Category: RECIPES

FLOATING CRUST CHICKEN POT PIE


FLOATING CRUST CHICKEN POT PIE
1 pie crust OR a pre-made PILLSBURY pie crust
1 egg
4 tablespoon butter
1 LARGE shallot, diced
2 LARGE carrots, peeled and diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1 1/2 cups homemade chicken broth
1 1/2 cups WHOLE milk
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme pieces
3 cups chopped cooked chicken *see notes
1 can LeSeur Peas, drained WELL

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Roll the crust to 1 inch larger between two sheets of parchment paper.
  • Remove the top parchment paper.
  • Fold and crimp the outer edge to decorate the crust.
  • Arrange parchment on baking sheet.
  • Refrigerate 15 minutes.
  • Beat egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush crust. Save remainder for later.
  • Bake 10-12 minutes until LIGHT-MEDIUM golden brown.
  • Remove from oven to cool, but leave oven on.
  • In large skillet melt butter.
  • Add carrots and shallots, sauteing and cooking 8-10 minutes until carrots have softened.
  • Add garlic, sauteing 30 seconds more.
  • Add flour, stirring to blend.
  • Add chicken broth and milk, stirring regularly, until sauce thickens.
  • Add thyme, FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Fold in the chicken pieces and peas.
  • Arrange crust on top.
  • Lightly brush with another layer of beaten egg.
  • Place pan in oven baking 10-15 minutes until crust is golden and filling is bubbly.

NOTES:

  • To make this recipe easier I use COSTCO rotisserie chicken pieces.
  • You can also use frozen peas, but I find the canned Le Seur peas are much more tender.

PIZZA CASSEROLE

Not the prettiest looking casserole, but after you dig into it, the flavor makes you forget how it looks!
ITALIAN PIZZA CASSEROLE
4 servings spaghetti or fettuccine
2 sweet Italian sausages, casings removed
1 LARGE shallot halved and sliced thin
1/2 of a LARGE red pepper, diced
2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 cup chopped pepperoni pieces*
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped herbs (Italian Parsley, Rosemary and Thyme), divided

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray 2 quart baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a small skillet heat avocado oil.
  • Add Italian sausage, cooking until crumbly and shallots are caramelized.
  • Add red peppers, cooking a few minutes more peppers are tender and juicy. Drain sausage mixture of excess grease.
  • In a mixing bowl combine sauce, two-thirds of the chopped herbs, pepperoni pieces and sausage mixture until well blended.
  • Add half of each cheese, blending well.
  • Fold in pasta.
  • Arrange mixture into baking dish.
  • Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly on top.
  • Sprinkle remaining herbs over cheese.
  • Bake 25-30 minutes until heated through.

NOTE: I buy the mini pepperoni bites so there is no chopping involved.

TARRAGON VINEGAR PORK CHOPS


TARRAGON VINEGAR PORK CHOPS
4 boneless pork loin chops
2 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped tarragon
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup WONDRA
Savory Spice Shop Hidden Cove Lemon Garlic Blend

  • In a large ziploc bag combine the flour and seasoning.
  • Add the pork chops and coat well.
  • In a large skillet melt butter over medium heat.
  • Shake excess flour from chops and add them to the skillet. Reserve the flour mixture.
  • Sear chops in butter until golden on each side.
  • Transfer chops to an oven proof platter, cover and keep warm.
  • Whisk remaining seasoned flour into skillet.
  • Whisk in chicken stock, vinegar, tarragon and honey, simmering until mixture begins to thicken.
  • Serve over pork chops.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes.

APPLE LEMON HARVEST BUNDT CAKE

I combined my 3 favorite recipes; Shenandoah Apple Cake, Meyer Lemon Cake and Apple Cream Cheese Swirl Cake into a single recipe to make my Harvest bundt cake. and love it so much that this is now my favorite recipe!  This recipe makes two 9-inch bundt cakes or one 10-inch plus 2 small decorative bundt cakes or 6-8 small decorative bundt cakes.

The secret is the swirl of orange cream cheese that winds its way through the sweet tartness of the Meyer lemons and the crisp sweetness of the Honey Crisp apples to combine into the quintessential Thanksgiving dessert.

APPLE LEMON HARVEST BUNDT CAKE
SWIRL
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1 LARGE egg
1 tablespoon FRESH orange zest

  • On medium speed beat cream cheese until creamy in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Reduce speed to low and add powdered sugar, flour, egg and orange zest, beating until smooth.
  • Cover and chill while preparing batter.

BATTER
2 3/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons Meyer lemon zest
1 tablespoon orange zest

  • In a mixing bowl combine sugar and zest with a fork.
  • Set aside 10-20 minutes so flavor infuses sugar.

3 cups unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon QUALITY cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground nutmeg
1/2 cup avocado oil
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
6 LARGE eggs at room temperature
1/4 cup apple cider
1/4 cup Meyer lemon juice
1 cup sour cream
2 LARGE Honey Crisp or Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Prepare bundt cake pan(s) with non-stick cooking spray and a flour dusting.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of your stand mixer cream the avocado oil and butter together.
  • Add the infused sugar, beating until well incorporated, light and fluffy.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • Add apple cider, vanilla and lemon juice, blending well.
  • Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream, starting and ending with flour mixture JUST until blended after each addition.
  • Fold in apples.
  • Spread half of mixture into prepared pan(s).
  • Remove swirl mixture from the refrigerator and spoon evenly on top of batter, avoiding the edges.
  • Top with remaining batter.
  • Using a knife, gently pull the blade back and forth through the cake to swirl the cream cheese mixture into the batter. You don’t want to mix, just gently swirl.
  • Bake 60-75 minutes for a LARGE bundt pan until tester comes out clean. For the smaller decorative pans I start checking them around 35 minutes.
  • Let cool 15-20 minutes.
  • Invert and transfer to a wire rack to COMPLETELY cool before the syrup and glaze.

SYRUP
1/4 cup FRESH Meyer lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water

  • Combine ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until sugar is COMPLETELY dissolved.
  • Brush over COOLED cake.
  • Allow cake to COMPLETELY cool again before glazing.

GLAZE
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4cup WHOLE milk
3tablespoons QUALITY honey
2 tablespoons FRESH Meyer lemon juice
2 tablespoons Meyer lemon zest

  • Whisk all together in small bowl until smooth.
  • Drizzle over COMPLETELY cooled cake.
  • Garnish with additional zest.

NOTE:

  • THE BEST ADVICE, I can offer you on this recipe is prep work! Do ALL of the zesting, juicing and chopping before you begin a single step!!!
  • Then infuse the sugar as directed as your second step before you begin the swirl so it allows more time for the sugar to be flavor infused.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS CASSEROLE

Fortunately I was watching a Molly Yeh episode of Girl Meets Farm recently and it just happened to be on sides for Thanksgiving. She made the most amazing Brussels Sprouts Casserole, an absolutely wonderful alternative to the tired old Green Bean Casserole and better yet it is ALL from scratch, well except the French’s Crispy Fried Onions 😀 – no canned goods involved!

I only made a couple changes – like trading shallots for the leeks and adding in some crunchy bacon, but nothing that really affected the outcome. I altered her directions to my liking also.

BRUSSELS SPROUT CASSEROLE
2 teaspoons avocado oil
1/2 pound bacon, diced
2 shallots, sliced thin
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 pounds Brussels Sprouts, trimmed, halved or quartered as necessary
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons FRESH thyme leaves, chopped
3 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
3 tablespoons WONDRA flour
2 cups homemade chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup QUALITY Parmesan cheese
ZEST from 1 Meyer lemon
2 cups crispy onions

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Cook bacon pieces crisp in large saute pan.
  • Remove bacon to drain on paper toweling with a slotted spoon.
  • Add avocado oil to saute pan.
  • Add shallots, sauteing 2-3 minutes until beginning to caramelize.
  • Add garlic and Brussels sprouts, sauteing 6-7 minutes until edges of Brussels sprouts are brown.
  • Season generously with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add thyme, and saute a bit longer until fragrant.
  • In a separate sauce pan melt butter.
  • Whisk in flour, cooking until golden.
  • Alternately add chicken broth and cream, stirring constantly until begins to thicken.
  • Add cheese and lemon zest.
  • Adjust seasoning.
  • Fold together the sauce and Brussels sprouts.
  • Top with crispy onions.
  • Bake 20-25 minutes until bubbly.

CITRUS BRINED ROAST TURKEY & GRAVY

CITRUS BRINED ROAST TURKEY & GRAVY adapted from Pioneer woman
Prep Time: 24 hours 45 mins

BRINE
5 bay leaves
5 garlic cloves, minced
Peel of 3 oranges, plus 1 orange, cut into wedges
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1 lime, cut into wedges
3 cups apple cider
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups packed dark brown sugar
1 1/2 cups kosher salt
3 tablespoons tri-color peppercorns

  • Combine all the brine ingredients in a large pot with 2 gallons cold water stirring until the sugar and salt COMPLETELY dissolve.
  • Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and cover.
  • Let cool completely.
  • Pour the cooled brine into a large brining bag or pot.
  • Add the turkey and refrigerate for 16 to 24 hours.

 

  • When ready to roast, remove the turkey from the brine.
  • Submerge the turkey in a pot of fresh cold water.
  • Allow to sit in the clean water for 15 minutes to remove the excess salt.

TURKEY
18-20 pound turkey (reserve the giblets and neck for the gravy)
2 oranges, zested and juiced RESERVE zest and 2nd orange
1 lemon, zested and juiced RESERVE zest
2 sticks salted butter, softened
1 tablespoons finely chopped FRESH Thyme leaves, plus 4 to 5 sprigs (2 for garnish)
2 tablespoons finely chopped FRESH Tarragon leaves, plus 4-5 sprigs (2 for garnish)
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
3 cups homemade chicken broth
1 cup dry white wine

  • Preheat the oven to 275 ̊.
  • Remove the turkey from the water, pat dry and place breast-side up on a roasting rack set in a large roasting pan.
  • GENEROUSLY season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add juice from 1 lemon and 1 orange to the turkey cavity.
  • Cover with heavy duty foil.
  • Roast 10 minutes per pound.
  • Remove turkey from oven and increase the heat to 325 ̊. Discard foil. Don’t worry that the turkey is so pale!

 

  • Combine the butter, thyme leaves, tarragon leaves, salt and pepper in a bowl until well blended.
  • Smear the butter mixture all over the skin and into the crevices so that the turkey is totally covered.
  • Slice the reserved orange into wedges and place in the cavity of the turkey along with 3 each of the thyme and tarragon sprigs.
  • Cross the legs and tie them together with kitchen twine.
  • Insert a meat thermometer into the thigh behind the leg joint.
  • Pour the chicken broth and wine into the bottom of the pan.
  • Roast for 5-7 minutes per pound, basting the turkey every 30 minutes, until the thermometer reads 165 ̊.
  • Remove from the oven, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 30 minutes before carving.
  • Save the drippings for gravy.

GIBLET GRAVY

Giblet pieces and neck, saved from the uncooked turkey
Drippings from roasted turkey
1/2 cup WONDRA flour (more if needed)
4 cups no-sodium chicken or turkey broth
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon each FRESH chopped Tarragon and Thyme leaves

  • In a small saucepan cover the giblets and neck with water by 2 inches.
  • Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour to cook meat and create the broth for the gravy.
  • Remove the giblets and neck from the broth and set aside to be chopped into sell pieces when cool enough to touch.
  • Set the broth in the saucepan aside for later.

 

While the turkey is resting pour all the drippings from the turkey roasting pan into a bowl and let the drippings sit and separate naturally, then use a ladle to carefully separate the fat from the liquid drippings (the fat will be on top, while the drippings will settle at the bottom).

  • When ready to make the gravy, return the pan to the stove over medium low flame.
  • Add 1 cup of the fat to the pan.
  • Sprinkle the flour all over the fat and immediately begin whisking it around to make a smooth roux that is not too oily or pasty by adding more fat or flour as necessary.
  • Whisk it slowly for a few minutes, allowing it to cook to a deep golden brown color.
  • Once the roux is ready, pour in 1 cup of the drippings (the gel from under the fat) and the chicken or turkey broth, whisking constantly, cooking 7-8 minutes until thickened.

 

  • While gravy is simmering, use your fingers to remove as much of the neck meat as you can and chop up the giblets into fine pieces.
  • Add as much of the meat to the gravy as you desire.
  • If the gravy seems too thick, add more broth and/or a little of the reserved giblet broth (the water used to cook the giblets.)
  • Taste and adjust seasoning.

To complete our Thanksgiving meal I also traditionally make Sourdough Oatnut herb dressing, Homemade Cranberry Sauce and our Family Favorite Mashed Potatoes.

BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN & PEA MEDLEY

Casual? Elegant? A little bit of both which makes it perfect for serving company. This recipe was originally written using chicken thighs, but I prefer thin cut chicken breast steaks. As always I made the recipe in its entirety as written the first time through and then made the necessary changes to make it even better, in our opinion.  It needed more “sauce” so I added the chicken broth and flour to create more of a gravy.  I also added the thin slice of provolone to give the chicken inside a bit of oomph. The recipe also had you starting the chicken on the stove and then moving the pan to the oven.  I found that the bacon crisps up better when cooked entirely in the oven where the grease drained off into the baking sheet.

BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN & PEA MEDLEY
4-6 boneless, skinless thin cut chicken steaks
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
4-6 slice provolone cheese
8-12 bacon slices, not too thick
1 teaspoon avocado oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 shallot, sliced
2-3 cups sugar snap peas, trimmed
1 can LeSeur peas, drained
2 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme

  • Preheat oven 400°.
  • Generously season chicken steaks on both sides.
  • Roll each chicken steak up with a slice of Provolone cheese on the inside and wrap with 2-3 slices of bacon, securing with toothpicks.
  • Place chicken breasts on a wire rack on a baking sheet
  • Place baking sheet in oven for 25 minutes while you prep the snap peas.
  • Remove baking sheet from oven, remove toothpicks and transfer chicken to serving platter to keep warm.
  • Heat avocado oil in an enameled cast iron pan over medium high heat.
  • Add butter to melt.
  • Add shallots, cooking 2-3 minutes.
  • Add sugar snap peas, stirring occasionally 5-7 until tender.
  • Sprinkle with flour and stir to blend.
  • Stir in broth and thyme, cooking several minutes.
  • Add heavy cream and cook several minutes until it begins to thicken.
  • With a slotted spoon transfer the peas and shallots to the platter.
  • Drizzle sauce over chicken breasts.
  • Garnish with additional thyme if desired.

NOTE: To change the flavor profile a bit try using different herbs, tarragon, dill etc…

VODKA CHICKEN POMODORO (VODKA TOMATO CHICKEN)

The word pomodoro or Pomo d’oro is Italian for tomato, or more specifically “golden apple”. LOL 😀 that is about all that is actually Italian about this recipe! Yet another possible origin of the word is derived from the aphrodisiac qualities in the french translation pomme d’amour, the love apple.

While researching the word pomodoro, I found that tomatoes aren’t even indigenous to Italy, meaning they weren’t originally Italian, though they are a staple in the Italian kitchen of today!  Tomatoes were first discovered in Central America, but made their way to Italy in the late 15th century and because the growing conditions were ideal for tomatoes Italy became a prominent tomato region making tomatoes a staple in Italian kitchens and Mediterranean recipes!

According to Il Pomodoro Italiano, “The Italian Tomato”, there are over 320 different variations of the tomato. The beautiful golden tomatoes (Pomo d’oro) tend to have a sweeter taste and have a low sugar and acid content. For more information on the varieties of Italian tomatoes check out Delicious Italy.

VODKA CHICKEN POMODORO
4 boneless, skinless chicken steaks
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
garlic salt
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup QUALITY Vodka
1/2 cup homemade chicken broth
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped tarragon
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
2 tablespoons heavy cream

  • GENEROUSLY season chicken steaks with FRESH ground sea salt, black pepper and garlic salt.
  • Heat large skillet over medium heat and melt butter.
  • Dredge chicken steaks in flour and add to skillet.
  • Saute; chicken steaks 3-4 minutes per side until JUST cooked through.
  • Transfer chicken to platter and keep warm.
  • Deglaze pan with vodka and cook 1-2 minutes until alcohol is cooked off.
  • Add onions to pan, stirring 30 seconds or so.
  • Add chicken broth, lemon juice and tarragon, blending well.
  • Add cream, stirring to blend before adding tomatoes and returning the chicken to pan, turning to coat.
  • Heat through and serve with your favorite rice or mashed potatoes ad sauce drizzled over top.

CHEDDAR PAN ROLLS

CHEDDAR PAN ROLLS
3-4 1/4 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
2 cups WHOLE milk
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups + 1/4 cup FINELY shredded cheddar cheese
1 LARGE egg white, beaten

  • In a large bowl whisk together 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and yeast.
  • In a small saucepan heat the milk and butter to 120°-130°.
  • Add milk mixture into the dry ingredients, beating until smooth.
  • Stir in cheese and enough flour to form a soft dough, but do not knead!
  • Cover and let rise in a warm place 45-60 minutes until doubled in size. Dough will be soft.
  • Punch dough down and divide into 2 portions.
  • Shape each portion into 12 balls.
  • Place your rolls into a greased 9×13 greased baking pan.
  • Cover and let rise in a warm place for another 45 minutes or so until double in size.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Brush with beaten egg white.
  • Bake 20-25 minutes until golden.
  • Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese last 5minutes.

TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE (NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S)

TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE (NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S)
1 stick butter, divided 2 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons + 4 tablespoons
1 tablespoon avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 cups DRY wide egg noodles
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green onions, whites only sliced thin
4 cups SMALL broccoli florets (about 3 crowns, stalks discarded or used elsewhere)
14 ounces marinated artichokes, drained WELL
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
4 cups WHOLE milk
1/4 cup cream sherry
4 ounces cream cheese, sliced into 8-10 pieces
2 LARGE cans white albacore tuna in water, drained WELL
1 cup shredded Gruyere
1/4 cup FRESH chopped Parsley
Several sprigs FRESH thyme
1/2 cup PANKO crumbs

  • Prepare noodles al dente per package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt avocado oil and 2 tablespoons butter in large saute pan.
  • Add green onions and garlic, sauteing 2 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant.
  • Increase heat to medium-high and add broccoli florets, sauteing 7-8 minutes until broccoli is tender and vibrant green.
  • GENEROUSLY season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add artichokes and Parsley, cooking several minutes more until all liquid is absorbed.
  • Pour broccoli and artichokes into colander and drain off any remaining oil.
  • Return pan to stove and melt 4 tablespoons butter.
  • Whisk in WONDRA flour until smooth and golden.
  • Gradually add milk and cream sherry stirring well after each addition. Cook until slightly thickened.
  • Add cream cheese pieces, whisking until smooth.
  • Add Gruyere, whisking until smooth.
  • Adjust seasoning.
  • Fold in tuna until well blended.
  • Fold in broccoli and artichokes until well blended.
  • Fold in noodles.
  • GENEROUSLY season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Transfer to 3 quart 9×13 baking dish.
  • Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
  • With a fork blend melted butter and Panko crumbs.
  • Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over casserole.
  • Bake 30-45 minutes until crumbs are golden and casserole is bubbly.
  • Garnish with green onion tops if desired.

CHICKEN NEW ORLEANS

I first saw this recipe for Chicken Lazone Pasta on Facebook and it looked mouth wateringly yummy, that I had to know more. As I began researching the original name, I found several different people had made versions, (some attributing it to Brennan’s Restaurant in New Orleans) that were great on their own, but it was when I married the best parts of both recipes together that I found my version to be fantastic and Chicken New Orleans was born. It really is a restaurant quality meal made at home with a rich, full bodied and full flavored creamy sauce.

One recipe used chicken tenders and another used full chicken breasts. I settled on thin cut chicken steaks as middle ground. One used granulated garlic and another FRESH garlic. I cut down the proportions of both and prefer the mixed flavor mediums. I also cut down the Creole seasoning a bit and increased the FRESH herbs. One called for linguine and another for fettuccine, but honestly any pasta you choose works well. I like Farfalle and Campagnelle, but I use what I have on hand. I also use WONDRA flour instead of all purpose because it is much finer and makes a smoother sauce.

CHICKEN NEW ORLEANS adapted from What’s in the Pan  and Slow Roasted Italian

Prep Time10 mins Cook Time20 mins Total Time30 mins
SEASONING
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons SLAP YOUR MAMA seasoning
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup WONDRA flour

  • In a large ziploc bag, combine FRESH ground sea salt, black pepper, SLAP YOUR MAMA, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and flour.


CHICKEN
4-6 thin chicken steaks
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter

  • Dredge the chicken in the seasoning mixture and shake off excess. Reserve any leftover spice/flour mix for the sauce.
  • Preheat large cast iron skillet.
  • Add avocado oil and melt butter over medium-high heat.
  • Cook the chicken steaks 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.

PASTA
1/2-3/4 pound pasta
1/4-1/2 cup Pasta water (reserve it)

  • Boil pasta in salty water, drain, but do not rinse.
  • Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. If you think the sauce needs thinning, add reserved pasta water to the sauce. Add it slow – as much as you would like to have according to your liking.

SAUCE
4 tablespoons butter
Remaining seasoning mixture
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped tarragon leaves
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped flat leaf parsley
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme leaves
2 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
1-2 teaspoons smoked Paprika
2 cups heavy cream

  • Add butter to the empty skillet and add remaining seasoning mixture into the butter until cook it until golden and flour is no longer raw.
  • Add more paprika and heavy cream into the skillet.
  • Add MOST of the FRESH herbs to the sauce, but reserve a bit for garnish.
  • Bring to a SLOW boiling point.
  • Lower heat and simmer 3-4 minutes.
  • Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning to your liking.

  • Add cooked pasta into the sauce and stir until fully coated.
  • Return chicken to the skillet, turning to coat with sauce well.
  • Sprinkle with remaining chopped herbs.

RUSSIAN CABBAGE SOUP

Oh my this is my new favorite soup! I could eat this EVERY day!

RUSSIAN CABBAGE SOUP adapted from The Sophisticated Cavemen  serves 8

1/4 cup avocado oil
1 LARGE onion, diced
4 carrots, halved lengthwise and sliced
3 celery ribs, halved lengthwise and sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (6 ounce) can of tomato paste
1 SMALL head of cabbage, large chopped
1 pound turnips, diced
8 cups homemade chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 bay leaf
1/4-1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, to taste
1 1/2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken pieces
2 tablespoons FRESH Tarragon, chopped
2 tablespoons FRESH Parsley, chopped

  • Heat the avocado oil in dutch oven over medium high heat.
  • Add the onions, carrots, and celery and saute 5-7 minutes until onions are translucent.
  • Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds or so until fragrant.
  • Stir in the tomato paste and cook 3-4 minutes until it starts to brown.
  • GENEROUSLY season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add the cabbage and cook until it is slightly tender, about 5-6 minutes.
  • Add the turnips and pour in the stock.
  • Season again with the caraway seeds, salt, pepper, and bay leaf and bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Reduce the heat to LOW, cover, and simmer until the cabbage and turnips are tender, about 1 hour.
  • Remove the bay leaf.
  • Add chicken pieces (see note), stirring well.
  • Stir in apple cider vinegar.
  • Cover and simmer for another 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the the fresh tarragon and parsley.
  • Adjust seasonings to taste.

NOTE: for a different flavor profile substitute 1 pound of browned ground beef.