Category: RECIPES

BISCUIT TOPPED CHICKEN POT PIES

BISCUIT TOPPED CHICKEN POT PIES 6 servings
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 LARGE Vidalia onion, chopped
2 large carrots, sliced
1 large stalk celery, diced
2 + 1/2 cups flour
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup whole milk
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
2 cups spinach leaves
Fresh ground black pepper and salt, to taste

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large stock pot, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat.
  • Add onions, carrots and celery, stirring until soft, about 6-7 minutes.
  • Add 1/2 cup flour, stirring to blend until flour is golden.
  • Add broth and bring to a boil, stirring until thick and creamy.
  • Reduce heat to low.
  • Stir in cream and milk until well blended.
  • Add in spinach and chicken pieces, cooking for 5 minutes more.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Divide mixture into 6-8 ramekins.
  • Arrange ramekins on baking sheet. (KEEP WARM)
  • I like to pour the contents out onto a plate for eating.

OPTIONAL: I sometimes add a can of Le Seur peas for color more than anything.

BISCUITS

1 1/2 cups finely grated sharp white cheddar cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons COLD unsalted butter, cut into tiny pieces
1 cup whole buttermilk

  • In a large bowl sift together 2 cups flour, 1 cup of the cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, baking powder and baking soda.
  • Using a pastry blender cut in the cutter until mixture is crumbly.
  • Add buttermilk and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. (Dough will be sticky and that’s okay)
  • Drop by HEAPING spoonfuls onto silicone lined baking sheet.
  • Bake until edges are beginning brown.
  • Place one biscuit on top of each ramekin and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  • Sprinkle with fresh cracked pepper.
  • Add to oven for 5-6 minutes until cheese is melted and pot pies heated through.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY ~ PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

Today would have been my dad’s 80th birthday I can’t believe he’s been gone 25 years. I still sometimes pick up the phone to call him and talk before I realize…

ANYWAY I digress. My cousin also passed away back in 1998 and her sister and I bake a cake for her every year on her birthday – most times we even make significantly different flavors, but I always make the same one on daddy’s birthday, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, his favorite.

This year I decided to try a new recipe from Damaris Phillips – I just LOVE her.  She is so much fun, and REAL, plus she likes to experiment so I know she’d be okay with the changes I made to her recipe.

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE
Total:1 hr 15 min          Active:25 min          Yield: 8 to 12 servings

TOPPING
2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon molasses
20-ounce can sliced pineapple, drained and juice reserved
20-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained and juice reserved
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup finely chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup pineapple rum

  • Soak raisins and apricots in the rum.
  • In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the brown sugar.
  • Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar melts, about 2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Drain apricots and raisins well.**
  • Arrange the pineapple slices in the skillet.
  • Fill in the spaces with the chopped apricots and golden raisins.
  • Follow by a thin layer of crushed pineapple. Set aside.

CAKE
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1/3 QUALITY flaked coconut
1/2 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons PURE vanilla extract
1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice (from the cans)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unrefined coconut oil
1 LARGE egg

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.

Combine the cake ingredients in this fashion:

  • In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, coconut and salt.
  • In a second bowl, combine the milk, vanilla extract and 1/4 cup of the reserved pineapple juice.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the granulated sugar and coconut oil on medium speed until thick and creamy, about 3 minutes.
  • Beat in the egg.
  • Add half of the flour mixture and mix on low until just combined.
  • Add the milk mixture and stir until just combined.
  • Add the rest of the flour and mix until combined, about 1 minute.
  • Pour the batter over the pineapple slices in the skillet and spread evenly.
  • Bake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted, 25 to 35 minutes.
  • Be sure and check after 20 minutes to make sure the top isn’t getting too brown. If it is, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
  • Let cool for 15 minutes.
  • Cover with a large serving plate and invert the cake.
  • ENJOY!

NOTE: YOU CAN NOW USE THE LEFTOVER RUM FOR A COCKTAIL WHILE YOU WAIT!

 

BRANDING IRON MEATBALLS

I originally found this old recipe in some things of my grandmother. It is from an old cookbook she evidently bought at Knott’s Berry Farm. I’ve modernized it to our tastes, but I love that they are on skewers, making it a great party recipe. They are also great on the grill – I use fire wires when I grill them to make it easier to turn them regularly.

BRANDING IRON MEATBALLS
MEATBALLS
2 pounds ground sirloin
2 eggs,, beaten
1 LARGE shallot, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup Panko crumbs**
Fresh ground salt and pepper, to taste
Stainless steel Skewers
pineapple chunks, cherry tomatoes or green and red pepper chunks

  • Soak skewers in water for an hour before using if using wooden skewers.
  • In a large mixing bowl combine ground sirloin, eggs, shallot, garlic, Panko crumbs, salt and pepper until well blended.
  • Roll meat mixture into golf ball sized balls.
  • Arrange meatballs on on skewers alternating with veggie pieces, pineapple chunks or tomatoes.
  • Arrange skewers in a single layer on a jelly roll pan covered in foil.
  • Pour cooled sauce over skewers.
  • Marinade skewers for an hour or so, turning to coat every 15 minutes.
  • Broil for 5 minutes.
  • Turn skewers and broil 5 minutes more.

NOTE:** You may need to add more to achieve the desired consistency for the meatball to hold together well.

SAUCE
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2/3 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup apricot pineapple jam**
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablesspoon Frank’s hot sauce

  • Heat oil in saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Add shallot and saute’ until soft.
  • Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes until thickens.
  • Cool.

NOTE:** Recipe called for Knott’s Orange Honey, but I haven’t been able to find it so substituted the jam.

GOOEY CARAMEL TOPPED GINGERSNAPS

Whether you use homemade or store bought these cookies turn out swoon worthy of any holiday goodie platter. They are sooooo simple, but look and taste sooooo decadent.

GOOEY CARAMEL TOPPED GINGERSNAPS
42 gingersnap cookies, (homemade or store bought)
14 ounces KRAFT caramels
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup + 1/4 cup finely chopped honey roasted peanuts
12 ounces combination of white and dark chocolate
Sprinkles of choice (I like chocolate for the holidays)

  • Arrange cookies on cooling rack line baking sheet.**
  • In a microwave melt the caramels with the heavy cream, stirring until smooth.
  • Stir in peanuts.
  • Spoon about a teaspoon over each cookie.
  • Refrigerate until set.

 

  • Alternately melt white and dark chocolates.
  • Coat each cookie halfway with one of the chocolates, return to the rack allowing the excess to drip off.
  • Sprinkle with sprinkles and/or crushed peanuts.
  • Refrigerate until set.

NOTE** Was paper or parchment paper works well also.

GINGERSNAPS
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup CRISCO
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup molasses
4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoons ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
sugar for rolling

  • Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, nutmeg and ground cloves. Set aside.
  • Cream butter and crisco together until smooth.
  • Add sugar and molasses, blending until smooth.
  • Add flour mixture gradually until well blended.
  • Chill dough for at least 1 hour.

 

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Roll dough into small balls
  • Roll balls in sugar and place on cookie sheet.
  • Bake 8 minutes for soft chewy cookies and 12 minutes for crisp cookies.

POTATO SOUFFLE

For company dinner these make a great impression served as individual dishes.  They also looked like you worked all day making them even though they are really simple!

POTATO SOUFFLES
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
8 ounce russet potato, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup creme fraiche
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh flat leaf parsley
Generous amount of Fresh ground salt and black pepper, to taste
2 eggs, separated
pinch cream of tartar

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Using a pastry brush coat the inside of 2 12 ounce ramekins with 1 tablespoon butter.
  • Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Parmesan in each.
  • In a pot of salted boiling water cook potato until fork tender.
  • Drain potatoes in colander and then return to empty pan to cook off any excess moisture for 30 seconds or so.
  • Using a ricer mash potatoes into a medium mixing bowl.
  • Add unsalted butter and creme fraiche, mixing until well blended.
  • Stir in parsley, salt, pepper and egg yolks.
  • Beat egg whites until foamy
  • Add cream of tartar and beat until stiff peaks form.
  • Add egg whites to potato mixture in 2 batches, combining JUST until there are no streaks.
  • Divide potato mixture between the ramekins.
  • Bake 30-35 minutes until tops are puffed and golden.

 

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BAKED PINEAPPLE ORANGE CHICKEN

BAKED PINEAPPLE ORANGE CHICKEN serves 6
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into large bite sized pieces
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 egg whites, beaten until foamy
1 cup FINELY GROUND Panko crumbs
1 cup Wondra flour
1 cup orange pineapple juice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Buttered rice (I use chicken broth and scallion whites while cooking)
1/2 cup sliced scallions

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Line a shallow roasting pan with foil and spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Use 3 shallow prep dishes – 1 for the cornstarch, 1 for the egg whites and 1 for the Panko Wondra combination.
  • Coat chicken pieces 1st in cornstarch, then in egg whites and finally in bread crumb mixture.
  • Place chicken pieces on baking sheet.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
  • While chicken is baking, prepare sauce.
  • In a medium sauce pan combine, 3/4 cup of the juice, se sugar, liquid aminos, ginger, garlic, sesame oil and red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  • In a small bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup juice until smooth.
  • Stir into sauce pan and simmer until thickened.
  • Transfer chicken pieces to a large bowl, pour sauce over and GENTLY toss until chicken pieces are well coated.
  • Serve over rice and top with scallions.

Linking up with Julie over at Back to My Southern Roots.

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CREAMY PORK TENDERLOIN

CREAMY PORK TENDERLOIN serves 4
1 pork tenderloin cut into quarters
1 egg, beaten
pinch garlic powder
pinch fresh ground black pepper
pinch fresh ground salt
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup Wondra flour
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
1 can cream of chicken soup undiluted or soup substitute (recipe below)
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chicken broth

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Place each piece of tenderloin in a ziplock bag and flatten to 1/2 inch thick.
  • In a shallow dish combine egg and milk.
  • In another shallow dish sift together the bread crumbs, flour, pepper, salt and garlic powder seasonings.
  • In a large skillet heat butter and oil.
  • Dredge each of pork in the egg mixture then the bread crumb mixture and add to skillet.
  • Brown on each side about 5 minutes until golden.
  • Transfer pork pieces to a baking dish.
  • Add mushrooms to skillet, sautéing until tender.
  • Add soup and broth, folding until smooth.
  • Fold in sour cream.
  • Pour over pork.
  • Cover and bake 30-45 minutes until pork is cooked through.

SOUP SUBSTITTUTE
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup chicken broth

  • 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 slightly thickened.

BOOZY CREAM TOMATO SOUP

Have you ever heard the funny story about cutting off the back of the ham? Zig Ziglar tells a story about a new bride who would always cut the end off the ham before baking it. Her husband asked why she did it and the wife responded that she did it because her mother always did it so that was the way it was supposed to be.

Well, her husband wasn’t happy with her “the way it’s supposed” to be answer and decided to ask his mother-in-law that same question. Her answer was the same making him more curious than ever.

The husband called his wife’s grandmother to see what her answer was. Grandma told him that she had a small oven and it was the only way the ham would fit inside.

This story always makes me laugh because grandma had an extremely legitimate reason for doing it, but daughter and granddaughter not so much. I personally like to push the boundaries and do not blindly follow without rhyme or reason, but I do stop and ask myself if there is a better way on many things.

Why did I tell you this story? Because you’ll notice a pat of butter in the center of the soup bowl.  I did this out of habit because grams always did.  LOL I do believe it gives it a richer flavor as you eat though so will keep blindly following grams norms…

BOOZY TOMATO SOUP
2 tablespoons butter
3 medium carrots with tops**, chopped
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
3 LARGE cloves garlic, minced
1- 26 ounce box POMI finely chopped tomatoes
small 50 ml bottle QUALITY bourbon (3 1/2 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 cup chicken broth
FRESH ground Himalayan Pink and Black pepper, to taste

  • Melt butter in large saucepan over medium high heat.
  • Add carrots and onions, sautéing until soft.
  • Add garlic and carrot tops, continuing to saute’, but watching so garlic does NOT burn.
  • Stir in chicken broth, bourbon, brown sugar and tomatoes.
  • Bring to a SLOW boil, reduce heat, season with salt and pepper, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, occasionally stirring.
  • Stir in half and half, heating through.
  • Garnish with parsley and Parmesan crisps.

NOTE: **You can substitute flat leaf Italian Parsley for the carrot tops.

PARMESAN CRISPS
1/2 cup grated QUALITY Parmesan

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Pour a heaping tablespoon of Parmesan onto a silicone mat** lined baking sheet and lightly pat down.
  • Repeat with the remaining cheese, spacing the spoonfuls about a 1/2 inch apart.
  • Bake for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden and crisp.
  • Cool.

NOTE: **You can use parchment paper, but I have better success with silicone.

ITALIAN PIGGY SHELLS

ITALIAN PIGGY SHELLS
SHELLS
1 pound sweet Italian ground sausage
12-15 jumbo shells
1/3 cup diced onions
1/3 cup diced mushrooms
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup diced celery & leaf tops
3 tablespoons quality DRY sherry
Fresh ground salt and black pepper, to taste
1 batch Balsamella (Italian béchamel) recipe below
2 cups fresh tomato sauce
1/4 cup fresh torn basil (small pieces)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup grated Mozzarella cheese

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Add shells to boiling water for 4 minutes in boiling water. Drain in colander and rinse with cool water. Drain again.**
  • Heat avocado oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add onions and celery, stirring to cook until soft.
  • Add pork, cooking until completely browned. DRAIN off any fat.
  • Add sherry and simmer over medium heat until liquid is completely absorbed, about 5 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove from heat and cool.

Meanwhile prepare the balsmella sauce recipe below.

  • Combine the meat mixture and the balsmella sauce until well blended.
  • Combine tomato sauce and basil pieces.
  • Pour half the sauce into the bottom of your baking dish.
  • Carefully stuff each shell and arrange on sauce in the baking dish.
  • Cover with foil.@@
  • Bake 15 minutes.
  • Remove foil.
  • Drizzle remaining tomato sauce over top of all the shells.
  • Sprinkle with cheeses.
  • Bake 5 minutes more until cheese is melted and starting to brown.
  • Garnish with basil.

**NOTE 1: BE SURE TO BREAK DOWN THE MEAT INTO TINY PIECES to make stuffing the shells easier. I use my NINJA to breakdown the meat mixture into a smooth consistency.
@@NOTE 2: This can be refrigerated overnight and baked the following day. Bring to room temperature before baking.

BALSMELLA (Bechamel)

1/2 tablespoon unsalted better
2 tablespoons Wondra flour
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
Fresh ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • Melt butter to a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk in flour until golden brown.
  • Whisk in milk and nutmeg until well blended.
  • Bring to a SLOW simmer, whisking intermittently. Simmer until it thickens, about 10 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove from heat and cool slightly.

**NOTE: Cook the shells 4 minutes ONLY – JUST enough to be pliable for filling! They will continue cooking while the dish bakes.

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FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

This is a FABULOUS make-ahead breakfast dish! So easy and so tasty making it perfect for Sunday brunch after church or Christmas morning. Serve it with crisp bacon, sausage links and or fresh fruit for a scrumptious meal.

FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE serves 6

2 tablespoons butter, divided
8 slices white bread
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 -1 teaspoon high quality cinnamon
3-4 eggs
3/4 cups whole milk

  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a 9 x 9 baking dish. Be sure to brush the melted butter up all the sides.
  • Put a single layer of bread in bottom of pan.
  • In a bowl mix brown sugar with the cinnamon.
  • Sprinkle half of the sugar mixture over bread.
  • Add another layer of bread.
  • In a bowl, whisk eggs with milk until well blended.
  • Pour over bread layers.
  • Sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture.
  • Cut 1 tablespoon of butter into small pieces.
  • Dot with butter pieces.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning:

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Bake covered for 30 minutes.
  • Uncover and continue baking 15-20 minutes or until set and browned.
  • Serve with powdered sugar, molasses or maple syrup.

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BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN SKEWERS

BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN SKEWERS serves 6 – 2 skewers each

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
24 fresh pineapple chunks
24 pearl onions
1/4 cup Braggs Liquid Aminos
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
12 wooden skewers
12 bacon slices

  • Soak skewers for an hour before prepping.
  • Cut the chicken into 1 inch chunks. You need 36 pieces.
  • Peel skin from onions.
  • In a large ziploc bag combine the Braggs Liquid Aminos, avocado oil, vinegar, garlic salt, onion powder and black pepper.
  • Add chicken, pineapple and onions turning to coat everything well. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

 

  • Preheat grill over medium heat. Cooking MEDIUM LOW and SLOW is the key to crisp bacon and tender chicken. As you can see my bacon got just a little too crisp, but they were still delicious.
  • Assemble skewers alternating 3 pieces of chicken, 2 onions and 2 pieces of pineapple on each skewer while lacing bacon slice between each piece.
  • Drizzle skewers with marinade.
  • Grill 15-20 minutes, turning as necessary to cook evenly. Cook until chicken is cooked through and bacon is crisp.
  • Serve warm.

NOTE: Peppers and mushrooms are great on these too. Use your imagination to tickle your taste buds.

STUFFED MARSALA CHICKEN

STUFFED MARSALA CHICKEN

4 chicken breasts
6 slices of mozzarella (about 1/4 inch thick)
16 sun-dried tomatoes (I use the ones packed in olive oil and Italian herbs)*
1/2 cup baby spinach (optional)
2 tablespoons avocado oil
8 mushrooms, sliced thin
1 large shallot, sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup sweet Marsala wine
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
Salt & pepper to taste
2 green onions, sliced thin (optional)

  • Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add mushrooms and shallots, sweating until caramelized.
  • Cut a horizontal pocket into each chicken breast being careful not to go all the way through.
  • Stuff each breast with one slice of mozzarella, 4 sun dried tomatoes and a spoonful of mushrooms and shallots.
  • Secure with baking bands or toothpicks.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in the same large skillet.
  • Brown chicken breasts on both sides.
  • Move to casserole dish and bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes depending on size of your chicken breasts.
  • Meanwhile using the same skillet heat remaining tablespoon avocado oil over low heat.
  • Add garlic and cook until fragrant; less than 1 minute.
  • Add sweet Marsala wine and reduce by half.
  • Add chicken broth and cook on high for 1 minute.
  • Reduce heat to low.
  • Add cream and simmer until slightly thickened approximately 5-7 minutes; whisking frequently.
  • Salt & pepper to taste.
  • Top chicken breast with 1/2 mozzarella slice and allow to melt.
  • Spoon sauce over warm chicken.
  • Top with optional green onions.

Linking up to FULL Plate Thursday.

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