Category: RECIPES

BLACKBERRY LEMON CURD CREAM CHEESE PIE

BLACKBERRY LEMON CURD CREAM CHEESE PIE
8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1 LARGE egg
Juice of 1 lemon (1 1/2 tablespoon)
1 can COMSTOCK blackberry pie filling
1 cup lemon curd (jarred or FRESH made)
Prepared pie crust
whipped cream, for topping (optional)

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Beat cream cheese until fluffy.
  • Add sugar, salt, lemon juice and egg, mixing until smooth and creamy.
  • Pour into prepared pie crust.
  • Bake 20 minutes.
  • Spread blackberry filling evenly over cheese mixture.
  • Bake another 20 minutes.
  • Spread with lemon curd.
  • Bake 5 minutes more.
  • Cool COMPLETELY and/or chill before serving.
  • Add a dollop of whipped cream and serve.

CRISPY BAKED LEMON GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN with ROASTED VEGGIES

CRISPY BAKED LEMON GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN with ROASTED VEGGIES adapted from CAFE DELITES

CHICKEN
1 LARGE egg
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tablespoon FRESH chopped Italian parsley
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 cup FINELY ground breadcrumbs
1/3 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Thin mozzarella slices

VEGGIES
1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, quartered
4-5 carrots, peeled and rustic chopped
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Lightly grease a baking sheet with non-stick spray and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, lemon juice, garlic, most of the parsley, salt and pepper.
  • Dip chicken into egg mixture, cover and marinate in the refrigerator for an hour.

  • In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the Parmesan cheese.
  • Dredge the egg coated chicken in the breadcrumb/Parmesan mixture, lightly pressing to evenly coat.
  • Place chicken onto the baking sheet and LIGHTLY spray chicken with cooking oil spray also.
  • Mix together the melted butter, garlic and salt to taste, and pour half of the butter mixture over the potatoes. Toss to evenly coat.
  • Arrange the potatoes and carrots around the chicken in a single layer.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  • Remove baking tray from the oven and carefully flip each chicken breast.
  • Move the potatoes and carrots to one side and place the green beans around the chicken on the other side of the baking sheet.
  • Pour the remaining garlic butter over top and return to the oven for 10 minutes more, or until chicken is golden and crisp, and potatoes are cooked through.
  • Top with cheese if you choose.
  • Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

LEMON & HERB MARINATED CHICKEN THIGHS ~ F3 ~ FAITH & FOOD FRIDAY #1

I have of late been trying desperately to find focus in my life and get off the crazy carousel of revolving doors. Sandra’s new feature, Faith & Food Friday, is literally a blessing in disguise for me.

We are searching for a “FINAL” project house and being able to plant roots for a place to bloom continuously.  This has brought into question many things – beginning and ending with my faith, values, beliefs and desires to be where I am meant to be in this life. I want and need to be where I can be the most productive, happiest, healthiest and helpful to others.

While we’re still searching, though we’re pretty sure where it will be, we have at least RULED out many places this past year. So, finding this outlet through Sandra to help me focus on the faith portion is a god send to me.

One of my daily loves is my Mary and Martha devotions collection books, journals and simple cards.  I decided to randomly select a card to begin this series with and was aptly rewarded: 😀

“In the midst of life’s messiness, God really is making something beautiful… something good.

LEMON & HERB MARINATED CHICKEN THIGHS adapted from Anne Burrell
Juice and zest of 4 lemons, plus 2 whole lemons
5 sprigs fresh rosemary, FINELY chopped
5 sprigs fresh thyme, FINELY chopped
3 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
1/2 + teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup avocado oil
8 chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Whisk together the lemon juice and zest, chopped herbs, garlic, crushed red pepper, and 1/2 cup of avocado oil in a small bowl.
  • Generously season chicken thighs with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add chicken thighs to a large Ziplock bag.
  • Pour oil mixture over thighs.
  • Close bag and move chicken pieces around to coat well.
  • Refrigerate overnight.
  • Preheat grill.
  • Spray grill with non-stick grill spray.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade and brush off any excess herbs and oil.
  • Pour remaining marinade through a sieve to remove the herb and garlic chunks.
  • Cut remaining whole lemons into thick slices.
  • Place the chicken, skin side down, and the lemons on the preheated grill.
  • Grill the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes and then rotate the chicken 90 degrees to create the lovely crosshatch pattern.
  • Grill for another 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Brush with remaining marinade periodically.
  • Turn the chicken over and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Check for done ness.
  • Check the lemons to see if they are beautifully caramelized.
  • Flip over to grill on the other side for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Serve the chicken with grilled lemon.

Join our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
to link up with Faith and Food Friday.

GARLIC and LEMON CACIO E PEPE

GARLIC & LEMON CACIO E PEPE
8-10 ounces thin spaghetti, uncooked
1/2 cup butter
FRESH sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup pasta water
1 1/2 cups FINELY grated Parmesan cheese

  • Prepare pasta al dente per package directions in a large pot of salted water.
  • Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
  • Melt butter in large skillet.
  • Add pepper and sizzle in butter for a minute.
  • Add garlic and lemon zest, sautéing 30 seconds or so until fragrant.
  • Add pasta 1/2 cup of pasta water and cooked pasta, tossing to coat.
  • Add most of the Parmesan cheese, tossing to combine.
  • Add more pasta water as necessary to make a creamy butter sauce.
  • Stir in lemon juice and season with FRESH ground sea salt to taste.
  • Garnish with reserved Parmesan cheese.

BLUEBERRY LIME NO BAKE CHEESECAKE

BLUEBERRY LIME NO BAKE CHEESECAKE
CRUST
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

  • Stir together the graham crackers, ginger and brown sugar.
  • Add the melted buttered mix until well blended.
  • Press the crumbs firmly into bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.
  • Place in refrigerator while you prepare the sauce and cheesecake.

SAUCE
1 1/2 cups WILD blueberries
1/8 cup sugar
1 tablespoon water

  • Stir together the blueberries, sugar and water in a medium saucepan.
  • Cook over 5 medium heat 5 minutes until berries break down.
  • Use an immersion blender to blend well.
  • Pour entire mixture through a sieve into a clean sauce pan.
  • Cook a few minutes on medium heat until mixture thickens slightly.
  • Cool in refrigerator also while preparing cheesecake.

CHEESECAKE
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2-8 ounce cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lime zest
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
2 teaspoons FRESH, FINELY grated ginger

  • Whip whipping cream 2-3 minutes in the bowl of a stand mixer bowl until stiff peaks form.
  • Transfer whipped cream to a clean bowl and refrigerate.
  • Add cream cheese and sugar to stand mixer bowl.
  • Mix on medium 2-3 minutes until creamy and smooth.
  • Add line zest, powdered sugar, vanilla and fresh ginger, mixing 1-2 minutes until fully incorporated.
  • GENTLY (so as not to deflate the whipped cream) fold in one third of the whipped cream with a spatula to lighten the cream cheese.
  • GENTLY fold in remaining whipped cream until ALMOST fully incorporated.
  • Pour over chilled crust and smooth out evenly.
  • Drop several spoonfuls of blueberry sauce over cheesecake.
  • Using a thin knife or wooden skewer, swirl sauce into cheesecake.
  • Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

LIME WHIPPED CREAM
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons lime zest
1 teaspoon powdered sugar

  • Whip the whipping cream on high 3 minutes until stiff peaks form.
  • Add the lime zest and powdered sugar, whipping until incorporated.
  • Serve the cheesecake with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of blueberry sauce.

NOTE:

  • Using a copper mixing bowl and beaters that have been chilled in the freezer make a for quicker whipping and fluffier whipped cream.
  • Blackberries substitute really well also.

VESUVIO CHICKEN

This classic Italian dish looks extravagant, but is a relatively easy one pan meal AND yet looks and tastes like you worked all day on it.

CHICKEN VESUVIO

1/4 cup WONDRA flour
2 thin chicken steaks
2 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
FRESH ground sea salt and black better, to taste
3/4 pound baby potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme leaves or oregano
1 teaspoon FRESH chopped rosemary leaves
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 can Le Seur peas, drained
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, COLD and DICED
Juice of 1 lemon

  • Generously season chicken steaks with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add flour to shallow bowl.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Dredge chicken steaks in flour, shaking off excess, and add to hot oil.
  • Sear chicken 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Transfer to plate and keep warm.
  • Heat remaining oil in skillet.
  • Add potatoes, sautéing 7-8 minutes until cooked through and edges are crispy.
  • Stir in garlic and herbs, seasoning with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper to taste, sautéing until fragrant.
  • Add wine, scraping up bits from bottom of pan to mix.
  • Add broth and simmer 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Return chicken to pan, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes until chicken is well coated and cooked through.
  • With a slotted spoon remove chicken and potatoes to plate and tent to keep warm.
  • Off heat stir in lemon juice and COLD butter until smooth.
  • Fold in peas and serve over chicken steaks.

ZESTY GARLIC GREEN BEANS

ZESTY GARLIC GREEN BEANS serves 8-10
2 tablespoons oil from oil packed sun-dried tomatoes
1 cup sliced Vidalia sweet onion
1/2 cup chopped or julienned sun dried tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Juice of 1 lemon
2-16 ounce packages french style green beans

  • Heat oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Add onion, sautéing 2-3 minutes until tender.
  • Add tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper, cooking 2-3 minutes longer.
  • Stir in frozen green beans, cook, simmer 7-9 minutes.
  • Uncover and continue to simmer 2-3 minutes until the liquid is mostly evaporated.

CHILI LIME CHICKEN WINGS

Okay, this sounds like a strangely weird combination of ingredients, but guess what? They work together REALLY well! These go fast and are asked for often so indulge yourself and enjoy!

CHILI LIME CHICKEN WINGS
2 1/2 pounds whole chicken wings or thighs
1 cup PURE maple syrup
2/3 cup chili sauce
Juice of lime juice
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons paprika
Neutral oil for frying
1 bunch green onions, sliced

  • In a large sauce pan whisk together the maple syrup, chili sauce and lime juice.
  • Bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Reduce heat to simmer and cook 30-45 minutes until reduced and sticky thick.
  • Combine the flour, paprika, salt and pepper in a ziplock bag.
  • Add chicken pieces, tossing to coat, shaking off excess.
  • Heat oil in dutch oven to 375°.
  • Fry chicken pieces 6-8 minutes until cooked through. DO NOT CROWD THE PAN!!!!
  • Drain chicken pieces on paper toweling.
  • Transfer chicken to a large shallow baking dish and pour sauce over, turning chicken pieces to coat well.
  • Garnish with green onions and lime wedges.
  • Serve immediately.

NOTE: I often use a stick of butter or crisco and fry the chicken pieces like grams taught me – cooking on one side until the bleed and then turning them for the same amount of time on the other side.

SOUR APPLE SLAW

SOUR APPLE SLAW adapted from Michael Twitty
8 cups shredded green cabbage
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 Granny Smith apples, julienned
1 bunch green green onions, sliced
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons PURE maple syrup
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped tarragon
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped Italian flat leaf parsley

  • Toss cabbage and salt together.
  • Let stand in a colander over a large bowl for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes submerge cabbage in COLD water. Drain and pat dry.
  • Whisk vinegar, maple syrup, sugar, salt and pepper together.
  • Toss cabbage, apple pieces, herbs and green onion slices together.
  • Drizzle dressing over cabbage mix and toss well.
  • Chill for several hours.
  • Toss again before serving.

ITALIAN CHICKEN & RICE

This is a one-pot Italian version of the Spanish Arroz con Pollo. Annatto powder is the spice responsible for the beautiful orange red color. Annatto power is is ground from Achitoe tree seeds AKA poor man’s saffron. If you can’t find it at your local grocer, try an Asian or Latin market.

ITALIAN CHICKEN & RICE
1 tablespoon avocado oil
4 chicken boneless and skinless breasts
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 LARGE shallot, thinly sliced
2 cups long grain white rice
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon annatto powder OR a few threads of saffron
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme
1 tablespoon flat leaf Italian Parsley

  • Heat the oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat.
  • GENEROUSLY season the chicken breasts FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Sear chicken 2 minutes per side.
  • Set chicken aside on a plate.
  • Add shallots to dutch oven, sautéing 2-3 minutes until softened.
  • Stir in rice, toasting it 1-2 minutes.
  • Stir in tomato sauce, chicken stock, annatto powder and generously season with
  • FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Nestle chicken breasts into rice mixture.
  • Cover and simmer 25-30 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked through.
  • Let stand 10 minutes.
  • FLUFF and serve.

NOTES: This can also be baked in a 350° oven for 1 hour.

BACON CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS

BACON CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS

A slightly sweet and garlicky glaze on these Hawaiian Roll Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders makes the best slider recipe! We’re always looking for easy ground beef recipes and these easy sliders take a burger to the next level.

1 package of 12 pack King’s Hawaiian roll sliders
4-6 slices bacon, diced
1 pound lean ground beef
1/3 cup diced red onion
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard (optional)
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
6 slices sharp cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons butter melted
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Slice entire package of rolls (do not separate) in half and toast bottoms in broiler for 1-2 minutes.
  • Cook bacon until crisp.
  • Remove bacon pieces to paper toweling to drain.
  • Brown ground beef and onions in bacon drippings and then drain WELL.
  • Return meat mixture to the pan and lower heat to low.
  • Season with salt, pepper and dry mustard if using.
  • Stir in shredded cheese for 1 minute.

  • Sprinkle bacon on top.
  • Add slices of cheddar cheese and replace top half of rolls.
  • Melt butter and stir in brown sugar, onion and garlic powders.
  • Spoon or brush over the tops of the sliders.
  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds if using.
  • Bake for 10 – 15 minutes until rolls are lightly browned and cheese is melted.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!


SHRIMP PAD THAI

This recipe is the PERFECT downsized recipe for 2! This flavor combination offers a complex salty AND sweet yet spicy AND pungent flavor with just enough acidity from the lime for balance in the sauce. Add in the sauteed shrimp, the scrambled egg, salty peanuts and crunchy bean sprouts and scallions that balance out the texture and flavors for a complete meal.

SHRIMP PAD THAI
SAUCE
2 LARGE limes, juiced, about 3 +/- tablespoons
3 tablespoons water
2 1/2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons avocado oil (or other neutral oil)
3 teaspoons rice vinegar (I often use seasoned – flavor of choice)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • Whisk all together and set aside.

NOODLES & SHRIMP
4 ounces WIDE rice noodles
1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 shallot, minced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 LARGE egg, lightly beaten
1 cup bean sprouts
2 tablespoons crushed dry roasted peanuts
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped cilantro (for garnish – optional)

  • Bring 4 quarts of water to boil.Remove from heat, add rice noodles and let stand 10 minutes until noodles are tender. Drain noodles and set aside.
  • Pat shrimp dry.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add shrimp and a pinch of salt, sauteing 2-3 minutes until shrimp are opaque.
  • Transfer to a plate.
  • Add remaining oil to skillet.
  • When oil is shimmering add shallots and garlic, sauteing until light golden brown.
  • Add in egg and cook 20-30 seconds until scrambled.
  • Add noodles, tossing to mix.
  • Add sauce, tossing continually to coat for 1-2 minutes until well blended and coated in sauce.
  • Add bean sprouts, peanuts, scallions and shrimp, tossing to coat.
  • Serve immediately.

NOTE: As a quick cheat I use pre-prepared yakisoba noodles from my butcher to replace the rice noodles.