Category: PROTEINS

CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN THIGHS

CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN THIGHS

¼ cup avocado oil
2 LARGE limes, juiced and zested
4 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
3 tablespoons chopped FRESH cilantro, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon QUALITY honey
1 tablespoon chili powder
+/- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon ground cumin
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon butter
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Lime wedges, for garnish serving

  • In a mixing bowl or LARGE ziploc bag combine oil, lime juices, lime zest, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, honey, chili powder, salt, pepper, and chili flakes flakes, tossing until well until well combined. 


  • Remove 1/4 cup of the marinade and place it in a small bowl. Set aside for later.

  • Add chicken thighs to the marinade and toss to coat well.
  • Seal and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, or in the fridge for up to 2 hours.
  • Set a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of butter and heat it until hot.
  • Add the chicken thighs to the skillet – be careful, they will sizzle – discard the remaining marinade. Cook the thighs for 5 minutes, or until nicely browned on the bottom; flip and continue to cook for 6 to 8 more minutes, or until cooked through.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Brush chicken thighs with reserved marinade.
  • Garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.

OVEN BAKED CHICKEN & RICE

OVEN BAKED CHICKEN & RICE

Buttery, garlicky, tender and made entirely in the oven! Dish is flavored well without the gravy, but I highly recommend the super quiclk, easy and flavorful gravy to take it over the top.

6 boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets or 3 LARGE breasts, halved
1 LARGE Vidalia onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup FINELY chopped carrots
2 cups frozen corn
3 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice (see notes)
1 1/2 cups HOT homemade chicken stock
1 1/4 cups HOT water

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Scatter onions, carrot pieces and garlic in a LARGE 10×15 inch baking dish placing butter in the center.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, stirring mid way to coat well with the melted butter.
  • Meanwhile, mix together the Chicken Rub.

CHICKEN RUB (see notes)
1 teaspoon SMOKED paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

GARNISH
Fresh thyme leaves or finely chopped parsley, if desired

  • Sprinkle on both sides of the chicken with the rub, coating well.
  • Remove baking dish from the oven.
  • Add rice and corn thoroughly mixing with the onion carrot mixture.
  • Whisk together the chicken stock and water.
  • Pour stock mixture evenly over rice, stirring together.
  • Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes more.
  • Remove foil and place seasoned chicken pieces on rice. Replace foil and bake another 20 minutes.
  • Remove foil, brush chicken with melted butter.
  • Return to oven uncovered and bake for another 20-25 minutes more or until ALL excess liquid is absorbed.
Stand for 5 minutes.
  • Remove chicken and fluff up rice.
  • Garnish with parsley or thyme.
  • Serve and enjoy!

GRAVY
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon or 2 “cubes”
2 1/4 cups boiling water
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Whisk in powder or crumble cubes into boiling water, mixing to dissolve.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk in flour, onion powder, salt and pepper.
  • While constantly stirring, slowly pour in half the liquid until well blended.
  • Add remaining liquid and whisk constantly 2-3 minutes – it will thicken quickly.
  • Adjust seasonings if needed.

NOTES:

  • The Chicken Rub can be substituted with any seasonings you want! Lemon Pepper Seasoning, Italian Herb Mix…
  • Chicken breast tenders are also a great substitute. This recipe is VERY forgiving!
  • Rice – Any normal white rice works great here. Long grain white rice will yield the fluffiest rice. Short and medium grain will work fine too but by its very nature, is a bit stickier. Basmati and jasmine are terrific too. If using brown rice add an extra 1/2 cup hot water and bake covered for 1 hour before adding the chicken. DO NOT USE MINUTE RICE or RISOTTO!!!
  • The BIGGEST secret tip is the baking of the onion with garlic with the butter before adding the rice, liquids and chicken! You can short cut this step, but it adds a great flavor base!

 

BBQ MEATBALLS & BACON CHEDDAR BAKED POTATOES

BBQ MEATBALLS & BACON CHEDDAR BAKED POTATOES serves 4
This quick and easy, but also budget friendly meal is flavor packed for a quick weeknight meal.

MEATBALLS
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound ground beef
2/3 cup FRESH breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons + 3/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
1 LARGE egg
1/4 cup FINELY chopped red onion
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped parsley, + more for garnish

  • In a large bowl combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, red onion, 2 tablespoons parsley and 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce gently mixing JUST until combined.
  • Divide into 12 meatballs.
  • In a large ovenproof skillet melt butter over medium high heat making sure to coat sides also.
  • Add meatballs and brown 5-7 minutes until all sides are browned.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the 3/4 cup BBQ sauce and beef broth.
  • Pour into skillet around meatballs. Turn meatballs to coat.
  • Bring to a LOW boil, reduce heat and cover, simmer 5-7 minutes until sauce is heated through and meatballs are well coated.
  • Heat broiler.
  • Sprinkle cheese evenly over meatballs.
  • Broil 2 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
  • Garnish with parsley.

POTATOES
4 LARGE Yukon gold potatoes
2-3 slices bacon, diced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup FULL fat sour cream
4 tablespoons butter, divided and softened
2 green onions, FINELY diced

  • Preheat oven 400°.
  • Line baking sheet with foil.
  • Wash potatoes and pierce with fork.
  • Add potatoes to baking sheet.
  • Bake 1 hour until tender.
  • While potatoes are bacon, crisp up bacon in skillet and drain on paper toweling.
  • When potatoes are tender, slit them open.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of butter to each potato and generously sprinkle with
  • FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Add bacon pieces and cheese.
  • Increase heat to broil.
  • Add potatoes, broiling 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and becomes golden.
  • Add a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with green onions or chives.

CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA

CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA yields 2-3 servings

4 ounces linguine pasta
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast steaks
2+ teaspoons Cajun seasoning (SLAP YO MOMMA) (+/- according to your heat level)
2-4 tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 LARGE red bell pepper, half sliced thin and half small chopped
+/- 2 cups chopped broccoli florets
4 fresh mushrooms, sliced
2-3 green onions, minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
¼ teaspoon dried basil (FRESH is better, but not necessary)
1/3 cup FRESH chopped Italian parsley
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
Juice of a SMALL lemon
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguini pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.

 Toss pasta with 1 tablespoon butter. Set aside.
  • Season chicken with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Coat chicken with Cajun seasoning.


  • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
  • Saute chicken 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through. Set chicken aside to rest.
  • Add bell pepper, garlic,  sliced mushrooms and green onions; cooking for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Slice chicken into bite sized strips.
  • Add heavy cream, basil, FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper blending well.


  • Fold in chicken pieces and lemon juice and adjust seasonings to taste.
  • In a large bowl, toss linguini with sauce.
  • Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

  • Serve with cornbread.

SLOW COOKER BEEF TIPS & GRAVY

SLOW COOKER BEEF TIPS & GRAVY

This is THE perfect comfort food! Serve it over mashed potatoes, pasta noodles or your favorite roasted potatoes and veggies.

BEEF
1½ pounds beef round roast, cut into small chunks
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 SMALL yellow onion, chopped
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
1 sprig FRESH thyme

  • Season beef roast with salt and pepper.
  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the beef. Allow it to sear for 4 minutes on each side to give it a nice caramelized coating.
  • Add the seared beef tips to slow cooker.
  • Top with onions, minced garlic, and thyme.

GRAVY
½ tablespoon unsalted butter
8 ounces white mushrooms sliced
1 pinch salt
1½ cups water
½ tablespoon beef base I use Better Than Bouillon

  • Reduce the skillet heat to medium and melt butter.
  • Add sliced mushrooms with a pinch of salt and stir to coat with the butter., sauteing for 5 minutes, until the mushrooms are soft. Stir occasionally, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
  • Add water and beef base to the skillet and stir to blend.
  • Add gravy mixture to the slow cooker with the beef tips.
  • Cover crockpot and cook on low for 5 hours, or on high for 2½ hours, until the beef is fork-tender. If you have time, cook it slow for 5-6 hours for even greater flavor.

1 tablespoon red wine
1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • Once the beef tips are done cooking, whisk together red wine and cornstarch until smooth.
  • Stir into the gravy.
  • Turn heat up to high and cook for 20 minutes to thicken the gravy.

NOTES:

  • A nice caramelized searing coat on the beef adds to the depth of flavor.
  • Beef base will give the gravy a deep rich flavor, however, you can also substitute beef stock (NOT beef broth) in place of the water/beef base combination for maximum flavor results.

ARROZ con POLLO con QUESO

ARROZ con POLLO con QUESO Servings 4-6

A Mexican food lovers dream comes true with this abbreviated short cut version PERFECT for any weeknight meal, but as satisfying as grandma’s Sunday dinner. I serve this with charred corn, but many times everyone just mixes it all together 😀 YUMMY!

4 slices bacon, diced
1 tablespoon avocado oil (if necessary)
4 large boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bit sized pieces
1 tablespoon KINDERS taco seasoning
1 tablespoon KINDERS fajita seasoning
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups INSTANT white rice
1 cup ON THE BORDER queso blanco
1 cup ON THE BORDER salsa
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
1 can HATCH chopped Green Chiles
3 green onions, sliced thin
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1 1/2 cups Mexican taco blend cheese

  • In a mixing bowl, toss chicken pieces with taco and fajita seasonings until well coated. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat cook bacon until crisp.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon to drain on paper toweling.
  • Add oil to bacon drippings (if necessary) to equal 2 tablespoons.
  • Add chicken pieces and all loose seasoning to sizzling skillet, sautéing until cooked through and tender.
  • While chicken is cooking, add heavy cream and rice to a saute pan, stirring to combine. Bring JUST to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and add quest, salsa, green chiles and cilantro, simmering 5 minutes until rice is tender and fluffy.
  • Stir in most of the bacon pieces, tomatoes and green onions. Saving the remainder for garnish.
  • Nestle chicken pieces into the rice.
  • Top with cheese.
  • Broil 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
  • Garnish and serve.

 

CHEESY CHICKEN CAKES

CHEESY CHICKEN CAKES Yields 18 cakes
Flavorful, cheesy and juicy chicken cakes are always a winner with any family for a GREAT weeknight meal.

CHICKEN FRITTERS
1 1/2 pounds rotisserie chicken, SMALL diced
1 stalk celery, FINELY diced
3 green onions, FINELY diced
2 LARGE eggs
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup WONDRA flour
1 1/3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons FRESH chopped tarragon
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Using gloved hands combine all ingredient until well blended.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

ASSEMBLY
2+ tablespoons avocado oil

  • Divide chicken mixture into 18-20 rounds on a baking tray. Cover with plastic and freeze 20 minutes.
  • Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
  • When oil is hot add rounds chicken mixture to skillet and press down slightly to flatten. DO NOT CROWD PAN. Pan sear 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and chicken is fully cooked through.
  • Keep cooked cakes warm in oven and repeat, adding more oil as necessary.
  • Serve immediately.

GARLIC AIOLI DIP
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, juiced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste


  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together until smooth.

NOTES: Cornstarch or potato starch can be substituted to make them gluten free.

MEATBALL POTATO GRATIN

MEATBALL POTATO GRATIN
2 cans sliced potatoes, drained WELL
1 can NIBLETS corn, drained
1 small bunch green onions, chopped
1 can cream of potato soup
1/2 cup sour cream
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3/4 pound frozen cooked meatballs, thawed
1/2 cup shredded baby Swiss cheese
Chopped FRESH parsley for garnish

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Blend together the soup, sour cream, green onions, salt and pepper.
  • Add potatoes, gently tossing to coat.
  • Spread potato mixture into baking dish.
  • Nestle meatballs into the potato mixture.
  • Even sprinkle cheese.
  • Bake 35-40 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  • Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

FIRECRACKER MEATBALLS

FIRECRACKER MEATBALLS
3/4 pound round
3 green onions, minced and sliced tops for garnish
2 teaspoons FRESH, FINELY minced ginger
1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
FRESH ground sea salt and blac pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons QUALITY honey
2 tablespoons Ponzu sauce
2 tablespoons quality mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream (Mexican by Darigold adds a bit more flavor)
1-3 teaspoons Sirracha
Prepared rice or pasta
1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Spray baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, honey and ponzu sauce.
  • Add Sirracha to taste. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl combine ground round, minced green onions, minced ginger,
  • Panko bread crumbs, FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Form into golf ball sized meatballs.
  • Place meatballs on baking sheet.
  • Bake 15 minutes until cooked through and tender.
  • Add meatballs to bowl of sauce, gently tossing to coat.
  • Serve over prepared pasta, drizzling with any remaining sauce.

GARLIC BROWN SUGAR CHICKEN

GARLIC BROWN SUGAR CHICKEN Serves: 4
¼ cup of salt
4 cups warm water
4 medium sized chicken breasts, pounded to an even 3/4 inch thickness
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted
salt and pepper, to taste
chopped parsley, for garnish

  • Combine the ¼ cup of salt and warm water in a shallow baking dish and stir it gently until the salt is dissolved.
  • Add the chicken breasts and let them sit in the mixture to brine for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken breasts from the brine, rinse with cold water, and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Melt butter in a large baking dish.
  • Place the chicken breasts in a single layer, turning to coat.
  • In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, garlic, salt and pepper until combined.
  • Rub 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture evenly over the each chicken breast, pressing gently.
  • Bake for 18 minutes, or until surface is golden and cooked through.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley.

CORN STUFFED PORK CHOPS

CORN STUFFED PORK CHOPS
3/4 cup FRESH bread crumbs
1 can Green Giant Mexican corn niblets
1 LARGE shallot, diced
2 mini red peppers, 1 diced, 1 sliced
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped Italian Leaf Parsley
4 thick pork chops (preferably bone in)
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup homemade chicken bone broth

  • In a mixing bowl blend together the bread crumbs, corn, onion, chopped red pepper and parsley.
  • Slice a 3 inch pocket into each pork chop.
  • Fill pork chops with corn mixture.
  • Rub pork chops well with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Melt butter and oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
  • Add pork chops, browning 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Add broth, cover and reduce heat to low, cooking 45 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Serve with chopped parsley and red pepper rings.

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with SHERRY PAN SAUCE

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with SHERRY PAN SAUCE
4 flattened chicken breast steaks
1/4 cup flour
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 + 1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped parsley
1/4 cup cream sherry
1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey

  • Heat avocado oil and butter in large skillet over medium heat.
  • Generously season chicken with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Dredge through flour, shaking off excess.
  • Sear chicken 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through.
  • Remove chicken from pan and keep warm.
  • Add cream sherry, vinegar and parsley to pan.
  • Cook stirring constantly and scraping bits from bottom until thoroughly combined and slightly thickened.
  • Turn off heat and stir in remaining butter and honey.
  • Serve immediately.