Category: RECIPES

BALSAMIC BROWN SUGAR BRISKET

BALSAMIC BROWN SUGAR BRISKET

4-5 pound beef brisket
3 tablespoons avocado oil
3 red onions, halved and thinly sliced (4-6 cups)
1 whole bulb garlic, cleaned and minced
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1/3 cup QUALITY balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Generously season brisket with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a dutch oven.
  • Add brisket and sear each side until browned, about 4 minutes per side.
  • Remove brisket and set aside.
  • Add remaining oil to pan.
  • Add onions, garlic and bay leaves. Cook stirring often, 5-10 minutes, until fragrant and onions have softened.
  • In a bowl whisk together the beef broth, vinegars, brown sugar, onion powder and garlic powder.
  • Transfer the onion mixture to a roasting pan.
  • Top with brisket.
  • Pour broth mixture over brisket.
  • Cover and cook 2 hours.
  • Flip meat over, recover tightly and cook another 2-2 1/2 hours until fork tender.
  • Transfer meat to cutting board and loosely cover with foil, resting 10 minutes.
  • Slice meat against the grain and put on platter.
  • Using a slotted spoon arrange the onions around the brisket, discarding the bay leaves.
  • Skim fat from pan juices and discard. Pour juices over the onions and brisket.

CHIPOTLE ORANGE CHICKEN

CHIPOTLE ORANGE CHICKEN serves 4-6

1 chicken cut into pieces or 6-8 pieces of your favorite cut
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons Chipotle pepper
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped cilantro
2 oranges
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil.
  • In a large bowl toss chicken pieces with salt, pepper and cumin. Reserve remaining seasonings.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the grated zest and the juice from the oranges with the tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, chipotle pepper and the reserved seasonings from your dredge.
  • Pour tomato mixture over chicken and toss to coat.
  • Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer on the baking dish.
  • Bake 45-50 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.
  • Brush with remaining sauce every 15 minutes.
  • Transfer to platter and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

JEAN PERRY’S ANTIQUE CORN BREAD (MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE CORN BREAD)

I LOVE finding OLD recipe boxes full of handwritten recipes in antique stores. I ESPECIALLY LOVE trying those same recipes in today’s world and finding a lost gem among them. This recipe is just that and was even signed by the baker 😀 I bought 3 boxes and each had a corn bread recipe in it!

This is the first one I’m trying. I did add some green chiles and a smattering of cheddar cheese for the way we like it as well as adjusted the instructions and ingredients to match the ingredients.  This was a HUGE hit and will be made many more times I’m sure.

JEAN PERRY’S ANTIQUE CORN BREAD
1 cup yellow corn meal
1 cup all purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 small can diced green chiles, DRAINED WELL
1/3 cup sharp cheddar cheese
2 slices bacon, diced, browned and drained

  • Preheat oven to 425˚.
  • Sift together the corn meal, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
  • Whisk together the milk, butter and egg.
  • Add wet ingredients to the dry and blend JUST until combined.
  • Fold in green chiles.
  • Pour into pan.
  • Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
  • Top with bacon pieces.
  • Bake 25 minutes.
  • Enjoy.

IRISH CHEDDAR SHEPHERD’S PIE

IRISH CHEDDAR SHEPHERD’S PIE

FILLING
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
2 small stalks celery, chopped
3 ounces Guinness beer
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
16 ounces combination of frozen peas and carrots

  • Brown ground beef with onion in large skillet for 5-10 minutes.
  • Add celery and continue cooking until meat is crumbly.
  • Add stout and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan.
  • Add butter and allow to melt, then sprinkle with flour and stir to blend. Allow the flour to cook for several minutes before adding beef broth.
Add beef broth and blend well.
  • Add tomato paste, Worcestershire, and salt, stirring well. Allow gravy to thicken while the mixture cooks, about 5 minutes.
  • Add frozen vegetables and allow to cook until the entire mixture is nice and hot.

POTATOES
2 pounds Yukon potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 large egg yolk
6 ounces Irish cheddar grated
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • Boil the potatoes in water over high heat until very soft and tender, about 20 minutes.
  • Drain and mash well with butter, buttermilk, egg yolk, FRESH ground sea salt and pepper, to taste and half of the shredded Irish cheddar.

ASSEMBLY

  • Layer filling mixture in LIGHTLY greased baking dish.
  • Top with mashed potatoes in an even layer.
  • Top with remaining shredded cheddar.
Broil on low for about 10 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

TERIYAKI SALMON with ASIAN WALNUT SLAW

I found the original recipe at Walnuts.org and it really inspired me to do some summer seafood recipes even if I did alter it to meet our tastes.

TERIYAKI SALMON with ASIAN WALNUT SLAW
Grilled salmon topped with a colorful tangy cabbage and carrot slaw, and garnished with fresh cilantro and toasty California walnuts.  One of the best parts is that the marinade is used for the salmon AND as the dressing for the slaw making the two parts of the dish blend seamlessly!

MARINADE
scant 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
scant 1/2 cup thick teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup champagne or apple cider vinegar vinegar
4 (4 to 6 ounce) salmon fillets
3 tablespoons finely chopped and toasted candied walnuts
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

  • In a shallow dish stir together chili sauce, teriyaki sauce and vinegar.  Set aside 1/3 cup for the slaw.
  • Place salmon in dish skin side up and let marinate for 30 minutes.
  • Over medium to high heat grill salmon for 3 to 5 minutes depending on thickness.
  • Flip and pour marinade over and around the salmon, cooking another 3-5 minutes until cooked to your liking and marinade is bubbling.
  • Transfer to a platter and top with cabbage mixture.
  • Sprinkle with walnuts and cilantro.

SLAW
1 cup shredded or thinly sliced purple cabbage
1 cup coarsely shredded green cabbage
1/2 cup carrot sticks
2 medium green onions, sliced
1/2 cup finely chopped and toasted candied walnuts
Fresh cilantro leaves, torn

  • Toss together cabbages, carrots, green onions and half the walnuts with reserved marinade and refrigerate.

HERB BUTTER & LONDON BROIL

LONDON BROIL began as a preparation process of marinating and then searing or broiling the meat at a HIGH temperature, NOT a cut of meat.  The process became so popular that eventually grocery stores began selling top round under the name “LONDON BROIL”.  Top-round steak, is sometimes sold as “London broil” or “Flank steak” is the traditional cut of beef used for London broil because it takes so  well to marinades.

HERB BUTTER & LONDON BROIL

1 (2 pound) London broil top-round steak
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/4 cup avocado oil
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and garlic.
  • Generously season entire London Broil with salt and pepper.
  • Rub oil mixture all over meat. Place on baking sheet.
  • Let sit at room temperature for an hour. (it can also be refrigerated over night)
  • Preheat broiler.
  • Brush off garlic then place steak on a sheet pan.
  • Place pan on middle rack in the center of the oven and broil 10 to 15 minutes (depending on desired doneness), until top is charred.
  • Flip and broil 10 to 15 minutes more (depending on desired doneness), until internal temperature reaches 125° for medium rare.
  • Let rest 10 minutes before carving.  It is VERY important that you carve AGAINST the grain!
  • Serve with herb butter.

NOTES:  Any leftovers dice up very nicely into pieces for chili.

HERB BUTTER
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped parsley
2 teaspoons FRESH chopped chives
Zest of 1/2 lemon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

  • In a small bowl, mix butter with herbs, lemon zest, salt, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
  • Refrigerate until ready to use.

BAKED APRICOT PINEAPPLE GINGER SALMON

BAKED APRICOT GINGER SALMON serves 4

4 – 6 ounce salmon fillets
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon avocado oil

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Generously season fillets with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Add fillets to skillet skin side up searing for 3-4 minutes depending on thickness.
  • Flip fillets over and cook 3-4 minutes more to get a crisp skin.
  • Pour sauce over fillets and place uncovered in the oven for 4-6 minutes until cooked through.
  • Remove from oven, foil tent and let stand 2 minutes.
  • Serve with rice pilaf and a fresh veggie.

APRICOT PINEAPPLE GINGER SAUCE
1/4 cup avocado oil
2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
2 tablespoons apricot pineapple preserves
1 tablespoon QUALITY honey
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 tablespoon FRESH minced
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained

  • Blend preserves, vinegar, honey, ginger, salt and pepper in a mini food processor.
  • Add pineapple.
  • Add oil and blend JUST until emulsified. It will refrigerate in an air tight container for a week, but it never lasts that long around here.

CHICKEN & STRAWBERRY SALAD with STRAWBERRY VINAIGRETTE

CHICKEN & STRAWBERRY SALAD with STRAWBERRY VINAIGRETTE
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
6 ounces creamy YOPLAIT strawberry yogurt
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4 cups torn spinach and butter lettuce leaves
2 cups sliced strawberries
1/2 cut carrot sticks
1 cup thinly sliced red onions
1/2 cup chopped candied walnuts

  • Whisk together the yogurt, honey, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Chill under ready to eat.
  • Toss together the spinach, lettuce, red onions, walnuts and carrots.
  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Generously season chicken pieces with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Lightly dredge chicken pieces in Wondra flour.
  • Heat avocado oil in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add chicken and sear 3-4 minutes per side.
  • Remove chicken to cutting board and either slice thin or shred with 2 forks. Allow chicken to cool 5-10 minutes.
  • Add chicken to lettuce bowl.
  • Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss well.
  • Add strawberries and GENTLY toss again.
  • Serve and Enjoy!

SWEET & SOUR CABBAGE ROLLS

SWEET & SOUR CABBAGE ROLLS
8 WHOLE cabbage leaves
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 large Vidalia onion, diced
1 cup carrot sticks
1/2 cup sliced red pepper
1/3 pound ground sirloin
1/3 pound ground pork
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons PURE maple syrup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 3/4 cups tomato sauce
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Stack leaves in a large dutch oven and cover with boiling water.
  • Cover and bring to a boil for 4-6 minutes until cabbage is JUST tender enough to be pliable.
  • DRAIN and cool leaves on towel.
  • In a large skillet heat oil.
  • Brown beef and pork JUST until crumbly.
  • Add onion and saute’ 5 minutes.
  • Add carrots and peppers, sauteing a couple minutes more.
  • Add tomato paste and stir to coat.
  • Add Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and syrup, stirring to mix well and stirring often.
  • Bring to a simmer.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Spoon 1/4-1/3 cup of mixture into each cabbage leaf rolling and tucking in the edges.
  • Arrange rolls in baking dish seam side down.
  • Top with tomato sauce, cover and bake 20 minutes.
  • Add mozzarella and return to oven uncovered until cheese melts and rolls are heated through.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

GREEN BEAN CAESAR SALAD


GREEN BEAN CAESAR SALAD
GREEN BEANS
1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed and cut

  • Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil.
  • Add green beans and blanch 5-7 minutes.
  • Drain and spread out on a towel to cool.

DRESSING
Juice of LARGE lemon
1 tablespoon Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon QUALITY dijon
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 anchovy fillets, finely minced into a paste
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons avocado oil

  • Whisk together the Lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, anchovies, salt and pepper.
  • SLOWLY whisk in oil until emulsified.  Set aside.

CROUTONS
1 baguette, cut or torn into bite size pieces
2 tablespoons avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Toss bread pieces with oil.
  • Generously season and toss again.
  • Transfer to a HOT cast iron skillet.
  • Stir over medium high heat, stirring constantly for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  • Drain on paper toweling.

ASSEMBLY

1/4-1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

  • Toss cooled green beans with dressing in a large salad bowl.
  • Add croutons and toss again.
  • Add Parmesan cheese and toss gently one last time.
  • Serve and Enjoy.

IRISH PUB STYLE POTATO NACHOS

IRISH PUB STYLE POTATO NACHOS serves 4

I had these recently at an Irish Pub and they were SOOO good!.  They are like regular nachos but instead of tortilla chips, they use crispy fried potato slices!

3-4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped bacon
4 green onions, sliced thin
1 large tomato chopped and drained
scant 1/4 cup avocado oil
sour cream

POTATO preparation

  • Slice potatoes in half.
  • Slice each half into 1/4″ thick slices.
  • Place potato slices in a bowl of cold water for 20 minutes.
  • Drain WELL and dry potatoes with paper towel.
  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Toss potatoes with avocado oil.
  • Place on a parchment lined pan and bake 30-35 minutes or until browned and crispy.
  • Season with FRESH ground sea salt immediately.
Drain on paper towels.
  • While potatoes are baking, cook bacon and render fat.
  • Drain bacon on paper towels.

NACHOS preparation

  • Increase oven to 475°.
In a bowl, combine cheese, most of the bacon and half of the green onions.
  • Layer half of the potatoes in an oven proof skillet or the same baking tray.
  • Top with half of the cheese mixture.
  • Top with another layer of potatoes.
  • Top with remaining cheese mixture.

  • Bake 15 minutes or until cheese is melted through.
  • Remove from oven and top with remaining green onions, bacon and dollops of sour cream.

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH APPLE SLAB PIE, CANDIED WALNUTS & A NEW TOY, ER KITCHEN GADGET, ER TIME SAVER

My sister-n-law found this new apple slicer.  It peels, cores AND makes long spiral slices of apple.  I LOVE my new tool 😀

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH APPLE SLAB PIE
1 large batch of your favorite pie crust

FILLING
5-6 Granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup golden raisins

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Toss apple pieces with lemon juice and set aside for 15 minutes.
  • Whisk together the sugars, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • Drain apples.
  • Toss apples and raisins in dry mixture until evenly coated.
  • Arrange pie crust on jelly roll pan.
  • Top with apple mixture and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.
  • Bake 25-30 minutes. WATCH edges and cover in foil if necessary so they don’t burn.
  • Serve with vanilla bean ice cream.

TOPPING
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup finely chopped candied walnuts

  • Use a pastry blender to create a coarse crumble.

CANDIED WALNUTS or PECANS
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter

  • In a non-stick skillet melt butter.
  • Add brown sugar, stirring to dissolve.
  • Add nuts, continuously stirring to coat well and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer to parchment paper and separate nuts immediately so they don’t clump.
  • COOL COMPLETELY.
  • Store in air tight container.