Category: RECIPES

FONTINA STUFFED PORK CHOPS with SWEET PEPPER SAUCE

This recipe originated with Blue Apron.  I’ve made some hubby induced changes that we like so much better. A few of the changes I made were only technical, but made for a much better texture. The original recipe called for the cheese to be cubed.  I’ve changed it to slices for a more even melt and the hint of cheese peeking out crisps up and seals the edge of the pork chop. I also traded the tomato paste out for sun-dried tomato pesto and added the crispy shallot rings.

FONTINA STUFFED PORK CHOPS with SWEET PEPPER SAUCE

2 thick boneless center cut pork chops
1 red mini sweet pepper
1 yellow mini sweet pepper
1 orange mini sweet pepper
1 small shallot
2 ounces Fontina Cheese
1 tablespoons Classico Sun-dried tomato pesto
1 tablespoon Champagne vinegar
1/8 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons Wondra flour
2 tablespoons rice flour
1 + 1 + 1 tablespoons Avocado oil

  • Slice the peppers into small rings – discard seeds.
  • Slice the shallot into thin rings.
  • Slice the cheese into thin slices.
  • Dry the pork chops.
  • Butterfly the pork chops ALMOST all the way through.
  • Sprinkle fresh ground pepper inside pork chops.
  • Evenly lay cheese slices inside pork chops with just a hint of cheese peeking out when you close the pork chop.
  • Season both sides with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Coat pork chops with Wondra, shaking off excess flour.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil in skillet until sizzling, reduce heat slightly and add pork chops, cooking 4-6 minutes per side or until browned and cooked through.
  • Add 1 tablespoon avocado oil to skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add pepper rings stirring until peppers are slightly softened.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the tomato pesto, sugar and oregano, stirring frequently until tomato paste is deep red and fragrant.
  • Add the vinegar and chicken broth, cooking until thick and saucy.
  • Break apart the shallot slices into rings.
  • Toss shallot rings with the rice flour until thoroughly coated. Tap off excess flour.
  • Heat remaining oil over medium high heat until sizzling.
  • Add shallot rings in a single even layer stirring frequently until shallots are browned and crispy. Transfer to paper towels to absorb excess oil.
  • Plate pork chops and top with sauce and shallot rings.
  • Enjoy!

 

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SHIRRED EGGS

SHIRRED EGGS

for 4 Jumbo eggs:
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup diced ham or crumbled bacon
2 green onions, minced
1 cup cheese, your choice
salt & pepper to taste
Frank’s Hot Sauce

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Melt butter and place 1 tablespoon in the bottom of each ramekin. Make sure you swirl it around the sides too.
  • Sprinkle your meat and onions into the ramekin.
  • Crack an egg into each ramekin.
  • Salt & pepper.
  • Bake for 6-10 minutes or until egg whites are just set.
  • Top with cheese.
  • Bake another 6-10 minutes or until eggs are set to desired doneness.
  • With a spoon gently remove egg from cup onto plate or toast.


NOTE: *At home I use individual ramekins for just the two of us, but when camping or having company I use a muffin tin to make them all at once.

QUICHE LORRAINE the PERFECT Sunday morning pie!

QUICHE LORRAINE – THE PERFECT SUNDAY MORNING PIE
1/2 pound bacon, crisply fried and crumbled
1 cup finely grated swiss cheese
1 large bunch green onions finely sliced
4 eggs
2 cups whipping cream
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
1 deep pie crust
  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Prebake the pie crust and cool before filling.
  • Sprinkle the crumbled bacon, finely sliced onion and grated swiss cheese evenly into crust.
  • Beat the eggs, whipping cream and seasonings until well blended. Pour over mixture in pie crust.
  • Bake 15 minutes and then reduce heat to 300° and bake an additional 35 minutes or until just golden and knife comes out clean.
  • Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

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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COUNTRY HEAVEN LASAGNA

COUNTRY HEAVEN LASAGNA

1/2 pound ground Italian sausage
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground sirloin
1 package pepperoni slices
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs, well beaten
1 tablespoon FRESH flat leaf parsley, minced
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 can tomato paste
1/2 cup Classico Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
1 small can crushed tomatoes
1 carton ricotta or cottage cheese
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 cups Mozzarella cheese
Lasagna noodles

  • Brown meat, drain fat.
  • Add garlic and Italian seasoning to the tomatoes and tomato paste. Reserve 2 tablespoons.
  • Fold meat into tomato mixture.
  • Slice pepperoni slices into quarters.
  • In a mixing bowl combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, Parsley and Parmesan cheese.
  • In am oil coated baking dish spread an even layer of the Classico Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto.

Then layer twice:
NOODLES
MEAT MIXTURE
PEPPERONI PIECES
CHEESE MIXTURE
MOZZARELLA CHEESE

  • Bake 50 minutes OR until golden brown.
  • Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
  • Serve with salad and garlic bread.

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After I go grocery shopping I split the Italian sausage, ground pork and ground sirloin all in half. Then I mix them all together and freeze half for the the next time.

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.

BLUEBERRY CRUMB CAKE

Rainy and dreary here today so I started the crock pot and the oven for some yummy new recipes.

BLUEBERRY CRUMB CAKE also makes great muffins

CAKE

1/4 cup organic butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 JUMBO egg
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon PURE vanilla
2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 cups small wild blueberries

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray a 10 inch spring form pan with non-stick spray.
  • In a large bowl cream butter with sugar.
  • Add egg, blending well.
  • Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beating until well blended.
  • Fold in lemon zest and blueberries.
  • Spread into prepared pan.

TOPPING

1/4 cup organic butter, softened
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons chilled butter, sliced thin

  • In a medium bowl mix together softened butter, flour, oats, white sugar and cinnamon until well blended.
  • Sprinkle on top of cake.
  • Sprinkle brown sugar on top evenly.
  • Place chilled butter slices randomly around.
  • Bake 40-45 minutes until cake tester comes out clean from middle of cake.

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.

POTATO GNOCCHI ala BOLOGNESE

Using Russets or Idaho potatoes is critical to the success of this recipe. Without wheat flour which adds the stretchy gluten to hold the gnocchi together, starchy potatoes provide virtually the same structure you need. Baking the potatoes gives you not only stronger flavor, but also they do not absorb moisture that happens when you boil them. For that same reason baked potatoes versus boiled also require less flour which makes for a lighter fluffy gnocchi.  Wheat flour has been substituted with a combination of rice flour and sweet rice flour making the Gnocchi almost gluten-free. Sweet rice flour is made from glutinous short grain rice.

2 pounds russet potatoes, washed
1 cup white rice flour
1/2 cup sweet rice flour
2 large eggs
Pink Himalayan salt, fresh ground black pepper and a dash of paprika, to taste
1 batch BOLOGNESE sauce

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Pierce potatoes a few times with a knife and place on a baking sheet.
  • Roast until tender, about one hour.
  • Remove potatoes from oven and allow to cool.
  • Whisk together white rice flour and sweet rice flour.
  • Using some of the flour mixture, make yourself a floured surface.
  • Peel the potatoes and pass through a potato ricer onto the floured surface.
  • Whisk together eggs, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper and paprika to taste.
  • Pour over the potatoes.
  • Work the egg mixture into the potatoes with a fork until potatoes begin to hold together. Mixture will be sticky.
  • Work one cup of the flour mixture into the potato mixture with a fork.
  • As soon as a dough begins to form, begin kneading the dough by hand until all the flour is incorporated. The dough should be firm and not sticky. If it is sticky, add the remaining flour mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time. You can pre-test the gnocchi by boiling a small pot of water and cooking a small piece of the dough. The gnocchi should hold together.
  • Divide the dough into quarters.
  • As you work with each quarter, cut it in half.
  • Cover remaining dough with a damp paper towel.
  • Roll out each dough eighth into a log.
  • Cut into bite-size pieces.
  • Shape by either pressing a small indentation into each gnocchi or rolling the gnocchi over a fork.
  • Transfer shaped gnocchi to a lightly white rice-floured baking sheet.

Shaped gnocchi can either be cooked right away or frozen for future use.

To Freeze: Place baking sheet filled with gnocchi in the freezer. Once the gnocchi are frozen, transfer to a plastic freezer bag. Gnocchi may be frozen for up to two months.

To Cook: Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook half the fresh or frozen gnocchi in the boiling water until they float, about 2-4 minutes. Do NOT crowd the pot. Test a gnocchi to ensure it is cooked through. Remove the gnocchi from the water with a skimmer and transfer to a bowl or pot of sauce. Repeat with remaining gnocchi. If gnocchi must be held for more than a moment, drizzle with oil and toss to prevent sticking.

BOLOGNESE SAUCE
1 pound COSTCO organic ground beef
1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
5 large Roma tomatoes, slice thin
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon fennel seed
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

  • Brown ground beef, Italian sausage, onions and garlic. Drain fat.
  • Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste and tomato sauce.
  • Stir in sugar, salt, pepper, basil, Italian seasoning and fennel, mixing well.
  • Lay tomato slices evenly on top. Cover.
  • Simmer for 2 hours over low heat. Stir in tomato slices until well blended.  At this time you can proceed to finish the lasagna or refrigerate the sauce until ready.

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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

RANCH GREEN BEANS

4 tablespoons butter
1 VERY small sweet onion, cut into thin wedges
1 medium regular red potato, unpeeled, ½-3/4″ dice
¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
3 strips crisp-cooked bacon, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1½ teaspoon dry Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing or Dip Mix
1 (14.5 oz.) can green beans, drained WELL

  • In medium skillet, melt butter.
  • Add onion, potato and pepper, sautéing over medium heat until potatoes are fork tender.
  • Add bacon, garlic, and Ranch Mix. Stir in well.
  • Fold in green beans and heat through, simmering, occasionally stirring gently.
  • Add pepper to taste.

NOTE: Ranch Mixes are salty so NO need to add extra salt.

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