Category: POTATOES

PEASANT CHICKEN


PEASANT CHICKEN – serves 4
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
3 carrots, peeled and diced
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut
2 shallots, sliced thin
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup chicken broth
Juice of 1 lemon
rice or pasta, prepared per package directions using chicken broth as your water ingredient for more flavor

  • Heat oil and butter in large saute skillet over a medium-high heat.
  • Generously season chicken pieces with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Dredge chicken pieces in flour.
  • Add chicken pieces to skillet browning 2-3 minutes per side.  Remove chicken to platter and tent to keep warm.
  • Add carrots to pan and saute’ 5 minutes until beginning to soften.
  • Add green beans and saute’ 2-4 minutes more.
  • Add shallots and saute’ 2 minutes more.
  • Add garlic and saute’ 2 minutes more.
  • Stir in broth and lemon juice.
  • Add chicken back into skillet, simmering 5 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce is beginning to thicken.
  • Serve over rice or pasta.

 

ITALIAN DEVIL CHICKEN & TOMATO POTATO CASSEROLE

These two recipes go hand in hand for us.  The marinade on the chicken makes it sooooooooo tender and flavorful too. The tomato potato casserole is good, but add the sauce and it ALL comes together as GREAT & YUMMY! 😀

ITALIAN DEVIL CHICKEN & TOMATO POTATO CASSEROLE

ITALIAN DEVIL CHICKEN
1 pound Chicken tenders
2 ounces avocado oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
2 tablespoons Frank’s Original Hot Sauce
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
Wondra flour for dredging
1 tablespoon butter

  • Whisk together the avocado oil, lemon juice, garlic and hot sauce.
  • Season chicken tenders generously with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Add chicken pieces to a shallow dish and pour marinade over top.
  • Cover and chill 4-8 hours or overnight.

 

  • Melt butter in skillet over medium heat.
  • Drain marinade off chicken pieces.
  • Dredge chicken pieces in flour and add to skillet.
  • Sear chicken pieces 2-3 minutes each side until golden and cooked through.
  • Remove chicken pieces and keep warm while preparing sauce.

SAUCE
4 ounces tomato pesto
1 cup Marsala wine

  • In the same skillet add wine being sure to scrape up all the browned bits.
  • Whisk in tomato pesto and simmer on medium high 5-6 minutes until heated through and slightly reduced.
  • Serve sauce over chicken pieces.

TOMATO POTATO CASSEROLE
potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
Italian Roma tomatoes, sliced thin
Vidalia onion, sliced thin
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
Parmesan Cheese, grated
FRESH basil leaves, torn, to taste
5-6 tablespoons Avocado oil
1/4 cup water

  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Arrange potatoes in a layer, followed by a layer of onions and then a layer of tomatoes.
  • Sprinkle with basil leaves, to taste.
  • Season each layer to taste.
  • Repeat layers ending with the Parmesan cheese.
  • Sprinkle oil over cheese layer evenly.
  • Pour water over top.
  • Bake covered for 30 minutes.
  • Bake for another 30 minutes or until tender and cheese is golden.

DUCHESS POTATO CASSEROLE

Duchess potatoes in the traditional sense can be a lot of work to make them look right so this casserole is a real time saving alternative that looks just as pretty!
DUCHESS POTATO CASSEROLE
3 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick
2/3 cup half and half
1 LARGE egg separated plus 2 egg yolks
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Pinch of ground nutmeg
1 3/4 teaspoons FRESH ground sea salt
Pinch of FRESH ground black pepper

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Grease a 13×9 baking dish.
  • Place potatoes in a large saucepan covered 1 inch by cold water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and simmer 20 minutes or until tender.
  • Drain potatoes.
  • Whisk together the half and half, egg yolks, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Set aside.

 

  • Rice the potatoes into the sauce pan.
  • Stir in 8 tablespoons of the melted butter.
  • Stir in half and half mixture.
  • Transfer the potatoes to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
  • Combine the egg white with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter and pinch of salt.
  • Pour over potato mixture, spread smooth. At this point you can draw a pattern or just leave plain.
  • Bake 45-50 minutes until golden brown. Rotate baking dish half way through.
  • Cool 10 minutes before serving.

ULTRA CREAMY MASHED POTATOES & FLAVORFUL GRAVY

I start the prep for my gravy 2 days before the holiday. I use whatever green veggies I have in my crisper to begin my gravy.

ULTRA CREAMY MASHED POTATOES & FLAVORFUL SCRATCH GRAVY

ULTRA CREAMY MASHED POTATOES
3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
1/4 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper

  • In a large saucepan add potatoes, chicken broth and enough water to cover the potatoes.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  • Drain.
  • In a large bowl combine the butter and cream.
  • Add potatoes to bowl and whip until creamy.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve immediately.

SCRATCH GRAVY
Turkey parts from the cavity
4 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 large onion (skin on), chopped
1 shallot (skin on), chopped
2-4 cloves garlic (skin on), crushed
1 large bunch thyme
1 large bunch oregano
FRESH ground sea salt, to taste
FRESH ground black pepper, to taste
any other greens (asparagus, snap peas…)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup COLD water

  • In a large stock pot add all the above and bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 3-4 hours.
  • Strain broth and discard all bones and remnants.
  • Return broth to pan.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and water.
  • Whisk cornstarch mixture into the broth until thickened.
  • Season to taste.

SLOW COOKER CRUSTLESS SHEPHERDS PIE

Somehow between picture 1 and picture 2 my camera broke a spring in my lens and now we’re on the hunt for a new camera. We found an upgraded model that has the new necessary lens as well as a different long lens so hubby and I will both have camera bodies, but it is going on a Thanksgiving special for A LOT off so we’re waiting to buy it!  So these pictures aren’t the best quality for today.

SLOW COOKER CRUSTLESS SHEPHERD’S PIE

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
1/4 cup flour
FRESH ground salt and black pepper, to taste
2 cups diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 can Green Giant white shoe peg corn
2 tablespoons COLD unsalted butter, diced
1 can cream of mushrooms soup or 1 1/3 cup soup substitute + 1tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons snipped chives

  • Spray the inside of the crock pot with non-stick spray.
  • Brown the ground beef and onion together until there is no more pink.
  • Drain off grease.
  • Add to crock pot in an even layer.
  • Top with celery and carrot pieces.
  • Combine water and milk in a large mixing bowl.
  • Whisk in cream of tartar until smooth.
  • Add potato slices to milk mixture, coating well. This will prevent browning while slow cooking.
  • Drain potato slices REALLY WELL.
  • Evenly arrange potato slices over the carrots and celery.
  • Whisk together the flour, salt, pepper and half the cheddar cheese.
  • Sprinkle the flour cheese mixture over the potato slices evenly.
  • Dot with the diced butter.
  • Whisk together the soup and 1 tablespoon milk.
  • Spread soup mixture evenly over top of everything.
  • Cover.
  • Cook on low 5 hours or until the potatoes are tender.
  • Top with remaining cheddar cheese and cook another 20 minutes until melted and gooey.
  • Garnish with chives.
  • Cut and serve.

NOTES: Canned green beans or frozen peas make a great substitution and/or addition for the corn.

BACON GRUYERE SMASHED POTATOES

BACON GRUYERE SMASHED POTATOES serves 4-6
1 LARGE Vidalia onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 1/4 pounds red or white rose potatoes, washed and halved
2 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons butter
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon FRESH minced thyme
1/3 cup milk
4 slices bacon, chopped and cooked crisp
1/3 cup grated Gruyere or baby Swiss cheese

  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium high heat in a large skillet
  • Add onions and generously season with salt and pepper. Cook 8-10 minutes until onions are soft. Reduce heat to medium low and cook an additional 45 minutes or until deep golden brown, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in thyme during the last 5 minutes.
  • While onions are caramelizing cook potatoes in salted, boiling water for 20-25 minutes until tender. Drain and add potato pieces to mixing bowl.
  • Add milk, remaining butter and season with salt and pepper.
  • Coarsely mash potatoes to desired consistency.
  • Stir in bacon and onions.
  • Top with cheese and let stand covered until cheese melts.
  • Sprinkle with parsley.
  • Serve immediately.

MELTING POTATOES

MELTING POTATOES serves 4
1 1/2 pounds Yukon potatoes, peeled
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon FRESH minced thyme
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
3/4 cup chicken broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon finely minced parsley

  • Preheat oven to 500°.
  • Cut of potato ends so they are flat.
  • Slice each potato 1 inch slices.
  • Whisk together the butter, salt, pepper and thyme.
  • Toss potatoes in butter mixture.
  • Arrange potatoes in a single layer in a 13×9 inch baking dish.
  • Roast potatoes for 15 minutes.
  • Use a metal spatula to loosen and flip potatoes.
  • Return to oven and roast another 15 minutes.
  • Whisk together the chicken broth and garlic.
  • Flip potatoes again.
  • Add chicken broth and garlic to pan.
  • Return to oven and roast another 25 minutes until potatoes are cooked through and sauce has reduced.
  • Spoon a small amount of sauce over each potato as you serve it.
  • Top with minced parsley.

HEAVENLY HASH

This is a VERY versatile recipe!! With using what is on hand I often trade out the flavor of soup (I used cream of Poblano today), the green onions (I had a shallot that needed using), the hash browns (I used tater tots) and the cheese (I used a combination of Monterey Jack, Sharp Cheddar and Mozzarella to use up 3 partial blocks). The only thing I think CANNOT be changed is the honeybaked ham and I usually have some i the freezer leftover from whatever previous holiday just occurred.  It adds such a unique flavor!

HEAVENLY HASH
2 pounds OreIda frozen diced hash brown potatoes
1 can cream of celery soup
2 + cups diced ham (HONEY BAKED HAM)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 bunch green onions, finely diced
1 3/4 cups grated cheddar cheese ( I use a combo of medium, sharp and Skellig Sweet)
1 cup crushed potato chips

  • Preheat 350°.
  • Spray large flat baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Whisk together soup, sour cream and seasonings until smooth.
  • Fold in the ham and green onions.
  • Fold in 1 1/4 cups of the cheese.
  • Fold in hash browns.
  • Spread into prepared baking dish.*
  • Bake until top is slightly golden , about 1 hour.
  • Sprinkle with last cup of cheese and potato chips and bake additional 10 minutes.

NOTES:

  • Great for brunches and large groups.
  • We like a firmer casserole so I use a flatter baking dish to spread out the mixture.

CONEY ISLAND TATERS

I’ve been making a recipe similar to this for years, but recently found a name for them on a package of ground beef from my grocer. It’s a cute name and really fits the recipe – it’s so country fair or carnival like! If you have left over Sloppy Joes they substitute well for the ground meat mixture also to make a quick weeknight meal.

CONEY ISLAND TATERS
1 pound ground beef (I use ground chuck)
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped small
1 cup favorite BBQ sauce
2 large Russet potatoes (BAKED)
FRESH ground salt and pepper
1/2-3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (to taste)
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/2 cup bacon pieces
1/2 cup sour cream

  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Use non-stick if you have it, but if using cast iron oil it slightly before adding ground meat.
  • When pan is hot add ground beef and onion, sauteing 8-10 minutes all the while breaking meat into small crumble sized pieces.
  • Pour off excess grease. I actually pour it into a stainless steel colander over a paper towel lined paper plate so it can drain REALLY well. I can also use the spatula to break the meat apart even more into that small crumble.
  • Add BBQ sauce, mix well, cover and simmer on ow 10 minutes.
  • Starting lengthwise slice potatoes into quarters and theft each quarter ion half.
  • Arrange 4 pieces of potato on each plate.
  • Generously salt and pepper potatoes.
  • Top with a spoonful of beef mixture.
  • Top beef with shredded cheese, bacon pieces, green onions and sour cream to taste.

MAPLE GLAZED DUCK , ROSEMARY FINGERLINGS & BLOOD ORANGE SALAD – a review

Because of the flu epidemic and my risk of infection still, I have been staying home and this week I ordered from both Hello Fresh and Home Chef for meals. I always make their recipes the way they are written the first time with the exception of allergy ingredients like the mustard in this one. I split the ingredients and did the mustard version for hubby and NOT for me since I’m deadly allergic.

All in all, this was a fantastic recipe! I’m not normally fond of rosemary and will try it with tarragon the next time. I will probably use a spring mix instead of arugula also. The arugula is just a bit bitter for my tastes and since I no longer have any “EMPTY” bites, I want to make them ALL count. If it’s out of season, I believe the blood orange can be substituted for ANY sweet citrus.

MAPLE GLAZED DUCK , ROSEMARY FINGERLINGS & BLOOD ORANGE SALAD serves 2
2 duck breasts, 6 ounces each, scored criss cross on the fat side
3/4 pound fingerling potatoes, washed and halved lengthwise
several sprigs FRESH rosemary, leaves picked from stems (discard stems)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 blood orange, zested (reserve), peeled and sliced crosswise into rounds
2 ounces arugula (a handful)
2 tablespoons PURE maple syrup
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
Fresh ground salt and pepper, to taste
Avocado oil

  • Place potatoes in a large pot covered in salted water by 1 inch.
  • Bring to a boil and cook 15 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork.
  • Drain thoroughly. Return drained potatoes to pan. Set aside.
  • While potatoes are cooking, pat duck dry with paper towel.
  • Generously season duck with salt and pepper.
  • Place skin side down in skillet over medium heat, cooking 12-15 minutes until most fat has rendered and skin is crisp. (Lower heat if skin is beginning to burn)
  • Pour off and reserve the fat as it renders.
  • Roughly chop rosemary leaves until you have 1 tablespoon.
  • Return potatoes to medium high heat.
  • Add just enough of the rendered duck fat to the pan to coat the bottom.
  • Add 2 teaspoons of the rosemary, cooking and tossing until potatoes are crisped and browned.
  • Add garlic and cook until fragrant a few minutes more.
  • Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  • Combine the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of mustard, orange zest and remaining chopped rosemary in a small bowl.
  • When duck is crisped, flip the duck over.
  • Spoon maple syrup mixture over duck and cook until duck reaches desired doneness, 2-5 minutes.
  • Remove duck from pan and set aside to rest.
  • Pour remaining sauce from pan into a small bowl.
  • In a salad bowl toss together the arugula, orange rounds and drizzle with avocado oil and 1 teaspoon of the mustard.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Stir 1 teaspoon of the mustard into the reserved sauce from the pan along with any pan juices.
  • Slice duck crosswise.
  • Plate duck, potatoes and salad.
  • Drizzle sauce over duck.
  • Serve immediately.

POTATO SOUFFLE

For company dinner these make a great impression served as individual dishes.  They also looked like you worked all day making them even though they are really simple!

POTATO SOUFFLES
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
8 ounce russet potato, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup creme fraiche
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh flat leaf parsley
Generous amount of Fresh ground salt and black pepper, to taste
2 eggs, separated
pinch cream of tartar

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Using a pastry brush coat the inside of 2 12 ounce ramekins with 1 tablespoon butter.
  • Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Parmesan in each.
  • In a pot of salted boiling water cook potato until fork tender.
  • Drain potatoes in colander and then return to empty pan to cook off any excess moisture for 30 seconds or so.
  • Using a ricer mash potatoes into a medium mixing bowl.
  • Add unsalted butter and creme fraiche, mixing until well blended.
  • Stir in parsley, salt, pepper and egg yolks.
  • Beat egg whites until foamy
  • Add cream of tartar and beat until stiff peaks form.
  • Add egg whites to potato mixture in 2 batches, combining JUST until there are no streaks.
  • Divide potato mixture between the ramekins.
  • Bake 30-35 minutes until tops are puffed and golden.

 

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SAUERBRATEN (GERMAN POT ROAST) & POTATO PANCAKES with HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE

Years and years ago when people still went to brick and mortar book stores, I found this great old cookbook that had many great German recipes. All these years later I have donated the cookbook, but still have the recipes I fell in love with, Sauerbraten and Potato pancakes with homemade applesauce and sour cream. As time went on I made a few changes to enhance the recipes to our tastes, but all in all they are the same tried and true recipes.  THIS IS A RECIPE THAT TAKES 5 DAYS TO MAKE so plan ahead.

SAUERBRATEN
1 3-5 pound chuck roast
2 cups red wine (optional can be replaced by beef broth)
1 1⁄2 cups apple cider vinegar
2 cups beef broth
1 1/2 cups water
1 LARGE shallot, thinly sliced
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 Vidalia onion, thinly sliced
2 large carrots, thinly sliced
2 stalks celery (leaves included), thinly sliced*
1 bouquet garni (1 tbsp. pickling spices, 14 whole cloves, 8 whole black peppercorns, 3 bay leaves, 3 sprigs thyme, 2 sprigs parsley, wrapped in cheesecloth, tied with kitchen twine)
4 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 slices bacon, finely chopped
3 tablespoons Wonder flour
1/4 cup sugar
1⁄2 cup golden raisins
6-10 gingersnaps, crumbled
Juice of 1 small lemon
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Kosher salt, to taste

  • Season beef liberally with salt.
  • Bring wine, vinegar, shallots, onions, celery, carrots, bouquet garni, beef broth and water to a boil in a large saucepan.
  • Cool slightly and pour over beef. Cover and refrigerate, turning** once or twice a day, for 5 days.
  • NOTE: **A large tupperware marinader is a god send for this. You never have to touch the meat or make a mess turning it. SERIOUS NOTE:** After pouring the brine over the meat, allow it to cool for 30 minutes!  ESPECIALLY if using Tupperware products.  If you don’t the seal will more than likely leak and you might make a mess the first time you flip it (like I did the first time I made this).

  • Remove beef from marinade; pour marinade through a fine strainer into a bowl, and dry beef thoroughly. (Reserve 5 cups of the marinade and the bouquet garni.) You can also at this time based on your tastes replace a portion of the marinade with beef broth.  If I have used a BOLD red wine, I will often do this to soften the flavor and enhance the sourness of the vinegar.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons butter  in an 8-qt. Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Add bacon and cook until bacon renders its fat, about 10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate; set aside.

  • Add beef; cook, turning, until browned all over, about 25 minutes.***  Transfer to a plate; set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Add remaining onions to pot; cook, stirring, until caramelized, about 18 minutes.
  • Return beef to pot with reserved marinade and sachet; boil.
  • Cover; bake until beef is very tender, about 2 1⁄2 hours.
  • Transfer beef to a saran wrap lined cutting board.****
  • Wrap and roll beef in saran to a uniform size. Set aside.****
  • Pour sauce through a fine strainer into a bowl.
  • Return pot to medium-high heat; add remaining butter.
  • Add flour and sugar, whisking constantly, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  • Add sauce, raisins, gingersnaps and lemon juice, bringing to a simmer, cover pot, and cook until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. (***If you refrigerated your meat for slicing later in the earlier step, you can add the slices in at this point for reheating).
  • Slice beef; arrange on a platter. Spoon sauce over top; sprinkle with bacon and parsley.

NOTE:*  I like to use the hearts.

FYI NOTE***: Browning will take longer because of the vinegar in the marinade. Also if you used the full amount of wine, your meat will appear quite dark.

NOTE****: This step gives you uniform size pieces.  You can also refrigerate the meat at this step and prepare gravy later.

POTATO PANCAKES
3+ cups peeled, grated and squeezed* potatoes
1 large bunch green onions, minced or 1 small Vidalia onion, minced
1/2 cup self rising flour
1 teaspoon fresh ground salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 cup buttermilk
1 LARGE egg, beaten
4 tablespoons butter, melted

  • Sift together the flour, salt and pepper.
  • Whisk together the buttermilk, egg and butter until smooth.
  • Whisk in the flour mixture until well blended.
  • Fold in the potatoes and onions.
  • Drop onto hot griddle and make your pancakes.
  • Serve with applesauce and sour cream or with the Sauerbraten gravy.

NOTE:*  I use a flour cloth towel as my base. I grate the potatoes on top of it and then bring all the corners together like a knapsack wrapping the potatoes inside. I continue to tighten the turns until I squeezed all the moisture from the potatoes.

HOMEMADE APPLE SAUCE
5 large Apples (I like Pink Lady, Honey Crisp or Braeburns)
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 can peach nectar (Papaya or pineapple are good too)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

  • In a large sauce pan pour nectar over raisins and let sit while you prepare apples.
  • Wash, core, peel and chop apples.
  • Add water to sauce pan and stir in sugar until dissolved.
  • Add cinnamon and mix well.
  • Add apples and cook over medium heat until until apples are tender and mush easily.
  • Mush to desired consistency.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Cool and chill.
  • Can be kept in refrigerator for a week though it never lasts that long around here. When my apples are at the height of the season and falling off the tree I make this in huge batches and put it up in canning jars for the following year.

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