TURKEY MILANESE

8 turkey cutlets, pounded down to about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thickness
Salt and black pepper
1 cup flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
1 cup panko crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons minced fresh flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons butter
Oil for frying

  • Generously season the turkey cutlets with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • Sift together the bread crumbs, panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, basil oregano and parsley until well blended.
  • Set three shallow bowls side by side on your counter.  Fill the first one with the flour, the second one with the beaten eggs and the third one with the bread crumbs mixture.
  • Dredge cutlets, one at a time, first in the flour, then in the egg and finally, in the bread crumb mixture. Shake off any excess crumbs and reserve on another plate.
  • Chill the cutlets in the freezer for about 15 minutes.  This will help the coating stay intact when you fry it.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough oil to come up about 1/4-inch high.  Add butter.  Add cutlets and fry until cooked through and golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.  Do NOT crowd the pan.  If necessary, do this step in batches.  As each cutlet is cooked, transfer to a platter.   You can keep the cutlets warm in a low oven.
  • Serve with rice pilaf, mashed potatoes, buttered parsley noodles or some lemon wedges.
  • Top with minced parsley.
  • Serves 4.

 

21ST CENTURY MALIBU CHICKEN

Many years ago you would find Malibu Chicken on many menus for popular restaurants.  Lately I’ve been craving it.  I couldn’t find a recipe that was exact so I decided to bring Malibu Chicken into the 21st century using my favorite flavors.  The original recipe I believe was just chicken breast, a slice ofham, a slice of Monterey jack cheese layered and a simple sauce.  I added pineapple – after all ham and pineapple are always a winner together and I updated the cheese to more flavorful combination and then rolled them into bundles.

BUNDLES
4 boneless skinless chicken breast (I just buy the thin sliced chicken breasts)
Mayonnaise OR Dijon mustard
4 thin slices deli ham
4 slices CoJack cheddar cheese
1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, well drained
1-1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon Supreme Shallot Salt
White pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon Savory celery flakes
SAUCE
1/2 batch cream soup substitute (see below)*
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon Savory celery flakes
2 tablespoons Simply Fruit raspberry jam

  • Flatten chicken breasts to 1/4-in. thickness.
  • Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise over each; layer with ham, cheese and pineapple.
  • Roll chicken over pineapple; secure with toothpicks.
  • Brush bundles with mayonnaise.
  • In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Supreme Shallot Salt, white pepper and Savory celery flakes.
  • Roll bundles in bread crumb mixture; place in an 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray.
  • Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Discard toothpicks.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the sauce ingredients.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
  • Serve over chicken.

*you can use 1 can Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup if you prefer – I just prefer the scratch.

http://familycorner.blogspot.com/

CREAM SOUP SUBSTITUTES

Do you hate buying canned soups for use in recipes? Do you want something healthier and less costly?  These recipes make perfect substitutes for 1 can of soup.

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk or other liquid (as specified in variations)

  • Melt the butter in heavy saucepan.
  • Blend in flour and salt. Cook until bubbly.
  • Remove from heat and gradually stir or whisk in liquid.
  • Return to heat and cook, constantly stirring until smooth and thickened.

VARIATIONS

  • Cream of chicken: Use 1/2 c. milk and 1/2 c. chicken broth as the liquid. Add 1/4 tsp. poultry seasoning or sage.
  • Cream of celery: Saute´ 1/2 c. chopped celery and 1 T. finely chopped onion in the margarine before adding flour. Use milk for liquid.
  • Cream of mushroom: Saute´1/4 c. finely chopped mushrooms and 1 T. finely chopped onion in margarine before adding flour. Use milk for liquid.
  • Tomato: Use tomato juice as liquid. Add a dash each of garlic salt, onion salt, basil, and oregano.
  • Cheddar cheese: Use milk for liquid. Stir into the finished sauce 1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1/4 tsp. dry mustard.
  • Cream of shrimp: Drain the liquid from a small can of tiny shrimp into a measuring cup. Fill cup with milk to measure 1 cup of liquid. Add a dash of pepper, onion salt, curry powder, and paprika to the finished sauce, and stir in the shrimp.

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SHREDDED CHICKEN VEGETABLE EGG ROLLS

SHREDDED CHICKEN VEGETABLE EGG ROLLS
2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken or pork pieces (cheat and use a rotisserie chicken)
1 medium Vidalia onion, finely chopped
1 large stalk celery, finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic, jar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon sesame oil
4 tablespoons canola oil
egg roll wrappers (I use Melissa’s)

  • Heat skillet with 2 tablespoons of oil. Add onion, garlic, celery and carrots, Saute’ until tender.
  • Drain, retaining oil.
  • In a large mixing bowl toss meat pieces with sesame oil, sugar, salt and pepper. Add vegetables and blend well.
  • Cool 5-10 minutes.
  • Fill center of each wrapper with 2 tablespoons of filling.
  • Fold 1st corner towards the center. Then fold each edge towards the center. With a pastry brush wet the exposed triangle of dough and roll the bulk onto it.
  • Add oil back into pan and add the additional 2 tablespoons and bring to medium heat.
  • Cook egg rolls on all 4 sides until golden.

RASPBERRY PINEAPPLE DIPPING SAUCE
1/2 cup Raspberry Jam
2 tablespoons crushed pineapple, drained
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • Heat jam in microwave for 20 seconds to warm and thin.
  • Whisk in honey and soy sauce.
  • Set aside.

BLACKBERRY PINEAPPLE JAM
4 cups blackberry pieces
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
3 cups sugar
1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 packet KNOX unflavored gelatin

  • Ina large pan combine everything except the gelatin.
  • Stir until sugar is dissolved.
  • Bring to a low rolling boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 30-45 minutes until fruit can easily be mashed.
  • Remove 1 cup of juice and whisk gelatin into it until completely dissolved.
  • Add juice mixture back into pan and simmer 5-10 minutes.
  • Pour into sterilized jars and water bath 10 minutes.

BLACKBERRY PINEAPPLE DIPPING SAUCE
1/2 cup Blackberry Pineapple Jam
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • Heat jam in microwave for 20 seconds to warm and thin.
  • Whisk in honey and sauce sauce.
  • Set aside.

MANDARIN CHICKEN and NOODLES

2 pounds chicken tenders
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
Juice of 2 lemons
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 pound linguini

  • Cook linguini al dente.
  • In a small saucepan combine the soy sauce, lemon juice, sesame oil, sugar and garlic.
  • Whisk the cornstarch into the water until smooth.
  • Add the cornstarch mixture to the soy sauce mixture and blend well.
  • Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until thick.
  • While the sauce is cooking, salt and pepper the chicken tenders and broil 2-3 minutes each side.
  • Shred chicken, slice green onions and add to the linguini.
  • Pour sauce over top and toss well.


TERIYAKI CHICKEN

TERIYAKI CHICKEN
12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup soy sauce
6 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
5 teaspoons cornstarch
5 teaspoons cold water

  • Place chicken in crock pot.
  • Whisk together the sugar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and pepper.
  • Pour over chicken.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until chicken is tender.
  • Remove chicken to a serving platter, keeping it warm.
  • Pour soy sauce into a sauce pan and bring to a boil.
  • Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth,
  • Gradually add cornstarch mixture to the soy sauce mixture, cooking until thickened.

HOT WING SOUP ala NIBBLE ME THIS

Chris over at NIBBLE ME THIS invented this awesome soup that has become a family favorite here at our house! I’ve adapted it to what I had on hand and it was fabulous!

I loved Chris’ choices:
Fat –  Had to be butter, since that goes into hot wing sauce, right?
Mirepoix – Celery & carrot.  Celery because it is a standard accompaniment and carrot to help get the orange color I wanted.
Starch – I thought about using potatoes but went with buttery croutons instead.
Liquid – Chicken broth, beer and hot sauce – a no brainer

Hot Wing Soup

HOT WING SOUP –  4 servings adapted from  www.nibblemethis.com

1 stick unsalted butter
5 cups Italian bread cubes, no crust* I used San Luis Cracked Wheat Sourdough
1/2 cup finely diced carrot
1/4 cup finely diced celery
salt (see instructions)
1/2 tablespoon paprika I used Sweet Hungarian
4 cups chicken broth
12 oz dark beer* I used Amberbock that I had on hand
2 Tbsp hot sauce*  I used Frank’s
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles I used gorgonzola
garnish:  meat from chicken wings, more blue gorgonzola cheese, chopped celery leaves*

  • Preheat a heavy bottom stock pan over medium high heat.
  • Add 3 tablespoons butter.  Once bubbling hot, add the bread cubes and quickly toss to coat evenly.  Season with a pinch or two of salt.  Cook until golden brown on all sides – about 5-7 minutes.  Remove.
  • Reduce heat to medium, add 4 tablespoons butter to the now empty pot.  Saute the celery and carrot until tender – about 8 minutes.  Season with a pinch or two of salt while sauteing.  
  • Add the chicken broth, beer, paprika, gorgonzola cheese, and the croutons that you made earlier.  Bring to a simmer and cook until the bread begins to break apart – about 5-6 minutes.
  • Use an immersion blender to blend to a smooth consistency.
  • Bring back to a simmer and stir in the last tablespoon of cold butter.  I know that technique at the end of sauces adds a little luster so I thought it couldn’t hurt with soup.  Taste for seasoning.  I added about 1/2 teaspoon more of salt at this point but let your taste buds be the judge.
  • Garnish with chicken wing meat, more cheese crumbles, and finely chopped celery leaves.

Chris’ Notes

  • Bread – I know, this sounds like a lot.  It will cook down.   He’s so right!!
  • Beer – I used Sweetwater Brewing Georgia Brown but any good dark beer will do.  You could also skip beer altogether and use more chicken broth but beer and wings go together, right?
  • Hot sauce – The family thought it was a little spicy at this level so if you want mild, just use one Tbsp Franks Hot Sauce would be the traditional hot sauce to use but I used Fire Ant Juice.
  • Celery leaves – Weird?  I like chopping them finely for a garnish.  Use parsley instead if you like.

Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken Bake

Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken Bake

Ingredients

4-6 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
6-8 Slices Pepper Jack Cheese (Provolone works too)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese (divided)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Cooked Rice to serve over (optional)

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Pat chicken dry and place in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
  • Add sliced cheese on top of chicken breasts.
  • In a bowl mix mayonnaise, sour cream, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Spread this over chicken and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 1 hour. 
  • Serve over rice if desired or serve alone.

CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN with PEPPERED GRAVY, Family Favorite Mashed Potatoes and Sugared Carrots

CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN
2 large boneless chicken breasts
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2-4 tablespoons butter (enough to keep chicken from burning~add as necessary)

  • Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts.
  • In a shallow glass pan, pour buttermilk over chicken 1-2 hours prior to cooking.
  • Make sure to coat chicken well and turn at least once during soaking.
  • Drain, but do NOT rinse the buttermilk off.
  • In a medium sized fry pan melt the butter over medium heat. As butter melts and begins to very slightly sizzle, prepare breasts.
  • In a small ziploc bag mix together the flour, salt and pepper.
  • One at a time, put each chicken breast in bag and coat well with flour mix and then into sizzling butter.
  • Cook on one side until edges begin to bleed and then turn.
  • About 6 minutes each side depending on plumpness.
  • Keep chicken warm.

PEPPERED GRAVY
3 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons Wondra flour
1 1/4 cups whole milk
3/4 cup whipping cream
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Black pepper + (to taste)

  • Melt butter into bottom of pan you just cooked the chicken in.
  • Scrape up any of the chicken pieces and mix into new butter.
  • Add flour slowly, stirring until absorbed by butter and golden brown.
  • Slowly add first the milk and then the cream.
  • Stir constantly until thickens.
  • If necessary sprinkle in more Wondra until desired thickness is reached.
  • Serve over chicken and mashed potatoes.

FAMILY FAVORITE MASHED POTATOES
4 large Yukon potatoes, peeled & quartered
4 ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 small bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/4 + buttermilk
4 tablespoons butter
salt & pepper to taste

  • Boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender.
  • Drain.
  • Mash all together salt and peppering to taste.

SUGARED CARROTS
1 small bag baby carrots, washed
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
4 tablespoons PURE maple syrup
2 tablespoons melted butter

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Blanche carrots in sugared water until just tender.
  • Drain.
  • Blend together brown sugar, maple syrup and butter.
  • Toss with carrots.
  • Bake 20 minutes.

CAST IRON CHICKEN

I menu plan.  I cut coupons.  I read sale ads.  Being a Virgo I tend to be controlling too, but the best thing you can do for yourself, your family and your budget is to stay a bit flexible too. When I run across a fantastic sale, I adjust, adjust and adjust to accommodate it into my menu planning.

Do you like those rotisserie chickens 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.

Now an almost 6 pound chicken will get us a minimum of 4 meals!  So this one even with the additional items of butter, preserves and syrup will cost us around 75 cents per person maybe less if we get more than 4 meals.

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

CAST IRON SKILLET ROAST CHICKEN

5-6 pound roasting chicken
3-4 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.

BUFFALO CHICKEN & LOADED BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE

So hubs found this recipe on Facebook of all places and decided we should try it.  We weren’t disappointed!  I did halve the recipe though and it will still feed us 3 times so doubled like the original recipe would be great for a crowd or potluck dinner!

I always make a recipe EXACTLY the way it reads the first time, but next time I will cut the pepper down A LOT!

CASSEROLE
1 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cubed (1″)
4-5 medium potatoes, cut in 1/2″ cubes
3 tablespoons cup Avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika (I used smokey vs. sweet)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons Frank’s hot sauce
1/2 cup chopped red onion

  • Preheat oven to 500 degrees. 
  • Spray a 9X9 baking dish with cooking spray. 
  • In a large bowl mix together the avocado oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and hot sauce. 
  • Add the cubed potatoes and stir to coat. 
  • Carefully scoop the potatoes into the prepared baking dish, leaving behind as much of the oil/hot sauce mixture as possible. 
  • Bake the potatoes for 30-45 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until cooked through and crispy and browned on the outside. 
  • While the potatoes are cooking, add chopped onions and cubed chicken to the bowl with the left over avocado oil/hot sauce mixture and stir to coat. 
  • Once the potatoes are fully cooked, remove from the oven. 
  • Lower the oven temperature to 400°.

TOPPING
2 cups fiesta blend cheese
1 cup crumbled bacon
1 cup diced green onion

  • Top the cooked potatoes with the marinated chicken. 
  • In a bowl mix together the cheese, bacon and green onion and top the chicken with the cheese mixture. 
  • Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the topping is melted and bubbly delicious.
  • Serve with extra hot sauce, sour cream and/or ranch dressing.

ENCHILADAS RANCHERAS LASAGNA

So do you know what the first step is in making Enchiladas Rancheras is?  To make a pot roast one day and pork carnitas the next of course.  I’ve made these enchiladas for years but always find the best flavor comes from using leftover pot roast & leftover pork carnitas in tandem along with fresh made tortillas and tomato sauce.  I’d like to say I made these tortillas, but I ran out of time with company coming and purchased  them from a local market who makes them fresh in the store.  I just love watching those girls work!
ENCHILADAS RANCHERAS LASAGNA
Shredded beef
4 large tomatoes,sliced
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 large can can chopped green chiles
2 cups shredded cheese (I like a combo of jalapeno cheddar and Monterey jack)
tortillas
PURE
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray baking dish with PURE.
  • Roast tomatoes until crushable.
  • Add green chiles and garlic until well blended.
  • Stir in salt and pepper.
  • Puree’.
  • Split sauce in half.
  • Soak shredded meat for at least an hour in the sauce (though I prefer over night).
  • Spread your tortilla lightly with some of the tomato sauce.  
  • Fill with meat and sprinkle with cheese.
  • Roll up and place in baking dish.
  • When full, pour remaining sauce over the enchiladas.**
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Serve with GARDEN TOMATO SALSA and Fresh Guacamole.
**This time I was trying to feed a full house and was running out of refrigerator space so I tried something new and made 2 layers in the same pan and made a casserole out of it – worked like a dream.  We just called it Lasagna cut it into squares and everyone was happy.

NUTTY MUSHROOM CASHEW CHICKEN

NUTTY MUSHROOM CASHEW CHICKEN

4 chicken breast halves, cut into bite sized pieces
1 small bunch green onions, sliced
1 ounce dehydrated Maitake mushrooms, re-hydrated and then chopped
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons oil
2 cup hot chicken broth
2 teaspoon lemon juice
½ cup cashews
cooked rice
  • Heat canola oil over medium high heat until JUST sizzling.
  • Saute’ green onions and mushrooms until tender. Using a slotted spoon remove onions and Maitake mushrooms to drain on paper towels.
  • Stir fry chicken in hot oil in frying pan or wok until chicken is lightly brown and tender, about 8 minutes. 
  • Remove chicken from oil and drain excess oil from the pan. 
  • Whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and  the  Worcestershire sauce. 
  • Blend well, then add chicken stock to the pan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened. 
  • Add lemon juice; add chicken pieces, onions and mushrooms and reheat. Do not boil
  • Taste to correct seasonings. 
  • Add cashews. 
  • Serve over hot rice.
He all but licked his plate!