Category: RECIPES

COPY CAT PAN SEARED PORK CHOPS with BRAISED RED CABBAGE & APPLE

PAN SEARED PORK CHOPS with BRAISED RED CABBAGE & APPLE
1 + 1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 boneless pork steaks
1 SMALL red onion, halved and THINLY sliced
1 LARGE clove garlic, FINELY minced
1/2 pound red cabbage, cored and THINLY sliced
2 LARGE apples, 1 cored & sliced the other cored and grated
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/3 cup hot water
1 1/2 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon beef base
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 green onions, minced and separated

  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter and oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Pat pork steaks dry.
  • Whisk together the FRESH ground sea salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and cayenne pepper until well blended.
  • Generously season pork steaks on both sides with the seasoning mix.
  • Add the pork steaks to the skillet searing 2-3 minutes on each side.
  • Transfer pork steaks to platter and keep warm.
  • Add the remaining butter to the skillet.
  • Add the onions and cabbage to the pan, 3-4 minutes until slightly softened and beginning to caramelize.
  • Whisk together the beef base, warm water and vinegar.
  • Add vinegar mixture to pan, stirring to blend.
  • Add apple pieces topped with the pork steaks, cover and simmer 5-6 minutes to soften apple and reheat pork steaks. MOST of the liquid should cook off, but DO NOT BURN.
  • Slice pork and serve over cabbage mix.

RECIPE REVIEW
TASTE: Sweet & Tangy
TEXTURE: Tender caramelized cabbage, onions and apples topped with fork tender pork tenderloin. 
EASE: Moderate.
APPEARANCE: Appetizing and visually appealing.
PROS: Great meal for company.
CONS: None that I found!
WOULD I MAKE THIS AGAIN? DEFINITELY Yes.

ORANGE PICNIC CHICKEN

ORANGE PICNIC CHICKEN

3 – 3 1/2 pounds PICNIC chicken (legs and thighs)
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme or tarragon leaves
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
4-6 LARGE shallots, halved and sliced lengthwise

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the marmalade, oil, vinegar, tarragon or thyme,
  • FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add chicken pieces, tossing to coat.
  • LIGHTLY spray a roasting pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Sprinkle shallot pieces in the bottom in a single layer.
  • Nestle chicken pieces in amongst the shallots.
  • Drizzle any remaining marmalade mixture in amongst the shallots.
  • Roast 25-35 minutes until shallots are tender and chicken is cooked through and golden.

RASPBERRY RICOTTA ALMOND CAKE

I took a Ricotta cheese making class several months ago at a local winery, Joseph Jane. It was a wonderful night that culminated in this cake after a tasty lasagna meal. I also discovered my new favorite wine, Pink Panik.

RASPBERRY RICOTTA ALMOND CAKE
1 1/2 cups AP flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3 LARGE eggs
16 ounce container of FULL fat ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
1 stick butter, melted and cooled
1 1/2 cups raspberries, plus a few for garnish
1/4 cup sliced almonds

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Line a 9 inch spring form pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl.
  • Whisk together the eggs, ricotta cheese and vanilla until smooth.
  • Stir egg mixture into the dry mixture.
  • Fold in cooled melted butter until smooth.
  • GENTLY fold in raspberries.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan.
  • Scatter the almonds and remaining berries over the top of the batter.
  • Bake 50 minutes or until golden brown and center is cooked through.
  • Let cool 20 minutes BEFORE unmolding.

Honestly making your own ricotta is easy, but ALSO time consuming and in my opinion not really worth the trouble when there are so many less expensive options. That said, if you really want to give it a try, here’s the recipe. The original recipe came from Career Girl Meets.

You will need some cheesecloth and a candy thermometer for special equipment.

1 gallon WHOLE milk
1 quart buttermilk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon salt

  • In a LARGE pot stir together the above ingredients.
  • Clip a candy thermometer to the pot. This is a crucial step as you are looking for an exact 195°.
  • Cook over low to medium heat and stir liquid occasionally. You will begin to see the milk separate and the curd form.
  • When the temperature reaches 195°, REMOVE the pot from the heat and let it sit for 35 minutes. DO NOT STIR DURING THIS TIME.
  • Line a colander with three layers of damp cheesecloth.
  • Place colander over a large bowl. This bowl will catch the excess whey as it drains.
  • Pour the cooled curds into the colander.
  • Use a spatula and GENTLY stir the ricotta to drain the whey from the cheese.
  • Wrap the cheese in the cheesecloth and GENTLY squeeze to allow the excess whey to drain.
  • Place the cheese in the refrigerator for several hours.
  • After several hours, unwrap the cheese and discard the cheesecloth.
  • Keep refrigerated.

RECIPE REVIEW
TASTE: Just sweet enough, but not overly sweet.
TEXTURE: Tender crust with a pop of berry here and there and crunchy almonds.
EASE: Easy to hard – depending on whether you make your own ricotta cheese.
APPEARANCE: Appetizing and visually appealing.
PROS: Great meal for company.
CONS: None that I found!
WOULD I MAKE THIS AGAIN? DEFINITELY Yes. BUT, I would use store bought ricotta for the ease.

SNOW PEA SALAD

I’ve been trying to brighten up and cool off this heated summer with some more refreshing and flavorful  salads. This has become a recent favorite 😀

SNOW PEA SALAD

1 1/2 pounds snow peas
1/4 cup apple cider or champagne vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/3 cup avocado oil
1 SMALL bunch green onions, sliced thin
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped basil
2-3 tablespoons salted and roasted sunflower seeds

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add snow peas for 1-2 minutes until they are bright green and tender.
  • Using a slotted spoon transfer peas to a bowl of ice water, stirring to cool and then drain WELL.
  • Cut peas into 1 inch pieces.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the vinegar, honey, salt and pepper until well blended. Then whisk in avocado oil.
  • Fold in onions and basil.
  • Fold in snow peas, tomatoes and sunflower seeds.
  • Gently toss until well coated.

GRILLED SHRIMP SALAD with LIME VINAIGRETTE

GRILLED (or sauteed) SHRIMP SALAD with LEMON LIME VINAIGRETTE
1 pound FRESH LARGE shrimp
1 teaspoon avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 avocados, halved, seeded, peeled and sliced
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup chopped cucumber
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/4 cup FRESH chopped cilantro

  • Peel and devein shrimp.
  • Coat shrimp with avocado oil and sprinkle with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Thread shrimp onto skewers if grilling.
  • Grease grill rack and grill skewers 3-4 minutes, turning once, until the shrimp are opaque.
  • Arrange shrimp, avocados, tomatoes, cucumber and onions on plate.
  • Drizzle with the vinaigrette and sprinkle with cilantro.

VINAIGRETTE
1 LARGE lime, zested and juiced
1 LARGE lemon, zested and juiced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons avocado oil

  • Whisk together the lime juice, zest, cayenne pepper, FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Slowly whisk in oil until well blended.

CHICKEN & DRESSING BAKE

CHICKEN & DRESSING BAKE serves 6-8

CRUMB TOPPING
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs

  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter and coat almonds.
  • Microwave almonds 2-3 minutes until well toasted.
  • Stir in Panko crumbs and 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Set aside.

CASSEROLE
4 cups Herb Stuffing Mix (Stove Top or homemade)
1 + 1 tablespoons FRESH chopped parsley
1 tablespoon butter
3 slices bacon, diced
1 LARGE shallot, diced
2 stalks celery, small diced
1 SMALL red pepper, chopped
4 LARGE mushrooms, sliced thin
4 cups chopped rotisserie chicken pieces
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup WHOLE milk
2 LARGE eggs

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Combine bacon, shallot, celery, mushroom and butter in a large skillet, sautéing 4-5 minutes until softened.
  • Toss stuffing mix, chicken pieces, parsley and shallot mixture together until well mixed.
  • Arrange evenly in the bottom of a buttered 9×13 baking dish.
  • Whisk together the soup, milk and eggs.
  • Pour soup mixture over stuffing mixture, gently mixing all together.
  • Top with crumb topping.
  • Bake 30 minutes.

 

CHICKEN BLT PASTA SALAD

This recipe has needed a makeover for years and especially needed a new picture! I posted it 13 years ago when I was hosting a now defunct food blog with a friend and we had many ongoing regular memes, such as Stretch Your Food Dollar.

CHICKEN BLT PASTA SALAD
SALAD
16 ounces macaroni (or your choice)
1 pound of bacon, chopped in small pieces and fried crisp, for garnish
2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
1 LARGE red onion, chopped
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 1/2 cups chopped Romaine Lettuce
1 1/2 cups chopped Ice Berg Lettuce
3 cups total shredded Sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack or flavor of choice
FRESH chopped tarragon, for garnish

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions, drain and cool.
  • In a cast iron skillet, render the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon to drain on paper towels.
  • In a LARGE mixing bowl, mix together the cooled pasta, chicken, onions, tomatoes, lettuce and shredded cheese.
  • Pour the dressing (recipe below) over the salad and mix well.
  • Cover the salad and place in the refrigerator for at LEAST 2 hours before serving.
  • Garnish with the crisp bacon and fresh herbs before serving.

HERB DRESSING
1 cup DUKES mayonnaise
3 tablespoon Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix
3/4 cups WHOLE milk
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped tarragon
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 pinch red pepper flakes

  • Whisk all the ingredients in a jar.
  • Place the lid on the jar and shake until the dressing is completely mixed.
  • Chill until ready to serve.

NOTES:

  • Add more milk a little at a time until you have the consistency that you want.
  • If you’re in a hurry, you can substitute 1 1/2 cups Buttermilk Ranch dressing.
  • If you plan to have leftovers, toss with lettuce just prior to serving each time.

This post originally ran at 3 Sides of Crazy for these memes:

Tasty Tuesday is hosted by Jen over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, Tuesdays at the Table is normally hosted by Andrea over at My Chihauhau Bites but Andrea is taking a break while she has her baby and is being hosted by Cole for a while. Trista over at Southern Fried Mama hosts Tasty Thursday and Joy of desserts hosts Vintage Recipe Thursday.

Originally posted at OKK July 8, 2009
Updated August 31, 2022

POTATO & CORN SALAD

POTATO & CORN SALAD
2 pounds YUKON potatoes, bite sized diced
4 ears sweet corn, cut off the cob
1 can chopped green chiles, drained well
1 LARGE shallot, diced
2 tablespoons butter
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/4 cup chopped FRESH cilantro
2/3 cup Mexican sour cream
1/3 cup Dukes Hint of Lime mayonnaise
2 LARGE limes, juiced
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
Lime Wedges, for garnish
Minced green onions, for garnish

  • Place potatoes in a large sauce pan and cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 5 minutes until potatoes are fork tender. Drain.
  • While potatoes are cooking, prepare corn.
  • Melt butter in large skillet (preferably cast iron).
  • Add corn and shallots, sauteing until corn is a bit charred.
  • Add green chiles and FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, sauteing 5 minutes more and then set aside to cool a bit.
  • While potatoes are cooking and corn is sauteing, prepare sauce.
  • Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar and lime juice.
  • After potatoes are drained ad them while still warm to the mayonnaise mixture.
  • Fold in the corn mixture and cheese, stirring to blend well.
  • Chill several hours until ready to serve.
  • Serve with lime wedges and sprinkled minced green onion.

CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD PUDDING with MAPLE SAUCE

CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD PUDDING with MAPLE SAUCE yields 2 pans

PUDDING
12 cups combination of torn croissant pieces and sourdough pieces
6 cups half and half
12 LARGE eggs
2 cups VERY ripe mashed bananas (about 6 LARGE)
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons PURE vanilla
1 tablespoon QUALITY cinnamon
2 cups mini chocolate chips

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray 9×13 pans with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Toss bread and croissant pieces with the chocolate chips.
  • Mash bananas.
  • Whisk together the eggs, half and half, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon.
  • Fold in bananas.
  • Arrange bread and croissant mixture loosely in the pans.
  • Pour banana egg mixture evenly over bread pieces.
  • Gently press the the bread into the custard mixture so bread absorbs the custard.

TOPPING
1 1/2 cups toasted chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups PACKED brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter

  • In a small bowl combine brown sugar and chopped walnuts.
  • Drizzle butter into brown sugar nut mixture, stirring to mix well.
  • Sprinkle the nut mixture evenly over the bread pieces.
  • Bake 40-45 minutes until golden and cooked through and set well.

SAUCE
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup PACKED brown sugar

  • In a sauce pan whisk together the maple syrup and brown sugar 5-7 minutes until the sugar is dissolved and mixture ALMOST boils.
  • Remove from heat and serve over warm banana bread.

NOTES:

  • Mash bananas, but leave them a bit chunky.
  • A powdered sugar sprinkle makes a good alternative to the maple sauce if serving for a potluck or buffet.
  • Adding rum soaked raisins gives it a real kick too!

SONORAN CLAM CHOWDER

I LOVE clam chowder, but honestly, it does get a bit boring. Growing up in California it was almost always served in a bread bowl or at the very least with some crusty sourdough bread, which was always tasty, but once again it was never changing so could get boring!

When I found this recipe in my TASTE OF HOME magazine I was elated for a new take on it and it sounded absolutely delicious. I have made several changes to make it to our liking and reduced its size as they had it serving 10! Plus they used the pressure cooker and I just didn’t find it necessary as long as you time preparing the potatoes while you are preparing the rest of the chowder.

SONORAN CLAM CHOWDER
4 slices peppered bacon, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon WONDRA flour
1 LARGE shallot, diced
1 SMALL stalk celery, SMALL diced
1 SMALL red pepper, diced
2 ounces chopped green chiles, drained
2 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
2 cans (6 1/2 ounce) chopped clams, drained, juice reserved
3/4 pound YUKON gold potatoes, diced
1/2 cup homemade chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons KINDERS taco seasoning
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped FRESH cilantro
Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish

  • In a large sauce pan bring salted water to a boil.
  • Add potatoes, boiling until potatoes are JUST tender.
  • Drain.
  • In a stockpot melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium high heat.
  • Add bacon, rendering until crisp. Remove to paper toweling to drain with a slotted spoon.
  • Add remaining butter to pan.
  • Add celery and shallots, sautéing 3-5 minutes until soft.
  • Add flour, mixing well.
  • Add red pepper and chiles, cooking 3-5 minutes until peppers are tender.
  • Add garlic, cooking 1 minute longer until fragrant.
  • Add clam juice and chicken stock.
  • Stir in taco seasoning, cream, clams and half of the chopped cilantro, simmering 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through and chowder has reached the desired consistency.
  • Serve topped with garnishes of choice such as bacon, chopped avocado, shredded cheese and cilantro…

SMOKEY BAKED BEANS

SMOKEY BAKED BEANS

1/2 pound bacon, diced
1 small Vidalia onion, diced
2 (22 ounce) cans Bush’s Bourbon Brown Sugar Grillin’ beans
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 ounce Bourbon or Whiskey (your choice)
1/4 cup Heinz Chili Sauce
1 teaspoon Hickory Liquid smoke

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat render bacon until JUST crisp. Drain on paper toweling. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the pan.
  • Add onion to bacon grease, cooking until softened. Drain well.
  • Whisk together the chili sauce, liquid smoke, whiskey or bourbon and brown sugar.
  • Fold in beans and the majority of the bacon pieces, saving a few for garnish.
  • Pour into Pampered Chef enameled cast iron baking dish.
  • Bake 30 minutes.

HOT HONEY BUTTER GLAZED PORK CHOPS

HOT HONEY BUTTER GLAZED PORK CHOPS
4 boneless, center cut pork chops, patted dry
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon beef base
1 tablespoon Frank’s original hot sauce
2 tablespoons water

  • Whisk together honey, hot sauce, bouillon base and 2 tablespoons hot water. Set aside.
  • Heat skillet and melt 1 tablespoon butter and avocado oil together.
  • Season both sides of the pork chops with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add chops to the hot skillet cooking 4-6 minutes on each side.
  • Add glaze, turning to coat chops all over, cooking 2 minutes more or until chops are cooked to your desired doneness.