Dairy Free Chicken Nuggets and Old Fashioned Noodles (in less than 45 min)

I’ve talked before about my desire to throwback to the way things were done 100 years ago, particularly with food.  I do this extra work (when I have the time and enregy) for the health and mood of myself and my family.   There is a Pinterest recipe that I have been looking at for a while for Chic-fil-a nuggets knock-off that intrigued, but also intimidated, me.  But tonight I had energy and my four year old had a sink full of bubbly water and some floaty toys to occupy her so I decided to give it a whirl.  The original recipe came from AddAPinch.com but I altered it quite a bit.

The verdict:

• Even my four year old who eats about four foods ate them.
• My 8 year old went on and on about how she is not sure which she likes more, this meal or CiCi’s Macaroni and Cheese Pizza (which BELIEVE ME is a HUGE compliment).
• They truly were EASY to make.  They were so easy that I also decided to make my favorite tried and true recipes (homemade old fashioned noodles, directions below).  And, I finished ALL of this within 45 minutes.   I even had time to throw together an organic spinach salad and steamed broccoli.  I am feeling like superwoman today.  I’ll let it carry me through as we might just be eating PB&J tomorrow.
• It tasted a lot like Chic-fil-a except I usually eat the fried nuggets there and I altered the spices a bit.  But overall pretty similar and yummy.

How I made them:

Mix together flour, spices and salt.  I try to avoid refined flours and spelt is my favorite alternative flour because it is light.  And I added flax seed for good measure.  I read a long time ago that it is good for me and since have forgotten why.  Google it.  You have a computer, right?

To make a dairy free wash, I mixed together Almond Milk and a bit of Agave Nectar.  Honey or Sugar in the Raw might do as well.

Then, I made a bit of an assembly line of chicken. First, the milk mixture, then the flour mixture, then into the baking dish.  I eventually got sick of doing them one at a time, so I dumped them all in there and it worked fine.

Then, I drizzled them with some dairy free butter stuff.  And put them in the oven, turning half way through.

Then, I got busy making my favorite homemade noodles.  I love this recipe because it is so easy and so yummy.  I have doubled the original recipe and, even then, there are not leftovers.  Which is really disappointing.

First, you put the flour in the bowl.  Usually I add some flax seed, but today I forgot.  (Give me a break, alright?)  Then, you add 2 eggs.  I used an extra because mine came from a local farmer and were small ( local eggs = bonus points)

Then, you use half the egg shell to add “some” milk.  My mom would have said “Until it is the right texture.”  I always wondered “How do I know it’s the right texture?”  I guess you figure it out over time.  But because I don’t want you to ruin this recipe and never try it again, I’ll tell you.  When you stir it, it should form a ball.

Then, you generously flour your counter (don’t be stingy – it’ll make your job a LOT harder).  I’m lazy so I usually use the back of a cookie sheet or a cutting board.  I think it’s easier to wash off later.  Lay the dough ball on it and roll it around a couple of times to get it floured.  Then roll it out.  (We just moved and the rolling pin is MIA.  I used my hands and I survived.  And they were kinda tastier.  Not my hands, silly, the noodles were tasty).  Then, cut it into strips with a pizza cutter.  Or squares.  Whatever floats your boat.  Next, insert into boiling water and cook for 25 minutes.  I usually taste test at 15 (because I can’t wait) and they’re FINE!

Chic-fil-a Nuggets:

• 3 chicken breasts
• 1/8 cup all purpose flour
• 1/8 cup spelt flour
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (Penzey’s Tuscan Sunset preferred)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1 teaspoon Agave Nectar
• 1/2 Tablespoon buter

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees
2. Spray baking dish
3. Mix flour, spices and salt
4. Mix milk and Agave Nectar
5. Cut chicken into 1 to 2 inch pieces
6. Dip chicken pieces in milk mixture, then flour mixture, then put in baking pan
7. Bake for 25 minutes, turning half way through

Old Fashioned Noodles:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup spelt flour
• 2 eggs
• About 4 half egg shells of milk

1. Put a large pan of water on to boil.
2. Put Flour in a bowl.
3. Add the eggs.
4. Add milk slowly using one half of an egg shell for measuring.  Start with two and add more until the dough can be mixed to form a dough ball.
5. Generously flour a kitchen counter.
6. Roll the dough out on your counter until it is about 1/4 inch thick.
7. Cut the dough using a pizza cutter.
8. Drop the noodles by hand into the boiling water.  Stir about half way through the batch so they do not stick.
9. Boil for 15-20 minutes.  Taste test to ensure doneness.
10. Strain and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as my family and I do.  And have some fun experimenting with them!