Category: PROTEINS

BUFFALO CHICKEN FRITES

We love this recipe because it is so easy to personalize it.  Hubby LOVES Bleu Cheese, me not so much so I can make mine with cheddar or Jack.

BUFFALO CHICKEN FRITES
2 russet potatoes
2 medium carrots, sliced on an angle thinly
1 large celery stalk, sliced on an angle thinly
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green onions, sliced on an angle thinly
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small bit sized pieces
1/4 cup sour cream
1/8 cup Bleu Cheese crumbles
1/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/8 cup rice flour
1 +  1 teaspoon Ranch seasoning
2 tablespoons Frank’s Original Hot Sauce
2 +1  tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon Avocado oil
Fresh ground Himalayan Pink Salt, to taste
Fresh ground Black Pepper, to taste

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Line cookie sheet with foil.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the sour cream, hot sauce and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Wash potatoes and dry well.
  • Slice potatoes into even size sticks.
  • Toss potato sticks with avocado oil and fresh ground pepper to taste.
  • Arrange potato sticks in a single layer on the cookie sheet and bake 15 minutes.
  • Toss again with 1 teaspoon of Ranch seasoning and bake another 15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
  • While frites are baking, prepare chicken.
  • In a ziplock bag combine the rice flour and 1 teaspoon of Ranch Seasoning.
  • Add chicken pieces and coat well.
  • In a cast iron skillet melt the butter.
  • Add chicken pieces and brown well on all sides.
  • When chicken is almost done move to outer edges of pan.
  • Add 1 tablespoon butter more to center along with onions, celery, carrots and garlic. Cook until veggies are tender.
  • Mix together veggies and chicken pieces.
  • Drain in a colander of any excess oil.
  • Toss chicken mixture with sour cream mixture.
  • Plate crisp frites.
  • Top with a scoop of chicken mixture.
  • Top with cheese crumbles and ENJOY!

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CAST IRON SKILLET ROAST CHICKEN

Do you like those rotisserie chicken from the market?  I do, but on average they are only 2-3 pounds and cost anywhere from $5-$8 or even more.  My local grocer ran a unadvertised special the other day and I got this 5.86 pound beauty for 97 cents a pound.

I love my cast iron skillet too!  There is nothing better for even cooking heat!  I like to roast my chicken in there so the sides are always radiating an even heat to whole chicken. 

CAST IRON SKILLET ROAST CHICKEN
1 5-6 pound roasting chicken
4 tablespoons butter, softened
salt & pepper
1/2 onion, wedged small
1 cup apricot pineapple preserves
1/4 cup PURE maple syrup
  • Wash chicken and dry.
  • Spread butter along the inside of the cast iron pan and all over the chicken.
  • Generously salt and pepper the chicken.
  • Place onions along side the chicken.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the preserves and syrup.  Set aside and allow to come to room temperature.
  • Roast at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.
  • With a pastry brush spread preserve mixture all over the chicken every 10-15 minutes until skin is crisp and chicken is cooked through. This should be from 30-45 minutes based on the actual weight of your chicken.

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CHICKEN CAESAR SAMMIES ala Rotisserie OR Slow Cooker

I love this recipe!  It can be made one of 2 ways, slow cooker or quick and easy. It just depends on whether I’ve just gotten home from Costco with a batch of their rotisserie chicken parts or in the slow cooker when thighs are on sale. Yep, they now sell just leg quarters from yesterday’s rotisserie chickens at a much reduced price.

You can also choose to use bottle dressing or make your own.  I tend to use bottle when I’m using the Costco chicken to make it quick and easy. Using the Costco chicken also gives you the added option of making the recipe cold OR hot.

CHICKEN CAESAR SAMMIES ala Rotisserie OR Slow Cooker

6 chicken thighs, bone in, skin on
Salt and Pepper, to taste
1 cup Caesar dressing
1 cup Parmesan cheese
Kaiser Rolls

  • Season chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Place chicken in slow cooker skin side up.
  • Cook on low 5-6 hours.
  • Remove from slow cooker.
  • Remove skin and bones, shredding the chicken into a bowl.
  • Add dressing and cheese, mixing until well incorporated.
  • Serve on rolls.

CAESAR DRESSING  makes 1 1/2 cups
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon anchovy
Juice from one lemon
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Add the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, whisking until well combined.
  • Taste and adjust to taste. Use immediately.

NOTE: Since I’m deathly allergic to mustard I make this recipe without the mustard, split the batch and then add ALL the mustard to my husband’s half. He loves it.

MELTIN YOUR MOUTH BEEF TENDERLOIN, HORSERADISH POTATOES, HOMESTYLE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE & HERB BUTTER

MELT IN YOUR MOUTH BEEF TENDERLOIN

3 pound beef tenderloin roast
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
4-5 mushrooms, sliced thin
1/2 cup melted butter

  •  Preheat oven to 350˚.
  • Sprinkle garlic on the bottom of a shallow, glass baking dish and then layer the green onions and mushrooms.
  • Place roast on top.  (Be sure NOT to salt the meat!  You will get plenty of salt from the sauce.
  • Whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and butter.  Pour over the roast.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
  • Turn roast over and continue cooking 45 minutes or until roast reaches 140 degrees.
  • Baste every 10-15 minutes for even flavor distribution.
  • Let rest 10-15 minutes covered by foil before slicing.

HORSERADISH POTATOES

4 pounds Golden Yukon potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup half and half
1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup cream horseradish
1 egg
2 + 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

  • Preheat oven to 350˚.
  • Spray a 2 quart baking dish with PURE.
  • In a large pot combine potatoes and enough salted water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until tender.
  • Drain potatoes.
  • In a large mixing bowl combine the potatoes, 6 tablespoons of softened butter, half & half and, white pepper and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt.
  • Beat on medium speed until largest off chunks are smooth.
  • Add egg and horseradish mixing until smooth.
  • Spread into baking dish.
  • Melt remaining butter and drizzle over potatoes.
  • Bake 25 minutes or until heated through.
  • Increase oven temp to broil for few minutes to brown the top.

HOMESTYLE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

1 1/4 pounds fresh green beans; cleaned, trimmed and blanched
1 cup fresh toasted bread crumbs (I use garlic flavored croutons run through the food processor)
3 tablespoons Wondra
3 + 1  tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch mix
1 large bunch green onions, sliced
1 1/2 cups mushrooms, sliced

  • Preheat oven to 350˚.
  • In a small saucepan melt 3 tablespoons butter.
  • Whisk in flour until golden.
  • Add milk gradually while stirring constantly.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and continue to stir constantly until thickened.
  • Stir in dressing mix and pepper. Set aside.
  • In a small skillet melt 1 tablespoon butter.  When sizzling add garlic, stirring until fragrant. Add onions and mushrooms.
  • Combine green beans with half of the garlic onion mixture.
  • Fold in white sauce to the green beans.
  • Pour into your prepared baking dish.
  • Combine bread crumbs with the remaining half of the garlic onion mixture and sprinkle over the casserole.
  • Bake uncovered 30 minutes.

HERB BUTTER

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
dash cayenne pepper

  • With an electric mixer blend together until well blended.
  • Form into shape and chill until firm.  (I use an old Tupperware butter tray lined with plastic wrap)
  • Transfer to your decorative tray and serve.

BUTTERMILK RANCH CHICKEN

BUTTERMILK RANCH CHICKEN

2 boneless chicken breast
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 + 1 teaspoons Hidden Valley Ranch dressing powder
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

  • Heat avocado oil over medium high heat in a non stick skillet.
  • Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the Ranch seasoning on both sides of chicken.
  • Add chicken to pan, searing for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through.
  • Transfer to a plate and keep warm with foil.
  • DO NOT wipe the pan clean.
  • Add butter to man.
  • Once butter is melted add the remaining Ranch seasoning and cream, whisking until smooth.
  • Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently until thick enough to coat your spoon, 4-5 minutes.
  • Plate chicken and top with sauce.

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NOTE: I served it with mashed carrots for this picture, but hubby much prefers it with mashed potatoes and I have to agree with hum

PINEAPPLE CARROT TOP BROWN SUGAR GLAZED HAM and ALL the FIXIN’s

So we changed our mind and stayed home for Easter dinner. We decided it’s just too busy around here and we didn’t want to fight the crowds.  Fortunately, we decided on Wednesday night so I was able to shop on Thursday and NOT fight the crowds in the markets.

PINEAPPLE CARROT TOP BROWN SUGAR GLAZED HAM
1 spiral sliced ham 8-10 pounds
1 jar pineapple preserves
1/2 cup minced carrot tops
2 cups brown sugar

  • Add the ham to the slow cooker, trimming off the bottom as needed to fit it into the slow cooker Add the trimmed fat pieces around the ham in the slow cooker.  They will help keep the moisture level up.
  • Whisk together preserves and minced carrot tops.
  • Spread glaze on ham.
  • Cover with the brown sugar.
  • Cook on low for 2-3 hours.
  • Cover with a light covering of brown sugar and serve.

ROASTED CARROTS AND ASPARAGUS with BERNAISE SAUCE
3 large carrots, sliced thinly and diagonally
3-4 stalks asparagus, per person, trimmed and cut into pieces
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper, to taste
1 batch Bernaise sauce

  • Bring a double boiler of water to a boil.
  • Add butter, salt and pepper to water.
  • Add carrots and asparagus to vegetable steamer.
  • Cover and steam 15-20 minutes until crisp tender.
  • Top with sauce and serve immediately.

BERNAISE SAUCE
1 tablespoon plus 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2″ cubes
3 tablespoons minced shallots
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
2 large egg yolks
Juice of 1 large fresh lemon
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon

  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add shallots and a pinch of salt and pepper; stir to coat.
  • Stir in vinegar, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until vinegar is evaporated, 3-4 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low and continue cooking shallots, stirring frequently, until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes longer.
  • Transfer shallot reduction to a small bowl and let cool completely.
  • Meanwhile, fill a blender with hot water to warm it; set aside.
  • Melt remaining 1 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter is foamy.
  • Transfer butter to a measuring cup.
  • Drain blender and dry well.
  • Combine egg yolks, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon water in warm, dry blender.
  • Purée mixture until smooth.
  • With blender running, slowly pour in hot butter in a thin stream of droplets, discarding milk solids at bottom of measuring cup. Blend until smooth and creamy, 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour sauce into a medium bowl stirring in shallot reduction and tarragon.
  • Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.

DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature. I prefer fresh if your time allows.


POTATOES AU GRATIN
1/2 cup butter
16 oz. whipping cream
5 large russet potatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon minced garlic (jar) or 1 clove
2 cups grated 4 white cheese mix (Gruyere, Muenster, etc…)
2 cups rates sharp cheddar
Wondra Flour

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Peel and thinly slice potatoes.
  • Grease 9×13 baking dish.
  • In a large sauce pan, melt the butter.
  • Gradually add the whipping cream and spices. Blend well.
  • Gradually add the flour until the mixture thickens, but it is still pourable!
  • Mix the cheeses all together.
  • Layer the potatoes, cheese and cream mixture ending with cheese on top.
  • Bake 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown.

I developed this recipe for a request from our youngest and it quickly became a family favorite.

Dessert was a recent inspiration from a new restaurant.  Tony Mandola’s Gulf Coast Kitchen is a fantastic place.  We had the BEST waiter who made our meal so enjoyable while he treated us to dessert and the history of two restaurant families (Carrabas Italian Grill and Ninfas Mexican Cantina) melding together to create this restaurant. I couldn’t find a recipe so I kind of made it up as I went and came VERY close.

BANANA KEY LIME PIE

1 large firm banana, sliced thin
1/4 cup Malibu rum
1 graham cracker crumb crust
14 ounce can Eagle sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks + 2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup Key Lime Juice

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Soak banana slices in rum.
  • Pat banana slices dry.
  • Combine milk, egg yolks, sugar and lime juice, beating until smooth like custard.
  • Layer banana slices in a layer on top of graham cracker crust.
  • Top with custard and bake 12-15 minutes until JUST barely set.
  • Cool 10 minutes.
  • Move to refrigerator, chilling several hours before serving.
  • Top with whipped cream.

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BLACK BEAN SALSA CHEDDAR CHICKEN

This super sloppy looking recipe is soooooooo easy and super delicious too. I got it from my mom, but don’t remember where she got it. Mom makes it with chicken thighs and serves it over Fritos, but hubby prefers chicken breasts.

BLACK BEAN SALSA CHEDDAR CHICKEN

2 tablespoons butter
15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
10 ounces of your favorite salsa
1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
1 1/2 cup medium cheddar cheese
Fritos

  • Heat butter over medium high heat.
  • Add chicken pieces, quickly browning on all sides.
  • Add salsa and beans.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes until chicken pieces cooked through.
  • Top with cheese, until melted.
  • Serve over Fritos.

PINEAPPLE SESAME PORK and BROCCOLI

PINEAPPLE SESAME PORK and BROCCOLI

1 1/2-2 pounds boneless, skinless pork shoulder, cut into bite sized pieces
1 inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
1 clove black garlic, minced
1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons Bragg’s amino acids
1 1/2 pound broccoli
2 shallots, thickly sliced
2 + 1 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 of a small pineapple, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
Fresh ground salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Place roasting pan in oven while it is preheating.
  • Cut pork into 4 steaks about 1 inch thick.
  • Seasons steaks with salt. Set aside.
  • Whisk together dressing ingredients – ginger, garlic, 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and 1 tablespoon of the amino acids in a medium bowl and set aside.
  • Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil.
  • Remove stalk from broccoli. Peel, trim and slice stalk into 1/4 inch planks.
  • Divide florets into bite size pieces.
  • Blanch stems and florets for about 10 seconds until bright green.
  • Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet to cool.
  • Pat broccoli dry and add to medium bowl with shallots, sesame seeds and 2 tablespoons of the oil. Season with salt.
  • Transfer broccoli mixture to hot roasting pan, roasting 8-10 minutes until crisp tender.
  • In a large cast iron skillet heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil over medium high heat.
  • Cook pork, stirring frequently until a deep golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 5-8 minutes.
  • Transfer to cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
  • Pour off most the oil from the skillet.
  • Add pineapple and 1 tablespoon of water, turning often until softened and starting to brown.
  • Add butter and pork juices from the cutting board, tossing until sauce is glossy and emulsified.
  • Stir in the remaining vinegar and amino acids.
  • Season as needed with salt and pepper.
  • Add broccoli mixture to reserved dressing , tossing to coat.
  • Add pork pieces.
  • Top with pineapple mixture.
  • Toss to coat.
  • Serve with rice.

 

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CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS

CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS – This makes 12 or so meatballs
1 1/4 pounds ground chicken

1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 clove garlic, minced
1 egg, whisked
zest of half a lemon
3 tablespoons sesame oil
Marinara pasta sauce
3-4 slices mozzarella

  • Preheat oven to 400°F, setting rack to upper third part of oven.
  • In a large bowl, using your hands, gently mix together first 10 ingredients.
  • Shape into golf-ball size balls and place a few inches from each other on a foil-lined baking sheet.
  • In a small bowl, mix one spoonful of your pizza sauce with olive oil.
  • Brush this mixture on top of each meatball.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Remove meatballs from oven, spoon some sauce on top of each meatball, and cover each with a slice of cheese.
  • Broil another 3 to 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  • Heat remaining sauce in a small saucepan.
  • Serve meatballs with pasta and a dollop of sauce.

Originally posted August 3, 2013

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CORNED BEEF HASH – use your ST. PATRICK’S DAY leftovers

CORNED BEEF HASH
We like ours crisp so I use more of small dice/shredded mixture.   Cut yours according to your tastes.

about 1 pound left over corned beef, diced and shredded
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 pound cooked potatoes, diced
1 large bunch green onions, sliced
fresh ground pink Himalayan salt and pepper, to taste
1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add onions, cooking a minute or two until translucent.
  • Add corned beef and potatoes.
  • Add seasoning and Worcestershire sauce, stirring and scraping bottom as necessary.
  • Serve with poached or fried eggs.

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PAN SEARED CHICKEN with MCGILLICUDDY SAUCE

I’ve been watching a bunch of cooking shows lately and am always intrigued with the chefs when they have to work with unusual ingredients.  I was watching Guy Fieri’s GUY’S GROCERY GAMES recently and was inspired by a Chef Darnell.  This man was so inspiring with his outside of the box thinking. So I sat down today to make up my own sauce with what I had on hand using his inspiration. I also did a little research first on sauces in general.

A sauce is a seasoned thin or thick cream, liquid or semi-solid food. Semi-solids are where the liquid comes primarily from the ingredients themselves, like a salsa. Sauces can be sweet, savory or sweet and sour. Sauces add flavor, moisture and/or a visual element to recipes. Sauces range in complexity with French sauces being some of the most complex and Asian sauces being some of the simplest. Sauces with starches in them will continue to thicken as they cool. So, remember to stop the heat a smidgen before your desired consistency. “Mother” sauces are primarily from French cuisine although there are cuisine specific sauces based on ethnicity, such as Italian sauces. Sauces using a “Mother” sauce as a base with augmentation or added ingredients is known as a “daughter” or “secondary” sauce.

Why name it McGillicuddy sauce?  I was watching an old I Love Lucy at the time 😀 It was just off the wall enough to make it original.

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with MCGILLICUDDY SAUCE

4 Chicken Steaks, fairly thin
Juice of 1/2 lemon
3 (2+1) tablespoons butter
1 medium Shallot, finely minced
1 large clove garlic, finely minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup McGillicuddy’s Honey Whiskey
1/3 cup Peach Nectar

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add shallot and garlic, sauteing a minute or two.
  • Add whiskey, bringing to a QUICK boil.
  • Add cream, stirring to combine
  • Pour into a bowl and set aside at room temperature.
  • Add 2 tablespoons butter to skillet.
  • Generously season chicken with fresh ground salt and pepper.
  • Sear chicken until browned on both sides and cooked through.
  • Set chicken aside, keeping warm.
  • Add juice to skillet and bring to a boil, scraping browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  • Add sauce base, whisking to combine and bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Let sit a minute or two to thicken.
  • Spoon over chicken to serve.

ROASTED CARROTS and ASPARAGUS

2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 cups diagonally cut carrot slices
10 asparagus stalks, trimmed
2 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon + Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Heat oven to 425°.
  • Toss the carrots with 1 tablespoon oil and transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet.
  • Roast for 15 minutes.
  • Add the asparagus to the pan, drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of oil and toss to combine.
  • Pulse together the garlic and lemon zest until roughly chopped.  Add lemon juice.
  • Drizzle over vegetables.
  • Roast until the vegetables are tender, another 10 to 12 more minutes.
  • Sprinkle for Parmesan cheese when serving.

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CAJUN TENDERLOIN GRILLADES with BACON RELISH

Grillades are a New Orleans specialty dating back to the mid 1800’s. Grillades translates to “meat cooked in a tomatoey gravy” and is usually served over grits, but hubby is not fond of grits so it’s rice or potatoes around here.

CAJUN TENDERLOIN GRILLADES with BACON RELISH

4 strips bacon, diced
1 pound beef tenderloin, sliced into strips
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
3 tablespoons Wondra flour
1 small yellow pepper, sliced
1 medium onion, sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups beef broth
2 teaspoons Whisky Worcestershire sauce
1 cup diced grape tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
Salt and Pepper, to taste

  • In a large ziplock bag combine the flour and cajun seasoning.
  • Add beef slices and shake to coat.
  • Brown bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon to drain. Reserve bacon drippings.
  • In 2 tablespoons bacon grease add steak pieces and in a single layer for about 1 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Reserve remaining flour.
  • Add 1 tablespoon bacon drippings to the drippings already in the skillet.
  • Add the peppers and onions, sautéing until soft.
  • Add garlic, tomato paste and reserved flour, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Stir in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil and cook 3-5 minutes until begins to thicken.
  • Add tenderloin pieces back in, stir to coat and heat through.
  • Combine tomatoes, parsley, bacon, vinegar, salt and pepper for relish.
  • Serve grillades over rice or potatoes with bacon relish.

 

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