Category: ALWAYS EAT ON THE GOOD CHINA

GREEN TABASCO CHICKEN

GREEN TABASCO CHICKEN
2 pounds chicken tenders
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 orange halved
1 teaspoon Penzey’s California crushed jalapenos
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup Green Jalapeño Tabasco Sauce
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/4 cup melted butter
1-1/2 chicken broth

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Juice 1/2 of orange.
  • Section other half of orange.
  • In a small sauce pan whisk together the orange juice and green Tabasco sauce.
  • Add the butter, garlic and chicken broth.
  • Simmer 10-15 minutes until well blended and slightly reduced.
  • Spray a baking pan with pure.
  • Toss together the chicken and green onions.  Arrange in baking dish. Add orange sections.
  • Pour sauce over top.
  • Bake 30 minutes.  Serve with Parmesan Potatoes and tortillas.

CHICKEN PUFFS

I’m not quite sure where I originally found this recipe, but we fell in love with it and it makes a wonderful presentation for company.  The pictures are from when I originally made it with whole chicken breasts, but I have since changed it to using bite sized pieces.  Using chicken tenders works best.  It bakes better and is much easier to eat!
CHICKEN PUFFS
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
4 Pepperidge farm puff pastry sheets, defrosted
4 ounces cream cheese
1/2 pound bacon, cut into quarters
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 handful flat leaf parsley
sea salt and white pepper to taste
1 large egg, beaten
PURE
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Add cream cheese, green onions, parsley, salt and pepper to a small food processor and process until well blended.  Set aside.
  • Cook bacon until crisp.  Drain on paper towels.
  • Cut chicken into bite size pieces.
  • In a large bowl, toss chicken pieces with cream cheese mixture until well coated.
  • On a large jelly roll pan that has been sprayed with PURE, lay out your puff pastry pieces and seal any stray seams.
  • Divide chicken evenly among the 4 sheets.
  • Top evenly with the bacon.
  • Pull up all four corners and give them a little twist in the center.
  • Brush with beaten egg.
  • Bake 30 minutes until golden brown.
  • Serve immediately.

BUNLESS BURGER SERIES #3~BURGERS w/ CARAMELIZED PEACHES & RED ONIONS, GORGONZOLA CREAM CHEESE MAYONNAISE & MUENSTER

Good Morning everyone.  Tamy here filling in for Martha K who was filling in for Kris on Simple Saturday, who had originally traded with Martha MM.  So sense it was already so complicated, I’m bringing you a not simple, but not complicated recipe for the upcoming holiday weekend.  It’s perfect for outside eating and celebrates the fruit of the month also, peaches!  I hope you enjoy it.  We make it quite often and really have been enjoying going bunless.
BUNLESS BURGERS w/ CARAMELIZED PEACHES & RED ONIONS, GORGONZOLA CREAM CHEESE MAYONNAISE & MUENSTER

2 – 1/3 pound burger patties
2 teaspoons liquid smoke
sea salt & white pepper
grated Muenster cheese

Caramelized peaches & red onions
2 tablespoons butter
1 extra large red onion, thinly sliced into rings
2 small peaches, chopped
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Gorgonzola Cream Cheese Mayonnaise
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 ounces gorgonzola cheese crumbles, room temperature
1/4 cup mayonnaise

  • In a small food processor blend together the cream cheese, mayonnaise and Gorgonzola cheese crumbles.
  • Combine ground beef, liquid smoke, salt and pepper to the meat and hand form the patties.
  • Grill burgers inside or out.
  • In a large sauce pan melt butter.  
  • When sizzling add onions and saute’ until translucent. 
  • Add peaches and saute’ until juicy.
  • Add balsamic vinegar and continue sauteing until moisture has sizzled away.
  • Plate burger.
  • Spread on Gorgonzola mayo.
  • Top with peaches, onions and then sprinkle with muenster cheese.  
  • I use the pan lid over the plate for a minute to melt the cheese.

CHCIKEN SCALOPPINI IN BRANDY SAUCE

CHICKEN SCALLOPINI IN BRANDY SAUCE
For 4 People
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in 1/2 horizontally**
 3+ tablespoons butter
½ cup brandy
Juice of 1 lemon
flour
salt and pepper

  • Wash and dry the slices after slicing them in half and removing any excess fat. 
  • Melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter in  large skillet.
  • Dredge the chicken slices and place in the pan.
  • Brown them, salt and peppering them generously.
  • Set aside, keeping warm. 
  • Add the remaining butter, brandy and juice of a lemon to the pan, scraping the bottom for any chicken pieces. Blend well. Let sauce start to thicken.
  • When sauce has just about reached desired thickness, return the chicken slices to the pan, covering well with the sauce.
  • Serve immediately.

** I used breast tenders this time and it was great! 
 
Recipe Rundown
Taste: Both savory and sweet, tangy and rich.
Texture: Tender caramelized onions on top and fork tender. 
Ease: Super easy and quick.
Appearance: Appetizing and visually appealing.
Pros: Addicting and wonderful for entertaining.
Cons: None!
Would I make this again? Yes.

CREAMY FRENCH ONION ARTICHOKE DIP

Hi everyone.  Tamy here filling in for Diana as her schedule is completely chaotic with school beginning this past Monday.  I know she normally brings you healthy recipes, but with football pre-season in full swing, I thought I’d bring you this family favorite dip for game time!

CREAMY FRENCH ONION ARTICHOKE DIP

The original recipe called for:
4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
15.5 ounce container of french dip
15.5 ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon scallions
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper

  • Whisk cream cheese until fluffy.
  • Stir in dip and artichoke hearts, cheese, 1/4 cup green onions, parsley, garlic powder and pepper.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.
My version calls for:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
16 ounces sour cream
KNORR French onion soup mix
1 1/2 cups artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 large bunch green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

  • In a small food processor pulse artichoke hearts, garlic, green onions and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  • In a small mixing bowl blend together the sour cream, Knorr mix and cream cheese until smooth.
  • Add artichoke mixture and blend well.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

APPLE BUNDLES

APPLE BUNDLES
2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
4 ounces orange juice with pulp
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons golden raisins
puff pastry*
cinnamon sugar
egg, beaten
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons hot water

  • Thaw the pastry sheets at room temperature until they’re easy to handle (about 45 minutes).
  • Pre-heat the oven to 375°.
  • Whisk the orange juice, apple pie spice, brown sugar and sugar together in a medium saucepan. Bring to a low boil.
  • Add apple pieces and raisins.
  • Line baking sheet with silicone mat or parchment paper.
  • Unfold pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 10-inch square. Cut the pastry sheet into 4 (5-inch) squares. Repeat with the remaining pastry sheet.
  • Spoon 1/4 cup of apple mixture into center of square.
  • Brush the edges of the pastry squares with the egg.
  • Fold each pastry in half over the apple mixture and press the edges to seal.
  • Place the filled pastries onto the baking sheets.
  • Brush the tops of the pastries with the egg.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pastries are golden. Let cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes. Remove the pastries to a wire rack and let cool.
  • Place the butter into a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds. Stir in the confectioners’ sugar. Stir in the water, adding additional water, if necessary, until the icing is the desired consistency.
  • Drizzle the icing over the pastries.

*If you’re in a hurry, you can substitute a can of crescent rolls and have a similar dessert.

SOUR CREAM DUTCH APPLE PIE

I love apples – all apples. There I said it. Who can resist a slice of hot apple pie? Hubby wanted dutch apple, FIL wanted a turnover and I just wanted apples. So I dug into my files and found 3 recipes from grams, a vintage magazine and an old friend. I had never made any of these. Mainly because alone, they weren’t all that interesting. They all needed some UMPF! so I combined the parts I liked best from all three and came up with my version of Sour Cream Dutch Apple Pie. Together they were awesome.



SOUR CREAM DUTCH APPLE PIE
PIE
3+ cups apples, cored, peeled and chopped
lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
1 small egg, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream (not light)
9 inch pastry shell, pre-baked and cooled
TOPPING
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons butter, sliced extremely thin

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Chop the apples and combine with just enough lemon juice to coat and prevent browning in large bowl.
  • In a small bowl sift together the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt.
  • Fold in the sour cream, egg, vanilla and maple extract until well blended.
  • Fold the sour cream mixture into the apples until well coated.
  • Carefully pour into the pie shell, mounding towards the center.
  • Toss together the topping ingredients until well blended.
  • Sprinkle topping evenly over the apple mound.
  • Lay the pieces of butter all over the top.
  • Bake 30 minutes or until apples are tender.
  • Best served with ice cream or fresh whipped cream. If you want to be really decadent try it with Caramel Sauce.

RUSTIC STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE PIE

RUSTIC STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE PIE
1 package Pillsbury pie dough (or homemade if you have time)
2 eggs
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar + 3-4 tablespoons
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound strawberries, cleaned and sliced
whipped cream

  • In a medium mixing bowl sprinkle 3-4 tablespoons of sugar over sliced strawberries and toss. Set aside.
  • Fit crust into pie plate, prick bottom in a couple places with fork tines and bake 5 minutes at 400 degrees.
  • In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese, eggs, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla. Beat until well blended.
  • Pour into pie plate and bake cream cheese mixture 15 minutes until slightly thickened. You will need to lay a piece of foil over top for part of the time to prevent crust from burning.
  • Spread over “pizza” rounds.
  • Top with spoonfuls of strawberries.
  • Add whipped cream and top with CARAMEL SAUCE and MOCHA HOT FUDGE SAUCE.

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE DROPS



PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE DROPS

2/3 cup Hot water
10 ounces Land of Lakes cocoa mix
2 cups JIF creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3 cups C&H powdered sugar, divided 2cups + 1 cup
2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
2 cups crushed ginger snaps
72 Hershey Kisses (I like the cherry cordials)

  • Whisk together the hot water and cocoa mix until smooth.
  • Add peanut butter and corn syrup. Blend until smooth.
  • Add 2 cups powdered sugar and stir until well blended.
  • Stir in cookie crumbs until well blended.
  • Spray wax paper with PURE (these will be sticky so don’t forget this step).
  • Drop heaping teaspoonfuls of dough onto the wax paper.
  • Place the remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
  • Roll each piece of dough into a ball and dredge in powdered sugar.
  • Press your thumb into the center and fill with a Hershey’s kiss.  I used cherry cordial kisses.

PEANUT BUTTER BANANA RUM RAISIN BREAD

Filling in for Chris & Jenn today I offer you a family favorite:

PEANUT BUTTER BANANA RUM RAISIN BREAD

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 jumbo eggs
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup Parrot Bay coconut rum
1/2 cup crushed walnuts
2 large, RIPE bananas, pureed
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 hour to 1 day before pour rum over raisins and let sit at room temperature.
  • In a medium saucepan melt butter.
  • Add brown sugar and bananas in a sauce pan.
  • Cook until smooth and then add nuts and raisins.
  • Stir until well coated & set aside to cool.
  • Cream peanut butter, sugar and eggs until fluffy.
  • Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.
  • Add this to the creamed mixture gradually until well blended.
  • Add cooled banana mixture.
  • Pour into greased and floured pan(s)*
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 45+ minutes.

*This recipe will make 2 large loaves or 1 cake.

FROSTING
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
juice of 1 small lemon
1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

  • In a medium bowl beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  • Add lemon juice and vanilla. Beat until blended.
  • Add powdered sugar gradually until well blended and smooth.
  • Refrigerate 1 hour to set icing before serving.

STRAWBERRY KIWI BUTTERMILK SHORTCAKE

This is even better when you take the time to make fresh whipped cream or homemade vanilla ice cream to go with it.

GLAZE
2 baskets fresh strawberries, sliced
2 kiwis, chopped
1 cup pureed strawberries*
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons KARO light corn syrup
3 tablespoons cornstarch
½ cup water

BUTTERMILK SHORTCAKE
2 cups flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
dash of salt
4 tablespoons sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup butter, softened, but not melted
¾ cup buttermilk**

  • Mix together 1 cup sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch and water in a 2 quart sauce pan, cover and bring to a slow boil. 
  • When you reach a boil remove the lid. Add the 1 cup pureed strawberries and boil a few minutes more.  Chill 10-15 minutes.  After the sauce is chilled, pour over the fruit and toss gently.  Return to the refrigerator to continue chilling. 
  • Sift the dry ingredients together. Add the milk and butter and mix well into a soft dough. DO NOT over knead – it will become tough. 
  • Grease an 8 inch pie pan really well. Gently arrange dough into an even mound and pre-cut into your serving portions before baking. 
  • Bake at 400° for 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick done and golden brown. 
  • Slice each shortcake open, dot with a thin layer of honey, arrange on plate and top with a scoop of the  strawberry kiwi glaze and vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

*I use the less than pretty berries for the puree.

**As a substitute, Buttermilk can be made by adding 2 tablespoons of vinegar to regular milk.

YUCATAN CHICKEN ~ ACHIOTE PASTE – YUCATAN STYLE SAUCE

YUCATAN CHICKEN 

1/2 cup achiote paste
2 tablespoons chopped chipotle chile pepper
1 ripe banana
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons kosher salt
10 large boneless chicken breasts

  • Blend marinade ingredients in a food processor until the mixture is thick. 
  • Pour into a sealable plastic bag, add the chicken and marinate overnight in the refrigerator. 
  • Barbeque with marinade on chicken, being careful not to burn the chicken as it cooks. 
  • Watch closely. The finished chicken will have nice orange red color.