Chicken Strips and Apple Tart

So these are two recipes I got from The Pioneer Woman Cooks. Most of her things are more complicated/gourmet (which means in my world that she uses ingredients and time I usually don't have but look incredible), but these where two EASY recipes so I thought I'd give them a try for dinner last night and they were SOOOO good! Curtis said he'd take these chicken strip over ones from a restaurant any day (and they were so tender after soaking that we didn't even use a sauce) and the tart was super simple and tasted so good.

A couple notes:

1. I used the buttermilk (just a small carton for 39 c) and it make all the difference so give it a try.
2. I didn't have Laurys so I just used the seasoned salt I had on hand.
3. Make sure to remove the tarts from the baking sheet RIGHT out of the oven, otherwise the runoff from the brown sugar acts like a candy and will cool and set to the pan making them a bit more difficult to remove. (yes, I waited, grr)

I don't have pictures of my food 'cause we ate it too fast, but here's some pics from the original blog. There are a LOT more on her blog so look it up if you're interested.

Quickie: Homemade Chicken Strips May. 25, 2009

• I stopped at the store and grabbed a couple of packages of chicken strips, which are boneless, skinless chicken breasts (often just the tender portion) that the butcher has cut into strips. Sometimes the package reads “Chicken for Fajitas” or “Chicken Tenders.” Basically, you’re looking for raw chicken that’s been cut into strips.
• Then I rinsed the chicken and submerged it in buttermilk for about 15 to 20 minutes. You can soak it longer if you’d like.
• Next, I threw about a cup and a half of flour in a separate bowl, and dumped in some Lawry’s—probably about 2 to 3 teaspoons. You can do lots of different spices here: cayenne pepper, paprika, oregano, lots of black pepper. But I was in a hurry, and Lawry’s is hard to beat. After I stirred the flour mixture together, I drizzled in 1/4 to 1/2 cup buttermilk, stirring lightly with a fork as I drizzled.
• Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-low to medium heat. You want it hot enough to sizzle and turn the chicken strips a nice golden brown, but not so hot that they’ll burn easily.
• Then remove a few of the buttermilk-soaked strips from their bowl and place into the flour mixture. Turn them over to thoroughly coat and place them on a plate. See how lovely they are! The flour, with the tiny drizzle of buttermilk (you can also use regular milk or beaten egg), formed little balls and clusters, which adhered to the buttermilk-soaked chicken. This’ll result in nice and textural—and crunchy—chicken strips. Yum! Continue coating chicken until all is ready to cook.
• When the oil is sufficiently heated (flour should bubble when sprinkled in), begin cooking the strips a few at a time. Cook for about a minute or a minute and a half on the first side—until you can tell it’s getting crispy and golden. Then turn them over and finish cooking the other side—another minute and a half or so. They don’t take very long to cook!
• When they’re done, remove them to a paper towel-lined plate and allow to drain while you cook the others. Serve!
  

Quick & Easy Apple Tart
1 sheet puffed pastry, cut into half OR thirds
3 to 4 apples, cored, halved, and sliced (but not peeled)
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

• Preheat oven to 415 degrees.
• Place puffed pastry rectangles onto a baking pan that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray.
• Add sugar and salt to apples. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for a few minutes.
• Arrange apple slices on the pastry rectangles in a straight line, overlapping as you go.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until pastry is puffed and golden brown.
• Remove from pan immediately and place on a serving platter.
• Serve plain, with caramel topping, whipped cream, or a sprinkling of powdered sugar.
• Feel like a pastry chef. Repeat as needed.