Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes

My absolute favorite appetizer recipe of all time has got to be the Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes from The Cheesecake Factory. They are sweet and oh so good. I found this recipe on http://www.recipezaar.com/207220 and thought I'd give it a try. They turned out exactly like my favorite ones! The only problem with this recipe is that it only made 8 or so, so my darling husband ate most of them. Next time I plan to double it-or maybe triple depending on the mood!

Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes

Ingredients:

1-1/2 C Frozen Sweet Corn

1 Stick Butter, softened

3 T Sugar

1/8 tsp. Salt (I just used a pinch since the butter is salted-this one's for you, Sage!)

1/2 C Masa Harina (corn flour)

2 T All-Purpose Flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Chop 1 C frozen corn in processor (I used ice crush on a blender) until it's coarsely pureed. Combine pureed corn with softened butter, sugar, and salt (I used my KitchenAid Mixer for this part). Blend well with mixer until smooth. Add masa and flour and blend well. Mix in remaining 1/2 C frozen corn by hand. Measure 1/2 cup portions and form into 3 inch wide patties. Arrange on baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes. Carefully flip all cakes and bake an additional 5-7 minutes until browned.

Serve with Sour Cream, Salsa, Salsa Verde & Guacamole if desired. Enjoy! (we sure did)

Dan Dan Noodles

Our friends took us to PF Chang's for dinner a couple of years back-if you've never been to PF Chang's, you HAVE to go (http://www.pfchangs.com/)! I had the Dan Dan Noodles. After finding a recipe on http://www.recipezaar.com/, I thought I'd try recreating it (with my own touches of course). It wasn't as good as PF Chang's, but it was really good!

PF Chang's Copycat Dan Dan Noodles

Sauce Ingredients:

2 oz. Soy Sauce (I used Tamari)

1 oz. Cooking Wine (I used Mirin)

1 tsp. Oyster Sauce

1 tsp. Sugar

7 oz. Chicken Broth

Ingredients:

1 tsp. Oil

1/2 tsp. Chili Paste (I used Chili Oil)

1/2 tsp. Minced Garlic (I used about 1 T)

1/4 C Chopped Green Onions

1Pkg. Ground Chicken (I had Ground Turkey on hand, so used that)

1 Pkg. Cooked Egg Noodles (thin variety)

Garnish:

Bean Sprouts

Julienne Cucumbers

Directions:

1. Combine all sauce ingredients and set aside.

2. Heat wok or saute pan. Add 1 tsp. oil, chili oil, garlic and chopped green onion for a few seconds to release flavors.

3. Add ground chicken (or turkey) and break apart until cooked through.

4. Add sauce mixture and simmer for 20 seconds. Add egg noodles to boiling water and cook according to package directions. Remove noodles from water and strain. Move to serving plate.

5. Thicken meat mixture with a mixture of corn starch & water (equal parts). Consistency should be very thick sauce to stand on top of the noodles. Pour over center of noodles.

6. Garnish with bean sprouts, cucumbers, and green onions.