is absorbed, about 4 minutes
10. Stir in orange pieces and cilantro

Serve with lettuce cups.

Citrus Noodle Salad

Ingredients:

8 ounces dried rice stick noodles
2 navel oranges, segmented
1 ruby grapefruit, segmented
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped roasted, salted peanuts
Dressing:
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon seasoned rice vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Use a large pot of water, fill with water and bring to a boil
2. Add the noodles and cook until they are tender, about 3 minutes
3. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again
4. Transfer noodles to a large mixing bowl
5. Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a medium bowl until well mixed
6. Pour the dressing slowly over the noodles
7. Add the oranges and grapefruit, mint, and cilantro and toss until noodles are well covered with the dressing.

Shift the noodles to a serving platter and garnish with the peanuts.