Category: RECIPES

LOADED BAKED POTATO SALAD

This is SERIOUSLY not your grandma’s boring potato salad! This one has a rich and hearty flavor with a kick of spice mixed in! Top with the bacon and NO ONE can resist it AND they will be back for more! I made this for the potluck at our family reunion last Saturday and everyone loved it!

LOADED BAKED POTATO SALAD

5 pounds Russet baking potatoes
3/4 cup sour cream
½ cup mayo
1/4 cup Frank’s original hot sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 pound bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
2 tablespoons finely sliced chives

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Wash and poke holes in each potato.
  • Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1½ hours or until tender. Place in refrigerator to cool.
  • In a large bowl, mix the sour cream, mayo, hot sauce, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Once the potatoes are cooled, cut them into bite-sized pieces and add them to the mixture, tossing to coat.
  • Reserve about ¼ each of the cheese, bacon, and chives for topping and mix the rest in with the potatoes.
  • Spoon salad into serving bowl.
  • Top with the remaining cheese, bacon, and chives.
  • Cover and keep refrigerated until serving.

NOTE:

  • I make the potatoes 2 days before I want to serve it and then cool them overnight before assembling the salad the day before I want to serve it. The flavors are best if you make it at least a day in advance so the flavors can meld together.
  • I forgot to buy the sour cream and because we were at the camp out and not near a store I used Laura Scudder’s toasted onion dip and it was really GREAT.

BOSTON BAKED BEANS ala SLOW COOKER

Not too long ago I researched Navy beans for my Navy Bean & Ham soup. During that research I also found that navy beans, named after the bean of choice of the U.S. Navy, are the main bean used in Boston Baked Beans. I have been making my BBQ Bean dinner for years using canned BUSH beans, but decided it was time to make true Boston Baked Beans my way. I found that most versions used salt pork, but I like the bacon too so I chose to use both. You could substitute if your prefer though. I also eliminated all mustard due to an allergy, but also because I prefer the sweeter version.

Here is my version:

BOSTON BAKED BEAN DINNER ala SLOW COOKER
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 pound salt pork, cubed & browned
2 large Vidalia or Maui onion, chopped small
4 tablespoons liquid smoke
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup jalapeno ketchup
1 cup molasses
3 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cup vinegar
1 pound navy beans

  • Soak beans overnight.
  • Brown hamburger, drain and layer into the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Cube and brown the salt pork. Add to slow cooker.
  • Fry bacon until crisp. Crumble bacon into pieces. Add to slow cooker.
  • Chop onion into small pieces and scatter over the meat.
  • Add the beans to the slow cooker.
  • Scatter the brown sugar over top evenly.
  • Stir together the molasses, ketchup, chicken stock, vinegar, liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce. Pour evenly over everything in the slow cooker.
  • Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
  • Serve with Beer Bread or Cheddar Cheese Biscuits.
  • Great dish for a church pot luck.

NOTE: Add enough chicken stock so that the beans are COMPLETELY covered.

BOSTON BAKED BEAN DINNER
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 pound salt pork, cubed & browned
2 large Vidalia or Maui onion, chopped small
4 tablespoons liquid smoke
1 cup jalapeno ketchup
1 cup molasses
3 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cup vinegar
1 pound navy beans

  • Soak beans overnight.
  • Brown hamburger, drain and layer into the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Cube and brown the salt pork. Add to slow cooker.
  • Fry bacon until crisp. Crumble bacon into pieces. Add to slow cooker.
  • Chop onion into small pieces and scatter over the meat.
  • Add the beans to the slow cooker.
  • Scatter the brown sugar over top evenly.
  • Stir together the molasses, ketchup, vinegar, liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce. Pour evenly over everything in the slow cooker.
  • Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
  • Serve with Beer Bread or Cheddar Cheese Biscuits.
  • Great dish for a church pot luck.

OLD FASHIONED BOSTON BAKED BEANS
1 pound Navy beans, washed and sorted
1/2 pound salt pork, diced small
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/8 cup PURE maple syrup
1/4 cup molasses

  • Dice salt pork and layer on bottom of slow cooker.
  • Chop onion and scatter over salt pork pieces.
  • Wash and sort beans.
  • Place beans in slow cooker on top of salt pork.
  • Cover with 5 cups water.
  • Cook on low overnight for 12 hours.
  • Drain beans, reserving liquid.
  • Return beans to slow cooker.
  • Add vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, maple syrup and molasses and blend well.
  • Add in 1/2 cup of bean water as desired for consistency.
  • Heat through for an hour or so.

TROPICAL CHICKEN BITES with ORANGE MARMALADE DIPPING SAUCE

TROPICAL CHICKEN BITES with ORANGE MARMALADE DIPPING SAUCE

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size cubes
1 1/2 cups chopped cashews
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sesame seeds

MARINADE
1/4 cup cream sherry
1/4 cup Bragg’s liquid aminos
1 tablespoon sesame oil
6 ounces pineapple juice
Zest and Juice of 1 LARGE lime
Zest and Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
2 cloves garlic, minced

  • Whisk together the sherry, liquid aminos, sesame oil, pineapple juice, lemon and lime juice.
  • Add lemon zest, lime zest and garlic.
  • Stir in chicken cubes, tossing to coat.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

 

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Cover baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Add chopped cashews, cornstarch and sesame seeds to food processor and process until the mixture resembles small pebbles. Transfer to a shallow bowl.
  • Drain chicken, reserving marinade.
  • Dredge chicken cubes in cashew mixture to coat evenly.
  • Place cubes on baking sheet.
  • Drizzle with reserved marinade.
  • Bake 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, pasta or with roasted veggies.

SAUCE
16 ounces orange marmalade
1/4 cup creamy horseradish
4 tablespoons chopped cilantro

  • In a saucepan heat the marmalade JUST until melted.
  • Stir in horseradish and cilantro.
  • Toss with chicken pieces and serve immediately

NOTE: You can also make this with chicken tenders, but we like having the sauce coat all the small pieces 😀

CHICKEN TACO CASSEROLE ala Slow Cooker

CHICKEN TACO CASSEROLE
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons Wondra flour
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 cup WHOLE milk
1 cup chicken broth
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
1 cup sour cream
1 can original ROTEL tomatoes
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained WELL
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (see recipe below)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag FRITOS
1 small tomato, chopped
1 SMALL bunch green onions, sliced thin

  • Spray slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Melt the butter in heavy saucepan.
  • Blend in flour and salt. Cook until bubbly.
  • Remove from heat and gradually stir or whisk in liquid.
  • Return to heat and cook, constantly stirring until smooth and thickened.
  • Whisk together the white sauce and sour cream until smooth.
  • Add in taco seasoning, salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Stir in Rotel tomatoes, black beans and 1 cup of the cheese.
  • Spread mixture into slow cooker insert.
  • Top with chicken pieces in a single layer if possible.
  • Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours* until chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks.
  • Mix chicken back in.
  • Top with Fritos and remaining cheese.
  • Cover a few minutes JUST until cheese melts.
  • Top with chopped tomato and green onions.
  • Serve immediately.

NOTES:

  • Time varies based on chicken breast sizes.
  • I accidentally bought re-fried black beans this time actually liked it too.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
1 tablespoon of chili powder
2 teaspoons of onion powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of oregano
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1 tsp cornstarch
3/4 cup water

  • Mix all the dry ingredients together and use with your taco meat.
  • Pour the water in the pan and cook just like you would for tacos.
  • The amount above is the same amount that is in one packet of taco seasoning mix at the store.

GRANDMA DOLL’S POTATO SALAD

Hubby loved his grandmother’s potato salad and kept asking me to make some like it.  It took me quite awhile to perfect this potato salad for hubby, but I FINALLY got there a few years back.
GRANDMA DOLL’S POTATO SALAD
3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, baked and cooled
4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
2 large kosher dill pickles, chopped AND their juice
2 tablespoons dill relish
Lots of mustard
A little mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste

  • Grate potatoes in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add eggs, onion, pickles, pickle juice and relish, mixing to blend well.
  • Add mustard and mayonnaise to taste and desired consistency.
  • Add seasonings to taste.

BAKED HAM & CHEESE SANDWICHES

These little gems have become an ALL TIME tailgating appetizer favorite for any gathering!  You can change up the meats and cheese for your own liking 😀

BAKED HAM & CHEESE SANDWICHES
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons HEINZ yellow mustard**
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
3 teaspoons sugar
1 package King’s Hawaiian rolls (I use the 8 pack small burger size)
8 slices COLBY cheddar cheese, halved
8 thin slices of deli ham, halved
8 slices Provolone cheese, halved

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the butter, mustard or mayonnaise, onion, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and poppy seeds.
  • Place the bottoms in a 9×13 baking dish.
  • Brush each bottom with butter mixture.
  • Top each bun with layers of Colby cheese, deli ham and Provolone cheese folded to fit accordingly.
  • Brush with half the butter mixture.
  • Put roll tops on. Brush with remaining butter mixture.
  • Bake, uncovered 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted.

NOTE: I’m deathly allergic to mustard and substitute mayonnaise for the mustard and then put mustard on the serving table for others to use at their pleasure.

TERIYAKI SESAME CHICKEN SALAD

This is the perfect spring salad full of sweet and tangy fruit and asian blended flavors.

TERIYAKI SESAME CHICKEN SALAD
16 ounces fusilli pasta, prepared per package directions and WELL drained
1/2 cup avocado oil
2/3 cup champagne vinegar
2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
Juice of 1 large lemon
1/3 cup sugar
FRESH ground black pepper, to taste
2 cans mandarin oranges, WELL DRAINED
2 small cans water chestnuts, WELL DRAINED
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1 1/2 cups honey roasted peanuts or cashews
2 cups torn baby spinach leaves or romaine lettuce
5 ounces dried cranberries (Craisins)
1 large bunch green onions, sliced
1/2 cup minced parsley
1/4 cup sesame seeds

  • Add prepared pasta and chicken pieces to a large salad bowl.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the avocado oil, vinegar, teriyaki sauce, lemon juice, sugar and pepper.
  • Pour over pasta and chicken, tossing to coat well.
  • Top with mandarin oranges, water chestnuts, cranberries and green onions.
  • Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.
  • Just before serving add cashews, tossing well to mix.

BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE

BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
1/4 cup Bleu cheese dressing
1/4 cup Frank’s original hot sauce
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups spiral pasta, cooked and drained

  • Melt the butter in heavy saucepan.
  • Blend in flour and salt. Cook until bubbly.
  • Remove from heat and gradually stir or whisk in liquid.
  • Return to heat and cook, constantly stirring until smooth and thickened.
  • Spray slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Stir together the soup mixture, dressing, hot sauce and half of the cheese.
  • Fold in onions and celery.
  • Spread into slow cooker.
  • Top with chicken.
  • Cover and cook on low 4 hours until chicken is cooked through.
  • Shred chicken and fold into sauce.
  • Fold in prepared pasta and remaining cheese.

ORANGE CHICKEN PANDA EXPRESS COPY CAT COPY CAT

ORANGE CHICKEN PANDA EXPRESS COPY CAT 4 servings
CHICKEN
1 1/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups flour
1 small egg
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 cup coconut oil, for frying

ORANGE SAUCE
1 tablespoon avocado oil
¼ teaspoon chili flake
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 teaspoon ginger, minced
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons orange juice
3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
1 tablespoon Bragg’s liquid aminos
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the salt, white pepper, cornstarch, and flour.
  • Add the egg, water, and oil until it reaches the consistency of pancake batter.
  • Add the chicken to the batter and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
  • Heat oil in a wok or heavy bottom pan to 350˚.
  • Gently add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes until lightly golden brown.
  • Remove the chicken from the pan and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • In another saucepan heat oil over medium-high heat.
  • Once oil is HOT and shimmering add the red pepper flakes, ginger, and garlic, and cook for 30 seconds or so, stirring constantly until fragrant.
  • Add the sugar and brown sugar, stirring to combine.
  • Add in the orange juice and allow the sugars to dissolve in the liquid, stirring occasionally.
  • Add in the vinegar and liquid aminos, blending well.
  • Whisk together the cornstarch and water until combined. Add to the pan and stir to blend. Continue to cook the sauce until maple syrup consistency is achieved.
  • Add in the chicken pieces and stir until completely coated in the sauce.
  • Top with sesame oil and blend again.
  • Enjoy!

BAKED HAM with CHERRY SAUCE

BAKED HAM with CHERRY SAUCE

8-10 pound bone-in cooked ham
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons PURE maple syrup
1 teaspoon creamy horseradish
1 LARGE orange
12 cloves
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup cold water
1 can undrained pitted dark sweet cherries
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan.
  • Using a sharp knife score the ham in a diamond pattern 1/4 inch deep.
  • Mix together the brown sugar, maple syrup and creamy horseradish. Rub all over ham making sure to get it deep into the slits.
  • Push cloves into the orange rind and place orange in roaster next to ham.*
  • Bake covered and undisturbed for 2 hours (15 minutes per pound) until thermometer reads 140°.

NOTE:  Make sure it is a LARGE and JUICY orange.  This will help keep the ham moist.

  • In a small saucepan whisk together the cornstarch, sugar and water until smooth.
  • Stir in cherries and bring to a boil. Cook until thickened, 1-2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
  • Serve over ham.

PORKY PIG FARMER’S MARKET SALAD

This light and bright salad is oomphed up by FRESH basil, FRESH parsley and FRESH lemon juice to make this a spring favorite!

PORKY PIG FARMER’S MARKET SALAD
8 ounces pasta, bowtie or campagnelle
1 cup FRESH chopped green beans
2 cups sliced cherry tomatoes
2 cups chopped seeded cucumber
1 cup chopped red pepper
2 cups chopped ham steak
1 1/2 cups mozzarella balls
1 small red onion, chopped
1/2 cup FRESH chopped basil
1/2 cup FRESH chopped parsley
1/2 cup Avocado oil
1/4 cup champagne vinegar
Juice of 2 lemons
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds

  • In a large saucepan bring salted water to a boil over high heat.
  • Add pasta and cook for 10 minutes.
  • At 10 minutes add green beans and bell pepper cooking for 2 more minutes.
  • Drain and rinse WELL with cold water.
  • Transfer to a large salad bowl.
  • Stir in tomatoes, cucumbers, ham, red onions and mozzarella balls.
  • In a small bowl combine lemon juice, sugar, lemon zest, shallot, salt and pepper. Let stand for 10 minutes.
  • In a small food processor add the lemon juice mixture, champagne vinegar, basil, parsley and oil, pulsing until well blended.
  • Pour over pasta mixture.  Toss to coat and set aside for 10 minutes.
  • Add pasta mixture to the veggie mixture, sprinkle with seeds and toss to mix.
  • Refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES with LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

This makes a wonderful bundt cake for any holiday!

CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES with LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING adapted from Al Made It For You yield 10 cupcakes

CUPCAKES
1½ cups grated carrots
½ cup WELL DRAINED crushed pineapple
1 cup (120g) cake flour
¼ cup (31g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ heaping teaspoon QUALITY ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
2 LARGE eggs
¾ cup (150g) light brown sugar
½ cup (120ml) Avocado oil
1 (5 ounce) (142 grams) OUI lemon Greek yogurt
½ teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
1/3 cup crushed finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup golden raisins

  • Preheat the oven to 325°.
  • Line a muffin pan with paper liners, and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine the cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, oil, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract.
  • Combine the flour mixture, crushed pineapple and grated carrots mixing just until combined.
  • Add to wet mixture and blend well.
  • Fold in raisins and all but 2 tablespoons of walnuts.
  • Scoop out the batter evenly into 10 paper liners, and bake for 18-20 minutes.
  • Let them cool in the pan for a couple minutes before taking them out to a wire rack to cool completely.

FROSTING
8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1½ cup (188g) powdered sugar
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • In a mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter until it becomes fluffy.
  • Add the cream cheese and continue to beat.
  • Add powdered sugar and lemon zest, beating to incorporate until smooth.
  • Add frosting to piping bag and pipe cupcake tops as desired. The frosting recipe makes the right amount for piping swirls. You’ll only need two-thirds of the recipe is needed if piping bursts instead.
  • Sprinkle with reserved walnuts.

NOTE:  This makes a WONDERFUL small bundt cake.  Adjust the baking time from 18-20 minutes to 35-45 minutes.