Category: MEMES & LINK PARTIES

LEMONY BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS with ONIONS and POTATOES ~ BLOG 366.229

The original recipe called for 3 things I either don’t like the taste of (capers), am allergic to (mustard) or just don’t like to cook with (turkey) so I adapted it my likes. I also combined two of her recipes, both braising recipes for a one pot wonder 😀

LEMONY BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS with CARROTS, LEEKS, ONIONS & POTATOES adapted from MARY BERG and MARY BERG

2 1/4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 teaspoons avocado oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 SMALL Vidalia onions, thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced and seeds removed
5 to 6 medium yellow potatoes, quartered
1 SMALL bag baby carrots, drained
1 LARGE leek, trimmed and sliced
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped thyme
FRESH chopped parsley for serving
FRESH grated Parmesan, for serving (optional)
Candied lemons, for serving (optional)

  • Heat your oven to 325°.
  • Place a enameled cast iron pot over medium-high heat.
  • Pat the chicken thighs dry and season well with salt and pepper.
  • Add the oil into the pan followed by the thighs, skin-side down. Allow to sear 3-4 minutes until golden brown on the first side and the meat easily releases from the pan.
  • Flip and sear on the other side 2-3 minutes JUST until golden then remove from the pan and set aside.
  • Turn the heat down to medium and add the butter along with the onions, lemons and potatoes.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper, cooking until the onions and lemon are slightly softened and golden, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the garlic followed by the white wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze and pick up any cooked-on bits.
  • Bring the wine to a simmer and cook down 2-4 minutes until slightly reduced.
  • Whisk the mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce together. Add the broth and whisk until smooth.
  • Stir the broth mixture into the pan, coating everything well. 
  • Nestle the thighs on top, skin-side up, making sure that the skin is NOT submerged.
  • Bring to a boil, cover with the lid, and transfer the pan to the oven for 40 minutes.
  • After 45 minutes of braising, remove the lid and continue to cook 15-20 minutes until the chicken and potatoes are cooked through and the skin is golden and lightly crisp.
  • Remove the pan from the oven, scatter with the thyme and allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes.
  • Top with grated cheese if desired.

 

 

STUFFED BANANA PEPPERS ~ BLOG 366.228

STUFFED BANANA PEPPERS adapted from Mary Berg  Yield: 4 servings

FRESH ground Kosher salt and black pepper
4 banana peppers
1/4 cup FINE breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon Pampered Chef Chile Lime seasoning
2 tablespoons WHOLE milk
2 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
1 yellow onion, FINELY minced
2 garlic cloves, FINELY minced
1 cup MILD ROTEL (drained)
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1 LARGE egg yolk
1-2 cups homemade tomato sauce
1/4 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving
1 tablespoon FINELY chopped FRESH parsley, plus more for serving
2 teaspoon FINELY chopped FRESH oregano

  • Heat your oven to 350°.
  • Bring a medium saucepan of salt seasoned water to a boil over high heat.
  • Add the banana peppers to blanch 2-3 minutes until JUST slightly tender.
  • Drain and slice one side off the pepper to expose the interior and remove the ribs and seeds.
  • Set the peppers aside and finely chop the small piece you cut from each pepper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a skillet over medium heat and add in the onion and chopped pepper.
  • Season with the Chile lime seasoning, salt and pepper, cooking 3-5 minutes until tender and lightly golden.
  • Stir in the garlic and transfer half of the mixture into the bowl with the breadcrumbs and set aside to cool to room temperature.
  • Add the ROTEL into the pan with the remaining onion mixture, bring to a simmer, cover with an off-kilter lid and reduce the heat to low to cook and keep warm.
  • Add the ground beef to the bowl with the breadcrumb mixture along with the egg yolk, cheese, parsley and oregano.
  • Place a small amount of tomato sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Season well with salt and pepper to taste and mix well to combine.
  • Stuff the meat mixture into the peppers and set into a greased baking dish.
  • Drizzle with the remaining tomato sauce, cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and continue baking 10-15 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  • Serve the peppers topped with the sauce and a HUGE sprinkling of the Parmigiano-Reggiano and FRESH chopped parsley.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS week 32 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.225

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

WEEKEND RECAP

It was the County Fair last week. We went on Thursday (Military Day and hubby got in free). As much as I LOVE the fair, it was a miserable day with high heat, high humidity, horrific air quality from the fires all around us and it was REALLY bothering my eyes. Friday we were going to spend the day antiquing in a town to the north and have dinner out, but after we got there and made the first stop I just didn’t feel right so we stopped for a late lunch and came home so I could rest more. Saturday and Sunday were just spent lounging around the house and getting the laundry done as well as watching the closing OLYMPIC ceremonies.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

This week looks like it will be beautiful, sunny and in the high 70’s. The real determinant will be wind direction and the smoke from ALL the local fires.

ON MY MIND

I got my stitches out last Wednesday, but incisions were still infected so was put on an additional week of antibiotics. I’ve been doing so well before this with staying healthy that it concerns me to be backsliding. Being immunocompromised really isn’t any fun!

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING ALL up to date!
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I need to pick up a few things for the desserts on Friday as well as the normal groceries for the week.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS It’s the annual Blackberry Festival this weekend with a classic car show and all things blackberry.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m starting to think forward to fall recipes. But, this week I’m concentrating on blackberry themed recipes for desserts for a friend’s fundraiser dinner on Friday.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • STREAMING SERVICES We have been watching Stargate Atlantis together and Orphan Black Echoes. Down the day I have old Macgyver and Matlock episodes playing in the background while I recuperated. Late at night we’re watching really old Night Court episodes.
  • CABLE Still watching the Great American Food Truck Race and the BBQ Brawl as well as a couple other cooking shows and NASCAR races.

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
8/12 MONDAY
8/13 TUESDAY
8/14 WEDNESDAY
8/15 THURSDAY
8/16 FRIDAY
8/17 SATURDAY
8/18 SUNDAY
DINNER
 BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN SALAD
CORN MOUSSAKA & SALAD
ROAST CHICKEN and SMOTHERED POTATOES
 SPINACH BACON SALAD
 BUFFALO CHICKEN SLOPPY JOES
 APPLE BBQ CHICKEN SALAD
 OUT for our ANNIVERSARY
DESSERT
 
 
LEMON COBBLER
BLACKBERRY PIE BARS

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Here are a few of my favorites from the fair last week. The pigs are one of my favorite next to the bunnies. And my friend, Teri took 3rd place in the quilts.

INSPIRATIONS

 

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS
Obviously we eat A LOT of chicken!

DECONSTRUCTED CABBAGE ROLLS ~ BLOG 366.221

DECONSTRUCTED CABBAGE ROLLS

1 medium onion, chopped
1 LARGE carrot, julienned
1/2 head cabbage, sliced
1 pound ground pork
2-3 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • In a large skillet brown the ground pork breaking it into small pieces.
  • When just about cooked through, add onions cooking 5-6 minutes more until meat is cooked though and the onions opaque.
  • Add the carrots, garlic, salt and pepper cooking 4-5 minutes more.
  • Whisk together the Worcestershire sauce, broth and tomato sauce.
  • Add the tomato sauce mixture, stirring to coat well.
  • Add the cabbage and tomatoes.
  • Bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until cabbage is tender.
  • Serve over rice.

NOTE: If you like the taste of the peppers you normally stuff, then dice a red pepper and add in when you add the carrots.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS week 31 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.218

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

WEEKEND RECAP

Good morning dear friends. I hope you all enjoyed your week! After being pretty much a homebody for 10 days we FINALLY really got out and about on Saturday. We started early and visited 3 different farmer’s markets in 3 surrounding towns and had a pizza at a favorite brewery, but the smokey fire air was getting to my eyes along with the heat and humidity so we came home mid afternoon and I binge watched a couple shows and then we watched a SYFY movie called MADAME WEB after dinner.

Sunday was more laid back, but I did accomplish getting the laundry caught up as well as some deep cleaning and organizing. I’ve been doing little projects where I can stay away from dust and bacteria. I ended up in the on-call ophthalmologist’s office last Tuesday with a slight infection starting so ended up on antibiotics 🙁 nipping the infection right away and at least I get my stitches out Wednesday! 😀 I also pickled the beets I bought at the farmer’s market and grilled BBQ chicken for an early dinner.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

This week is supposed to be a lot of partly cloudy and still in the 90’s with A LOT of smoke, so not the prettiest of weeks. This will be definitely be a flip flop week with comfy Levi’s and tanks with lightweight blouses. I’m hoping Thursday is a really good weather day since most of it will be spent outside at the county fair. I will wear actual shoes that day 😀

ON MY MIND

For the past 2 years I have been trying really hard to stay up with blogging daily. So, 3 days a week I have set up to do WORDLESS WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY COFFEE and SILENT SUNDAY. These 3 days seem like all I do is post a meme or special picture, but a lot of thought goes into deciding these and they each mean something to me in a positive way I want to convey to others. My husband asked me if that was cheating? I don’t think so – it’s just my Type A personality staying focused and organized 😀 I do post Happy Homemaker Monday in depth and 2-3 recipes, tutorials or trips on the other 3 days that require much more thought.

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING ALL done!
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I’ll head to town in a bit to get a few things.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING August is done, but I’ll start September soon and am looking for some fun fall recipes.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • NETFLIX We finished the SWEET TOOTH series with James Brolin narrating – love his voice.
  • AMAZON PRIME We have spent more time inside the past week with me still recuperating and the wind shifting so we were getting HORRIBLE smoke and ash from the fires in the eastern part of the state. So, we watched SPACE CADET which was cute, kind of like a space version of LEGALLY BLONDE from years ago. We finally watched THE BOYS ON THE BOAT. We also started watching STARGATE ATLANTIS as binge reruns.
  • CABLE Cooking shows – BBQ BRAWL, FOOD TRUCK RACE, MARY MAKES IT EASY
  • THEATRE The smoke was really bad, but we were tired of staying indoors so went to see TWISTERS! It was really good, but then again it was a Spielberg film 😀

READING TIME

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
8/5 MONDAY
8/6 TUESDAY
8/7 WEDNESDAY
8/8 THURSDAY
8/9 FRIDAY
8/10 SATURDAY
8/11 SUNDAY
DINNER
 OVEN FRIED CHICKEN with SPICY HONEY & SLAW
LEMON PARMESAN CHICKEN with SUN-DRIED TOMATOES & HERBS
stitch removal day so will eat out!
 COUNTY FAIR DAY so it will be a CORN/YOYO day CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR OR YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN
 PULL APART CHEESY PIGS in a BLANKET
 HAWAIIAN CHICKEN SALAD
 BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
DESSERT
 
APPLE FRITTER CAKE
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

We took back roads a lot this weekend and I noticed that so many farms are starting to stockpile bales of hay for winter. And I LOVE barns, so getting a few pictures of some of my favorites was quite nice. I also LOVE finding these rocks and re-hiding them!

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS