Category: CASSEROLES & SIDES

BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN BAKE

I cannot remember where I found this recipe originally, but it was a good fall/winter night type dish so I filed it and finally tried it with a few modifications.  Hubs loved it and I will be making it again!
BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN BAKE
1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
1 can diced tomatoes with garlic & herbs, undrained
1 package Chicken Stove Top Stuffing
1 KNORR chicken bouillon gel tub
1 cup hot water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Gourmet Garden Basil paste
4 slices or 1 cup grated  mozzarella cheese
  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Whisk together hot water, bouillon tub, garlic and basil paste until well blended.
  • In a mixing bowl mix together the stuffing mix, tomatoes and bouillon mixture until stuffing is moistened.
  • In a 9×9 baking dish sprayed with PAM, layer evenly first the chicken, then the cheese and topped with the stuffing mixture.
  • Bake 45 minutes – chicken will be cooked through and stuffing will be beginning to crust.
  • Cut it like a lasagna and serve with salad.

LINK PARTY PALOOZA & FOODIE FRIDAY submissions by 3 Sides of Crazy

It’s FOODIE FRIDAY over at RATTLEBRIDGE FARM and a great time for me to catch up on a few recipes that needed posting from the recently tried stack of Magazine Monday recipes and this week there were quite a few winners I must say.

First up is:

BULLAI RUBBED CHICKEN

2 pounds chicken tenders, rinsed and dried

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 KNORR onion bouillon cube, crushed

1 teaspoon California sweet Paprika

1 KNORR chicken homestyle stock tub

2 tablespoons sun dried tomatoes

Juice of 1 lemon

4 tablespoons butter, divided

  • Combine spices until well blended.
  • Sprinkle rub on both sides of chicken  rubbing in well.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium high heat.
  • Cook chicken pieces until just done, about 4 minutes per side.
  • Remove chicken pieces, keeping them warm.
  • Add remaining butter and KNORR stock and hot water, whisking into drippings until well blended.  Bring to a boil over medium high heat and simmer about 10 minutes until reduced by half.
  • Whisk in the lemon juice and whipping cream until well blended.
  • Add sun dried tomatoes.
  • Reduce heat, simmering to desired consistency.
  • Pour over chicken and mashed potatoes.

Next was a super easy and SUPER tasty recipe:

GERMAN SMASHED POTATOES

3 pounds YUKON GOLD potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks, cooked tender

1/2 pound bacon

4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

  • Cook bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels.
  • Add vinegar and sugar to bacon fat, being sure to scrape up all the bits on the bottom of the pan and cook until well blended. Remove from heat.
  • In a large bowl add the potatoes and smash.
  • Crumble the bacon over the potatoes.
  • Pour the vinegar mixture over top and mix well.
  • Enjoy.

Then came a more time consuming recipe, but one hubs fell in love with:

I also found that they now make refried BLACK beans – gotta tell you I’m loving these!

LAYERED TORTILLA PIE

1 cup salsa

1 pound ground beef

homemade taco seasoning

1 can refried BLACK beans

1 can traditional refried beans

8 inch flour tortillas

2 cups Mexican shredded cheese

sour cream

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

  • Brown the hamburger and drain off the grease.
  • Add 1/2 cup water and taco seasoning to the hamburger.
  • Cook until liquid is absorbed.
  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • In a medium bowl mash together the refried beans, 1/2 the salsa and 1/2 the garlic.
  • In another medium bowl mash together the refried BLACK beans, 1/2 the salsa and 1/2 the garlic.
  • Spray a shallow pie pan with PURE.
  • Spread a small amount of sour cream on a tortilla and lay in the bottom of the pie pan.
  • Spread with one of the bean mixtures.
  • Add another tortilla and spread with some meat mixture.  Top with a thin layer of cheese.
  • Repeat layers until you have about 7 or 8 layers.
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Cover lightly with foil.
  • Bake 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
  • Cut into wedges and serve with salsa and sour cream.

Here’s an all-time favorite:

SEAFOOD SALAD

Shredded Romaine

Tomato wedges

Sliced green onions

Juice of 1 lemon

salt and pepper to taste

1 large can tuna, drained really well

Mayo to taste

  • Toss all together and enjoy with some garlic bread.

And lastly one of our new favorites:

ITALIAN MEATLOAF CUPS w/ PARMA ROSA PASTA

1 pound hamburger

1 pound Italian sausage

2 bunches green onions, chopped

1 sleeve saltines, crushed

2 eggs

1 can Italian tomato paste

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

2 cloves garlic

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon white pepper

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon liquid smoke

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Blend all together.
  • I use the mini loaf pans and fill each one 2/3.
  • Bake for 45 minutes or until top is crispy.
  • Pour off excess fat before serving.
  • Bake how ever many you need today and freeze the others for future meals. Thaw in refrigerator before baking.
These are truly greatest hits at our house and welcome leftovers for weekend picnic sandwiches.

PARMA ROSA PASTA

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon minced garlic, jar

1 tablespoon Classico sun-dried tomato paste

1 egg yolk, beaten

1/4 teaspoon thyme

salt and pepper to taste

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • Melt butter in a saucepan.
  • Add garlic and saute until fragrant.
  • Gradually add heavy cream, stirring constantly. Stir in salt, pepper and grated Parmesan cheese and stir constantly until melted.
  • Whisk in egg quickly and heat through.

Recipes Submitted to:

and TATERTOTS & JELLO’S  LINK PARTY PALOOZA

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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Happy Valentines DayValentine’s Day is a truly subjective menu.  Not everyone wants or dreams of the same foods.  So, awhile back when we were just sitting around I quizzed hubby in a round about way and was able to come up with his favorite romantic menu to create a romantic meal.  What are you doing for Valentine’s Day this year?
STRAWBERRY MARGARITAS
2 cups crushed ice
1/2 cup fresh strawberry puree
1 cup tequila
2 limes, juiced
Splash Triple Sec
Splash simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water heated until sugar dissolves completely and then cooled)
  • Combine in a blender, ice, strawberry water, tequila, lime juice, Triple Sec and simple syrup.
  • Puree until smooth.
  • Pour into rocks glasses, garnish and serve.
CAJUN SHRIMP COCKTAIL
1 1/2 cups ketchup

1/2 cup chili sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons finely minced onion

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

Juice of 1 lemon (save your rind to make the cute serving dish)

2 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon Frank’s red pepper hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

salt to taste

plenty of fresh medium-large shrimp, cleaned and chilled
  • I use my mini food processor to mix it all in until well blended.
  • Chill for a day or so before needed to allow flavors to meld together.
CAESAR SALAD DRESSING

6 cloves garlic, mashed and minced

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon Champagne Vinegar

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1/3 cup canola oil

Sea Salt

White Pepper

Juice of 1 lemon

Minced anchovy fillets (optional – I usually leave them out)

  • Combine garlic, mustard, vinegar and two pinches of salt in a blender and mix thoroughly.
  • Add mayonnaise and blend together to form a thick base.
  • In a slow stream add oil.
  • Scrape dressing with spatula into a bowl and season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
  • Optional – Add anchovies to dressing to create a deeper, saltier taste.
PARMESAN CHEESE CROUTONS

6 slices thick sourdough bread

butter, melted, enough to coat bread

½ cup Fontina Cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan Cheese

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place bread slices on oven rack and bake until dry and golden.
  • Melt butter in flat bowl.
  • Combine cheeses in flat bowl.
  • Dip first in butter and the cheese mixture.
  • Bake on cookie sheet 8-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and melted.
  • Cut to desired size*
*If I’m in a hurry I will sometimes cut these ahead of time and toss with the butter and cheese which coats all the sides better.
GARLIC STEAK
Steak of choice (hubby choose T-bones)
2 cloves of garlic per steak, minced fine
1 tablespoon champagne vinegar per steak
1/2 tablespoon canola oil
sea salt
white pepper
  • Pierce each steak with a marinater.
  • Whisk together the garlic, oil, salt and pepper to taste.
  • Place steak side by side of a large plate.
  • Pour marinade over top.
  • Turn steak and make sure each is well coated.
  • Cover and marinate overnight.
  • Take steak out of refrigerator an hour before grilling, turn several times making sure still well coated in marinade.
  • Firmly press garlic pieces into the steak.
  • Grilled to desired doneness – mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, medium rare….
TWICE BAKED POTATOES
4 large baking potatoes
8 slices bacon
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
8 green onions (tops and all), sliced and divided
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour or until done through.
  • Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
  • When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; saving skins.
  • To the potato pieces add the sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon.
  • Bake for another 15 minutes.
SOUR CREAM DUTCH APPLE PIE
PIE

3+ cups apples, cored, peeled and chopped

lemon juice

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

pinch of salt

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon maple extract

1 small egg, beaten

1/2 cup sour cream (not light)

9 inch pastry shell, pre-baked and cooled

TOPPING

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

4 tablespoons butter, sliced extremely thin

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Chop the apples and combine with just enough lemon juice to coat and prevent browning in large bowl.
  • In a small bowl sift together the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt.
  • Fold in the sour cream, egg, vanilla and maple extract until well blended.
  • Fold the sour cream mixture into the apples until well coated.
  • Carefully pour into the pie shell, mounding towards the center.
  • Toss together the topping ingredients until well blended.
  • Sprinkle topping evenly over the apple mound.
  • Lay the pieces of butter all over the top.
  • Bake 30 minutes or until apples are tender.
  • Best served with ice cream or fresh whipped cream. If you want to be really decadent try it with Caramel Sauce.
HOMEMADE VANILLA ICE CREAM

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup sugar

2 jumbo eggs

2 cups heavy cream

2 teaspoons real vanilla extract

  • Warm the milk in a small pan.
  • Whisk the eggs with the sugar in a separate bowl.
  • Slowly add the warm milk to the egg mixture while continuously whisking the mixture.
  • Pour the entire mixture back into the pan and heat slowly, stirring continuously until mixture thickens to loose pudding texture. DO NOT BOIL! Let it cool to room temperature.
  • Whisk in the cream and vanilla.
  • Follow your ice cream maker directions for freezing.

KENTUCKY HOT BROWNS & CASSEROLE

Kentucky Hot Browns

KENTUCKY HOT BROWNS

4 thick slices french bread (1 per person)

1/2 pound sliced turkey

4 thick slices bacon, cooked crisp and halved

1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese

2 large vine ripe tomatoes, sliced

MORNAY SAUCE

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/3 cup AP flour

3 1/2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

  • Whisk together the butter and flour until smooth.
  • Add milk gradually. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened, stirring constantly.
  • Whisk in Parmesan cheese.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Toast bread and place on a cookie sheet or in individual baking dishes.
  • Top with turkey slices.
  • Pour Mornay sauce over top.
  • Place tomatoes evenly on top.
  • Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
  • Broil 3-4 minutes until lightly browned and bubbly.
  • Top with bacon pieces and serve immediately.

This recipe can also be turned into a casserole easily!

KENTUCKY HOT BROWN TART

1 package Pillsbury pie crusts

1 1/2 cups chopped turkey (rotisserie chicken works well too)

2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese

6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

1 1/2 cups half and half

4 large eggs

salt and pepper to taste

2 large vine ripe tomatoes, sliced thin

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Unroll pie crusts and stack on top one another on a lightly greased surface. Roll together into a 12 inch single crust.
  • Fit crust into a 10 inch tart pan pressing to flute edges, trim excess.
  • Line pie crust with tin foil and weigh down with beans.
  • Bake 12 minutes.
  • Remove weights and tin foil.
  • Bake 8 more minutes.
  • Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
  • Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
  • Layer shell with turkey, cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
  • Whisk together the half and half, eggs, salt and pepper.
  • Pour over turkey, cheese and bacon.
  • Bake 30-40 minutes or until center is set.
  • Arrange tomato slices on top of tart.
  • Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted.
  • Cool 15 minutes on a wire rack before serving.

LEMON TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE

Lemon Tuna Noodle Casserole

I like to use a flat baking dish so that there is more crunchy topping per serving.

LEMON TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE 8 servings

1 package wide egg noodles

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large bunch green onions, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup AP flour

3 cups whole milk

4 cups shredded swiss cheese

Juice of 1 lemon

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large cans oil packed tuna, drained and flaked

1 can sweet peas, drained well

TOPPING

1 cup Panko crumbs

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon garlic paste

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Cook egg noodles to al dente’ per package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • Melt butter in a medium sauce pan. Add garlic and onions sauteing until garlic is fragrant and onions are tender.
  • Whisk in flour and blend well. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until well blended.
  • Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring frequently.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes until sauce is smooth and thickened.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in cheese, lemon juice and salt.
  • Fold in tuna, peas and egg noodles.
  • Pour into a greased baking dish.
  • Combine melted butter, garlic and Panko crumbs.
  • Spread evenly on top of tuna mixture.
  • Bake 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Here a bean, there a bean, everywhere a bean…

Not too long ago I researched Navy beans for my Navy Bean & Ham soup. During that research I also found that navy beans, named that for the bean of choice of the U.S. Navy, are the main bean used in Boston Baked Beans. I have been making my BBQ Bean dinner for years using canned BUSH beans, but decided it was time to make true Boston Baked Beans my way. I found that most versions used salt pork, but I like the bacon too so I chose to use both. You could substitute if your prefer though. I also eliminated all mustard due to an allergy, but also because I prefer the sweeter version.Here is my version:

BOSTON BAKED BEAN DINNER

2 pounds ground beef

1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/2 pound salt pork, cubed & browned

2 large Vidalia or Maui onion, chopped small

4 tablespoons liquid smoke

1 cup ketchup

1 cup molasses

3 cups packed brown sugar

1 1/2 cup vinegar

1 pound navy beans

  • Soak beans overnight.
  • Brown hamburger, drain and layer into the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Cube and brown the salt pork. Add to slow cooker.
  • Fry bacon until crisp. Crumble bacon into pieces. Add to slow cooker.
  • Chop onion into small pieces and scatter over the meat.
  • Add the beans to the slow cooker.
  • Scatter the brown sugar over top evenly.
  • Stir together the molasses, ketchup, vinegar, liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce. Pour evenly over everything in the slow cooker slow cooker.
  • Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
  • Serve with Beer Bread or Cheddar Cheese Biscuits.
  • Great dish for a church pot luck.

OLD FASHIONED BOSTON BAKED BEANS

1 pound Navy beans, washed and sorted

1/2 pound salt pork, diced small

1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped

1/4 cup ketchup

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/8 cup PURE maple syrup

1/4 cup molasses

  • Dice salt pork and layer on bottom of slow cooker.
  • Chop onion and scatter over salt pork pieces.
  • Wash and sort beans.
  • Place beans in slow cooker on top of salt pork.
  • Cover with 5 cups water.
  • Cook on low overnight for 12 hours.
  • Drain beans, reserving liquid.
  • Return beans to slow cooker.
  • Add vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, maple syrup and molasses and blend well. Add in 1/2 cup of bean water as desired for consistency.
  • Heat through.

UPSIDE DOWN APPLE PIE & TOURTIERE du SHACK aka PORK POT PIE- BAKING PARTNERS #6

We are a group of home bakers helping each other to achieve baking perfection.  Baking partners was begun by Swathi at Zesty South Indian Kitchen.   In order to achieve the best results, a perfect recipe and the right techniques are required.  We are a small group of home bakers, who love to bake and want to learn more about the tips and secrets of baking and baking well.  We are planning to try out recipes from books/magazines and cooking shows.  Every member gets a chance to present their choice of recipe and share important points with the rest of the group. The main purpose of this group is to learn the techniques, critic procedures if there are ways to improve and to eat delicious food.  

This month we had 3 choices and I found the time to make 2 of them.  I also got to pick one that I’d been dying to make, Upside Down Apple Pie.  We LOVED it!! The one thing I am going to do different next time is make them all individual pies – more crust and gooey wonderfulness that way.

UPSIDE DOWN APPLE PIE Yield: 8 servings.
original recipe from Taste of Home

CRUST:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons shortening (Crisco stick)
2 tablespoons cold butter
5 to 7 tablespoons orange juice

FILLING:
6 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
1 cup Imperial Sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour (sifted)
1/2 teaspoon rum extract (optional)
1/2 teaspoon maple extract (optional)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples (I like honey crisp or Granny Smith) (about 1/8-inch thick)

GLAZE:
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons orange juice

  • In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening and butter until crumbly.

  • Gradually add orange juice, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball.

  • Divide dough into two balls. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

  • Line a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate with heavy-duty foil, leaving 1-1/2 in. beyond edge; coat the foil with cooking spray.

  • Combine 4 tablespoons butter, brown sugar and nuts; spoon into prepared pie plate.

  • In a large bowl, combine the apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining butter; toss gently.

  • On waxed paper, roll out one ball of pastry to fit pie plate.

  • Place pastry over nut mixture, pressing firmly against mixture and sides of plate; trim to 1 in. beyond plate edge.

  • Fill with apple mixture.

  • Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pie; place over filling. Trim to 1/4 in. beyond plate edge.

  • Fold bottom pastry over top pastry; seal and flute edges. Cut four 1-in. slits in top pastry.

  • Bake at 375° for 50-55 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden brown (cover edges with foil during the last 20 minutes to prevent over browning).

  • Cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack. Invert onto a serving platter; carefully remove foil. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over pie. 

TOURTIERE du SHACK aka PORK POT PIE

note: I made these as individual pies and they were a HUGE hit.  I also made a few changes based on what I had on hand or available locally.  One of my changes was to hide the mushrooms from hubby.  He swears he hates cooked mushrooms, but I’ve gotten quite crafty at disguises them visibly while keeping their flavor.
adapted from http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/01/tourtiere-du-shack

Crust

  • 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (4 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2″ cubes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Filling

  • 1 1/2 cups low-salt chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 medium onions, chopped, divided I used 1 large onion
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped, divided
  • 5 whole black peppercorns plus freshly ground black pepper I used Indonesian White pepper
  • 5 sprigs thyme I used Penzeys French thyme, 1 teaspoon
  • 2 bay leaves I omitted
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), cut into 2″ pieces
  • Kosher salt I used Himalayan Pink Sea Salt
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 8 medium button mushrooms, stemmed and finely chopped I used Marx Foods dehydrated Chanterelle rehydrated in the white wine
  • I added a celery stalk, sliced and
  • I added a large carrot, sliced to disguise the mushrooms from hubby
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine I used Savignon Blanc
  • 1 1/4 pounds ground pork
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 3/4 cup grated, peeled russet potato I used Yukon Gold
  • All-purpose flour (for surface)
  • 1 large egg yolk, beaten to blend

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:

  • A 9″-diameter deep-dish glass or ceramic pie dish
  • Directions:

Crust

  • Pulse flour, butter, and salt in a food processor until pea-size pieces of butter form. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add 1/4 cup ice water and stir just until shaggy clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dry. Divide dough in half; flatten each half into a disk. Wrap disks in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD:Dough can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.

Filling

  • Preheat oven to 325°. Combine broth, 1/2 chopped onion, 1 chopped garlic clove, whole peppercorns, thyme, and bay leaves in a medium pot. Add pork shoulder; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  • Cover pot. Transfer to oven; braise until pork shoulder is tender and shreds easily, about 2 hours. Remove from oven; let cool.
  • Transfer pork shoulder to a work surface. Shred meat with your fingers and transfer to a medium bowl. Strain pan juices through a fine-mesh sieve; add 1/2 cup juices to pork; discard solids in strainer.
  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add remaining 1 chopped onion and 3 chopped garlic cloves; cook, stirring often, until soft, 5–7 minutes. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring often, until almost all liquid is evaporated, 5–7 minutes. Add wine; stir, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a boil; cook, stirring often, until liquid is almost evaporated, about 5 minutes.
  • Add ground pork, cinnamon, and cloves. Cook, stirring to break up into small pieces, until pork is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add potato. Cook until potato is soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in shredded pork with juices. Season to taste with salt and pepper; let cool slightly. Chill until cold, about 1 hour.DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled.
  • Roll out 1 dough disk on a lightly floured surface into a 12″ round. Transfer to pie dish, leaving overhang. Fill with cooled meat mixture. Roll out remaining dough disk into a 10″ round. Place dough over meat filling. Fold overhang over top crust and crimp edges. Brush crust with egg yolk. Cut three 2″ slits in top crust. Chill for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 400°. Bake tourtiere for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°; bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling, 40–50 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes before serving.

BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

This one is for my brother-in-law, Terry, the family short order cook.  He knew I cooked all healthy and was prepared to hate this recipe.  But instead everyone loved it and it disappeared fast!

BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
3 pounds sausage *
6+ slices Wonder bread**
7 eggs
2 cups milk
1 can cream of mushroom soup ***
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Layer the meat in the bottom of the pan evenly.
  3. Lay bread evenly over the meat.
  4. Whisk together the milk, eggs and soup until well blended.
  5. Pour over bread.
  6. Top with cheese.
  7. Bake for 1 hour.
  8. Let set 5 minutes before cutting.
  • *I like a ham (ham steak) and sausage mix – if using only ham spray pan with PAM first
  • **I have also used sourdough and gluten free though gluten free just doesn’t taste right to me
  • *** I use cream soup substitute

HOT CHICKEN SALAD

I found the original recipe in a Taste of Home Booklet, but severely modified it to what I had on hand.  We loved it modified so will probably never try the original.  Hubs had three bowls!!

serves 8-10
HOT CHICKEN SALAD
4 cups cubed cooked chicken 1 Costco rotisserie chicken torn into pieces
2 celery ribs sliced 4 celery ribs, chopped
2-8 ounce cans sliced water chestnuts, drained (I only had one can and it was great)
1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can green enchilada sauce
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise 3/4 cup REGULAR mayonnaise (do NOT use lowfat)*
1 1/2 cups sour cream 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons lemon juice Juice of 1 lemon (it was a large lemon – closer to 1/4 cup)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup bread crumbs 1/2 cup Panko crumbs
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I used finely grated SHARP cheddar) 
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted, 1/2 cup Almond Accents honey roasted sliced almonds**

  • In a large bowl combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, enchilada sauce, lemon juice, salt and pepper until well blended.
  • Add chicken pieces, celery, water chestnuts, almonds and onions until well combined.
  • Turn into a greased casserole.
  • Top with bread crumbs and then cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes or until heated through.

NOTES:
*I cut this in half for continuity because the enchilada sauce was much thinner than the cream of chicken soup
**from the produce section – a salad topper

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Min here, from The Bad Girl’s Kitchen.  Long time no see!  I was lured over here yesterday by Melynda’s Apricot Pie, if you must know.  Then I just had to come back over and share my new creation with you!!

This recipe came about when I received an email listing “summer salads.”  There was a link to a recipe someone had called “Loaded Baked Potato Salad,” which I thought sounded great…but when I read through the recipe, it was really a casserole…?! 

What do I mean by “casserole?”  It was a potato dish that was assembled and then BAKED in a 9×13 pan.  Sort of reminiscent of my Twice Baked Potato Casserole, actually.  Totally not a “salad” at all, (salad in my mind means “cold”), and certainly not a dish I would think about serving in the heat of summer.

I set out to create a true potato salad.

First, I used my grill to bake the potatoes.  I just clean them, rub them with olive oil, then grill on the top rack over medium-ish heat for about one hour, turning over halfway through.  You want them baked but not too soft, keep in mind your grill may cook differently than mine.  Remove potatoes from grill and let cool before chopping, of course. I found that using a serrated knife helps the potatoes hold together better, while keeping the skin pieces intact.

Once salad ingredients are prepped, it’s important not to mix it until you’ve added everything, because the potatoes are a bit fragile.  You want to gently fold the ingredients together.  I used a mixture of sour cream and real mayonnaise because that’s what I prefer.  The real mayo adds a bit of flavor you wouldn’t get with sour cream alone.  You need to put this salad together ahead of time, and I’d recommend chilling it in the refrigerator for at least an hour or so if you have time.

I have to tell you, this is an amazing potato salad!  Make it for your next barbecue, and everyone will be impressed!  I think the baked potatoes add so much to the flavor compared to a traditional potato salad made with boiled potatoes, that I may actually try to bake all my potatoes for salads from now on.

My family and I loved this potato salad; in fact my oldest son H-Bomb even asked for seconds although he’s not a huge potato fan.  It’s my new favorite, and I’m going to make more today!

Loaded Baked Potato Salad 
Serves 6 to 8 

6 baked potatoes, skin on
1/2 pound bacon, chopped and cooked until crisp, then drained and cooled on paper towels
3 – 4 scallions, chopped
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste

Reserve a few pieces bacon, some green onions and cheese to use as garnish. 

Use a serrated knife to gently chop potatoes, leaving skin on.  I cut each potato in quarters lengthwise, before chopping in pieces.  Add to large mixing bowl.

Add bacon, onions and cheese; do not mix. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

In a small bowl, mix sour cream and mayo.  Add to potato mixture and mix gently with a rubber spatula.  Taste and adjust salt and pepper, if needed.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Before serving, garnish with reserved cheese, bacon and green onions.

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POMMES MAXIM

POMMES MAXIM as seen on Ashley Brouwer adapted from the New York Times

Pommes maxim plate beautifully. Add a sprig of rosemary to the middle of each spiral, serve with a dollop of sour cream on top, or just eat them hot right out of the oven. 
POMMES MAXIM
10 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced paper thin
Sea salt
Fresh Ground Pepper
  • Heat oven to 300 degrees. Place butter in a saucepan over low heat. As the butter melts, skim the foam from the surface and discard. Slowly pour off the clear, golden, melted butter into a bowl, discarding any milky residue.
  • Toss the potato slices in a bowl with the clarified butter. Arrange the slices, overlapping, on a baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Keller recommends using a nonstick baking sheet, but I don’t own one and was still able to easily remove the pommes maxim from the pan with a metal spatula.
  • Bake the potatoes 45 to 50 minutes or until crisp and golden.
  • They can be set aside at room temperature for 1-2 hours until you are ready to serve. To reheat, place them in a 325-degree oven for 10 minutes or until warm.
  • Makes approximately six servings, although this number may vary depending on how large your potatoes are and how many slices you use per circle.

GREEN CHILE TUNA CASSEROLE

GREEN CHILE TUNA CASSEROLE
2-5 ounce cans tuna, REALLY well drained
2 cups cooked egg noodles
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 can chopped green chiles, well drained
1 can Campbell’s cheddar cheese soup
1 cup whole milk
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • Preheat oven to 375˚.
  • Blend together milk and soup until well blended.
  • Fold tuna, onions, green chiles, garlic, salt and pepper into soup mixture.
  • Fold in cheese.
  • Gently fold in egg noodles.
  • Pour into a generously greased baking dish.
  • Top with potato chips.
  • Bake for 30 minutes.