Author: QuiltLady

BLACK FOREST DUMP CAKE

There’s an original version of this cake from the 1980’s, but there are ever so many possibilities to build on the flavors and make your own version! BLACK FOREST is one of my ALL time favorite versions. The other is the CARAMEL APPLE PECAN. 😀 That recipe will be coming up soon. 😀

BLACK FOREST DUMP CAKE
1 LARGE can crushed pineapple, drained, but save the juice!
21 ounce can COMSTOCK country cherry pie filling
1 box MOIST devil’s food cake mix
1/2 cup sweetened coconut
1/3-1/2 cup crushed pecans
1/2 cup butter, melted

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Lightly spray 9×13 cake pan with non-stick spray.
  • Pour crushed pineapple into pan.
  • Pour cherry pie filling into pan. You can stir to mix them up a bit, but it is not necessary. Let your OCD decide 😀
  • Evenly sprinkle dry cake mix over the pineapple cherry mixture and press down lightly.
  • Whisk together the pineapple juice and the melted butter.
  • Pour butter mixture over dry cake mix evenly making sure to cover all the dry cake mix.
  • Sprinkle with coconut and pecans.
  • Bake 35-40 minutes.
  • Cool slightly.
  • Top with whipped cream if desired

NOTE: If you still have dry cake mix showing, use a sheet of wax paper over the top of the cake and lightly press coconut and pecans into cake mix and butter. You can use a fork instead of the wax paper, but it takes a bit longer and then you have to lick the fork at the end. 😀

ASIAGO PASTA PEAS

ASIAGO PASTA PEAS
16 ounces ditalini pasta
2 cups FRESH hulled peas
2 green onions, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon onion powder
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded Asiago cheese

  • Cook pasta per package directions.
  • Drain well and return to pot.
  • Whisk together the heavy cream, salt, pepper and onion powder.
  • Add cream mixture, garlic and peas to pan you cooked the pasta in and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
  • After 2 minutes add in pasta.
  • When cream begins to thicken fold in cheese, stirring to melt.
  • Season to taste.
  • Serve immediately.

“BUTTERMILK” APPLE CIDER GRILLED CHICKEN

“BUTTERMILK” APPLE CIDER GRILLED CHICKEN
4-6 chicken breasts
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 cups WHOLE milk
4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Place chicken breasts in a LARGE ziploc bag.
  • Whisk together the milk and apple cider vinegar.
  • Pour milk mixture over the chicken and seal tight. Marinate over night or at least 8 hours. Turn every few hours if you can.
  • Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 1 hour before grilling.
  • Preheat grill and spray with non-stick spray.
  • Grill chicken 3-4 minutes per side.

NOTE: Grill time will vary based on whether you use bone in or boneless chicken breasts as well as how thick they are. Adjust accordingly.

TUSCAN CHICKEN VEGGIE STEW with CHEESY SCALLION SODA BREAD

TUSCAN CHICKEN VEGGIE STEW with CHEESY SCALLION SODA BREAD

TUSCAN CHICKEN VEGGIE STEW
1 red onion, chopped small
4-6 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
1/4 cup avocado oil
3 celery heart ribs, FINELY diced
2 carrots, FINELY diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped small
2 tablespoons QUALITY tomato paste
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 bunch Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped thyme leaves
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped rosemary leaves (optional)
4 cups chicken stock**
4 cups diced rotisserie chicken pieces
1-2 cans cannellini beans, drained WELL
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 cup Arborio rice

  • Heat avocado oil over medium heat in a large cast iron saute pan or enamel covered cast iron.
  • Add onions, red pepper, garlic and black pepper and stir 2-3 minutes.
  • Add celery, carrots, bell pepper and tomato paste.
  • Season generously and saute 4-5 minutes.
  • Add herbs, stock tomatoes and cannellini beans.
  • Simmer at least 45 minutes to an hour. It tastes better the longer it simmers. 🙂
  • 45 minutes before serving add chicken pieces and rice, stirring to combine.
  • Simmer until rice is tender.

**NOTES:

  • I like to use homemade chicken tomato bone broth from the end of the garden season.
  • Because it tastes so much better the longer it simmers, it makes a WONDERFUL slow cooker dish.

CHEESY SCALLION SODA BREAD
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 large bunch green onions, halved and sliced thin
1 cup heavy cream
1/4-1/3 WHOLE milk, depending on consistency
1 LARGE egg

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Sift together the dry ingredients.
  • Cut in softened butter.
  • Add cheeses and mix until crumbly.
  • Add onion pieces and mix until well distributed.
  • Whisk egg into whole milk and heavy cream.
  • Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing dough just until it comes together.
  • Form into a LARGE round or 4 small rounds.
  • Transfer to baking sheet lined with a SILPAT.
  • Slice an X into the tops for venting.
  • Bake 1 hour.
  • Let cool 15-30 minutes before serving. The centers will continue baking during the cooling time.

NOTE:

  • If making into smaller rounds or roll size, adjust the baking time accordingly. For 4 rounds I bake 45 minutes. For 8 rolls I bake 25-30 minutes.

This meal is a

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU PLANS and links WEEK 38 of 2021

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up
with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was quiet. I got my flu vaccine on Saturday morning and felt a bit puny after so napped, relaxed and watched NASCAR Saturday and football Sunday. I’m jumping right in as I have a busy morning to catch up on what I didn’t get done over the weekend.

Up here in the Pacific North West we are known for being green and generally wet. The past town summers have been EXTREMELY dry. The ponds near the house are even all but dried up because it’s been so dry. The last significant rain we got was in April and even then it was unusually low. Even wildlife is struggling. That was the bad news. The good news we are finally supposed to start getting some rain along with much cooler temperatures!!! Significant rain at that. So, cross your fingers!! I’m praying this means that fall is here and our rain patterns are returning to normal.

The update on the medical situation is NOT good. I’ve been waiting 3 weeks for a callback to schedule the appointment with the Chronic Care Manager. Last week when I was in town I PHYSICALLY went in to ask what was going on. The receptionist was quite curt bordering on rude and said “you just called this morning”. That was not true. The doctor referred me on August 23rd. I called on August 27th and then again on September 7th – reasonable amounts of time. According to the receptionist I called at 8:37 on the 9th which I did not. I suggested that maybe that note was put on my record accidentally. She said their records are EXACT. I said well so is my phone and I pulled up the calls showing her that I had not called since Tuesday. She just tsked her tongue.

I’m left feeling that my medical facility is not doing things correctly and that perhaps even my medical records have been compromised??

I was finally called back late Friday and told that she will be out for an “indefinite” time due to COVID and that I would have to wait for her return. Honestly, they should have called me to begin with!!!

The entire facility is having a COVID crisis so I wasn’t actually anxious to go in there to begin with, but when I was told I would have to “wait” I just about lost it. She is the only one available in this area. I hope she is better soon, but I shouldn’t have to ask for a referral elsewhere for a life threatening issue, it should be offered.

Now I’m waiting for a referral to another town that is either an hour or 2 hours away depending on which direction is available. I will be following up on this later today, tomorrow and the next day and the day after that until I can receive the help I need.

All this was my long winded way of releasing the tension and to say that I’ll be having hot water and yogurt again this morning 😀

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m going to call Whirpool a little later this morning to get an update on the washing machine replacement in hopes of good news that will keep me from going to the laundromat on Friday morning. I’ve been doing a little sorting for things to donate to a women’s home her in town. I also need to vacuum.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll be heading out later this morning for just a few items. Hubby has 2 appointments on Friday.
  • PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS I have several of each to do!
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I did everything I’m going to to get us until our trip later next month. I even put together a few recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas and planned a few Christmas cookie recipes for the neighbor plates.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • NETFLIX Virgin River, Money Heist, Walking Dead
  • REDBOX 12 MIGHTY ORPHANS
  • DISCOVERY + MYSTERIES of the Abandoned
  • CABLE – NASCAR, Guy’s Grocery Games, Bobby & Giada in Italy, Guy’s Ranch Kitchen, Girl Meets Farm, Beat Bobby Flay, Clash of the Cones, Chesapeake Shores, MasterChef

The book I was reading last week and said I probably wouldn’t continue the series with got better. So I’m now reading book #2 in the series of Magnolia Inn by Anne Marie Meyer.

I didn’t take many pictures last week, but the black eyed Susan’s are looking pretty good.

 

with the links to last week’s posted recipes, featured party links for the week and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
DINNER
TUSCAN CHICKEN VEGGIE BEAN STEW with CHEESY SCALLION SODA BREAD
ENCHILADA MEATBALLS, REFRIED BEANS & SPANISH RICE
BEEF & NOODLES
C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT
BUTTERMILK GRILLED CHICKEN, PARMESAN PEAS PASTA & SALAD
BEER BRAISED CHUCK ROAST & SOUR CREAM SMASHED POTATOES
C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT
DESSERT
BLACK FOREST DUMP CAKE

  • GREAT GRANS CHICKEN & NOODLES

RUSTIC TOMATO CHICKEN SAUSAGE RAGU ~ FAITH & FOOD FRIDAY #16

I’m still featuring my Mary & Martha GRACE meal prayer box on Faith and Food Friday, hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THIS WEEK’S PRAYER: Dear God, Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for family. Thank You for friends. Thank You for good things to eat and a warm bed to sleep. We love You! Amen.

This is a FUN recipe and much more simple than you would think. The way I make it also uses my veggies that are a bit past their prime and the bones and scraps from my Costco rotisserie chicken. It is literally a kitchen sink recipe that you can make up as you go 😀

RUSTIC TOMATO CHICKEN SAUSAGE RAGU
1 rotisserie chicken (Costco)
4 cups Roma tomatoes (preferably homegrown), rustically cut into pieces
2-3 slices bacon, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 shallots, FINELY chopped
4 ounces (2 large links) Sweet Italian sausage. casings removed
1/4 cup FRESH chopped Italian Pasta herbs (parsley, basil, oregano)
2 cloves garlic, minced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup Marsala wine
1-2 tablespoons QUALITY tomato paste
8 ounces tomato sauce
1/4 cup powdered Parmesan cheese
Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

  • Debone chicken and place skin, bones and tomato pieces in a dutch oven.
  • Cover with 10-12 cups of water.
  • Cover and simmer 3 hours.
  • While bone broth is simmering, small dice chicken pieces and set aside.

 

  • Heat LARGE saute pan/crock and add bacon pieces, sauteing until crisp.
  • Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set aide to drain.
  • Add butter and when melted, add sausage, herbs, garlic, and shallots, sauteing until sausage is crumbly.
  • Add Marsala wine, tomato paste and tomato sauce.
  • Strain bone broth through a sieve, mashing any large tomato chunks, into your saute pan with the sausage mixture. (Discard bones and skins.)
  • Stir well until blended.
  • Simmer over medium low heat 2 hours.
  • Adjust seasoning.
  • Add a cornstarch slurry if you want to thicken it up.
  • Serve over prepared pasta and top with a bit of grated Parmesan cheese.

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with RUSTIC TOMATO HERB PAN SAUCE

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with RUSTIC TOMATO HERB PAN SAUCE
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 garlic cloves, FINELY minced
1 tablespoon chopped FRESH thyme leaves
1 tablespoon chopped FRESH oregano**
1 tablespoon chopped FRESH Italian flat leaf parsley**
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
1 small shallot, FINELY chopped
2 cups grape or small cherry tomatoes, halved
4 chicken breasts

  • Mix together the softened butter, thyme and parika in a small bowl.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon of your herb butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
  • Season chicken breasts with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Dredge chicken breasts with Wondra flour and then add to the sizzling butter. Sear breast on each side for 3-4 minutes until cooked through.
  • Transfer chicken to plate, tent with foil and keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
  • Increase heat slightly.
  • Add shallots and tomatoes to pan, stirring occasionally, until they begin to char, about 5 minutes.
  • Mash tomatoes slightly to release their juice.
  • Add remaining butter, stirring to blend.
  • Season to taste.
  • Plate chicken and spoon sauce over.

**NOTE: I like to buy the “Pasta Mix” in the produce section. It is a combination of oregano, basil, thyme and Italian parsley.

P3 #2 PUMPKIN PINEAPPLE PECAN DUMP CAKE

P3 #2 PUMPKIN PINEAPPLE PECAN DUMP CAKE

I found the basic recipe somewhere, but it just seemed soooooo plain that I had to rework it and embellish it to bring out the best of the season.  The pineapple adds a sweet, yet tangy bite. The nuts add a bit of crunch that this dessert really needed and the FRESH grated nutmeg on top adds a fresh, rich aroma and a woody, bittersweet flavor with a hint of clove.

P3 PUMPKIN PINEAPPLE PECAN DUMP CAKE gets its name because you literally just dump the ingredients in, bake and voile you have a cake with NO real mixing, just a little whisking having been done! It is a pumpkin pie and a spice cake all in one yummy bite!

15 ounce can pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
12 ounce can evaporated milk
1 LARGE can crushed pineapple, DRAINED REALLY, REALLY WELL
3 LARGE eggs, 1 WHOLE and 2 yolks
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons QUALITY ground cinnamon
1 box moist spice cake mix
scant 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 – 3/4 cup crushed walnuts or pecans (optional)

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, drained pineapple, nutmeg and cinnamon until well-combined. It will be very thin, don’t worry!
  • Pour into the baking dish.
  • Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly on top of pumpkin mixture.
  • Drizzle melted butter evenly over the top.Use a fork to gently press down any exposed cake mix so that the butter completely covers the dry mix.
  • Sprinkle with nuts if using.
  • Bake 55-60 minutes. It might still be a bit jiggly in the middle but as long as the edges are set it will continue to set up as it cools.
  • Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Chill if not serving immediately after the 30 minutes. Let come to room temperature before serving.
  • Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle of nutmeg.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 37 of 2021

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up
with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I hope you are having a nice relaxing holiday weekend. Mine has been laid back and quiet since Friday which was just the opposite – SUPER productive. We’re still waiting on the new washer so went to the laundromat on Friday, did the grocery shopping and several errands like COSTCO, Walmart and Walgreens.

We watched the NASCAR races, a few movies and I did some recipe research. I also did a little organizing.

I have a “RECIPE” blog, Savory Kitchen Table which is NOTHING but recipes. Yet, I find I’ve been getting away from my normal journaling here and posting mainly just recipes for quite some time now.

I know there has been a tone going on, but I’m trying to find ways to help motivate me back into “regular” blogging. Maybe do up some journaling prompts for BLOGTOBER, BLOGEMBER? Definitely BLOGMAS!!

It is still super smokey – so much so that it has become part of the daily forecast – hazy to patchy smoke! It has been cooling off quite nicely at night and we only have a couple days in the 90’s this week. But my daily walks have taken a hit because of the smoke!

Unfortunately I’m still waiting (it’s been 2 weeks so far) to hear from the Chronic Care Manager about making my appointment 🙁 2 weeks ago my doctor said if I hadn’t heard from them by Friday to call in. When I did I was told to be more patient. So I waited a second week.

I have so much respect and care a lot about what frontline workers are going through, but… I have to complain slightly.  When I was in the office waiting room 2 weeks ago today I repeatedly heard the 2 receptionists put all the incoming calls on hold and then spend precious minutes “bitching” to each other about how overworked they are because so and so couldn’t be bothered to come to work , or because so and so now has COVID because they went to a party or how too many people were calling in and asking stupid questions…

I have no doubt that they are doing double duty, BUT 2 things bother me.

  • 1) that is not a conversation that should take place “front of the house” where patients can overhear them while they are in the waiting room AND
  • 2) they were on the clock! They should have been handling the calls that they put on hold NOT gossiping and complaining out in the front office for all to hear.

I’m told there is not enough office staff to deal with scheduling due to a COVID outbreak in the facility. I’m not anxious to visit the facility either, but do need to get a handle on my health issues soon. So since today is a holiday I will wait until tomorrow, but will be calling and being a bit more insistent on getting an appointment. I’m not trying to be insensitive, but I need help! Even if the referral needs to be to another city.

So, for now breakfast is still super simple – mixed berry yogurt and hot water.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING Still waiting on the new washer to be delivered, but did the laundromat last Friday. Need to de-web the house and wash a few areas down. There are weeds that need pulled and bushes to cut back
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I went on Friday so hoping not to need groceries until later this week.
  • PAPERWORK & PHONE CALLS nothing today, but I have a few things on my desk to deal with tomorrow and Wednesday.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menus are planned for a couple weeks, but I’m itching to do some fall recipes. I sure hope the weather turns super cool soon so I can 😀
  • CLASSES I did sign up for a new painting class in a couple weeks. Aren’t these Halloween trolls adorable?

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • NETFLIX Beauty & the Beast, Virgin River, The Walking Dead (rewatching), Money Heist – strange but interesting so far, Blood Red Sky – really strange,
  • PRIME The Black Out Invasion Earth
  • DISCOVERY + Mysteries of the Abandoned – found this and learned so many interesting thins so far about Gort Canyon RR, the DUGA woodpecker and Chernobyl, Prora the NAZI ghost town, the HARP super gun, Grand Goulets, Hashima Island Coal Mines, Plank Road and Half Moon Bay in Victoria Australia
  • CABLE NASCAR, Guy’s Grocery Games, Bobby & Giada in Italy, Guy’s Ranch Kitchen, Girl Meets Farm, Beat Bobby Flay, Clash of the Cones, Chesapeake Shores, MasterChef

I’ve been falling asleep quickly without getting much reading done – seems like I have to reread the same page each night to remember where I was the night before 😀 I’m trying to get through Magnolia Inn by Anne Marie Meyer. I like the story premise and will finish this book, but am not thrilled with the author as a word smith so will probably not continue with the series 🙁 unless something drastically changes.

The smoke from wild fires has been so bad this week I didn’t get many pictures. We did TRY and take a walk around the pond on Saturday, but the smoke was so thick and beginning to give us scratchy throats so we turned back, but I did get a couple pictures.

This one was from a #LumberTrain a couple weeks ago #RailArt I think they ran out of time though – I assume it was supposed to be a cherry bomb, but the cherry is still white instead of red

with the links to last week’s posted recipes, featured party links for the week and upcoming recipes to be posted soon.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
DINNER
RANCH CHICKEN QUESADILLA FOLDOVERS
COMPANY CHICKEN with BROCCOLI SUN-DRIED TOMATO RISOTTO
CAFETERIA CHICKEN & GRAVY
C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT
HAMBURGER SOUP with BLACK PEPPER BUTTERMILK BISCUITS
TUSCAN CHICKEN VEGGIE STEW and CHEESY SCALLION SODA BREAD with GARLIC BUTTER
ENCHILADA MEATBALLS with REFRIED BEANS & SPANISH RICE
DESSERT
P3 CUBED PINEAPPLE PUMPKIN PIE DUMP CAKE

  • RUSTIC TOMATO CHICKEN SAUSAGE RAGU
  • P3 #2 PUMPKIN PINEAPPLE PECAN DUMP CAKE
  • PAN SEARED CHICKEN with RUSTIC TOMATO HERB PAN SAUCE
  • RUM RAISIN CARROT CAKE with CREAM CHEESE ICING

ORIGINAL PARTY CHEX MIX

ALWAYS a favorite for ANY party!

CHEX PARTY MIX
3 3/4 cups corn CHEX cereal
1 1/2 cups wheat CHEX cereal
3 3/4 cups rice CHEX cereal
1 cup salted, roasted peanuts
1 cup pretzel sticks
1 stick butter
2 tablespoons Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons LAWRY’S seasoned salt
3/4 teaspoon QUALITY garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon QUALITY onion powder

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
  • In a large mixing bowl toss cereals and nuts together.
  • In a small saucepan melt butter.
  • Whisk in Worcestershire sauce and seasonings until well blended.
  • Pour over cereal and nuts and toss until evenly coated.
  • Spread on a large cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 1 hour, stirring often and rotating cookie sheet as necessary until crisp.

originally posted 6-3-2014

CHICKEN & WILD RICE ~ FAITH & FOOD FRIDAY #15

I’m still featuring my Mary & Martha GRACE meal prayer box on Faith and Food Friday, hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THIS WEEK’S PRAYER: Dear God, Thank You for the food You provide, for a loving family side by side, for a warm and cozy place to live, and all the blessings that You give. Amen.

This is one of those recipes that I believe has been floating around in every housewife’s recipe box for years and years, handed down through the generations – ESPECIALLY in the midwest. It also adapts to a slow cooker quite easily and I’ve provided those ingredients and directions below.

CHICKEN & WILD RICE ala Molly ala ANTIQUE RECIPE BOX find

3/4 cup wild rice, rinsed and drained
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 carrots, FINELY chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 LARGE onion, finely chopped
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon FRESH rosemary, chopped
2 sleeves (2 cups) KEEBLER butter crackers, crushed
1 tablespoon avocado oil
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

  • Preheat the oven to 375°.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the wild rice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until al dente, about 30 minutes.
  • Drain the rice and set it aside.
  • In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
  • Add the carrots, celery, onion and a pinch of salt and cook until the vegetables are softened, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Add a third of the stock mixture to the pot and cook until thickened slightly, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Stir in another third of the mixture and cook another minute or two.
  • Add the remaining third and cook until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. The soup should coat the back of a spoon.
  • Add the rosemary, black pepper and salt to taste.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
  • Mix the butter crackers and olive oil in a bowl. Set aside.
  • In a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish, spread a third of the soup on the bottom of the dish.
  • Spread half of the rice on top of the soup and follow with half of the shredded chicken spread across the rice.
  • Repeat the layers, then top with the remaining third of the soup mixture.
  • Top with the butter cracker mixture.
  • Bake until bubbly, about 45 minutes.
  • If the cracker topping is getting too browned, cover with foil.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley.

SLOW COOKER INGREDIENTS & DIRECTIONS

2 cups uncooked wild rice
1/2 cup FINELY chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onions
8-12 ounces mushrooms
2 cups bite size chicken breast pieces
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

  • Wash and dry rice.
  • Combine all ingredients in the crock pot, mixing well.
  • Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours or until rice is tender.
  • Do NOT remove lid before 4 hours.

 

PAN SEARED BLACKENED ROCKFISH (RED SNAPPER) with LEMON THYME SAUCE

Hubby wanted swordfish last week, but finding it proved to more difficult and truly impossible in this area so we settled for a Rockfish. I wasn’t even sure what Rockfish was but after an in depth online search I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it is related to my all time favorite, Red Snapper.

There used to be a mom and pop seafood house near where we lived. They made an amazing Blackened, Cajun like Red Snapper before Cajun or Blackened was even a popular thing, at least on the west coast.

I also wanted a sauce so made one based on Julia Child’s French butter sauce.

PAN SEARED BLACKENED ROCKFISH (RED SNAPPER) with LEMON THYME SAUCE

FISH
2 Rockfish or Red Snapper fillets
2 tablespoons Pampered Chef Chile Lime seasoning
2 tablespoons lemon garlic seasoning
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter

  • Rinse fish and pat dry.
  • Whisk together the seasonings.
  • Gently rub fish fillets with the seasoning rub.
  • Heat avocado oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Sear fillets 3-4 minutes on each side until fish begins to flake.
  • Plate fish and keep warm while you prepare the sauce.

SAUCE
Pan drippings
1 tablespoon WONDRA flour
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme leaves
1 green onion, minced
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
4 tablespoons COLD butter, diced into small pieces

  • Over medium high heat heat pan drippings and 1 tablespoon of the butter until melted.
  • Add onions and saute 1 minute.
  • Whisk in flour until combined.
  • Whisk in lemon juice and thyme leaves until smooth.
  • Whisk in butter, one piece at a time until all melted and smooth consistency.
  • Serve immediately over fish fillets.