Category: PROTEINS

SLOW COOKED MEATBALLS

On the weekends when we are going to be home all day, I LOVE the smell of something scrumptious cooking and this recipe is one of my favorites. The great thing about this recipe though is that it’s great for working moms during the week too.
SLOW COOKED MEAT BALLS
1 1/2 pounds ground beef*
4 slices stale sourdough bread made into crumbs
1 JUMBO egg, beaten
1 medium Vidalia onion, finely chopped
1 can cream of golden mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes with garlic and herbs
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon basil

  • With your hands mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion and half the seasonings.
  • Form into 1 1/2 inch meatballs.
  • Spray the bottom of the slow cooker lightly with PURE.
  • Gently lay the meatballs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Mix together the soup, broth and tomatoes.
  • Pour over meatballs.
  • Cover and cook 7-9 hours on low.
NOTE: I like to make my own ground beef when brisket is on sale. It makes for a richer tasting beef flavor! Thank you Tyler Florence!

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ROAST PORK TENDERLOIN &/OR TROPICAL GLAZED PORK TENDERLOIN

This is my favorite method of cooking pork tenderloin. Bring the tenderloin to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Lightly coat your ovenproof skillet with oil and sear the tenderloin over a medium-high heat and brown all sides. Salt and pepper to taste while searing.

If you’re using a glaze, apply it now.  The glaze I like is in the recipe below.

Place skillet in the oven and roast 15 to 20 minutes per pound, until internal temperature is 145 degrees. Remove from the oven, tent the pork with foil and let it rest about 5 minutes before serving. If you don’t use a glaze, make a quick pan sauce by deglazing the skillet with chicken broth, wine, fruit juice or another flavorful liquid.

Take its temperature ~ The tenderloin’s small size and leanness make it extremely susceptible to overcooking. The National Pork Board suggests cooking to a final internal temperature of 160 degrees, which can be achieved by cooking to 155 degrees and removing the tenderloin from the oven to rest 10 minutes (the temperature will rise several degrees). But, gourmet chef’s prefer removing the pork at 145 or 150 degrees (it is perfectly safe at this temperature) and letting it rest for 5 minutes.

For a glazed version try this recipe:
TROPICAL GLAZED PORK TENDERLOIN
2-3 pound pork tenderloin
1 cup apricot pineapple preserves
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Whisk together brown sugar and pineapple juice.
  • Blend in preserves.
  • generously salt and pepper the pork loin.
  • Spread a small layer of the glaze on the bottom of the roasting pan.
  • Lay the pork loin on top and spread the remaining glaze on top and along the sides.
  • Baste as necessary
  • Bake 45 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 150 degrees.

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MARINATED ROAST TURKEY BREAST with HONEY CRISP APPLE GRAVY

MARINATED ROAST TURKEY BREAST with HONEY CRISP APPLE GRAVY
1 boneless skinless turkey breast (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup Chardonnay
1/4 cup Bragg’s Liquid aminos
2 tablespoons Ken’s Italian dressing
1 cup water
1 teaspoon Litehouse freeze dried garlic
1 teaspoon Litehouse freeze dried red onion
1 teaspoon orange peel
1 tablespoon Bertolli white balsamic reduction
1 Knorr homestyle chicken gel
2 tablespoons butter, sliced into several slices

  • Whisk together the wine, liquid mains, Italian dressing, garlic, red onion, orange peel, white balsamic reduction and chicken gel.
  • Add water and whisk until well blended.
  • Place turkey breast in a ziplock bag that is in a baking dish.
  • Pour marinade over, seal and refrigerate for 2-8 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 400°
  • Remove turkey breast and place in baking dish.
  • Pour marinade over top.
  • Roast uncovered for 15 minutes per pound.
  • Rest breast in foil while preparing the gravy.

GRAVY

1 Just Beechnut Honey Crisp Apples (baby food)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour

  • In a small saucepan combine baby food and remaining liquid in roaster.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
  • Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl.
  • Whisk flour into butter to create a roux.
  • Add roux to saucepan, whisking until desired thickness.

NOTE: There is plenty of salt and pepper seasoning within these ingredients so do NOT add more salt and pepper.

BROWN BOX CRACKER MINI MEATLOAVES with BROWN BEER GRAVY aka MEATLOAF with A SERIOUS KICK

I found these awesome crackers a while back and then was pleasantly surprised to find that they were a local mom & pop operation.  Imagine my even bigger surprise when I’m eating these same crackers at my uncle’s house on Christmas Day later that year and find out that Brown Box Crackers was my own cousin’s company! I asked her if we could share this recipe with you and introduce you to her awesome products. I shared this quite a few years ago and unfortunately the crackers are no more as she passed away in 2014 and no one was able to find her recipes.  They probably existed on her hard drive, but alas my uncle never bothered to search and the hard drive is rotting away in storage, probably under water or too wet to be salvaged.  I have made some substitutions to make it similar to her original recipe.

Beth described this recipe perfectly: ” love comfort food, especially when it makes leftovers that taste better the day after. Meatloaf is one of those comfort foods and I like mine with rich, brown gravy…not with that tomato-y, ketchup-y topping some folks use. I want mine with rice and some kind of fresh vegatable to make it a healthy thing. Thank you, Mom, for putting me on the right path to meatloaf.”

MEAT LOAVES
1 pound Lean Hamburger
1 LARGE egg
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (or more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon Salt (or more to taste)
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 cups Brown Box Cracker Crumbs (I now use a combo of wheat thins, ritz and Keebler garlic butter)
2 medium Onions, chopped
1 Jalapeno, chopped
4-5 Cloves Garlic, chopped

  • Preheat oven to 350º.
  • Process onions, jalapeno and garlic in food processor.
  • Adding just enough water to form a paste.
  • Combine all ingredients except for the cracker crumbs by squeezing though fingers JUST until blended.
  • Once the ingredients are mixed well add the crackers and mix them through.
  • Divide burger mixture into four (4) equal portions and form into mini loaves or form one large loaf.
  • Place in a casserole or large, heavy oven-proofing frying pan.
  • The heavy frying pan is excellent for getting all the “good stuff” for the gravy.
  • Bake approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.

BROWN BEER GRAVY
3 tablespoons Drippings or avocado oil
1/2 cup Wondra Flour
1 cup Dark Beer (Shiner Bock is excellent)
1 cup Beef Broth
Salt and Pepper, to taste

  • Heat drippings/oil to bubbling.
  • Add flour and stir constantly to a bubbling caramel roux.
  • Add beer and broth continuing to stir constantly. The roux will smooth and thicken.
  • Add more broth if necessary.

Serving Suggestion:  Slice meat loaf and top onto a mound of rice, cover in gravy and serve with a side of fresh sliced tomato.

NOTE: Use beef broth INSTEAD of water when preparing rice. You will be pleased!

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PAN SEARED CHICKEN with BROWNED PARSLEY BUTTER

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with BROWNED PARSLEY BUTTER
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
flour for dredging
4 tablespoons butter
1 large green onion, sliced thin
salt, pepper and paprika to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lime

  • Place chicken between the folds of a clean cheesecloth towel.
  • Pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thick.
  • Cut each breast in half.
  • Generously season both sides of chicken breasts.
  • Dredge chicken in flour.
  • In a large skillet melt butter over medium high heat.
  • When butter is sizzling, but not browning, add onions and chicken pieces.
  • Generously season AGAIN!
  • Cook chicken 4-5 minutes on each side.
  • Plate chicken and keep warm.
  • Add parsley, lemon and lime juices, cooking until browned.
  • Pour over chicken pieces.
  • Garnish with Parsely.

CHEESY RANCH CHICKEN SALAD aka CRACK CHICKEN SANDWICHES

This is another one of those recipes that is floating around on facebook, but looked so yummy we HAD to try it.  O.M.G. this is phenomenal! I added a diced shallot to the mix that is sooooooo good. I did have to do an internet search to see why it was called crack chicken and LOL all I could find was a blog that alluded to it being “addicting”.  Anyway you slice it, it is DELICIOUS! Hubby hates the name though so we’re calling it Cheesy Ranch Chicken Salad.

CHEESY RANCH CHICKEN SALAD aka CRACK CHICKEN SANDWICHES – makes 4 sandwiches
1 1/4-1 1/2 pound boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts
8 ounce block Cream Cheese, cut into small cubes
1 Dry Ranch Dressing package mix
1 shallot, diced
1/3 pound Bacon, diced and cooked crisp
4 of your favorite rolls
4 slices Quality Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 small Red Onion, Thinly Sliced
Your favorite BBQ Sauce (we like Sweet Baby Rays or King’s Hawaiian)

  • Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towel and place them in your crock pot.
  • Top evenly with cream cheese cubes.
  • Sprinkle the dry ranch evenly over the top the cheese cubes.
  • Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours. Chicken is ready when it can easily be shredded with a fork.
  • When chicken is cooked, shred it.
  • Add the bacon pieces.
  • Stir the mixture to blend everything well.
  • Spoon one portion of chicken mixture on the bottom half of each roll, top with a slice of cheese and place under the broiler JUST until cheese has melted.
  • Add onion slices.
  • Drizzle with BBQ sauce
  • Spread BBQ sauce on the top half of each bun.
  • Enjoy!

 

CRY BABY BURGERS

We like burgers, but hate the bread on a regular basis so I often make a “knife and fork” burger with fun toppings and this is one of our favorites. Make sure you start the potatoes before grilling the burgers.

CRY BABY BURGERS
1 pound ground chuck
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 small can jalapenos, drained and chopped (save a small amount for the mayo)
1 small can green chiles, drained and chopped
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 slices pepper jack cheese
jalapeno mayo (small amount of minced jalapenos whisked into mayo)
caramelized onions – 1 small Vidalia onion, thinly sliced

  • Combine ground chuck, jalapenos, green chiles, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce until well blended.
  • Form into patties and refrigerate for several hours.
  • Whisk together mayonnaise and minced jalapenos.  Refrigerate until chilled.
  • Sear and brown patties, turning frequently until cooked through.
  • While cooking the patties, melt a small amount of butter in another pan and caramelize onions to desired doneness.
  • When burgers are done, top with cheese, mayonnaise and caramelized onions.
  • Enjoy!

ROASTED PAPRIKA POTATOES
2 pounds baby red potatoes
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
Hungarian paprika
1/4 cup melted butter

  • Scrub potatoes.
  • Boil for 10-15 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes until cool enough to handle.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Spray a 9×9 shallow baking dish with PURE.
  • Place potatoes on bottom in an even layer.
  • Smash each potato slightly.
  • Evenly sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika to taste.
  • Pour melted butter evenly over top.
  • Bake 30 minutes until crunchy and bubbling.

MIMOSA CHICKEN ala BISCUIT HEAD with CAT HEAD BISCUITS

I LOVE watching cooking shows and LOL I will NOT apologize for that. If I learn just one thing or find one New recipe, it was worth my time. Watching the new Hannah Hart show the other night I learned about Biscuit Head in Asheville, North Carolina. It is said that locals and tourists alike flock there for their cathead (because they are the size of a cat’s head) biscuits, an all-you-can-eat jam and butter bar and their mimosa chicken, not to mention their fresh-squeezed mimosas and their sake-spiked bloody Marys.

I understand that husband and wife team, Jason and Carolyn Roy behind the popular cafe (which has opened two additional locations since the West Asheville spot opened in 2013) have written a new cook book, Biscuit Head New Southern Biscuits, Breakfasts, and Brunch where they reveal many of the recipes they are most popular for, including their Mimosa Fried Chicken recipe below.

THIS IS IT, the secret recipe for their phenomenal fried chicken. “While many think of chicken breasts when it comes to fried chicken, we say you can’t beat the chicken thigh. It is a more tender, moist, and flavorful cut—though if you really want to, you can substitute breast meat in this recipe. I made it with the thighs as they wrote it, but will be replacing it with breasts next time, we just prefer them.

BISCUIT HEAD MIMOSA CHICKEN Makes 4 servings

BRINE
2 tablespoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 bay leaf
2 cups water
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 cups orange juice
¼ cup champagne

  • Mix together all of the ingredients for the brine, Stirring until the salt and sugar are dissolved, then place the chicken into the brine.
  • Cover and chill in the fridge overnight.

CHICKEN
4 large boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 quart vegetable oil
2 cups Biscuit Head Dredge (see below)

  • In large pot preheat your oil to 335°.
  • While your oil is heating up, remove the chicken from the brine and shake off any excess liquid.
  • Completely coat the chicken in the dredge by shaking in a Ziplock bag. Let the chicken thighs rest for 3 minutes in the dredge bag, then give them one more good shake in the dredge to make sure that they’re fully coated.
  • Carefully place each piece of chicken into the hot oil and fry, cooking for about 10 minutes should get the chicken right where you want it. You are looking for a nice golden crust and an internal temperature of 162°F.
  • Remove the chicken from the oil and place on a wire rack to rest a few minutes—serve it while it’s hot!

DREDGE
8 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon ground smoked paprika
½ tablespoon ground cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

  • Sift everything together and mix well.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to one year.

NOTE:  This recipe can also be cooked in a cast-iron skillet on the stove top. Use lard if you go this route and use enough that the melted lard comes up at least halfway on what you’re cooking.  The goal is to flip just once.

CLASSIC CAT HEAD BISCUITS yields: 6 large biscuits or 8-10 smaller one
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
2 ½ cups King Arthur cake flour
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
8 tablespoons butter, cubed into small pieces and well chilled
2 cups whole buttermilk

  • Preheat your oven to 375°.
  • Adjust oven racks to center of oven.
  • Grease a baking sheet or cast-iron skillet (pan spray works fine).
  • In a large mixing bowl, sift together both flours, salt, and the baking powder.
  • Gradually add the butter. DO NOT let the butter to melt or soften in your hand. You do want the butter to release steam as the biscuit cooks. That steam adds to the airiness and lightness of your final biscuit product.
  • Add the buttermilk and stir very gently to fold it in. DO NOT over mix!
  • Using an ice cream scoop, Scoop the dough onto your pan or skillet, making sure to keep the dough scoops right next to each other on the pan.
  • Bake the biscuits for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fluffy.

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CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN

This started out as Chicken Francaise from Recipe 30.  Then I realized I had forgotten to purchase one ingredient (a lemon so I used a lime) and accidentally purchased something different (cilantro) from what the recipe actually called for which was parsley.  So I did what I always do, I substituted the most likely ingredients and voile’, we have a new recipe. I also don’t like olive oil so I substituted avocado oil. I used significantly more garlic also.  When the chicken was gone I poured the remaining sauce over the carrots and they were really good.

CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN
4 chicken steaks or 2 large breasts, halved
WONDRA flour for dredging
2 JUMBO eggs
1 handful of fresh cilantro, chopped fine
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 cup Moscato white wine
1 cup chicken stock
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons Avocado oil
4 tablespoons butter
Juice of 1 large lime
Salt and pepper to taste

  • Preheat oven to warm.
  • Whisk together eggs, salt, pepper, half of the cilantro and 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese. Pour into a shallow dish large enough to fit a chicken breast.
  • Season eggs with salt and pepper, give them a light beat.
  • In another shallow dish, add the flour and a little more salt and pepper.
  • Heat the Avocado oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium high heat.
  • Dredge the chicken thoroughly in the flour followed by the egg wash, coating to cover well.
  • Cook on each side about 4-5 minutes (depending on thickness) until golden and cooked through.
  • Remove chicken to warm plate in oven and let rest.
  • Turn the heat up under the same pan and add your wine whisking well.
  • Add the crushed garlic.
  • Add the lime juice.
  • Add the chicken stock.
  • Add the remainder of chopped cilantro.
  • Add the remainder of butter and reduce the sauce for 2 minutes on full heat until it starts to thicken.
  • Return the chicken to the sauce and turn to coat in sauce.
  • Plate chicken immediately and top with sauce.

BAKED WHITE FISH & CHAMPAGNE DRESSING

BAKED WHITE FISH

2 teaspoons peanut oil
1 small bunch green onions, sliced thin
1 teaspoon paprika
2 small kiwis, cleaned and sliced thin
2-4 white fish, cleaned and scaled, 2 pounds each
salt & pepper to taste
3 tablespoons white wine
3 tablespoons CHAMPAGNE DRESSING (recipe below or substitute fish or chicken stock)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 lemon, sliced

  • This will work with other whole lean fish and cuts or ‘roasts’ of halibut or pink salmon.
  • Adjust the cooking time according to the thickness and density of the fish.
  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Spray baking dish well with non-stick spray.
  • Rinse the fish well inside and out, pat dry, season lightly with salt, pepper and paprika and lay side by side in a shallow baking dish.
  • Layer lemon slices loosely over fish and season again.
  • Pour  the stock, dressing and ending with the butter over each filet.
  • Make a loose tent of foil over the tail of the fish and place in the oven.
  • Bake, rotating the pan once halfway through the cooking time, until a skewer easily enters the thickest part of the fish, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.

CHAMPAGNE DRESSING
1/3 cup peanut oil
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons sugar
salt & pepper to taste

  • Whisk together peanut oil, champagne vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt & pepper.
  • Chill for several hours.
  • Enjoy!

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CHICKEN AND ONIONS in WHITE WINE CREAM SAUCE

CHICKEN AND ONIONS in WHITE WINE CREAM SAUCE
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup Wondra flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 small white onion, sliced and split into rings
1/3 cup white wine
2 tablespoons dried parsley
3/4 cup whipping cream

  • In a shallow bowl sift together the flour, salt and pepper.
  • Coat chicken with flour mixture and pat firm caking the flour into all the crevices.
  • In a large skillet heat together the butter and avocado oil.
  • Saute’ the onion rings until browned and beginning to caramelize.
  • Add the chicken and cook until brown on both sides and cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken and onions and set aside.
  • Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes until heated through.
  • Add the parsley and whipping cream, cooking over low heat until sauce thickens.
  • Serve over chicken and mashed potatoes.
  • Top with the onions.

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SLUMBERING VOLCANOES

A few years back I was reading a novel and it mentioned some interesting recipe titles. I decided to see if they were real recipes or contrived and was pleasantly surprised to find they were real. So over the next few Sundays we can experiment together. I’ve made a few additions over the years and they are getting better and better. Next time I make them I will take yet another new picture, I’m still not thrilled though this one is better than the last.

SLUMBERING VOLCANOES

4 LARGE tomatoes
1 small jar artichoke hearts, drained WELL and chopped (retain 2 tablespoons of juice for later)
3 LARGE egg yolks
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs
1 LARGE clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 green onions, minced
4 slices Gruyere’ cheese

1/2 pound shrimp
1 lemon

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Carefully scoop out insides of tomatoes and drain juices from the shells.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray
  • Place tomatoes, hole side up, in baking dish and put in oven for 5 minutes.
  • In a small bowl mix together Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, artichokes, pepper, dill, garlic and onion powders until well blended.
  • Remove tomato shells from oven.
  • Fill each tomato with artichoke mixture leaving enough room for the egg yolk.
  • Place “volcanoes” back into oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes. (Time depends on how you prefer eggs cooked… if you want hard yolks – 20 minutes will give you runny yolks.)
  • Top with Gruyere’ cheese and cook 2-3 minutes more until cheese melts.
  • While tomatoes are baking, saute shrimp in butter, artichoke marinade and lemon juice.
  • Serve hot with side condiments of sour cream, chopped chives, green chili salsa, or others of your imagination!

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