Super Bowl Snacks Part 2

 

PART TWO

Hot Rueben Dip 

Cook's Notes: No need to wait for a March date to serve a dip with an Irish twist. 

Hot Reuben Dip is like a deconstructed Reuben sandwich, all magnificently reborn into a baked, ooey-gooey, cheesy dip. You’ll love this hot appetizer and warning-it's addictive! 
Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
• 2 cups shredded corned beef
• 1 pkg. 6 oz. lite cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup Thousand Island dressing
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup lite mayonnaise
• Optional 1 small can sauerkraut, drained very well (place in strainer to press out liquid)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• In a large bowl, beat all the ingredients until smooth. Transfer mixture to a serving dish that can be placed in the oven (a greased glass pie pan works well)
• Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until dip is bubbling and nicely browned.
• Serve with toasted cocktail-size rye bread and/or Triscuit crackers.

Perfect party food for a crowd The Cuban Sandwich. 

Makes 8 mini sandwiches and the recipe comes from the CHOW

Rumored to have originated in Cuba or Key West, the Cuban sandwich migrated to Tampa, Florida, and eventually to Miami, growing in popularity along the way. It’s traditionally made with Cuban bread, but Italian or ciabatta bread is an easy-to-find substitute. Ham, roasted pork loin, Swiss cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard are the most common ingredients in a proper Cuban sandwich, but mayo and salami are also common additions. 

For ease of preparation, the assembled loaf is cut in half here, each half is wrapped in foil, and a heavy pot or pan is placed on top to compress the sandwich while it’s toasting. If you have a panini maker, it would work for this toasting. 
Ingredients:

• 1 (1-pound) loaf Italian or ciabatta bread
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise 
• 1/4 cup mustard
• 8 ounces thinly sliced deli ham
• 8 ounces thinly sliced deli roasted pork loin
• 8 ounces thinly sliced Swiss cheese
• 4 whole dill pickles, thinly sliced lengthwise
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 stick), melted

Directions:

• Heat the oven to 200°degrees and arrange a rack in the middle.
• Cut the loaf of bread in half horizontally and open it up like a book. Spread the mayonnaise/mustard on the bottom piece of bread.
• Evenly place the ham and roasted pork on top of the mayonnaise, then cheese and pickles on the meat.
• Close the sandwich. Press gently on the top to compact the sandwich slightly. Cut it in half crosswise; set both halves aside.
• Lay 2 (20-inch-long) sheets of aluminum foil on a work surface. Brush half of the melted butter on the tops of the sandwiches. Place each sandwich butter-side down on the sheets of foil. Brush the bottoms of the sandwiches with the remaining butter. Fold the foil around the sandwiches to completely encase them.
• Heat a large frying pan on low heat until hot, about 4 minutes. Place 1 wrapped sandwich in the pan. Place a cast-iron skillet, Dutch oven, or heavy pot on the sandwich, push down on the skillet or pot to further compact the cubano, and cook undisturbed for 10 minutes.
• Remove the skillet or pot, flip the sandwich, and place the skillet or pot back on top of it. Cook undisturbed until the cheese has melted and the sandwich is warmed through, about 10 minutes more. 
• Remove to the oven and repeat with the second sandwich. When both are ready, remove the foil, cut into pieces, and serve.

Well, I was saving these cupcakes for Sunday's big game for you. Perhaps someone there may need a day brightener. I believe a cupcake can do just that.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Ganache Icing
Cook's Notes: Imagine making a moist, chocolaty cupcake with a ganache topping and no mixer is needed. It's easy, tasty and your day will rock with just one slice.
Recipe from recipecritic.com and makes 10 cupcakes. The batter also does "double duty" as a cake baked in a 8 x 8 baking pan for about 22 minutes.  
Cupcake Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons dark unsweetened cocoa powder e.g. Hersheys
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup coffee, cooled
• ½ cup buttermilk
• Optional 1 tablespoon Kahlua 
• ¼ cup vegetable or canoa oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Chocolate Ganache Ingredients:

• 4 oz. heavy whipping cream ½ cup
• 4 oz. dark chocolate melting wafers or your preferred chocolate e.g. 1 bar Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate, broken into small pieces

Cupcake Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place paper cupcake liners in a 12-cup regular sized muffin pan.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together coffee and buttermilk. Whisk in the vegetable oil, then egg and vanilla. Add Kahlua if using. Beat until thoroughly combined.
• Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Then fold into the liquid mixture. Add salt and sugar and whisk until a smooth batter forms.
• Use a 1/3 cup measuring cup and add batter to each of 10 cupcake liners. Fill up batter to the top of the muffin well.  
• Bake 22-24 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan and remove each cupcake. Set on a wire rack to cool completely. Add a sheet of wax paper under the cooling rack. When the cupcakes cooled, spoon the ganache frosting over them. 
• Place cupcakes back into the muffin tin.

Chocolate Ganache Directions:

• Microwave the cream in a heat-proof vessel for 50 - 55 seconds, watching it during the last few seconds to ensure it doesn’t boil over.
• Add the broken pieces of chocolate to a small mixing bowl and pour the hot cream over them. Allow it to stand for a minute or two, then whisk until the chocolate has melted completely and the mixture is smooth. Let the ganache cool completely until it thickens but is still pourable.
• The icing sets up fast, so only do 2 cupcakes at a time. Drizzle the ganache over the top and add sprinkles. Refrigerate the muffin pan with the cupcakes for 30 minutes to set the icing.
  
  ENJOY THE GAME!

Super Bowl Snacks Part One

Today I kicked off my own pre-Super Bowl gathering with Pigs in a Blanket and Chocolate Cherry Cookies.  
 Puff Pastry Pigs in a Blanket 

Cook's Notes: A twist on your classic Pigs in a Blanket. It's a game day snack using Puff Pasty, Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Sausage (a healthy option) sprinkled with Bagel Everything Seasoning.

Note there are other chicken sausage flavors to choose from. The recipe makes about 20 appetizers.

Ingredients:

• 1 box puff pastry sheets, thawed (you will need both sheets)
  
• 1 package Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Chicken Sausage
  
• 1 large egg, whisked
• Bagel Everything Seasoning
  
  
  
• Honey Mustard Sauce

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silicone pad or parchment paper. 
• Make sure each sausage is wiped dry and cut into 5ths.
• Roll out puff pastry to a 9- 10 inch square on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 7 equal strips, then cut each strip in half.
• Wrap a strip of puff pastry around each sausage bite and place the seam side down on the baking sheet.
• Brush puff pastry with beaten egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of water, sprinkle with bagel seasoning (found in spices at grocery store). Secure each piggy with a toothpick. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden and puffed. 
• Serve with a honey mustard sauce.
  

Honey Mustard Sauce

Cook's Notes:

• Takes 5 minutes to make. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Ingredients and Directions:

• Mix the following in a bowl using a whisk.

• 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, dash cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar 

• 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, dash of cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar 

Chocolate Cherry Crackles

Cook's Notes: Chocolate and cherries are simply a "marriage made in heaven" and are super delicious together. A plate of these cookies that are speckled with cherry bits and chocolate chunks are just YUM!.
Recipes make 18-20 cookies and were adapted from Food Network, December 2017 and December 2020. 

Ingredients:

• 1-3/4 cups flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick of butter, room temperature
• 1 cup of sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup cherry jam or preserves
• 5 drops of food coloring, red
• 1/2 tsp. each vanilla and almond extract
• 1-4 oz. semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate bar, chopped small or 3/4 cup Dark Chocolate Chips 
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup confectioners (powdered) sugar

Directions:

• Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• Beat butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy. Add in egg, jam, food coloring, and extracts. Mix well.
• Reduce the speed to low and mix in the flour mixture.
• Fold in chocolate and cherries.
• Chill dough in freezer about 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone pad. Lay a long sheet of wax paper on the counter. Roll heaping tablespoons of dough into balls and place on wax paper.
• In two different small bowls, add 1/2 cup confectioners sugar in one and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in the other. Roll dough balls in granulated sugar first, then confectioners' sugar. Shake off any excess. Place on a baking sheet two inches apart.
• Bake 9 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, then use a sifter to dust each cookie with confectioners' sugar while still warm.

These cookies go perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea, 

UP NEXT: SUPER BOWL RECIPES PART TWO 

February Book Group The Irish Girl

 FEBRUARY BOOK GROUP READ 

THE IRISH GIRL BY ASHLEY SWEENEY

Our book group here in Green Valley met to discuss Ashley Sweeney's book, which focuses on the Irish immigrant experience of the main protagonist Mary Agnes Coyne. The story is loosely based on the author's great-grandmother's experiences in the late 1800's. 

For our monthly gatherings, we enjoy discussing a variety of genres. This month, Clare hosted, and Marilyn provided snacks with an Irish theme.  Bailey's Irish Cream Brownies were a hit, as well as a Corned Beef Dip served with crackers and Irish Soda bread.

Baileys Brownies

Cook's Notes:
Baileys Irish Cream Brownies are rich fudgy brownies with a fluffy buttery Baileys frosting and topped with a rich Baileys chocolate ganache. These are definitely the best brownies I've ever had! And I knew you would enjoy getting the recipe.

Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes and serves 40 small brownies
Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients
1 Boxed Fudge Brownie Mix plus box indicated ingredients or make your favorite homemade brownies

Baileys Frosting
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
⅓ cup Baileys Irish Cream
3 cups powdered sugar

Baileys Ganache
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
½ cup Baileys Irish Cream

Directions:

• Prepare brownies according to package directions in a 13 x9 pan Cool completely.
• For Baileys Frosting: Beat butter on medium speed until fluffy. Add in Baileys and mix well.
• Add powdered sugar a little at a time until completely incorporated. Beat until soft and fluffy.
• Spread over brownies and refrigerate while making the Baileys ganache.
• Ganache: Combine Baileys and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring just to a boil and immediately pour over the chocolate chips. Let it sit for 5 minutes without stirring.
• Whisk until smooth and spread over frosted brownies. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Refrigerate until set.

The following is a review of the book I had posted in 2024.  

Multi-award-winning historical fiction author Ashley Sweeney's writing shines in her newest novel, "The Irish Girl." It's a family saga, a coming-of-age story, and the Irish immigrant experience. Narrated by the protagonist, 13-year-old Mary Agnes Coyne, the story's time frame is between the 1880s to 1890s. It spans from a rural village in Galway, Ireland, to New York, Chicago, and Colorado. Mary Agnes has been banished from her Irish home by her mother, who fails to believe a family member molested her. She flees to her grandparents' home. They decide to book a passage for Mary Agnes to America, hoping she will find a better life there and become more educated. Despite her young age, Mary Agnes travels by herself from Ireland to New York City. After a month, she moves to Chicago by train to live with her uncle and his family. But Mary Agnes' story doesn't end there; it continues to Colorado Springs and ends up back in Chicago, all before she turns 21!

Sweeney's vivid sentences are descriptive and filled with sensory details that bring out all the senses, from the Irish seaside to the persistent rain that hangs over the country, the smells and confined spaces on the steamer, the sounds and sights of New York and Chicago, and the wide open spaces of a Colorado ranch. Sentences are punctuated with literary gems and lyrical prose. Period dialogue is used effectively.

Mary Agnes endures the stigma of poverty and discrimination for being Irish. She endures harrowing misfortunes, economic struggles, disappointments, rejection, clashes of heritage and religion, and unsettling matters of the heart. She has a tender heart, longing to find true love, a home, and a real place where she belongs. Through Mary Agnes's perseverance, optimism, courage, and resilience, she finds the love of her life only to lose him, unexpected kindness, and acceptance. Supporting characters are well-developed, adding depth, complexity, and conflict to the main storyline. The chronic lack of sufficient food permeates the storyline, impacting the characters' lives as they try to survive.

The story is loosely based on the author's great-grandmother's experience as an Irish immigrant. Sweeney's well-researched novel gives insight into the Irish experiences before entering America and their continued struggles to be accepted once in the country.

The writing is of the highest caliber. I found the story of "The Irish Girl" to be mesmerizing and engrossing, finishing the book in a day. As a bonus, readers gain a deeper understanding and empathy for the immigrant experience. The story's last sentence was indeed a clever way to end.

Wish me luck as the next one Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown is at an impressive 682 pages 😉

Puff Pastry Cherry Turnovers 101

 

PART TWO

In a previous posting, I noted that San Diego has a thriving restaurant scene. But what I overlooked was mentioning the culinary scene at our friend's home was quite noteworthy. Since San Diego has a temperate climate, their yard was like a tropical paradise with colorful flowers and bushes. The Bird of Paradise is a showy plant. But what fascinated me was 

their lemon trees (3 kinds), avocado trees, and grapevines. From a historical perspective, this area was once developed as an orchard with citrus, avocado, and grape vines. Thus, it is common for many homes in the neighborhood to have fruit growing in their yards.  

This is a sample of what they sent home with us. Our hostess, Marcie,  made grape jelly for my husband, as she has done every year.  Since they have so many lemons one year, she even mailed us a huge box for the holidays. The avocados from their trees were much larger than those found in the grocery store. And we weren't too surprised when she made guacamole for us one day, along with these impressive Puff Pastry Cherry Turnovers for breakfast.  

  With a little preplanning, you too can make them.  

1 Thaw the Puff Pastry box in the refrigerator overnight. 

2 Make Cherry sauce the night before and refrigerate. It will thicken over a few hours.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of sour cherries in a can, with liquid, you will use 3/4 cup liquid from the can
• 1 box Puff Pastry-remove one sheet and repackage the other sheet and freeze for another time 
• 3 tablespoons of cornstarch 
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Egg wash ( 1 egg beaten mixed with 1 tablespoon of water) 
• Topping: 1/2 cup granulated sugar mixed with cinnamon 

Directions: 

• Make the sauce: In a saucepan, add liquid from the can, cornstarch, and sugar. Whisk to blend. Bring to a boil and stir frequently until the sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat, add the almond extract. On a low heat, cook until thickened, about 5-8 minutes. 
• Remove from the stove top, fold in drained cherries, and cool for 20 minutes. Stir again and refrigerate. 
• Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.   

Supplies

• On a floured large working surface, use a rolling pin to adhere the edges together.

   

• Cut the rolled-out pastry into four even squares using a pastry cutter. 

• Place heaping two tablespoons in the center of each square. 

• Brushing the outer edges of each square with egg wash. Fold over into a triangle. 

• Brush triangles with egg wash and sprinkle each one with the cinnamon and sugar mixture. 

• Clean the edges with a pastry cutter

 

• Cut a vent in the center.
• Place turnovers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 15 minutes while the oven preheats to 400 degrees.
• Bake for 14-15 minutes. 
  

And VOILA! Just like that, you've created a mouthwatering bakery item. 

Book Review Just Call Me Pardner

Award-winning author Sherry Roberts weaves a heartfelt story about a young boy, A.J., growing up in the 1930s and 1940s during the depression in Northeast Oklahoma. This is the first book in a series of stories about A.J., his family, and friends. The stories are based on tales her father passed down, including factual events from this time period.  

Realistic themes of responsibility, family bonding, perseverance, and resilience are prevalent throughout the story. As children growing up, we all longed for something we didn't have. A.J., also known as Pardner, has always wanted to be a cowboy, ride horses, and be like the cowboys in the movies. He dreams of being capable enough to ride alongside his grandfather, father, and Jon, the farm hand, during the cattle roundups.

Despite his father and grandfather reminding him that owning a horse is a huge responsibility. A.J. is determined to prove to his family that he is capable of taking care of a horse. When his family does get him a horse, A.J. names her Lady Star. A.J. is determined not to disappoint his family as he assumes his new responsibilities.

Another wish on his list is having his very own cowboy hat. But who knew owning a cowboy hat also came with a few responsibilities: Do not wear your hat in the house or in the classroom, and the proper place to hang your hat is by the back door or in your cubicle in school.

Readers will enjoy A.J.'s enthusiasm as he finally gets his first horse and goes for a trail ride, and his satisfaction when he learns how to milk a goat. A.J.'s devotion to his friend Benji was a testament to what friendship means.  

As a former middle school and elementary teacher, I found the story moved at a good pace. There are so many elements in this story that lend it for classroom discussion. It's the perfect read-aloud. The book's vocabulary was age-appropriate and served as a good introduction for readers moving from picture books to early chapter books. The stories were relatable, as A.J. mastered caring for Lady Star along with the joy and satisfaction of teaching her tricks. I thought Kashif Qasim's illustrations perfectly complemented the storyline.   

ALL ABOUT THE AUTHOR

https://www.sjrobertscreative.net/

Sherry Roberts is an award-winning children’s book author. Her personal experiences shape her emotionally rich stories. One of her goals is to help children navigate life through engaging, character-driven fiction. Roberts is a former middle school teacher. Dr. Roberts decided to write her first middle-grade novel. Her debut novel, The Galaxy According to CeCe, is the first book in a three-book series. It was officially released on February 24, 2024. Book two, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Mysterious Dr. Pruitt, launched on August 12, 2024. Book three of the series, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Stars Align, launched in February 2025.

Dr. Roberts is also a picture book author. Her picture books include Twas the Night Before Christmas…A First for Gus; Hello, Can I Bug You?; Sonnet, Sonnet, What’s In Your Bonnet?; The Best Reading Buddy; What’s Wrong With Barnaby?; and Gabriel and the Special Memorial Day. Her newest picture book is Amica Helps Zoe, released in April 2025.

San Diego Adventures

We have not been to San Diego in some 40 years. We recently had an opportunity to return to the city and visit some former lake neighbors who have lived there for over 35 years. The three-day trip was packed with lots of sightseeing, food, and a variety of city experiences. Since we had been to the zoo before, we skipped it this visit and planned to see other things we had not seen. The restaurant scene was "over the top" in my estimation. There were so many to choose from with very diverse menus. Did you know there are over 4,986 restaurants in the city?  

A memorable lunch at a nearby yacht club offered stellar views of the water and fancy boats docked.

Near Point Loma, we enjoyed panoramic views of San Diego Bay and learned about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's historic landing.

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park offered breathtaking ocean vistas and dramatic cliff formations.

We enjoyed watching the seal escapades at La Jolla Seal Rookery.

The Mediterranean climate of San Diego and its rich underwater world of marine life attract large colonies of Pacific harbor seals and California sea lions. In the morning or late afternoon, most of the San Diego seals and sea lions can be found basking in the sun along the sandy beaches of La Jolla. It was difficult to get clear photos of the seals and lions because they blended into the landscape/rocks.

Coronado Island Escapade

A visit to the island of Coronado over a very steep bridge was quite spectacular. The massive hotel has about 1,500 rooms and a pristine white-sand beach. We are on the 😊steps

 Backside of the hotel with more rooms. 

                                                                                                                                       

I thought the plastic domes over the tables, protecting them from wind, sand, and rain, were a creative touch. 

Back into the city and to the harbor area, we found the iconic "Kissing Statue." The statue, crafted from bronze, is titled “Unconditional Surrender” and is commonly known as the “Kissing Statue.” Located next to the historic USS Midway Museum, this towering sculpture has become a symbol of love, celebration, and the end of World War II.

• 
  

The legacy of Bob Hope is commemorated with a major sculpture titled "The National Salute  to Bob Hope and the Military" located in Waterfront Park. 

 

I was mesmerized by the expansive Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial in La Jolla. It honors veterans by preserving their legacy. Each granite plaque is a narrative of bravery, a testament to the unbreakable spirit of those who defended our freedom. 

  

The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is a beacon of history and maritime heritage at Cabrillo National Monument. Perched atop the Point Loma Peninsula, this iconic structure offers visitors a glimpse into the past, showcasing the lives of the lightkeepers and the evolution of coastal navigation. Built in 1855, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse was one of the first eight lighthouses on the West Coast.

So you can see we made a wide sweep of the city in a very short time. On our last day, an extra bonus was that our hostess made homemade cherry turnovers that were so delicious. I documented all her steps as a tutorial, hoping to recreate this flaky puff pastry at home. Check the Ever Ready site for the Cherry Puff Pastry Tutorial on Monday.   

San Diego is a must-see destination with so many interesting sights and activities. Living in the desert makes the Pacific Ocean a very attractive sight. 

Easy Stir Fry Chicken Rice Bowl

 Easy Stir Fry Chicken Rice Bowl 

Cook's Notes: Protein-rich chicken and fresh veggies tossed with a flavorful Asian style sauce. Serve the stir-fry over seamed brown rice, cellophane, or udon noodles. Garnish with diced green onions, chopped cashews, or peanuts. Beef cubes could substitute for chicken.

Broccolini is not baby broccoli even though it may look like it. This lanky vegetable is a hybrid; first created in 1993, it’s a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It has small florets, long stalks, and a few small leaves — all of which are edible. Compared to the bitter flavor of regular broccoli, Broccolini is milder, with a sweet, earthy taste. And while it can be eaten raw, Broccolini is best when cooked. It can be sautéed, steamed, roasted, and grilled. It's a winter vegetable.

Asian Chicken Stir Fry Rice Bowl
Recipe serves 3-4
Ingredients:

• 4 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil
• 2 large chicken breasts, diced or beef cubes
• 1/2 cup green onions, diced
• 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 cup matchstick carrots
• 1 cup mini sweet red peppers, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4-1 cup Kung Pao Stir-Fry Sauce, divided (readily available Asian aisle- grocery store)

• 1/4 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
• 1 cup broccolini
• 1-2 cups sugar snap peas
• Optional red pepper flakes or Sriracha Sauce
• Garnish with salted cashews or peanuts

Directions:

• In a wok or a large skillet pan, heat sesame oil and add 1/3 cup stir fry sauce, chicken pieces, carrots, onions, peppers, sesame seeds, and garlic. Sauté on medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally. Uncover and add the rest of the stir-fry sauce and chicken broth.
• In a colander, add a tray of ice cubes. Blanch sugar snap peas by bringing water to a boil in a saucepan, add and boil for 1 minute. Drain peas in a colander with ice.
• Add the cut broccolini florets and blanched sugar snap peas, and stir-fry for 3-4 min more with the chicken mixture.
• To serve, fill a bowl with rice or cooked udon noodles and top with the chicken stir-fry mixture