Category: PROTEINS

BEEF BARLEY PASTA SOUP

3 tablespoons butter
1 pound stew meat, in 1/2 inch pieces
flour
1 large carrot, diced
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 teaspoons minced garlic
½ teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup barley
1 cup pasta
1 cup White Grenache Wine
1-28 ounce cans Contadina crushed tomatoes
4-14 ounce cans beef broth*
salt and pepper to taste

  • Over low heat melt the butter.
  • Stir in carrots and saute until soft. 
  • Add onions and garlic sauteing until fragrant.
  • Dredge beef pieces in flour.
  • Add beef to pan and saute’ until beef pieces are browned.
  • Add the wine and simmer 10-15 minutes. 
  • Add the tomatoes and broth. Stir well and simmer 1 hour or more.
  • Add the barley  during the last hour and simmer slow.
  • Add the pasta during the last 15 minutes.

*or make your own with 4 1/2 cups hot water and 3 teaspoons vegetable or beef bouillon.

CHICKEN ADOBO – MEXICAN PHILIPINO CROSS – CHICKEN ADOBO ala TAMY

When  you look up recipes for Chicken Adobo ou have to choose between either a Phillipino recipe or a Mexican recipe.  I couldn’t choose so I decided to combine my favorite ingredients from each of them and make my own recipe.

Chicken Adobo
1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  3tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, sliced VERY thin
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 tablespoon achiote seeds
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • Cover achiote seeds with boiling water. 
  • Cover and set aside overnight. 
  • Drain seeds discarding water.
  • Place seeds, orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, cayenne, paprika, cinnamon, honey, salt, pepper and garlic in a food processor. Grind until well blended.
  • In a large wok or skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on one side until light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip the chicken over and sear the other side for another 5 minutes.  
  • Add the onions over the chicken.
  • Pour the seed mixture over chicken and heat through.
  • Serve hot over rice and vegetable sides. 

Honey & Hoisin Grilled Trout – Fire Day Friday

This is a recipe I posted on my blog back in 2010… it’s just one of those dishes that never got the recognition it deserved, so I thought to myself.. why not bring it back?  Feature it just one more time so everyone can see I don’t just eat Tilapia – my fish love goes way deeper than that!
This is a very simple, very light dish.  Easy to assemble, takes about 15-20 minutes to grill… the longest part of this recipe is just the marinating time.  Simple!  What more can you ask for on a busy week night….??

Honey & Hoisin Grilled Trout
Ingredients:
1 – 3/4lbs trout fillet (mine had the skin on one side still)
2 Tablespoons honey
1 Tablespoon hoisin sauce
1/2 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 large clove of garlic, minced or pressed 

Directions:

Mix everything but the fish together in a small bowl.  Place the fish in a shallow dish or a Ziploc bag.  Pour the marinade over the fish and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes.

Preheat your grill to 375 (medium, medium-low).  Tear off a square of aluminum foil (make sure it’s big enough to make a packet around the fillet) and spray it with non stick cooking spray.  Place the fillet in the middle of the foil and seal into a packet.  Place on the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the fillet.  Remove from grill and let rest for 3 minutes.  Carefully open packet and enjoy!!

BAKED PORK STEAKS with BROWN GRAVY

These are the BEST steaks and are fork tender!


OVEN BAKED PORK STEAKS
4 pork steaks
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, sliced thin
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon ACCENT
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
  • Sprinkle meat on both sides with salt, pepper, meat tenderizer and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Place steaks on foil lined cookie sheet.
  • Top with onions and garlic
  • Bake 20-30 minutes, turning once.
  • Top with gravy.

BROWN GRAVY
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon minced garlic, jar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups hot water
2 tablespoons Better than Beef Bouillon
salt and black pepper to taste

  •  In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Whisk together the hot water and bouillon. Set aside
  • Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, until the mixture is golden-brown and fragrant.
  • Add the garlic and cook a few seconds more.
  • Whisk in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Bring to a low boil.
  • Reduce the heat to a low simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until desired consistency.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.

ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD ~ BAKED PORK STEAKS with BROWN GRAVY

These are the BEST steaks and are fork tender!


OVEN BAKED PORK STEAKS
4 pork steaks
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, sliced thin
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon ACCENT
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
  • Sprinkle meat on both sides with salt, pepper, meat tenderizer and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Place steaks on foil lined cookie sheet.
  • Top with onions and garlic
  • Bake 20-30 minutes, turning once.
  • Top with gravy.

BROWN GRAVY
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon minced garlic, jar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups hot water
2 tablespoons Better than Beef Bouillon
salt and black pepper to taste

  •  In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Whisk together the hot water and bouillon. Set aside
  • Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, until the mixture is golden-brown and fragrant.
  • Add the garlic and cook a few seconds more.
  • Whisk in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Bring to a low boil.
  • Reduce the heat to a low simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until desired consistency.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.

BOEUF FLAMANDE aka BEEF IN DARK BEER, well sort of

I found this recipe in the bottom of grams pile of magazine/book clippings to try one day.  It just screamed, “try me for the guys”.  BOEUF FLAMANDE translates into ‘Beef Stew in a rich sauce made with beer’. But I don’t like dark beer so I adjusted the recipe and it worked really well. The guys we’re asking when we’re doing the leftovers.  This will be perfect on a cold winter’s night!

BOEUF FLAMANDE
1/2 pound bacon, cut into 1/4″ cubes
3 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite size pieces (I used brisket)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
3 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 large Vidalia onions, cut into thin slices
2 large carrots, sliced
1/2 cup flour + dredging flour
1/2 cup Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce
3/4 cup Dr. Pepper (yep you read that right)
3 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons Better than Beef Bouillon
1/2 teaspoon thyme
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
fresh parsley sprigs

  • Preheat oven 325 degrees.
  • Place the flour into a plastic bag.
  • Brown bacon pieces until crisp.  With a slotted spoon remove to drain.
  • Dredge beef pieces in the flour mixture.
  • Brown beef pieces in bacon fat*.  With a slotted spoon remove beef pieces to a colander to drain.
  • Add butter to saute pan. 
  • Saute’ carrots for several minutes.
  • Add the onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
  • Stir in 1/2 cup flour, salt, pepper and thyme.
  • Whisk together the hot water, sugar and bouillon. 
  • Add Country Bob’s sauce, Worcestershire sauce, champagne vinegar and Dr. Pepper until well blended. 
  • Add to veggies.
  • Bring to a fast boil.
  • Lower heat to a simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Spray a casserole with PURE.
  • Add browned meat to the casserole.
  • Top with onions and carrots.
  • Pour sauce over top and blend well.
  • Bake for 2 1/2 hours or until meat is tender.
  • Serve over Parmesan Potatoes.

*May have to add a bit of butter or oil if not enough bacon grease.

CHICKEN POT PIES

CHICKEN POT PIES
6 cups shredded chicken (2 rotisserie chickens)*
2 medium onions, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 celery stalks
1 small bag baby carrots
1 small bag frozen green beans or 1/2 pound fresh, cleaned and cut
2 cups chicken broth
12 oz. evaporated milk
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon Wondra flour
3/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 cup cooking sherry
1/8 cup parsley
salt and pepper to taste

  • Separate chicken from fat and bones and set aside. 
  • Heat oil in dutch oven. 
  • Saute’ onions and celery until just tender. 
  • Transfer to a large mixing bowl and toss with chicken. 
  • Mix together chicken broth and milk and microwave until steamy, 2-3 minutes. 
  • In a large sauce pan melt butter. When foamy stir in flour, parsley and thyme until golden. 
  • Gradually whisk in the hot milk mixture. 
  • Bring to a simmer and cook until thick. 
  • Turn off heat and stir in sherry, salt and pepper to taste. 
  • Stir in chicken mixture and vegetables. 
  • Divide into 6-8 small French white Pyrex round baking dishes. 
  • Cover with lids and freeze.
  • When ready to bake, thaw and bring to room temperature. 
  • Cover with pie crust** and bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. 

With this recipe you don’t end up with a bottom crust, but just think of how many calories you’re saving.

*I usually make this when my local market has a buy one get one free on the rotisserie chickens.

**Pillsbury pie crust from the dairy section will make 2 pot pies with left over pieces for decorative leaves. Unfold a sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough out gently. Measure the diameter of the pot pie bowls, and cut out dough rounds that are slightly larger in diameter. Repeat until you have made all the necessary tops. Whisk an egg in a small bowl. Lay the dough rounds on top of the pot pies. Brush the dough lightly with the beaten egg. Bake the pies for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN KIEV

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon tarragon
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 large whole eggs, beaten with 1 teaspoon water
2 cups Panko crumbs + 1/4 cup for filling
1/4 bag frozen broccoli florets, chopped
salt and pepper to taste for chicken pieces
Safflower oil for frying

  • Combine butter, parsley, tarragon, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in the bowl of a stand mixer. 
  • Fold in broccoli floret pieces.
  • Place mixture on plastic wrap or waxed paper and roll into small log; place in freezer.
  • Place chicken breasts, 1 at a time, between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Spray chicken lightly with water as well as the top of the plastic wrap. Pound to no less than 1/8-inch thickness. Season each piece of chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Lay 1 chicken breast on a new piece of plastic wrap and place 1/4 of the compound butter and 1 tablespoon bread crumbs in the center of each breast. Using the plastic wrap to assist, fold in ends of breast and roll breast into a log, completely enclosing the butter; roll very tightly. Repeat with each breast. 
  • Place chicken in refrigerator for 2 hours, or up to overnight.
  • Place egg and water mixture in 1 pie pan and 2 cups bread crumbs in a different pie pan.
  • Heat 1/2-inch of safflower oil in a 12-inch saute pan over medium-high heat until oil reaches 375 degrees F.
  • Dip each breast in the egg mixture and then roll in the bread crumbs. 
  • Gently place each breast in oil, sealed-side down, and cook until golden brown, approximately 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. 
  • Remove to a cooling rack set in sheet pan and allow to drain for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN ADOBO – MEXICAN PHILIPINO CROSS – CHICKEN ADOBO ala TAMY

When  you look up recipes for Chicken Adobo ou have to choose between either a Phillipino recipe or a Mexican recipe.  I couldn’t choose so I decided to combine my favorite ingredients from each of them and make my own recipe.

Chicken Adobo
1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  3tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, sliced VERY thin
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 tablespoon achiote seeds
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • Cover achiote seeds with boiling water. 
  • Cover and set aside overnight. 
  • Drain seeds discarding water.
  • Place seeds, orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, cayenne, paprika, cinnamon, honey, salt, pepper and garlic in a food processor. Grind until well blended.
  • In a large wok or skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on one side until light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip the chicken over and sear the other side for another 5 minutes.  
  • Add the onions over the chicken.
  • Pour the seed mixture over chicken and heat through.
  • Serve hot over rice and vegetable sides.  

Chicken and Bean Chili

I’m sorry that this is late.  It has been a CRAZY week.  Here’s what my family is enjoying today on a cold, rainy (getting ready to snow) Sunday.
Chicken and Bean Chili adapted from Meatless Monday
1 pound ground chicken
1 large onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 can black beans, drained
1 can navy beans, drained
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can red kidney beans, drained
1 can garbanzo beans, drained
1 16-oz can diced tomatoes
2 8-oz can tomato sauce or 1 16oz can
1-2 cups water
1 small can (4 oz) green chiles
1-2 tablespoon chili powder
1-2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon basil
Salt & pepper to taste
1/4 cup dry red wine (optional)

Directions:  Saute onion, garlic, and bell pepper in olive oil until soft. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream if desired.
Here’s what you’ll need:
And these.  (forgot them in the 1st picture)
  • Chop up the onion and garlic.
  • Put the ground chicken in a Dutch oven to brown.  Throw the onions and garlic in with the chicken.
  • Drain and rinse the beans.
  • Add the beans to the pot. 
  • Add the can of diced chilies. 
  • Add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. 
  • Add the seasonings.  
  • Simmer and serve.
I originally found this recipe as part of Meatless Monday.  I had some ground chicken that needed to be used so I decided to add it.
The addition of the can of green chilies definitely added an extra texture and flavor.  For even more peppers you could always add a diced jalapeno or green pepper.

Season to taste.  I just kind of kept adding until I got the flavor that I liked.
Hope you enjoy!
April

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

yields 4 servings
2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
1/4 tablespoon salt
3/4 pound lean sirloin beef, trimmed, thinly sliced against the grain
2 teaspoon canola oil
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
5 cups broccoli, florets (about 12oz bag)
1 tablespoon ginger root, fresh, minced
2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup water

Directions:  On a plate, combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch and salt; add beef and toss to coat.

Heat oil in a large nonstick wok or large deep skillet over medium-high heat.  Add beef and stir-fry until lightly browned, about 4 minutes; transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon.

Add 1/2 cup broth to same pan; stir to loosen any bits on food on bottom of pan.  Add broccoli; cover and cook, tossing occasionally and sprinkling with a tablespoon water if needed, until broccoli is almost crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.  Uncover pan and add ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes; stir-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.

In a cup, stir together soy sauce, remaining 1/2 cup broth, remaining 1/2 tablespoon, cornstarch and water until blended; stir into pan.  Reduce heat to medium-low and bring to a simmer; simmer until lightly thickened about 1 minute.

Return beef and accumulated juices to pan; toss to coat.  Serve.  Yields about 1 1/4 cups per serving.

Modifications:
-I also added 2 stalks of green onions and a few mushrooms.

Here’s what you’ll need:

If you are using fresh broccoli, cut up the broccoli.  Mince 1 Tbsp of fresh ginger and 2 cloves of garlic.  Trim and slice the beef.

I went ahead and added some green onions and mushrooms.
Put some cornstarch in a bowl and then toss and cover the beef.
Heat some canola oil in a wok or a pan.
Put the beef in the wok until lightly brown, around 4 minutes and then pull out and sit to the side.

Pour 1/2 cup of chicken stock in to the pan.  Stir the pan and get all of the leftover meat and crumbles.

Add the broccoli, cover for about 3 minutes until tender-crisp. (They will also turn a very bright green)
Uncover and add the ginger, garlic and any other veggies.
In a separate bowl or cup, mix 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup chicken broth and about 1/2 Tablespoon cornstarch.

Mix and pour into the wok.  Let simmer and thicken just a couple of minutes.
I added some rice to the pan (see below for details) and then put the beef back in.
Here’s what you’ll end up with:
I served this with one of those whole grain rice-in-a-bag.  I boiled them separately and then threw them in the wok at the end when the beef went back in the wok.

You could do all type of variations and add a lot more veggies.  You could buy a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies, add grated carrots, or bean sprouts.

1 serving of the beef and broccoli (1 cup)=5 points
1/2 cup of the rice=4 points

Hope you enjoy!
April

Caramelized (or at least it should have been) Chipotle Chicken – Fire Day Friday

Sometimes, when you skip a step in a recipe, the outcome can still be really good, but the final product just isn’t quite what you had envisioned.  Take this lovely piece of chicken.  Had I not been in a hurry and allowed my glaze to cook and thicken, I truly would have had a piece of chicken that was wonderfully caramelized.  But, life gets in the way sometimes and well, like I said, the chicken was still pretty dang fantastic… it’s just that…. well.. it could have been that much better!

So the lesson here is…. don’t skip any of these steps.  Take the extra few minutes and I promise, you will not be sorry.  Your chicken will be a bit spicy, a bit sticky, and a ton of oh so good!!

Caramelized Chipotle Chicken
Created by Jenn’s Food Journey

– Serves 2 –

Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 Tablespoons ketchup
1 Tablespoon chipotle puree (to make puree, dump entire contents of chipotle peppers and adobo sauce in a can into your food processor and puree)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon brown sugar

Directions:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, add all ingredients except the chicken and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens up just a little bit.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Preheat grill to 375 degrees F and oil grill grates.  Brush a little of the glaze on both sides of the chicken and place directly over the fire and cover.  Allow to grill for 6 minutes.  Flip the chicken and brush with more glaze.  Grill another 6 minute, flip and brush on more glaze.  Let the chicken finish cooking (internal temp of 165 degrees F.) and then remove from grill.  Brush on more glaze if you prefer and allow to rest for 3 minutes before serving.  Enjoy!