Sunday, October 12, 2025

Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken


This chicken is easily one of my new favorite ways to prepare chicken breasts! Not only is it quick and easy but it yields incredibly flavorful, crave-able chicken!

If you’d like you can also double up on the sauce if you want an abundance to serve with pasta, it’s the perfect side with this as this dish is similar to Chicken Piccata, yet upgraded with cream and cheese.

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 (11 - 12 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts*
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced (2 tsp)
1 cup + 1 Tbsp Swanson Chicken Broth, divided
1/2 tsp dried basil
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 tsp cornstarch
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup (1.5 oz) finely shredded Pecorino Romano cheese
1 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Pound thicker parts of chicken breasts out even, to about 1/2-inch thickness.
  2. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. In a shallow dish whisk together flour with 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper. Dredge both sides of chicken breast in flour mixture then transfer to heated skillet.
  4. Cook until center reaches 165 in center of each piece, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate tent with foil.
  5. Add garlic to skillet set over medium heat, saute until just light golden brown (not browned and burnt), about 30 seconds. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, lemon juice and basil.
  6. Let broth mixture simmer and reduce by about half, about 2 minutes. Stir together 1 Tbsp chicken broth with cornstarch pour into broth mixture and cook stirring constantly until slightly thickened, about 30 seconds.
  7. Pour in cream then reduce to low, add Romano cheese and cook just until melted.
  8. Return chicken to sauce, spoon sauce over chicken. Serve warm garnished with parsley.

Recipe Notes

  • *4 (6 oz) chicken breasts will work too, no splitting is necessary. Just pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
  • If desired, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used here as well (use smaller ones so they’ll cook through before getting too dark), if going this route skip the butterflying step and just use 6 small thighs. Be sure to trim them of excess fat before beginning and as always cook to 165 degrees in thickest portion.
  • Chicken Tenders will also work too. No halving or pounding necessary.
  • You can also use pre-cut chicken cutlets, just keep in mind they’ll likely cook faster as they are usually rather thin.


    FROM  Cooking Classy
    See  step by step directions here. 

Apple Danish

 

Ingredients

3 Cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1 cup shortening
1 large egg yolk
1/2 cup milk

Filling
6 cups sliced, peeled apples
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Glaze
1 large egg white, slightly beaten
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2-3 teaspoons water

Directions
1. In a bowl combine flour and salt, cut in shortening until mixture resembles course crumbs.  Combine egg yolk and milk, add to flour mixture.  Stir just until dough clings together.  Divide dough in half.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of dough into a 15 x 10 inch rectangle; transfer to a greased 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan.  Set aside.

3. In a bowl, toss together filling ingredients, spoon over pastry in pan.  Roll our remaining dough into another 15 x 10 in rectangle.  Place over filling/  Brush with egg white.  Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on a wire rack.

4. For glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and enough water to achieve a drizzling consistency.
Drizzle over warm pastry.  Cut into squares,  Serve warm or cold.



The Best part of Autumn is really the Food


Just a few cool nights and I'm ready for Fall!

When you think about it, besides the cool-weather clothes and glorious multi-hued foliage, the best part of autumn is really the food.

Let Harter House and
Harter House World Flavors inspire you!


Herein, I present the Top 10 food-related reasons to love fall:

10. Fresh nuts from the shell using a nutcracker.

9. Hearty Soups and Stews.

8. Roasted vegetables: I always feel like I get an extra boost of beta-carotene in the fall. Serve this hearty and colorful side dish with any winter-time main course meal.
4 servings
Ingredients:
1 lb. red or new potatoes, halved
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1" pieces
2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1" pieces
1 medium rutabaga, cubed
1 large onion, cut into 1" pieces
2 leeks, cut into 1" rounds
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup olive oil
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F.
Step 2: In a large baking dish, toss vegetables and herbs with olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper and toss again to combine. Bake for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and lightly browned.

7. Mother Nature’s broad-strokes of gold, crimson and orange, along with the Hunters Moon, are all vibrant reminders of the earth’s bounty.

6. The aroma of chimney smoke makes city streets smell like the country.

5. Halloween candy! And caramel apples!

4. Summer’s over and winter’s not yet here. Now is the time to ride the wave of nature’s most soulful season. Sure, there’s pumpkin. But I think about roasts and stews and chili, and seasonal cakes and pies (pecan, apple and the like).

3. I find the color-burst of trees so breathtaking that I’m almost afraid to drive (I’m easily distracted). So I walk a lot, in the cool temps with a warm fleece under a blue sky. 
2. Roasted chestnuts.

1. For some people it’s time to make the switch from Gin &Tonics back to red wine! However, I drink red wine year round.





And finally, to get you in the mood for all of it, here’s a simple recipe for Kraft Caramel Apples. After all, who needs hot weather and cool lakes when you’ve got caramel apples?



Yield:
5 servings
Ingredients:
5 apples (any variety will do)
1 package (340 g) Kraft Caramels
2 tbsp water
Chopped peanuts, crushed Oreos, M&Ms or chocolate for decorating (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Wash and dry apples thoroughly. Insert stick into stem of each.
Step 2: Unwrap caramels and microwave with water in a large glass measure or mixing bowl on high for 3 to 3-1/2 minutes or until sauce is smooth when stirred.
Step 3: Dip apples into hot caramel sauce and turn until coated. Scrape off excess sauce from bottom of apples and decorate.
Step 4: Place on tray lined with waxed paper. Refrigerate until serving time.

Sunday, October 5, 2025

Michele's Baked Lasagna



Many years ago, I purchased R&F Brand Lasagna noodles.  I decided to save the recipe knowing someday I would not be able to find it. Sure enough, the parent company sold and today this brand no longer exists.   But I still have the recipe.  This recipe is my base. It is great as is, but I will enhance it, making it a little different each time.  I ALWAYS double the meat that is called for.


These are my ingredients.  I start with opening my wine, because I love to enjoy a glass as I cook.

Ingredients
1 lb. Lasagna noodles
3/4 lb. Ricotta (or full container)
2 eggs
4 Cups Meat Sauce - See below
1 lb. Mozzarella Cheese
4 Tbls or more, Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Pepper

Meat Sauce
1 lb. or More Ground meat ( 1/2 beef - 1/2 Pork)  
    (Boston Burger works great and I like to add Italian Sausage.)
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1 Large Onion
1/4 Cup Chopped Parsley
1 Clove Garlic, chopped or pressed
1 Carrot, grated
1 Can Tomatoes, chopped or mixed in blender for a few seconds
1 (6 oz) can Tomato Paste
1/2 Cup Dry Red Wine
12 oz. water
1 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Pepper
1 Tsp Basil

Sauté onion, parsley, garlic and carrot in oil. Add meat and brown.
Add tomato paste, wine and water, salt, pepper and basil.  Simmer 1 hour.

Boil Lasagna 10 minutes in 6 Qts. salted water.  Add cold water until noodles can be handles.  Do NOT drain.

In a separate bowl mix eggs and ricotta.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

 Grease Baking dish and arrange the bottom with parallel layers of lasagna.  Add 1/3 of Meat Sauce, 1/3 Ricotta mixture, 1/3 thin slices Mozzarella.  Sprinkle with grated Parmesan.  Cover with another layer of each, and a third layer of each.  Bake in moderate oven (350 degrees) for 30 minutes. 
Serves 8



I chopped my onion, added grated carrots, and pressed garlic.
Saute in 1/4 cup Olive Oil



I added 1 lb. each of
  Harter House Ground Round (95%  lean)
and Harter House homemade Italian Sausage.

At Harter House, all of our ground meats are ground fresh daily from our own trimmings, to ensure the freshest product for your family.




Brown the meat and drain the fat and oil from the pot.
I like to use Bounty paper towels to soak up the liquid.


I added basil rather than parsley.  I love the flavor of basil and I find that fresh spices add an extra kick that always wins the prize.




Next I added chopped Roasted Red Peppers, tomatoes, and tomato paste.
I added 1 cup Cabernet Wine and 1 cup water.
(a little different from the original recipe)


              

                                                       
Now, we let it simmer for an hour.

Next, I've set up my work station to layer each ingredient.
A little oil on the Pampered Chef Stone Bakeware. 
Layer noodles, meat sauce, Ricotta and egg mixture, Mozzarella slices, and Parmesan cheese. Repeat for three layers.  Then bake in a 350 degree oven 30-45 minutes. (since I made a larger amount, I cooked it a little longer)  Then I broiled the lasagna just long enough to make the cheese bubbly on top.







Finally, I made a Cheesy Garlic Bread with English Muffins.  Melted butter and garlic powder sprinkled on muffins and topped with shredded mozzarella.  Broil for about 8 minutes, till the cheese is browned a bit.












Easy Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks

Easy Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks
Ingredients
1 (10 ounce) can prepared pizza crust
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried basil
salt & pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Mix butter and garlic in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Unroll pizza dough onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and brush with butter and garlic mixture.



Easy Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks


4. Sprinkle cheeses and spices evenly over the dough.
5. Use a pizza cutter and cut dough into stick shapes (Lengthwise into 7 long strips and crosswise into 3 strips). Do not separate strips.


Easy Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown.
7. Recut along each strip and remove from cooking sheet.
8. Serve sticks warm with marinara sauce.

I found this recipe at SugarApron.com.

Blue Cheese Salad Wedge

 

I first ordered a Blue Cheese Salad Wedge at Jimm's Steakhouse and I thought it was delicious.
 And I also thought, "this would be easy to prepare at home."  And it truly is.


Ingredients

¾ cup sour cream
1 small garlic clove minced
3 ounces blue cheese crumbled and divided
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
milk for thinning dressing
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 head iceberg lettuce
4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
Tomatoes, chopped
Additional Blue Cheese crumbles

** For the Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing:

  • To make the dressing, add sour cream, garlic, two ounces of the blue cheese, and lemon juice to a small bowl. Use a fork to combine the ingredients, smashing the blue cheese crumbles against the side of the bowl to infuse the sour cream with flavor.
  • Add chives to dressing and stir to combine. Add milk a teaspoon at a time until the dressing reaches your desired consistency. Season dressing to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

To Assemble Wedge Salad:

  • Remove any wilted or brown leaves from the head of lettuce. 
  • Cut the head in half starting from the top and slicing down through the core. Then cut each half in half again so that each wedge has ¼ of the core. Rinse each wedge and pat dry with paper towels. Carefully cut core from each keeping wedge intact and place on separate salad plates.
  • Spoon desired amount of dressing over each wedge. Sprinkle each wedge with ¼ of the bacon crumbles and ¼ of the remaining blue cheese. Serve.

 

**  Use a Premium Prepared Blue Cheese Dressing such as Marzetti Brand.
Found in the Refrigerated case, in the Produce section.




Panko Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich




4 Harter House Tenderized Pork Cutlet.
2 egg, beaten
1/2 Cup buttermilk (or whole milk)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teas cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup peanut oil for frying

4 Kaiser rolls, split
4 teaspoons mayonnaise, or as needed (optional)
4 teaspoons ketchup, or as needed (optional)
4 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard, or as needed (optional)
4 leaves lettuce (optional)
4 slices tomato (optional)
4 slices onion (optional)
4 slices pickle, for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Start with 4 Harter House, tenderized, Pork Cutlets.
  2. Beat the eggs and milk together in a shallow bowl, and whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, marjoram, oregano, salt, and pepper until the spices are well blended into the mixture. Place the flour in a shallow bowl.  Place the panko in another shallow bowl. 
  3. Dip each flattened cutlet into the seasoned milk-egg mixture and then into the flour, back to the egg mixture then into the panko crumbs, thoroughly coating the cutlets with crumbs. Set the breaded cutlets aside on a piece of parchment or waxed paper; do not stack.
  4. Heat the oil in a large skillet until the oil is shimmering. Gently lower the cutlets, one at a time, into the hot oil, and fry until golden brown on each side, about 8 minutes per cutlet. Drain the cutlets on paper towels.
  5. Preheat oven broiler, and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
  6. Spread the Kaiser rolls open with the cut sides up, and broil until the rolls are toasted and hot, about 1 minute. Top each roll with a fried cutlet (hopefully the sides of the meat will hang out of the roll by at least an inch on each side); top each cutlet with choice of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a pickle slice, if desired.

YouTube - Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
This recipe uses saltines and flour.
It also recommends to let the cutlet marinate in the egg and milk mixture about 4 hours.