Category: PROTEINS

KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN

KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN
3 pounds drumsticks
FRESH finely ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 + 1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 + 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 cup coconut oil
1 stick butter
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 teaspoons FRESH finely grated ginger
1/4 cup Bragg’s liquid aminos
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Sriracha
1 teaspoon Sesame oil
1/3 cup AP flour
1/3+ cup Vodka
1/3 cup COLD water
Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

  • Toss chicken with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Whisk together the 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.
  • Dredge chicken pieces in the cornstarch mixture, shaking off any excess.
  • Transfer chicken pieces to a rack and let sit uncovered for 30 minutes.

 

  • In a small sauce pan heat the avocado oil over medium high heat.
  • Add garlic and ginger, sauteeing 2-3 minutes until soft.
  • Add liquid aminos, brown sugar, molasses, honey, rice vinegar, sriracha, and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer for 6-8 minutes until it begins to thicken.
  • Remove from heat and set aside.

 

  • In a LARGE skillet (preferably cast iron) melt coconut oil and butter over medium high heat.
  • Whisk together the flour, 1/3 cup cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder and a pinch of salt.
  • Add the vodka and COLD water, whisking until smooth and thinned out to a milky consistency. If needed add vodka and cold water alternately 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
  • Dip chicken pieces one at a time, allowing excess batter to drip off.
  • Add each piece to the HOT oil.
  • Fry the chicken until the coating is crisp on ALL sides, but not browned, about 10-15 minutes. Drain pieces on rack.
  • Double fry the chicken until browned and crisp. Drain a 2nd time on rack.
  • Brush with sauce, coating all sides.
  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

HONEY TOMATO CHICKEN

HONEY TOMATO CHICKEN
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 large shallot, halved and finely sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon QUALITY cinnamon
pinch ground ginger
1 large tub cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 rustic cut tomatoes in sauce
2 tablespoons Marsala wine
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
chopped Italian parsley, garnish

  • Melt butter and oil over medium high heat in saute casserole.
  • Generously season chicken pieces with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Add chicken to casserole and sear 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Transfer chicken to platter and tent with foil to keep warm.
  • Add onions, garlic, cinnamon, ginger and grape tomatoes to casserole, sauteing until tomatoes begin to bubble.
  • Add Marsala wine and rustic cut tomatoes.
  • Lower the heat and simmer 10-15 minutes until tomato mixture resemble a thickened puree.
  • Add honey and blend well, simmering a couple minutes more.
  • Season to taste.
  • Add chicken pieces in, turning to coat.
  • Serve over prepared pasta.

NOTE: This recipe was originally written for bone in chicken. If you prefer bone in adjust the directions so that the simmer time on the sauce includes the chicken in the pan for 1 hour so chicken is cooked through.

BUFFALO CHICKEN PINWHEELS

Need a great recipe to take to the SUPER BOWL party? Love buffalo wings? If you do, you’ll love these! Wings have been ANY sports favorite for as long as I can remember. I’ve made pounds and pounds of chicken wings and even made Buffalo Chicken Dip many a time, but was ecstatic when I ran across a recipe for the same flavors in a wrap cut into pinwheels by Brandie over at HOME COOKING MEMORIES. This is the perfect and delicious party food with all the flavors of buffalo wings plus the blue cheese, but without sticky fingers. Personally, I don’t care for Bleu cheese so I substitute Gorgonzola. I also use rotisserie chicken which adds a a little extra flavor and I decreased the hot size just slightly.

BUFFALO CHICKEN PINWHEELS
8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1/3 cup Frank’s original hot sauce
1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1 cup Colby-Jack cheese, shredded
1/4 cup green onions, finely minced
1 pound FINELY CHOPPED rotisserie chicken pieces
5 large 10 inch flour tortillas

  • In a bowl, beat cream cheese on low.
  • Add in hot sauce, Gorgonzola and Colby-Jack cheeses.
  • Add green onions, mixing until blended.
  • Fold in shredded chicken into mixture by hand.
  • Spread approximately 3/4 cup of mixture on top of one of the tortillas. Roll up tortilla TIGHTLY.
  • Repeat with remaining tortillas.
  • Place rolled tortillas on a plate and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
  • Remove from refrigerator and unwrap.
  • Slice each rolled tortillas in half and then each half into 3 slices, discarding ends.
  • Place pinwheel slices on serving plate or tray.

NOTES

  • IF using different sized tortillas, adjust amount of buffalo chicken mixture you add to each tortilla.
  • BEST results happen after chilling the rolled tortillas before slicing,

HOLIDAY EVE CHICKEN

This recipe is a GREAT recipe for those busy holiday eves. The chicken marinates overnight and then it’s a quick toss to coat in the crumbs and bake. The chicken remains super juicy while absolutely fork tender and crispy on the outside.

HOLIDAY EVE CHICKEN serves 4
1 ¼ pound chicken tenders
¹⁄³ cup sour cream
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon celery salt
½ teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
¼ teaspoon garlic salt
½ cup crushed butter crackers or RITZ crackers
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons butter, melted

  • Whisk together the sour cream, lemon juice, pepper, paprika. seasoned salt and garlic salt.
  • In a large sealable Ziploc bag or pyrex container add chicken pieces and marinade. Toss to coat, seal and refrigerate overnight.

 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray deep baking tray with non-stick cooking spray, cover in foil or use a silicone baking mat.
  • Drain and discard marinade.
  • Coat chicken with cracker crumbs.
  • Place a single layer on tray.
  • Whisk together the oil and butter.
  • Drizzle over chicken pieces.
  • Bake, uncovered, 30-40 minutes until cooked through.

BAKED SOUTHWEST PORK CHOPS

BAKED SOUTHWEST PORK CHOPS
6 -8 boneless pork chops
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 small red onion (I use the purple because it gives it more flavor), halved and thinly sliced
1 can Campbell’s cream of sweet corn soup
1 small can green enchilada sauce
1 small can chopped green chiles, DRAINED WELL
1 can shoepeg corn, DRAINED WELL
4 ounces sour cream
1 package Laura Scudder’s green onion dip mix
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 large white potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
sliced mini peppers

  • Generously season pork chops with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Melt butter and avocado oil in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Sear your pork chops in a skillet.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Whisk together the soup, sour cream and enchilada sauce.
  • Fold in the corn and green chilies.
  • Spread half the sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Top with the potatoes slices.
  • Top with a thin layer of the sauce.
  • Place browned pork chops in the baking dish in a single layer on top.
  • Top with the sliced onions.
  • Pour remaining sauce over the top and spread even.
  • Top with sliced mini peppers.
  • Bake in the oven for about 60 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
  • Serve hot.

TERIYAKI & ENCHILADA CHICKEN MARINADE RECIPES

CHICKEN MARINADES adapted from ala Gimme Some Oven

These easy chicken marinade recipes are VERY simple to make, freezer-friendly as well as dependable and delicious too!  AND they are perfect for ANY cooking method whether it’s baking, slow cooking or grilling.

Teriyaki Marinade:
1/3 cup BRAGG’S LIQUID AMINOS
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons peanut oil (or avocado oil)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.

Enchilada Marinade:
3/4 cup chicken or vegetable stock
2 tablespoons enchilada seasoning (see below)
2 tablespoons avocado oil (or avocado oil)

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.

Enchilada Seasoning
1/2 cup chili powder or chipotle (not cayenne)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.

Honey Mustard Marinade
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup avocado oil

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.

NOTE: Cooking times will vary depending on the cut of chicken that you use.  Be sure and test your chicken temperature to be sure that it reaches a safe 165°.

These are basic recommendations for 8-ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts.

BAKING

  • Heat oven to 425°.
  • Place chicken on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, flip the chicken and bake another 8-10 minutes until it is cooked through (165°) and the juices run clear.
  • Remove from the oven, and loosely tent with aluminum foil.
  • Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes and serve warm.

GRILLING

  • Heat grill to medium-high.
  • Oil chicken breasts.
  • Grill for 10 minutes, flip the chicken and grill another 8-10 minutes, until it is cooked through (165°) and the juices run clear.
  • Transfer the chicken to a plate, and loosely cover with aluminum foil, letting the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes and serve warm.

SAUTEING

  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add chicken breast and cook for 5-6 minutes, flip and cook another 5-6 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (165°) and the juices run clear.
  • Transfer the chicken to a plate, and loosely cover with aluminum foil.
  • Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes and serve warm.

SLOW COOKING

  • Add chicken and marinade to the bowl of a slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low, until the chicken is cooked through (165°).
  • Serve warm.

CHEDDAR CHICKEN POT PIE

Making this recipe as individual pies you can taste the homemade pastry and rich cheddar flavored sauce in EVERY bite. You can make this as rustic or as elegant as you’d like by cutting the crust into cute little decorative shapes or leave it as a single layer. We like to invert the individual pies so the crust is on the bottom absorbing all the yummy gravy.

CHEDDAR CHICKEN POT PIE – serves 6
CRUST
1 cup soft flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons cold vodka

  • 5 minutes before you begin the crust place the vodka and butter cubes in the freezer.
  • Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl.
  • Cut in butter until crumbly.
  • Gradually add vodka, mixing until forms a ball.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate AT LEAST 30 minutes.

FILLING
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 cups cubed peeled potatoes
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup sliced celery
1 can petite peas, drained WELL
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup Wondra flour
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 cups diced rotisserie chicken
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Bring the broth to a SLOW boil over medium high heat in a large saucepan.
  • Add vegetable and simmer 10-15 minutes until tender.
  • Whisk together the milk and Wondra flour.
  • Stir milk mixture into broth mixture and simmer 10 minutes more or until desired thickness.
  • Stir in cheese and chicken.
  • Fold in peas.
  • Season to taste.

ASSEMBLY

  • Spoon filling into baking dish(es). Set aside.
  • On a floured pastry mat roll crust 1 inch larger than baking dish.
  • Ease crust over dish, sealing the edges to the side of the dish.
  • Make several slits in the dough for steam to escape through.
  • Bake uncovered, for 40 minutes or until golden.

NOTE: DO NOT forget to cut slits in the crust to allow the steam to escape.

GRILLED HULI HULI CHICKEN a.k.a. TERIYAKI CHICKEN

Huli Huli is a cooking method of roasting chicken on a spit and serving it with a teriyaki-like sauce. Huli is the Hawaiian word for turn and as it cooks people would shout HULI as the chickens turned on the spit.

This tasty recipe has succulent chicken, delicious teriyaki, and sweet pineapple to recreate the VERY best of the HULI HULI experience. I bet you might even hear the waves lapping up on the shore, the Hawaiians shouting TURN or the sizzle of the drippings hitting the open fire.

GRILLED HULI HULI CHICKEN
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce
1/4 cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup frozen pineapple juice concentrate
2 cloves garlic, minced

  • Whisk together all ingredients except the chicken.
  • Place chicken in a large ziplock bag.
  • Pour juice mixture over chicken, turning chicken pieces to coat well and seal bag.
  • Marinade in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
  • Heat grill to low-medium
  • Drain the chicken and discard the marinade.
  • Grill chicken until juices run clear and chicken is cooked through, but DO NOT OVER COOK!
  • Serve over rice with grilled pineapple slices.

 

DINNER is meant to be DINNER, in a SINGLE pan when possible :D – PORK TENDERLOIN with GREEN BEANS & ROASTED PEARS

DINNER is meant to be enjoyed, and cooked in a SINGLE pan whenever possible 😀  I want to make JUST ONE  fantastic dish that is so flavorful and satisfying that it can stand alone or simply be paired with a salad or FRESH rolls.  Now to be honest this takes 2 pans UNLESS you use a LARGE cast iron skillet which is my weapon of choice 😀 or at least an ovenproof skillet of some sort.

PORK TENDERLOIN with GREEN BEANS & ROASTED PEARSserves 2-4
2 pound pork tenderloin
1/2 pound green beans, washed, trimmed and cut
1-2 BOSC pears, cored and sliced
1 shallot, chopped
5-6 large mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
FRESH thyme sprigs, trimmed and chopped
1/3 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1+1 tablespoon butter

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Spray sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Heat avocado oil and butter in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • When sizzling, add shallots and green beans. Stir 3-4 minutes until beginning to soften and cghar.
  • Season with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Add mushrooms and pears, sauteing 2-3 minutes more.
  • With slotted spoon transfer to sheet pan.

 

  • Pat tenderloin dry and generously season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add tenderloin to the still hot pan and quickly sear on all sides.
  • Transfer tenderloin to sheet pan. RESERVE PAN and EVERYTHING IN IT for sauce.
  • Roast 13-15 minutes (140°).
  • Remove from oven and tent with foil.
  • Rest 5 minutes.

  • Return pan to medium heat.
  • Add garlic and thyme, cooking until fragrant.
  • Whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch until lump free.
  • Add teriyaki sauce and chicken broth to pan, simmering until begins to thicken.
  • Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of butter.
  • Season to taste.
  • Plate and ENJOY!

HONEY ORANGE PINEAPPLE CHICKEN ala SLOW COOKER

HONEY ORANGE PINEAPPLE CHICKEN ala SLOW COOKER serves 6-8

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup orange pineapple juice
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup QUALITY honey
1/4 cup apricot pineapple preserves
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce
1/4 cup Heinz Chili sauce
8 ounce can crushed pineapple
1 small can Mandarin orange segments, drained WELL
1 small onion, finely chopped

1 cup sliced carrots
Prepared rice
chopped green onions for garnish

  • In a mixing bowl whisk together orange pineapple juice, lemon juice, chicken broth, honey, preserves, brown sugar, cornstarch, teriyaki sauce, Chili sauce, Country Bob’s sauce and crushed pineapple.
  • Spray slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Place chicken breasts in slow cooker in as shallow a layer as possible.
  • Top with onion and carrot pieces.
  • Pour juice mixture over top.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
  • Cover and cook 1 hour more.
  • Top with Mandarin orange segments, turn off heat, cover and let sit 5 minutes.
  • Serve over hot cooked rice. Top with fresh chopped green onions.

MEXICAN TORTILLA BAKE a.k.a. FOLD OVER TACOS

Your favorite taco in a casserole – perfect for potlucks!

FOLD OVER TACOS
1 pound ground beef
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 cans Rotel tomatoes
1 cup red enchilada sauce
1 can re-fried beans
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
1/4 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
12 6 inch tortillas
6 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature 30 minutes
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Wrap tortillas in foil and warm in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat cook beef until crumbled and pink is gone.
  • Drain off excess fat.
  • Add tomatoes, sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
  • Pour half of the meat and sauce into the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish.
  • Top with half the beans.  Set aside.
  • Stir together the cream cheese and one half of the re-fried beans.
  • Spread cream cheese mixture on each tortilla and top with a spoonful of the sauce.
  • Fold each tortilla over and arrange in baking dish partially overlapping.
  • Pour remaining meat sauce over top of tortillas.
  • Cover and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with cheese and bake 5 minutes more until cheese is melted.

BAKED CRANBERRY MEATBALLS

This recipe is the result of 3 recipes combined together. The flavor profile is so unique, it’s actually hard to describe. They are tangy, they are sweet and they are purple! 😀 BUT, they are delicious!!!!

BAKED CRANBERRY MEATBALLS makes 50+ meatballs
1 1/2 cups cranberry sauce (use this link for the homemade sauce recipe or see notes)
1 1/2 cups sauerkraut
12 ounces Heinz chili sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 shallot, chopped
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
2 pounds ground beef
2 LARGE eggs, lightly beaten

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a large mixing bowl mix together the soup mix and bread crumbs.
  • Crumble beef over top.
  • Pour eggs over top and gently mix with your hands JUST until combined.
  • Shape into evenly sized meatballs and place in baking dish.
  • In a large saucepan combine the chili sauce, cranberry sauce, sauerkraut, chicken broth, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Heat JUST to a boil over medium heat stirring to dissolve all the sugar.
  • Pour over uncooked meatballs.
  • Baked covered 1 hour.
  • Uncover and bake 15-20 minutes more until cooked through and sauce is thickened.

NOTES: I like to use homemade cranberry sauce, but you can easily use a can of Ocean Spray whole berry sauce.