Tag: SAUCE

CHICKEN & CHEESE ENCHILADAS with HOMEMADE ENCHILADA SAUCE

CHICKEN & CHEESE ENCHILADAS
4 cups rotisserie chicken pieces
1/3 cup sour cream
2 + 1 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
1 small shallot, finely chopped
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
8-10 small flour tortillas
3 cups shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese mix
Enchilada Sauce (see recipe below)

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray 13×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Ladle 3/4 cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of the baking dish and spread evenly. Se aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl combine the chicken and 1/2 cup enchilada sauce, tossing to coat well.
  • Add the sour cream, 2 tablespoons cilantro, shallot, salt and pepper, mixing well. Set aside.
  • Warm and soften the tortillas slightly.
  • Add a spoonful of the chicken mixture and 2 tablespoons of the cheese to each tortilla rolling and placing seam side down in the baking dish.
  • Spoon the remaining sauce over the enchiladas.
  • Bake covered for 20-25 minutes.
  • Uncover and top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake 5-10 minutes more until cheese is melted.
  • Sprinkle with cilantro and Serve.

NOTE: this recipe is just as good with corn tortillas if you prefer.

ENCHILADA SAUCE yields 3 cups
3 tablespoons avocado oil
3 tablespoons WONDRA flour
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups chicken or beef stock
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt

  • Heat oil in sauce pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add flour, whisking to combine until golden.
  • Add chili powder, cumin and cocoa, blending well.
  • Add stock, stir well and bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Reduce to a simmer and add tomato paste, brown sugar and salt, blending well.
  • Simmer 10 -15 minutes, stirring often, until sauce thickens slightly.

FARM STYLE MEATLOAF

FARM STYLE MEATLOAF is a recipe I adapted from Kevin Penner’s 1770 House Meatloaf recipe after watching an episode of Ina Garten‘s Barefoot Contessa.  I debated on what to name this dish after my changes.  I flip flopped between Greenhouse and Farm style before finally landing on farm style.  All of the different meats and FRESH herbs and vegetables influenced my final decision for naming it Farm Style.  Honestly, I may yet rename it as I think more.

It is similar, yet completely different from my normal meatloaf recipe that I’ve been using for eons!  We instantly fell in love with the earthiness of this meatloaf and the savory herb sauce was perfect with mashed potatoes too!   Hubby normally loves ketchup or BBQ sauce with meatloaf, but with this flavorful sauce he bypassed it completely!

The key to this recipe is using QUALITY ingredients! Preferably grass fed meats and very FRESH organic ingredients.

FARM STYLE MEATLOAF
1/3 pound ground veal or lamb
1/3 pound ground pork
1/3 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon chopped, FRESH chives
1 teaspoon chopped, FRESH thyme leaves
1 teaspoon chopped, FRESH Italian parsley
1 LARGE egg
scant 1/2 cup finely ground Panko crumbs
scant 1/4 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Avocado oil
1 stalk of celery, finely diced
1 LARGE shallot, finely diced

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Place the veal, pork, beef, chives, thyme, parsley, eggs, Panko crumbs, milk, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
  • Heat a medium saute pan over medium-high heat and film it with avocado oil.
  • Add the celery and shallot to the pan, stirring, until softened.
  • Remove the celery and shallot from the pan and let cool.
  • When the mixture is cool, add it to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients.
  • Using gloved hands, mix the ingredients until well combined and everything is evenly distributed.
  • Place a LARGE piece of parchment paper on a sheet pan.
  • Place the meat on the sheet pan and pat it and punch it down to remove any air pockets shaping the meat into a loaf about 6 inches long x 2 inches high.
  • Place the sheet pan in the oven and bake 40 to 50 minutes or until a meat cooked through (155-160°).
  • Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.

SAUCE
2/3 cup chicken or beef stock
1 tablespoon Marsala wine
3 cloves roasted garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon FRESH chopped chives
1/2 teaspoon FRESH chopped thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon FRESH chopped Italian parsley
1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)

  • Combine the broth, Marsala wine, roasted garlic and butter over medium-high heat and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly thickened.
  • Add the chopped thyme, chives and parsley.
  • Quickly whisk in the cornstarch if needed to thicken as necessary.
  • Slice the meatloaf into serving portions and spoon the hot sauce over the meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
  • Serve immediately.

NOTE: You can use a loaf pan if you prefer, but we like the firm crispy edges produced using this method.

BAKED CRANBERRY MEATBALLS

This recipe is the result of 3 recipes combined together. The flavor profile is so unique, it’s actually hard to describe. They are tangy, they are sweet and they are purple! 😀 BUT, they are delicious!!!!

BAKED CRANBERRY MEATBALLS makes 50+ meatballs
1 1/2 cups cranberry sauce (use this link for the homemade sauce recipe or see notes)
1 1/2 cups sauerkraut
12 ounces Heinz chili sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 shallot, chopped
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
2 pounds ground beef
2 LARGE eggs, lightly beaten

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a large mixing bowl mix together the soup mix and bread crumbs.
  • Crumble beef over top.
  • Pour eggs over top and gently mix with your hands JUST until combined.
  • Shape into evenly sized meatballs and place in baking dish.
  • In a large saucepan combine the chili sauce, cranberry sauce, sauerkraut, chicken broth, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Heat JUST to a boil over medium heat stirring to dissolve all the sugar.
  • Pour over uncooked meatballs.
  • Baked covered 1 hour.
  • Uncover and bake 15-20 minutes more until cooked through and sauce is thickened.

NOTES: I like to use homemade cranberry sauce, but you can easily use a can of Ocean Spray whole berry sauce.

CREAMSICLE CHICKEN – PAN SEARED CHICKEN with CREAMY ORANGE SAUCE

This recipe is tender, juicy, looks elegant and pairs wonderfully with any green vegetable.  It is truly my intention to try AT LEAST 1 recipe a week from my RECIPE SCRAPS.  I now have one more scrap of paper gone!

CREAMSICLE CHICKEN – PAN SEARED CHICKEN with CREAMY ORANGE SAUCE serves 4
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (see notes)
3 tablespoons brandy
1 1/4 cups orange juice (see notes)
4 green onions, minced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
6 ounce orange yogurt (see notes)
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon water
scant tablespoon avocado oil
Orange slices for garnish
Jasmine rice, prepared per package

  • Heat avocado oil in a heavy skillet over medium high heat.
  • Generously season chicken pieces with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Saute’ chicken breasts 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
    Remove chicken to plate, tent with foil and keep warm.
  • De-glaze pan with brandy.
  • Add orange juice, garlic and green onions.
  • Bring to a boil for 2 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to simmer 2-3 minutes.
  • Whisk together cornstarch with water.
  • Whisk cornstarch mixture into yogurt.
  • Whisk yogurt mixture into pan sauce and adjust seasoning.
  • Simmer until thickened and cooked through.

NOTES:

  • If you prefer 8 thighs can be substituted easily.
  • I sometimes use a pineapple orange juice to alter the flavor a bit.
  • YOPLAIT orange cream works beautifully.

CHICKEN in OREGANO CREAM SAUCE

CHICKEN IN OREGANO CREAM SAUCE
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon dried oregano
FRESH oregano
2 cloves garlic, minced and divided
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, reserving a bit for garnish
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2+ 2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons avocado oil

  • Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon avocado oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Sear chicken breasts 2-4 minutes per side until golden and ALMOST cooked through. DO NOT WIPE OUT SKILLET.
  • Transfer chicken to baking sheet and top with half the Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake 5-8 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.

 

  • Add 1 tablespoon avocado oil to hot skillet.
  • Add tomatoes, cooking 2-4 minutes.
  • Add a sprig of oregano, half the garlic and cook another minute until fragrant, garlic is golden and tomatoes are blistered.
  • Season with half of the dried oregano salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove to platter.

 

  • Add remaining butter to pan.
  • When butter is melted add remaining garlic and cook until fragrant.
  • Add cream, broth, tomato paste, remaining Parmesan cheese and remaining oregano, stirring frequently and cooking until desired consistency and starting to bubble, 2-4 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in last 2 tablespoons of butter.
  • Season to taste.
  • Plate chicken, tomatoes and top with sauce.

ROCHESTER CHICKEN ala ITALY

Chicken Francese is an Italian recipe that was originally made with veal and while delicious, I don’t cook with veal by choice and substitute chicken in any veal recipe. I recently read that because of the cost and availability or lack there of, immigrants substituted chicken for veal when they came to the U.S., specifically to Rochester New York. So, I call my version Rochester Chicken ala Italy.

ROCHESTER CHICKEN ala ITALY
1/2 cup all purpose flour
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 LARGE eggs
1/2 cup Panko crumbs
1/4 cup FRESH chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons UNSALTED butter
2/3 cup chicken broth
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
1 lemon. sliced into wheels
Prepared egg noodles

  • Set up a dredging station with the flour, salt and pepper in dish one. In dish two beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water and in the third dish combine the Panko crumbs with the paprika and parsley.
  • Pound chicken breasts to 1/3 inch thickness between 2 sheets of plastic wrap.
  • Dip each chicken piece into the flour and press to coat well, followed by the egg dip and then the Panko crumbs. RESERVE 2 tablespoons of the  flour mixture.
  • Set aside on a platter. When you have them all coated, chill the platter 30-60 minutes.

 

  • In a large skillet (preferably cast iron) heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium high heat until sizzling.
  • Saute each breast about 4 minutes per side until golden.
  • Transfer to a warm platter.
  • Add the remaining butter to the pan.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of the reserved flour mixture and whisk until combined and golden.
  • Add the broth and lemon juice, stirring constantly until reduced and thickened into sauce.
  • Adjust seasoning to desired flavor.
  • Return chicken to pan and turn to coat.
  • Serve over prepared egg noodles.
  • Top with sauce and garnish with lemon wheels and parsley.

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with HERB WINE SAUCE

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with HERB WINE SAUCE
4 skinless, boneless THIN chicken breast steaks
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon Avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon FRESH chopped thyme
1/4 teaspoon FRESH chopped tarragon
1/2 teaspoon FRESH chopped chives
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon UNSALTED butter
prepared egg noodles

  • Heat cast iron pan over medium heat.
  • Add 1 tablespoon butter.
  • When butter has coated the pan add the generously seasoned chicken breasts and cook unsdisturbed for 2 minutes on each side until golden.
  • Transfer chicken to platter and keep warm.
  • Add avocado oil to pan and heat through.
  • Add shallots and cook until translucent.
  • Add wine and deglaze pan being sure to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook 2-3 minutes until reduced by half.
  • Add chicken broth and simmer a minute or two more.
  • Stir in thyme, tarragon and any juices from the chicken on the platter as well as the lemon juice. Cook 2-3 minutes more until starting to thicken.
  • Remove from heat and stir in unsalted butter, swirling until creamy and thick.
  • Plate chicken pieces over noodles.
  • Spoon sauce over top and garnish with chives.

PORK CHOPS with PEPPER JELLY SAUCE

PORK CHOPS with PEPPER JELLY SAUCE adapted from Nibble Me This who adapted it from Southern Living – serves 4

4 boneless pork chops, 1″ thick
1 teaspoon FRESH ground salt
3/4 teaspoon FRESH ground pepper
3 tablespoons butter, divided
3 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1 shallot, sliced
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup red pepper jelly
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Season pork chops with salt and pepper.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter with the boil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add pork chops, and sear 4 minutes; turn and sear 4 more minutes.
  • Remove from skillet and add pork chops to baking sheet in oven and bake 5-8 minutes.
  • Add shallots and bell pepper to skillet, sautéing until slightly soft.
  • Sprinkle with flour, stirring constantly 1 to 2 minutes or until flour is golden brown.
  • Deglaze skillet with wine and cook another minute or two.
  • Add chicken broth, and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken.
  • Whisk in pepper jelly until melted and smooth.
  • Add red pepper flakes.
  • Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until thickened.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
  • Season to taste with freshly ground salt and pepper.
  • Return pork to skillet; turning to coat.
  • Serve pork with sauce.

MONGOLIAN BEEF

This MONGOLIAN BEEF recipe is a MORE AUTHENTIC crispy, flavorful tasty homemade version than the sweet gloopy restaurant style Mongolian Beef you see in many restaurants.

1 pound flank steak, sliced against the grain into ¼-inch thick slices SEE NOTES
1 teaspoon avocado oil
1 egg white
1 teaspoon Bragg’s liquid aminos
1 small can crushed pineapple
1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • Drain pineapple into a sieve.  Save the pineapple pieces for later.
  • Whisk together avocado oil, liquid aminos, pineapple juice, egg white and cornstarch until well blended.
  • Pour over beef pieces in a large bowl, stirring to coat well.
  • Cover and marinate the beef for 1 hour.

¼ cup cornstarch

  • Dredge the meat in the remaining ¼ cup of cornstarch until lightly coated. I go old school and use a paper bag to shake it well.

⅓ cup avocado oil
2 stalks celery, sliced on the diagonal
2 carrots, sliced thin on the diagonal
1 shallot, side thin

  • Heat over high heat.
  • Lay the flank steak pieces in an even single layer in the wok, and let sear for 1 minute.
  • Flip meat and sear another 30 seconds.
  • Remove meat and keep warm.
  • Add celery, carrots and shallot slices, stir frying a minute or more until soft.
  • Remove to meat platter and keep warm.

½ teaspoon minced ginger
1/2-1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup Bragg’s liquid aminos
1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons water
1 bunch green onions, cut into 1-inch long slices on the diagonal

  • Drain all but 1 tablespoon of oil from the wok and turn the heat to medium-high.
  • Add the ginger and peppers flakes.
  • After 15 seconds, add the garlic.
  • Stir for another 10 seconds.
  • Add the liquid aminos and chicken stock. Bring the sauce to a simmer, add the brown sugar, and stir until dissolved.
  • Let the sauce simmer for about 2 minutes.
  • Slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry mixture–until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.  SEE NOTES
  • Add the beef, veggies and scallions and toss everything for another 30 seconds.
  • Serve over rice or noodles.
  • Garnish with the crushed pineapple.

NOTES:

  • Flap meat like that used for carne asada works really well also.
  • There should be almost NO liquid as the sauce clings to the beef. If there is still liquid sauce, increase the heat slightly and stir until completely thickened.

BACON MUSHROOM CHICKEN

BACON MUSHROOM CHICKEN adapted from THE RECIPE CRITIC

CHICKEN
4 bone in, skin on chicken thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
  • Generously season the chicken thighs with the salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
  • Pan Sear each side of the chicken for 1-2 minutes until brown and place skillet in oven.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked throughout.
  • Transfer chicken to a platter.

SAUCE
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1 clove garlic, minced
8 ounces white beech mushrooms
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1 cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, stems removed

  • Add avocado oil to the skillet and saute the mushrooms until soft.
  • Add the heavy cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder and thyme.
  • Bring to a simmer until the sauce starts to thicken.
  • Add the bacon pieces.
  • Add the chicken back to the skillet, turning to coat in the sauce.
  • Serve immediately.

RUSTIC CHICKEN with GARLIC GRAVY

RUSTIC CHICKEN with GARLIC GRAVY adapted from Seasons And Suppers
A SUPER delicious one-pan meal served over mashed potatoes or pasta.

CHICKEN
2 Tbsp cooking oil vegetable, canola etc
6 pieces skin-on/bone-in chicken thighs, washed and dried
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper
20 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green onions, sliced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon FRESH thyme leaves
2 tablespoons butter
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Heat the oven to 400°.
In a large cast iron skillet heat the oil over medium high heat.
  • Generously season chicken pieces with salt and the pepper.
  • Sear the chicken until golden, turning regularly, for about 8 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to a platter, keeping warm.
  • Remove all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the pan.
  • Add onions and sauce 30 seconds or so.
  • Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic, and cook, stirring regularly, until it is starting to brown, about 3 minutes.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic and stir until combined.
  • Return the chicken to the pot, cover, and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the pot from the oven and put it on a burner.
  • Remove the chicken pieces from the pot to platter.
  • Over medium-high heat, whisk in the wine and simmer for 1 minute.
  • Whisk in the broth, thyme and a bit more salt and pepper, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring regularly, until sauce thickens.
  • Turn the heat off and stir in the butter.
  • Taste sauce and adjust seasoning.
  • Add the chicken back to the pot coating each piece with the sauce.
  • Serve spooned over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta

PARMESAN HERB MUSHROOM CHICKEN

PARMESAN HERB MUSHROOM CHICKEN adapted from Cafe Delites

CHICKEN
2 tablespoons butter
6 skin on, bone in chicken thighs*
PINCH of garlic powder, to taste
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Generously season chicken with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add butter. When melted sear chicken thighs 2-3 minutes on each side (skin side down last) until golden and crispy.
  • Transfer chicken pan to the oven and roast until completely cooked through, about 25-30 minutes.
Transfer to a warm plate and set aside.

SAUCE
2 green onions, sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms (I like to substitute beech mushrooms for a nuttier flavor)
1 tablespoon FRESH minced basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons FRESH chopped Flat Leaf Parsely
1½ cups Half and Half
2 cups baby spinach
3/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese , divided
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper, to taste
1 KNORR chicken bullion cube, crushed
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with
2 tablespoons Half and Half
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley for garnish

  • Drain all but 2 tablespoons of some of the excess fat from the skillet.
  • Return skillet to the stove over medium-high heat and sauté the onions and garlic a minute or so in the pan juices until fragrant.
  • Add the mushrooms, herbs and 2 teaspoons of parsley, sautéing until mushrooms begin to soften.
  • Reduce heat to low-medium heat, add the half and half and bring to a SLOW simmer, stirring occasionally, and being careful NOT to boil.
  • Add in the bullion cube powder and season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  • 
Mix together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons half and half.
  • Add cornstarch mixture to the center of the pan, and continue to simmer while quickly stirring the mixture through until the sauce thickens.
  • Add 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese; allow sauce to simmer for another minute until cheese melts through the sauce.
  • Add the chicken back into the pan and allow to simmer for 1-2 minutes in the cream sauce.
  • Taste test and adjust seasoning, if desired.
  • Fold in spinach leaves, stirring to coat and cooking JUST until they wilt.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of parsley and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta.


NOTES – To substitute chicken breasts for the thighs there is no need to bake them. After adding the breasts back into the pan, continue simmering in the sauce until completely cooked through.