Category: PROTEINS

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.

GRILLED or OVEN ROASTED BROWN SUGAR RUBBED TRI-TIP

 GRILLED or OVEN ROASTED BROWN SUGAR RUBBED TRI-TIP

1 whole tri-tip, about 2-3 pounds
3 + tablespoons of your favorite beef rub
6 + tablespoons dark brown sugar

  • Trim silver skin from roast.
  • The meat may have a thick layer of fat, some of which can be sliced off, but keep a
  • good amount to help baste meat and keep it juicy.
  • Sprinkle meat with your rub and massage lightly all over.
  • Pack the brown sugar over the rub, pressing to adhere.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least an hour or as long as overnight.

 

  • Remove from refrigerator an hour before cooking.
  • Prepare grill to high.
  • Place roast on grill and sear one side well, 6 to 8 minutes, checking for flare-ups.
  • Turn the roast and sear other side another 6 minutes.
  • Lower to medium-high or move the meat to a cooler part of the charcoal grill.
  • Turn meat again and cook another 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Flip and cook another 6-8 minutes.
  • The roast is ready when an instant-read thermometer reaches 130° when inserted into the thickest part of the meat.
  • Cover roast with foil and rest on a cutting board 10 to 20 minutes.
  • Slice against the grain.

NOTES and HINTS:

  • A 2-pound roast will require about 20 to 25 minutes total cooking time.
  • The trick is to carve the tri-tip against the grain, which can change directions in this cut. The roast is shaped like a boomerang. Slice the roast in two at the place where the fibers change direction. Carve each piece separately.
  • Left overs make AMAZING sandwiches.

OVEN ROASTING

  • Prepare meat with rub and refrigerate as instructed.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of avocado oil to a large, heavy ovenproof pan.
  • Heat pan on high until pan is very hot, then add tri-tip, fat side down.
  • Turn heat to medium-high and sear roast for about 4 minutes.
  • Turn the roast and put the pan in the oven.
  • Cook 10 minutes a pound, checking with an instant-read thermometer until it reaches 130 for medium-rare.

BAKED GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN ~ FAITH & FOOD FRIDAY #14

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: May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you His favor and give you His peace. Amen.

BAKED GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN

CHICKEN
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 LARGE eggs, beaten
2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small bite size cubes

  • Preheat the oven to 425°.
  • Cover a sheet tray with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Place the flour in a LARGE ziploc bag.
  • Whisk together the soy sauce and eggs and pour into another LARGE ziploc bag.
  • Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third LARGE.
  • Add the chicken pieces to the flour ziploc. Seal and shake to coat extremely well.
  • Use a LARGE colander to pour the chicken pieces into. Shake off ALL excess flour.
  • Add chicken pieces to egg ziploc. Seal and shake to coat well.
  • Using a pair of tongs remove chicken from egg zip loc and add to Panko crumbs ziploc. Seal and shake to coat extremely well.
  • Remove chicken pieces and place on the prepared tray, leaving space between each piece.
  • Spray with cooking spray.
  • Bake until crispy and golden brown, about 15 minutes.

NOTE: If you prefer you can use a traditional dredging station, but I LOVE using the ziploc bags for even well coated chicken pieces.

SAUCE
3/4 cup homemade chicken bone broth
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Bragg’s liquid aminos
2 teaspoons sriracha
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon FRESH grated ginger
Pinch red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic, FINELY minced

  • While the chicken is baking whisk together the chicken broth, hoisin, rice wine vinegar, liquid aminos, sriracha and cornstarch; set aside.
  • Place a large sauté pan over medium heat and add the sesame oil.
  • Add the ginger, pepper flakes and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add the rice wine mixture, bring to a simmer and allow to thicken.
  • Add the crispy chicken and toss to coat.

ASSEMBLY
Prepared white rice
Sliced scallion greens

  • Serve immediately with rice and garnish with sliced scallions.

NOTE: I often saute carrots, onions and peppers to add to the mix.

MEXICAN STREET CORN LOADED TOTS ~ FAITH & FOOD FRIDAY #13

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 dinner time when we pause and reflect on our day. Teach usto love You more, follow You more closely, and be a reflection of You to others. Thank you for our food and all the ways You bless us. Amen.

MEXICAN STREET CORN LOADED TOTS

PICKLED RED ONIONS
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 large red onion, sliced thinly

  • Heat the vinegar, sugar, salt and 1 cup water in a small saucepan, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve.
  • Pour over the onions in a small jar.
  • Let cool completely, then refrigerate.

CHILI LIME CREAM
2/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1 teaspoon chili powder, plus more for garnish 
FRESH ground sea salt, to taste
Zest of 1 lime 

  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, chili powder, salt and lime zest. Set aside.

LOADED TOTS
One 1 3/4-pound bag frozen tater tots
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 pound ground chuck
1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels or FRESH 2 ears corn, kernels removed
1 can rotel tomatoes, drained
8 ounces shredded mozzarella
6 ounces crumbled queso fresco
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped 
1/2 bunch green onions, sliced 
Pickled Red Onions
Lime wedges, for garnish 

  • Preheat the oven to 450°.
  • Place the tots on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Bake until golden and crispy, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile brown ground beef until crumbly and just about cooked through. Drain of excess grease.
  • Add most of the green onions, reserving a few for garnish, and saute’ a minute more.
  • Add rotel tomatoes and corn, stirring to combine well.
  • Remove the tots from the oven and sprinkle evenly with browned beef mixture, all of the mozzarella and half of the queso fresco to cover.
  • Bake until melty, 3 to 5 minutes.

ASSEMBLY

  • Sprinkle with remaining queso fresco and add big dollops of the lime cream.
  • Garnish with the chopped cilantro, green onions, Pickled Red Onions, a dash of chili powder and salt.
  • Squeeze fresh lime juice on top and enjoy!

PRETZEL CRUSTED CHICKEN

This is the perfect recipe to enjoy with a nice cold beer.

PRETZEL CRUSTED CHICKEN
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast steaks
1 1/2-2 cups salted pretzels, any shape
1 tablespoon FRESH thyme leaves, chopped
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 LARGE eggs
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons avocado oil

  • Place the pretzels in a food processor and grind until fine.
  • Heat a large stainless steel skillet with butter and vegetable oil over medium high heat.
  • Transfer the ground pretzels to a shallow dish, add the thyme, salt and pepper.
  • Beat 2 eggs in a second shallow dish with a splash of water.
  • One at a time, coat each chicken breast in the egg and then the ground pretzels.
  • Add the pretzel-coated chicken breast to the skillet, cooking in a single layer, about 3 or 4 minutes on each side, until the juices run clear and breading is evenly browned.

CHEESE SAUCE
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 1/2 cups, sharp yellow cheddar cheese, shredded (see notes)
2 heaping tablespoons mayonnaise
FRESH chopped Parsley leaves
1/4 small Vidalia onion, finely chopped

  • While the chicken is frying, in a medium sauce pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the flour to it.
  • Cook flour and butter for 1 minute and then whisk in the milk.
  • When the milk comes to a bubble, stir in the cheese and mayonnaise until smooth.
  • Season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Remove from the heat.
  • Plate chicken and drizzle with the cheese sauce.
  • Sprinkle with parsley and finely chopped onion if desired.

NOTES:

  • Changing the cheese can change the flavor profile A LOT!

Originally posted June 29, 2011 without a picture so I updated it 😀

CHICKEN YAKITORI

There is a sentimental backstory to this recipe. When I was in college I was a server in a steakhouse that had these skewers on the menu. This was a highly coveted dish by ALL the staff on busy nights because you could seriously eat a bite on your way through. I can’t even count how many of these plates we all shared eating a bite here and there.

At the restaurant we used a pre-prepared sauce from the distributor, but I’ve been working to develop a scratch recipe that I was happy with. I can report that I’ve done it.

Yakitori literally means ‘grilled bird’ in Japanese and is prepared on charcoal grills on skewers as they were designed for portability as a “street food”. Charcoal is the preferred method of cooking as it produces high heat and strong flames while giving off little to no water vapor.

After grilling the skewers are usually dressed in a “tare” sauce which is a dipping sauce best described as a sweet thickened soy based sauce, but there are MANY different variations. Many cooks will season the skewers while they are grilling in addition to a dipping sauce.

One of the keys to success with this dish is uniformly sized pieces of everything on the skewer.

CHICKEN YAKITORI aka JAPANESE CHICKEN on a STICK

SKEWERS
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 LARGE bunch green onions or 1 Vidalia onion cut into wedges
1 pineapple cut into 1 inch cubes
avocado oil
10 to 12 (5-inch) bamboo skewers

  • Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes.
  • Cut the white and light green part of scallions into 1 inch pieces.
  • Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes.
  • Alternate each chicken slice with a piece of pineapple and a scallion lined up perpendicular to the skewer.

TARE (YAKITORI) SAUCE
½ cup Bragg’s liquid aminos
½ cup mirin
¼ cup sake
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons PACKED brown sugar
1 teaspoon FRESH grated ginger
2 green onions, green tops minced

  • In a small saucepan whisk together the mirin, liquid aminos, sake, water, brown sugar, grated ginger and green parts of scallion, and bring it to a boil over high heat.
  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until the sauce is reduced by at least half. It will take about 30 minutes.
  • Let it cool to room temperature before using. The sauce will thicken with a glossy shine as it cools. Reserve ⅓ of the sauce in a small bowl for final coating after the chicken is  cooked.

Note: You can make the sauce ahead of time omitting the green onion part. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 months.

PREPARATION

  • Heat grill to medium high.
  • Grease the grate of the grill to avoid the chicken sticking on the grate.
  • Place the skewers on top.
Sear for 4 minutes.
  • Turn skewers and sear the other side for 4 minutes.
  • Brush with sauce and grill 2 more minutes.
  • Flip and brush the other side and grill 2 more minutes.
  • Repeat the flipping and brushing until chicken is cooked through.
Transfer the skewers to a serving plate.
  • Brush the chicken again with the reserved sauce.

PEANUT CHICKEN RAMEN & PEANUT CHICKEN SALAD

PEANUT CHICKEN RAMEN
2 LARGE chicken breasts grilled to your liking OR 2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken pieces
Yakisoba noodles for 4
1/2 pound Beech mushrooms
3 large green onions, sliced thin
1 cucumber, sliced
A handful of snap peas, trimmed
1 red, yellow and orange mini pepper, sliced
pickled onions
Chopped cilantro, optional

PEANUT SAUCE
1/2 cup salted creamy peanut butter (see notes)
2-3 tablespoons BRAGG’S liquid aminos
2 tablespoons maple syrup
+/- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce, depending on your heat level
Juice of 2 FRESH limes
+/- 1/4 cup water (to thin)

  • Whisk together the peanut butter, liquid aminos, maple syrup, chili sauce and lime juice in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Add water a little at a time until a thick BUT pourable sauce is formed.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more maple syrup for sweetness, chili garlic sauce for heat, lime juice for acidity, or liquid aminos for saltiness.

NOTE:

  • Almond butter or Cashew butter SUBSTITUTE WELL for Peanut butter.
  • If your sauce becomes too thin, add more nut butter.
  • If your sauce is too thick, thin with more water.
  • FRESH grated ginger to taste adds another layer of great flavor.

NOTE: The leftovers added to torn lettuce make a wonderful salad 😀

CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN with GRIDDLE POTATO LATKE and GREEN CHILE GRAVY ~ FAITH & FOOD FRIDAY #12

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: Thank You Lord, for good things to eat, for refreshing things to drink, for the love and laughter we share, for the blessings. You pour on us each day. We love You! Amen.

CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN with GRIDDLE POTATO LATKE and GREEN CHILE GRAVY
CHICKEN
2 LARGE boneless chicken breasts
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup Wondra
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 LARGE eggs
1/2 cup Panko crumbs
2-4 tablespoons butter (enough to keep chicken from burning~add as necessary)

  • Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts.
  • In a shallow glass pan, pour buttermilk over chicken 1-2 hours prior to cooking.
  • Make sure to coat chicken well and turn at least once during soaking.
  • Drain, but do NOT rinse the buttermilk off.
  • In a medium sized fry pan melt the butter over medium heat. As butter melts and begins to very slightly sizzle, prepare breasts.
  • In a shallow pan mix together the flour, salt and pepper.
  • In another shallow pan whisk eggs until well blended.
  • In another shallow pan add Panko crumbs.
  • One at a time, dredge each chicken breast in flour mixture, then egg mixture and then Panko crumbs.
  • Add to sizzling butter.
  • Cook 4-6 minutes each side depending on plumpness.
  • Keep chicken warm.

POTATO LATKE
2 pounds russett potatoes
1 SMALL bunch green onions
several sprigs FRESH thyme
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 LARGE eggs, lightly beaten
3-4 slices crumbled bacon pieces

  • Drape a clean cheesecloth over a colander.
  • Grate the potatoes and onion and place inside the lined colander.
  • Sprinkle with salt, toss and let drain in the sink for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Squeeze as much moisture as possible out of the potato-onion mixture.
  • Combine with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, beaten eggs, bacon pieces and panko and in a medium bowl and mix to form a pasty mixture.
  • Fold the thyme into the mix.
  • Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Place a 10-inch cast-iron skillet on medium heat and allow to heat for 5 minutes.
  • Also, preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Add 4 tablespoons of the oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan.
  • When oil is hot add potato mixture and gently press with spatula to flatten the mixture so it evenly covers the bottom of the pan.
  • Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer to oven and bake for 10 minutes. By this time, the latke should be firm enough to flip without falling apart. Transfer the pan to the stove.
  • Place a plate over the pan and carefully invert to flip the latke.
  • Slide it back into the pan and bake for another 10 minutes.

TOPPING
WHOLE milk ricotta cheese
1 green onion, FINELY minced
Juice of LARGE lime
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Whisk everything together until smooth and chill until needed.

GREEN CHILE GRAVY
1 LARGE can chopped green chiles
1 bunch green onions, chopped
Handful FRESH Italian Parsley
couple sprigs FRESH thyme
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons WONDRA flour
2 cups homemade chicken bone broth
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • In a food processor combine green chiles, green onions, Parsley and thyme.
  • Pulse until smooth.
  • In a large sauce pan melt butter over medium high heat.
  • When butter is sizzling sprinkle with flour and whisk until golden.
  • Whisk in green chile mixture and bone broth.
  • Bring to a SLOW boil, reduce heat and simmer until reduced and beginning to thicken,
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.

HONEY BOURBON PECAN CHICKEN

HONEY BOURBON PECAN CHICKEN

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 LARGE stalk celery, FINELY diced
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 mini bottle Honey Jack Daniels
1 tablespoon Bragg’s liquid aminos
1 tablespoon Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
1/2 cup SMALL chopped toasted pecans
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
1/2 cup unsalted butter, COLD and diced

  • Whisk together the brown sugar, Jack Daniels, liquid aminos, Worcestershire sauce and Dijon if using. Set aside.
  • Generously season chicken breasts with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Heat avocado oil in large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Sear chicken breasts 4 minutes on each side JUST until cooked through.
  • Remove chicken to platter and keep warm.
  • Add celery and asparagus if using, sauteing 2-3 minutes.
  • Add Jack Daniels mixture to skillet and bring to a simmer.
  • Turn off heat and add cold butter, whisking until smooth.
  • Stir in the honey and pecan pieces.
  • Return chicken to pan, turning to coat in sauce.
  • Plate chicken pieces.
  • Drizzle with sauce and serve immediately.

NOTE:

  • You can find the small little travel size Jack Daniels bottle in the liquor store with various flavors. I’ve tried most of them and find you can’t go wrong 🙂 Apple is great also as is Fireball Cinnamon.
  • I eliminate the mustard due to a life threatening allergy, but I hear it is a wonderful flavor addition.
  • I also like to saute’ some asparagus tips in the sauce for a bit more elegant flair.

HASH BROWN TOPPED MEATLOAF

HASH BROWN TOPPED MEATLOAF
Your favorite meatloaf recipe
12 ounce package refrigerated hash browns, frozen is okay but need thawed
1 LARGE egg, lightly beaten
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Toss hash browns with FRESH ground salt and pepper in a large bowl.
  • Add beaten egg and toss until well coated.
  • Place hash browns evenly on top of meatloaf.
  • Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes until cooked through and hash browns are crispy.

Pampered Chef KANSAS CITY RUB Grilled Pork Chops

Pampered Chef KANSAS CITY RUB Grilled Pork Chops
This isn’t as much a recipe as a it is a testament to Pampered Chef’s new Kansas City Rub.

I rubbed these thick pork chops on Friday afternoon and covered them for the refrigerator. I rubbed them again on Saturday and by Sunday they were PERFECT for grilling.

The flavor was absolutely amazing! AND they were so tender you could almost cut them with your fork 😀

BARNYARD PIE

This is a wonderful hearty, savory yet tangy breakfast pie.

BARNYARD PIE
1 pie dough – homemade or store bought
4-5 leftover buttermilk biscuits, broken into pieces
1 LARGE bunch green onions, chopped
1/3 cup SMALL chopped red onion
12 ounces bacon, diced and cooked crumbly
6 LARGE eggs, beaten
1 cup half and half
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 teaspoon red pepper
4 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1/2 cup FINELY grated pepper jack cheese
3 tablespoons tart cherry or pepper jelly

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Roll pie dough into a large 12-13 inch round.
  • Place pie dough into a 10 inch pie plate, trim and crimp edges.
  • Prick bottom with a fork once or twice.
  • Parbake pie shell 8-10 minutes.
  • Scatter broken biscuit pieces into the bottom of the pie shell.
  • Sprinkle green onions over biscuits followed by the bacon pieces.
  • In a medium mixing bowl cream the cream cheese.
  • Whisk together the eggs, half and half, FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper and red pepper flakes.
  • Pour into cream cheese and mix together well.
  • Pour into the pie shell making sure NOT to fill over the bottom of the crimped edge of the pie.
  • Sprinkle with the pepper jack cheese.
  • Microwave the jelly for 30 seconds.
  • Quickly spread the jelly over top, using a spatula to spread evenly.
  • Bake 20 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to 375°.
  • Turn pie pan 180 degrees.
  • Bake another 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and egg mixture is set firm.
  • Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.