Category: PROTEINS

FRENCH ONION SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS

FRENCH ONION SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS adapted from the Chunky Chef serves 4

1 Vidalia onions peeled, cut in half, and sliced into half-moon shaped slices
1 shallot cut in half, and sliced into half-moon shaped slices
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 1/4 cups beef stock
4 boneless pork chops about 1 – 1 ½ inches thick
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
2 ½ tablespoons WONDRA flour
4 slices provolone cheese
1 cup shredded Swiss or gruyere cheese
fresh thyme sprigs

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Melt butter and avocado oil in a large cast iron or other oven safe skillet, over MED-HIGH heat.
  • Add sliced onions and shallots, saute’ 3-5 minutes, until soft.
  • Add garlic and saute’ another minute until fragrant.
  • Add 1/4 cup beef stock and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes, until onions are extremely tender and golden brown.
  • Whisk together the salt, pepper, dried thyme and garlic powder.
  • As onions are sautéing, season both sides of pork chops with seasoning mix.
  • Transfer onions to a plate, do not wipe out skillet.
  • Reduce heat to medium, add a drizzle of avocado oil to the skillet if needed, and cook pork chops, about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
  • Transfer pork chops to plate.
  • Return cooked onions to pan and sprinkle with flour.
  • Stir to coat and cook about a minute.
  • Add remaining 1 cup beef stock and stir often until mixture comes to a boil.
  • Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Nestle pork chops back into the pan, spooning some of the beef stock over the tops of the chops.
  • Top with a slices of provolone cheese and a 1/4 cup mound of the shredded Gruyere on top each chop.
  • Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme to the skillet.
  • Place skillet in oven and bake 8-10 minutes, until cheese is melted and gooey.
  • Before serving, spoon some of the beef stock/onion mixture over the top of the cheese.
  • Garnish with some additional black pepper if desired.

 

LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN

LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN
The lemon cream sauce mixed with fresh vegetables, garlic and Parmesan cheese team up perfectly with the tender and juicy chicken for a delectable savory meal that will have you coming back for second helpings!

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 tablespoon sweet paprika
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 2+1
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small bunch green onions, sliced
10-12 button mushrooms, sliced thin
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 Tablespoons fresh chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
Juice of 1 lemon
Splash of dry white wine
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
Fresh ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Season the chicken with salt, pepper and paprika. Set aside.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add the chicken and sear both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside to rest.
    While the chicken is resting melt remaining butter in the skillet.
  • Add onions and mushrooms, sautéing until soft and mushrooms are beginning to caramelize.
  • Add garlic and cook stirring frequently about 2 more minutes until fragrant.
  • Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, splash of wine and thyme. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Add in the spinach and parsley and simmer until the spinach and parsley have wilted and the sauce has slightly thickened.
  • Continue to cook the sauce about 5 minutes or so until the sauce thickens.
  • Once your sauce is to the desired thickness, return the chicken to the skillet.
  • Place in the oven and cook for about 20-25 minutes.
  • Remove the dish, cover and let sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
  • Serve with buttered noodles or over mashed potatoes.

GRANS BUTTER CRACKER CHICKEN CASSEROLE

This recipe is SOOOOOOO versatile.  You can add tons of flavor if you use a rotisserie chicken by choosing an Italian herb or lemon or BBQ, etc… My favorite grocery store carries rostisserie chickens by “parts” in a mesquite flavor that I REALLY like in this recipe. By “parts” I mean you can get all white meat or my favorite all dark.  It takes about 4 thighs and legs to make the chicken pieces for this casserole.

You can also change up your soup flavor cream of mushroom, cream of onion, cream of poblano or jalapeno, etc… You get the idea. I also “adjust” the vegetables to what I have on hand. Sometimes I add green beans or mushrooms or snap peas, etc… just until I have an even mixture of a nice protein to vegetable ratio that is still creamy.

GRANS BUTTER CRACKER CHICKEN CASSEROLE serves 4-6
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or chopped**
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup frozen peas
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 large carrots, thinly sliced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
6 ounces (2 sleeves) Ritz*** crackers, crushed into fine crumbs
4-6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon paprika

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl stir together the soup, sour cream and chicken.
  • Fold in peas and set aside.
  • In a hot skillet add 1 tablespoon of butter and avocado oil.
  • When melted add carrots, sautéing 3-5 minutes until beginning to soften.
  • Add green onions and saute’ a minute more.
  • Fold carrots and onions into chicken mixture.
  • Pour into prepared baking dish.
  • In a small bowl combine the melted butter, crushed crackers and paprika until the mixture looks like wet sand. Start with 4 tablespoons of butter and add more as necessary.
  • Spoon over casserole evenly.
  • Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
  • Serve warm.
  • ENJOY!

NOTES

  • ** You can easily substitute 3 cups of rotisserie chicken and quite honestly these days that is my preferred way to make this recipe.
  • *** You can also use Kebbler Garlic butter crackers, Ritz are the preferred cracker.
  • This recipe freezes well also so I often make extra in these small foil bakers for easy weeknight prep.

GENERAL TSO CHICKEN

General Tso’s chicken is traditionally a sweet, deep-fried chicken dish that is served in Chinese restaurants. It is often seen as  General Tse’s chicken. The dish is named after Zuo Zongtang (Tso Tsung-t’ang), a Qing dynasty statesman and military leader.

This baked version of General Tso Chicken is baked for a lighter and much healthier version that actually tastes BETTER to us than the original version AND it is so much easier to prepare. The sauce is sweet and savory and best of all is poured right over the raw chicken for a one pan supper that tastes better than ANY restaurant quality meal.

GENERAL TSO CHICKEN Yield 4-6 servings

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins or  chicken breasts, cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
1 tablespoon cornstarch
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup Hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon salt
3 cloves garlic, finely minced fresh garlic
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (add more for a spicier dish or omit for a mild dish)
¼ cup peanuts
Optional garnish: sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Spray a medium (9×6 or 11×7) baking dish with cooking spray.
    Place chicken in the prepared dish. Sprinkle with cornstarch and toss to coat.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, brown sugar, Hoisin sauce, sesame oil, salt, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
  • Pour sauce over chicken and stir to combine.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir, return to the oven for 5-10 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened.
  • Remove from oven, stir in peanuts. Season with additional salt and red pepper flakes, to taste.
  • Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds just before serving.

NOTES:

1) Serve the General Tso Chicken over rice with plenty of extra sauce spooned over top. We love it with steamed broccoli!


2) If you’re just cooking for 2 the ingredients cut in half really well.  I like to prepare it in individual 5×5 Le Crueset baking dishes.

BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATBALLS with CREAMY MASHED POTATOES & CARROT CELERY SALAD

BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATBALLS  – classic taste in a finger free meatball.
3/4 pound ground Chicken
Juice of 1 Lemon
2 tablespoons Butter, melted
1/4 cup Panko Bread crumbs
1/3 cup chicken broth
1-3 tablespoons to 1/4 cup Frank’s hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • Heat 2 teaspoons of avocado oil on medium-high until hot.
  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken, breadcrumbs, and spices.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently mix to combine.
  • Using your hands, tightly form the mixture into 10 equal-sized meatballs. Transfer to a plate.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons of avocado oil on medium-high until hot.
  • Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally 8 to 10 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
  • Whisk together the butter and chicken broth.
  • Add to the pan with the meatballs, cooking 1-2 minutes, frequently spooning the sauce over the meatballs.
  • Turn off the heat and stir in as much of the hot sauce as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve with creamy mashed potatoes, veggies.
  • Enjoy!

 

WARM CARROT-CELERY SALAD
Avocado oil
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
2 large carrots, peeled, halved & sliced
1 small shallot, halved and sliced
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add avocado oil.
  • Add carrot pieces, season with salt and pepper, cooking 4-5 minutes until lightly browned and soft.
  • Add celery, seasoning again.
  • Transfer to a bowl, cover and keep warm.

Featured at Melt In Your Mouth Monday #392 1-6-2019

BUNLESS BURGER SERIES – ITALIAN WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESEBURGERS with BALSAMIC GLAZED ONION & ROASTED POTATOES

BUNLESS BURGER SERIES – ITALIAN WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESEBURGERS with BALSAMIC GLAZED ONION & ROASTED POTATOES

With having to give up bread I have found it challenging to eat satisfying meals. Years ago I started a Bunless Burger series, but never did much with it so I’m back to add to the selections with these Italian flavored cheeseburgers are layered with tons of satisfying flavors.

3/4 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small Vidalia onion, halved and sliced into half rings
White cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar or Balsamic Vinegar
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 pound fingerlings or tri-colored potatoes, cut lengthwise into 1 inch wedges.
1-2 teaspoons sweet paprika
Avocado oil
BUNS – OPTIONAL

  • Place an oven rack in the center of the oven, then preheat to 450°.
  • Place the potato wedges on a sheet pan.
  • Drizzle with avocado oil.
  • Sprinkle with paprika, salt and pepper; toss to coat.
  • Arrange potatoes in an even layer, skin side down.
  • Roast 28 to 30 minutes, or until browned and tender when pierced with a fork.
  • Remove from the oven.
  • While the potatoes roast, in a medium pan, heat a drizzle of avocado oil on medium-high until hot.
  • Add the diced onion; season with salt and pepper.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned and softened.
  • Add the garlic; season again with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until softened and fragrant.
  • Add the vinegar and sugar, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until well coated and most of the liquid has cooked off.
  • Re-season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Transfer to a bowl and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
  • While the onion cooks, in a medium bowl, combine the beef, Italian seasoning and a generous sprinkling of the salt and pepper.
  • Gently mix to combine. DO NOT OVERWORK the meat.
  • Using your hands, form the mixture into two 1/2-inch-thick patties; transfer to a plate.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons of avocado oil on medium-high until hot.
  • Add the patties and cook 4 to 5 minutes on the first side, or until browned.
  • Flip the patties.
  • Evenly top with the sliced cheese.
  • Loosely cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the patties are cooked to your desired degree of doneness.
  • Leaving any browned bits of fond in the pan, transfer burgers to a plate. Loosely cover with the foil to keep warm.
  • Add the buns (if using), cut side down, to the pan of reserved fond adding a drizzle of oil if the pan is too dry.
  • Toast on medium-high 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until lightly browned.
  • Transfer to a work surface and assemble the burgers using the toasted buns, cooked patties, and glazed onion (you may have extra onion).
  • Serve the burgers with the roasted potatoes on the side.
  • Enjoy!

MISO GINGER CHICKEN

MISO GINGER CHICKEN
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon minced ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Sriracha
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon miso paste
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup Bragg’s liquid aminos
2 green onions, sliced
avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Wash and dry chicken breasts.
  • Heat pan over medium heat.
  • Add avocado oil.
  • Generously season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
  • Sear chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
  • Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm.
  • Add green onions, ginger and garlic, cooking until fragrant and beginning to soften.
  • Add liquid aminos, miso paste, honey, vinegar and sriracha, whisking to blend well.
  • Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened.
  • Return chicken to sauce and turn to coat.
  • Serve over rice.

CRISPY SESAME CHICKEN THIGHS with SESAME CUCUMBER SALAD

CRISPY ASIAN CHICKEN THIGHS with SESAME CUCUMBER TOMATO SALAD – serves 2
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 tablespoons cornstarch
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper
2 tablespoons Bragg’s liquid aminos
2 teaspoons sesame oil
4 teaspoons sugar
2-4 teaspoons sriacha
Juice of 1 small lime
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter

  • Add cornstarch to a paper bag.
  • Add chicken pieces, shaking to coat well.
  • Whisk together the liquid aminos, sesame oil, sugar, lime juice and sriacha until well blended.
  • Heat pan over medium heat.
  • Add avocado oil and butter.
  • Add chicken pieces and cook until cooked through, crispy and golden on both sides. About 5 minutes per side.
  • Remove chicken and drain of excess fat on paper towels.
  • Add liquid mixture to hot pan and let bubble and start to thicken.
  • Add chicken pieces back into pan, turning to coat in the sauce.
  • Serve over rice with remaining sauce.
  • Top with sesame seeds.
  • Serve with salad.

SALAD
1 large cucumber, halved, seeded and sliced into half moons
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
3 green onions, sliced thin (whites only – save green tops for rice)
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper

  • In a large bowl toss together the cucumber pieces, scallion whites and tomatoes.
  • Whisk together the vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper.
  • Pour dressing over and toss again.

SAUCY MEATBALL SLIDERS

SAUCY MEATBALL SLIDERS makes 6 sliders
3/4 pound ground beef
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon ricotta cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
1 batch authentic meat sauce
6 buns
Parmesan cheese

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • In a large bowl combine your breadcrumbs, ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 tablespoons meat sauce, egg, salt and pepper.
  • Add ground beef and minimally mix by hand JUST until well blended.
  • Form 6 meatballs.
  • Place meatballs on a baking sheet that has been lined with foil.
  • Bake 15-18 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  • While meat balls cook, heat sauce in large skillet.
  • When meatballs are finished baking add them to sauce, turning to coat.
  • Toast buns.
  • Plate bun bottoms.
  • Add a meatball to each bun bottom and top with a spoonful of meat sauce.
  • Top with Parmesan cheese.
  • Add bun tops.
  • Serve with salad.

LEMON CHICKEN COSTOLETTA

Chicken Costoletta a Cheesecake Factory Copycat ala made from scratch. When they serve this to you in the restaurant the sauce is almost non-existent on the plate.  The sauce is a mandatory flavor ingredient- don’t scrimp. I use sauce on the mashed potatoes also. From what I can find, the term “costeletta” translates into “cutlet”.  This recipe is versatile and can be changed up from the lemon to apricot, peach or even plum easily. Use your imagination. 😀
LEMON CHICKEN COSTOLETTA
4 thin chicken steaks or flattened tenderloin breasts
1/2 cup flour
2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 lemon, zested (save lemon for juicing into sauce)
1/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese grated
1/4 cup avocado oil
2 tablespoons butter
  • Set up three bowls for dredging. In one, place the flour. In the second, add the eggs. In the third, combine the breadcrumbs, lemon zest and cheese.
  • Coat each piece of chicken first in the flour, then the eggs letting the excess drip off before dipping into the , and the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Heat a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat and add the oil and butter.
  • Once butter is melted and hot, add the chicken to the pan and fry on both sides until cooked through; approximately 3-5 minutes per side depending on the thickness. DO NOT CROWD PAN. You may need to do this in two batches.
  • Remove chicken from the pan and drain on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
  • Set aside.
SAUCE
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon flour
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken stock
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 tablespoon butter
  •  Melt the oil in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat.
  • Add the garlic sauteing 1-2 minutes.
  • Whisk in the flour until golden.
  • Whisk in the milk, heavy cream, chicken stock and lemon juice.
  • Bring to a boil over medium-high heat until the sauce has thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Stir in the butter and pour desired amount of sauce over the chicken and mashed potatoes.

RED PEPPER GLAZED HALIBUT

RED PEPPER GLAZED HALIBUT
FISH
2 Halibut Fillets
FRESH ground salt and pepper
1 green onion, sliced thin

  • Adjust oven rack to 6 inches below broiler.
  • PREHEAT broiler.
  • Line baking sheet with foil.Place baking rack on top of foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Generously season fillets with salt and pepper on both sides.
  • Arrange fillets on baking rack.
  • Generously brush tops of fillets with glaze.
  • Broil fillets for 2 minutes.
  • Flip fillets. Generously brush with glaze and return to oven another 2-3 minutes until they flake easily.
  • Serve with rice, potatoes or veggies of choice and remaining glaze.
  • Sprinkle with sliced green onions as garnish.

GLAZE
1/2 cup apple jelly (I use apricot a good deal of the time)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 green onions, sliced thin
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1 tablespoons QUALITY honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sesame oil

  • In a small sauce pan whisk together the jelly, red pepper flakes, vinegar, green onions, liquid aminos, honey, avocado oil, sesame oil and green onions.
  • Cook over medium heat about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until syrupy and reduced by about half.

SWEET & SPICY BACON DUTCH BABY PANCAKE

Giving up sugar is the HARDEST thing I have ever had to do. And since it will NEVER change I’m still working to take some favorite recipes and rework them into less sugary meals so I can eat them.

SWEET & SPICY BACON adapted from GIADA
1 pound slab bacon, cut into 1-by-1/2-inch pieces **
1/4 cup PURE maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons FRANK’S original hot sauce

  • Place the bacon in an even layer in a large skillet.
  • Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often with spatula until the bacon is light golden brown, about 20 minutes.
  • Whisk together the maple syrup, black pepper and Frank’s in a small bowl.
  • Pour off some of the rendered bacon fat, leaving just a small amount.
  • Return the skillet to the heat and pour the maple syrup mixture over the bacon.
  • Braise gently until the syrup thickens and glazes the bacon and the bacon is deep golden brown, about 15 minutes.
  • Serve warm.

DUTCH BABY PANCAKE
3 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons PURE vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon lemon zest, from 1 lemon
OPTIONAL
2 tablespoons powdered sugar, to garnish
Berries, whipped cream, jam or maple syrup if desired

  • Preheat the oven to 400°.
  • Place butter in a 10-12 inch enameled cast iron skillet and place skillet in the hot oven to heat up while you mix the batter.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla until smooth.
  • In a separate medium bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and lemon zest.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and use an electric beater to fully incorporate the wet and dry together until smooth.
  • Allow the batter to rest for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the oven and swirl butter over all sides.
  • Pour the batter into the center of the pan and place the pan in hot oven.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until puffed and brown around the edges and set in the center.
  • Remove from the oven and dust with powdered sugar. The pancake will immediately start to collapse.
  • Top with bacon pieces or berries and whipped cream.
  • Dust with powdered sugar and add berries if desired.

NOTES**

  • Any leftover bacon is PERFECT in a homemade baked BBQ bean recipe.
  • SLAB bacon can be hard to find. When I can’t find it, I use thick sliced and cut it into 2 inch pieces.