Category: PROTEINS

BACON RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE

BACON RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE
8 ounces pasta, prepared per package instructions
3 slices bacon, chopped
1 small shallot, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound shredded rotisserie chicken pieces
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
12 ounces evaporated milk
1 Hidden Valley ranch dressing seasoning mix
1/3 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s hot sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

  • Preheat oven 350°.
  • Spray 8×8 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

  • In a large skillet cook bacon until crisp. Remove and drain on paper toweling.
  • Add shallots and garlic, quickly sautéing.
  • Drain of excess grease.
  • Add chicken pieces and cook several minutes until golden and cooked through.
  • Whisk together the milk, ranch dressing mix and hot sauce. Pour over chicken and stir together.
  • Remove from heat and add the pasta, mixing well.
  • Top with 1 1/2 cups of the cheese and most of the bacon, stirring to combine.
  • Pour into prepared baking dish, top with remaining cheese and garnish with remaining bacon.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden.
  • Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

PORK & CHARRED PINEAPPLE SLIDERS

PORK & CHARRED PINEAPPLE SLIDERS

1/4 cup jalapeño ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 (1+2) tablespoons pineapple juice
2 (1+2) tablespoons apple cider vinegar
8 ounces ground pork
1 LARGE bunch green onions, sliced and divided
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
8 slices pineapple, 1/4 inch thick
1 cup shredded red cabbage
8 KING’S Hawaiian small hamburger rolls or (12) buns, split

  • Whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon pineapple juice and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Set aside.
  • Combine cabbage, 2 tablespoons pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1/2 of the green onions, salt and pepper to taste and toss well.
  • Combine pork, remaining green onions, salt and pepper together. Form 8 patties or 12 squares if using rolls.
  • Spray heavy skillet with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Heat skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add pork patties and cook 2-3 minutes until slight charred.
  • Flip and cook another minute.
  • Transfer patties to plate and keep warm.
  • Add pineapple slices to skillet and cook 2 minutes until slightly charred.
  • Top pork patties with pineapple slices.
  • Generously brush buns with ketchup mixture.
  • Add a pork patty to each bun bottom.
  • Top with cabbage mixture and roll top.

GRILLED GENERAL TSO’s CHICKEN

GRILLED GENERAL TSO’s CHICKEN

4 pounds of your favorite chicken pieces (we like legs and thighs) 😀
3 tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
3 tablespoons avocado oil
1/4 catsup jalapeno ketchup
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 – 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
LARGE bunch green onions, sliced for garnish
Sesame Seeds, to garnish

  • Whisk together the liquid aminos and oil.
  • Pour into a large ziploc bag.
  • Add chicken pieces, seal and chill 2 hours.

 

  • Whisk together the ketchup, corn syrup, vinegar, garlic, crushed red pepper and salt until smooth. Set aside.

  • Drain chicken and discard marinade.
  • Pat chicken dry.
  • Preheat gas grill.
  • Oil grates.
  • Place chicken on grill, skin side down.
  • Grill 10 minutes uncovered on the hot side of the grill, rotating (NOT flipping) often to avoid burning, until skin is crispy.
  • FLIP chicken to cooler side of the grill, cover and continue grilling 30 minutes or so until you reach 165°.
  • Brush chicken with sauce during last 5 minutes.
  • Arrange chicken on platter.
  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
  • Serve with remains sauce.

HOMESTYLE CHICKEN & MUSHROOMS ala SLOW COOKER

HOMESTYLE CHICKEN & MUSHROOMS ala SLOW COOKER serves 4-6

4 THICK boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin steaks OR 8 thighs
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 envelope LIPTON french onion soup
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 small bunch green onions, thinly sliced (keep whites and greens separate)
crumbled bacon

  • Whisk together the canned soup, pepper and the dry soup mix.
  • Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Spread soup mixture into slow cooker.
  • Add chicken and turn to coat well.
  • Cover and cook on low 4 hours.
  • Add green onion whites and mushrooms.
  • Cook another 30 minutes.
  • JUST before serving stir in sour cream.
  • Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
  • Garnish with greens from the green onions and bacon pieces.

NOTES: The sauce seems super thick when you first begin the recipe, but don’t worry it thins out during the cooking time to the perfect consistency.

CREOLE PORK CHOPS

This is another “antique” recipe find. I loved the title, but it fails to actually deliver the flavor in today’s spice packed world of cooking. This was a good alternative for flavor in the early 20th century I’m sure, but bland by today’s standards! I have manipulated the recipe significantly to add MORE flavor.

GOOD LUCK MARGARINE was originally a Newfoundland company and through different mergers and acquisitions eventually became a Canadian company. There were several of these waxed cardboard recipes in the file I recently purchased, but this is the first I tried and had to change to add the necessary flavor.

CREOLE PORK CHOPS ala GOOD LUCK MARGARINE 😀 (sort of) serves 4

4 loin or shoulder chops, bone in
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to season
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup long grain rice
4 thick slices tomato
1 small onion halved, and sliced
4 rings green pepper OR equal amount of sliced mini peppers
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 – 8 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (depending on preference)
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 cups boiling salted water

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Generously sprinkle chops with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Dredge in flour.
  • Melt butter in skillet.
  • Add chops and sear on both sides.
  • Cook rice in boiling salted water for 5 minutes. Do not drain.
  • Place pork chops in a single layer on the bottom of a deep casserole.
  • Place a slice of tomato and peppers on top of each chop.
  • Scatter onions over top.
  • Whisk tomato sauce with the cornstarch, basil, paprika, white pepper, cumin and cayenne, to taste.
  • Stir in garlic.
  • Replace the removed water with the tomato sauce mixture, stirring to blend.
  • Pour rice and tomato sauce water mixture over chops.
  • Cover and bake for one hour or until rice and chops are both tender.

SWEET & SOUR CARAMELIZED CHICKEN

I originally posted this recipe years and years ago (2009 or 2010) on my original blog, but seriously, it needed an update picture so I made it specifically for that reason now.  😀 as well as updating the technique a bit.  I’m still NOT thrilled with the picture, but it IS better than the old one 😀

This really is an easy and quick meal to make, but it looks & tastes like you worked all afternoon so it’s perfect for company.  I should have taken a picture of the baking dish full of chicken, caramelized onions and gravy – much more impressive looking.  Oh well, next time.

SWEET & SOUR CARAMELIZED CHICKEN
4 boneless chicken breasts
1 LARGE sweet Walla Walla or Vidalia onion, halved and sliced thin
2-3 LARGE cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup chicken broth
4 tablespoons WONDRA flour
Juice of 1 lemon (2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons rice wine balsamic vinegar
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
avocado oil
1 LARGE egg
1 teaspoon cornstarch

  • Between 2 sheets of wax paper flatten chicken breasts if they are too thick. If they are too thick they will take longer to cook.
  • Whisk together the egg and cornstarch. Soak chicken breasts in mixture for an hour before cooking. This mixture seals in the moistness and keeps the chicken juicy throughout.

 

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • In a oven proof skillet (or transferring to a baking dish) coat the bottom of the pan with avocado oil.
  • Generously season chicken with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • When the oil is hot, brown both sides of the chicken breasts including all the sides.
  • When breasts are browned, put the pan in the oven for 5 minutes.
  • Add onions to skillet over medium high heat to caramelize. You want to gather all the little browned bits on the bottom of the pan also.

 

  • Reduce the heat to 300°.
  • Whisk together the hot water, bullion, flour, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper.
  • Pour liquid mixture over the chicken and cover tightly with foil.
  • Return it to the oven for additional 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Sauce will be thick.

NOTE: I have used breast tenders in a pinch and they work well, but they cook faster so keep a close eye on them.

SHEET PAN PORK with BROCCOLI & BEANS

SHEET PAN PORK with BROCCOLI & BEANS

1 1/4-1 1/2 pound pork tenderloin
1/4 cup avocado oil
3-4 cloves garlic, 3 minced and 1 large peeled
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
8 pickled red peppers plus 1 tablespoon of the brine
4 cups broccoli florets
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped Parsley
Juice of 1 lemon plus the zest
1 or 2  – 15 ounce can(s) small navy beans or cannelini, drained and rinsed

  • Preheat oven broiler.
  • Generously season pork roast and place pork on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • In a small bowl mix 1 tablespoon of the avocado oil, the minced garlic, paprika, oregano and 1 tablespoon of the pepper brine. Rub all over pork roast and let stand 5 minutes.
  • Broil 8 minutes until lightly browned, 7-8 minutes.

  • While pork is broiling toss the broccoli florets with the peppers, navy beans and remaining garlic, 2 more tablespoons avocado oil salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl.
  • Flip pork tenderloin and arrange broccoli mixture around pork and return to the oven.
  • Return pan to oven and broil until pork reaches 145° and broccoli is slightly charred, 8-10 minutes more.
  • Whisk together the remaining pepper brine, avocado oil, parsley, lemon juice and zest. Season to taste.
  • Slice the pork and serve with broccoli drizzled with the herb sauce.

CANTONESE CHICKEN STIR FRY

There are so many different provinces in China and different versions of this same chicken dish. This combination of veggies and flavors is one of our favorites.

CANTONESE CHICKEN serves 4
1 1/4 pound chicken tenders cut into 1-1 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 cup oyster sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 LARGE bunch green onions, sliced in large diagonal
2 large carrots, sliced thinly on the diagonal
8 thin slices, peeled garlic
1-2 cups sliced mushrooms (see note)
1/2 pound Bok Choy, sliced 1 1/2 inches long diagonally
1 1/4 cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons BRAGG’s liquid aminos
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
Prepared rice

  • Toss chicken with oyster sauce and BRAGG’s liquid aminos.
  • Whisk together cornstarch and water.
  • Heat wok and peanut oil until hot.
  • Add carrots, stir frying 2 minutes.
  • Add green onions, ginger and garlic, stir frying 20-30 seconds.
  • Add chicken mixture and stir fry 2-3 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  • Add mushrooms and bak choy.
  • Add chicken broth and sesame oil.
  • Bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Add cornstarch mixture and return to boil, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until chicken is completely cooked through, sauce thickens and is glossy.
  • Serve over rice.

NOTE: I like beech mushrooms as you can leave them whole and they have a wonderful nutty flavor.

BALSAMIC BROWN SUGAR BRISKET

BALSAMIC BROWN SUGAR BRISKET

4-5 pound beef brisket
3 tablespoons avocado oil
3 red onions, halved and thinly sliced (4-6 cups)
1 whole bulb garlic, cleaned and minced
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1/3 cup QUALITY balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Generously season brisket with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a dutch oven.
  • Add brisket and sear each side until browned, about 4 minutes per side.
  • Remove brisket and set aside.
  • Add remaining oil to pan.
  • Add onions, garlic and bay leaves. Cook stirring often, 5-10 minutes, until fragrant and onions have softened.
  • In a bowl whisk together the beef broth, vinegars, brown sugar, onion powder and garlic powder.
  • Transfer the onion mixture to a roasting pan.
  • Top with brisket.
  • Pour broth mixture over brisket.
  • Cover and cook 2 hours.
  • Flip meat over, recover tightly and cook another 2-2 1/2 hours until fork tender.
  • Transfer meat to cutting board and loosely cover with foil, resting 10 minutes.
  • Slice meat against the grain and put on platter.
  • Using a slotted spoon arrange the onions around the brisket, discarding the bay leaves.
  • Skim fat from pan juices and discard. Pour juices over the onions and brisket.

CHIPOTLE ORANGE CHICKEN

CHIPOTLE ORANGE CHICKEN serves 4-6

1 chicken cut into pieces or 6-8 pieces of your favorite cut
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons Chipotle pepper
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped cilantro
2 oranges
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil.
  • In a large bowl toss chicken pieces with salt, pepper and cumin. Reserve remaining seasonings.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the grated zest and the juice from the oranges with the tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, chipotle pepper and the reserved seasonings from your dredge.
  • Pour tomato mixture over chicken and toss to coat.
  • Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer on the baking dish.
  • Bake 45-50 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.
  • Brush with remaining sauce every 15 minutes.
  • Transfer to platter and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

TERIYAKI SALMON with ASIAN WALNUT SLAW

I found the original recipe at Walnuts.org and it really inspired me to do some summer seafood recipes even if I did alter it to meet our tastes.

TERIYAKI SALMON with ASIAN WALNUT SLAW
Grilled salmon topped with a colorful tangy cabbage and carrot slaw, and garnished with fresh cilantro and toasty California walnuts.  One of the best parts is that the marinade is used for the salmon AND as the dressing for the slaw making the two parts of the dish blend seamlessly!

MARINADE
scant 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
scant 1/2 cup thick teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup champagne or apple cider vinegar vinegar
4 (4 to 6 ounce) salmon fillets
3 tablespoons finely chopped and toasted candied walnuts
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

  • In a shallow dish stir together chili sauce, teriyaki sauce and vinegar.  Set aside 1/3 cup for the slaw.
  • Place salmon in dish skin side up and let marinate for 30 minutes.
  • Over medium to high heat grill salmon for 3 to 5 minutes depending on thickness.
  • Flip and pour marinade over and around the salmon, cooking another 3-5 minutes until cooked to your liking and marinade is bubbling.
  • Transfer to a platter and top with cabbage mixture.
  • Sprinkle with walnuts and cilantro.

SLAW
1 cup shredded or thinly sliced purple cabbage
1 cup coarsely shredded green cabbage
1/2 cup carrot sticks
2 medium green onions, sliced
1/2 cup finely chopped and toasted candied walnuts
Fresh cilantro leaves, torn

  • Toss together cabbages, carrots, green onions and half the walnuts with reserved marinade and refrigerate.

HERB BUTTER & LONDON BROIL

LONDON BROIL began as a preparation process of marinating and then searing or broiling the meat at a HIGH temperature, NOT a cut of meat.  The process became so popular that eventually grocery stores began selling top round under the name “LONDON BROIL”.  Top-round steak, is sometimes sold as “London broil” or “Flank steak” is the traditional cut of beef used for London broil because it takes so  well to marinades.

HERB BUTTER & LONDON BROIL

1 (2 pound) London broil top-round steak
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/4 cup avocado oil
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and garlic.
  • Generously season entire London Broil with salt and pepper.
  • Rub oil mixture all over meat. Place on baking sheet.
  • Let sit at room temperature for an hour. (it can also be refrigerated over night)
  • Preheat broiler.
  • Brush off garlic then place steak on a sheet pan.
  • Place pan on middle rack in the center of the oven and broil 10 to 15 minutes (depending on desired doneness), until top is charred.
  • Flip and broil 10 to 15 minutes more (depending on desired doneness), until internal temperature reaches 125° for medium rare.
  • Let rest 10 minutes before carving.  It is VERY important that you carve AGAINST the grain!
  • Serve with herb butter.

NOTES:  Any leftovers dice up very nicely into pieces for chili.

HERB BUTTER
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped parsley
2 teaspoons FRESH chopped chives
Zest of 1/2 lemon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

  • In a small bowl, mix butter with herbs, lemon zest, salt, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
  • Refrigerate until ready to use.