Sunday, January 28, 2024

Chicken Parmigiana


Tender pieces of chicken, topped with homemade tomato sauce and grated cheese, and then oven baked until the cheese is golden and melted. The tomato sauce and crumbed, uncooked chicken can be prepared in advance but it is best to cook the chicken and assemble the dish just before it goes into the oven.

Tomato Sauce
Makes about 1 1/3 cups.

1 tablespoon oil
1/2 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1 can crushed/diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar, firmly packed
Salt and pepper


Crumbed Chicken
Approximately 1 lb skinless chicken breast fillets or tenderloins
2 eggs
1 tablespoon milk
1/3 cup plain flour
about 1 1/3 cups packaged breadcrumbs
about 1/2 cup oil, for frying


Cheese Topping
1 1/3 cups, firmly packed grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup, lightly packed grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Heat oil in a heavy-based medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until onion has softened but not browned. Add tomatoes, basil and brown sugar, increase heat and bring to the boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for about 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce has reached the desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside for 10 minutes, and then puree sauce in a blender or food processor.

If using chicken breasts, cut them in half horizontally. Cover chicken with a freezer bag and lightly pound with the flat side of meat mallet to flatten. © 


Whisk eggs and milk together in a bowl. Coat one piece of chicken in flour and shake to remove excess. Then dip the chicken into the egg and milk mixture ensuring that all of the flour is moistened.


Then coat the chicken in breadcrumbs, pressing firmly to ensure crumbs adhere. Repeat with remaining pieces of chicken.

To fry chicken, heat some of the oil in a heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat. We cook the chicken in two batches using 1/4 cup of oil for each batch (the number of batches will be determined by the size of your frying pan and you'll need to divide the oil evenly between each batch). Fry the chicken in a single layer, without overcrowding the pan, until golden brown and cooked through.

Wipe the pan out with paper towels between each batch of chicken to remove any crumbs. This prevents the overcooked loose crumbs adhering to the next batch of chicken.

Drain cooked chicken on paper towels.

Place cooked chicken in a large baking dish and spread with sauce. Sprinkle with combined cheeses.


Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden.  Optional. sprinkle the chicken parmigiana with chopped parsley before serving.

Best Beef Stroganoff

 

I never get tired of this recipe!  ~Shelly


Ingredients

1.2 lb boneless rib eye or tenderloin
2 tbsp vegetable oil , divided
1 large onion (or 2 small onions), sliced
10 oz mushrooms , sliced (not too thin)
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour 
2 cups beef broth, preferably salt reduced
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2/3 cup sour cream
Salt and pepper

Serving:

8 - 10 oz pasta or egg noodles of choice (Note 3)
Chopped chives , for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Use your fist (or rolling pin or mallet) to flatten the steaks to about  1/3" thick. Slice into  1/5" strips (cut long ones in half), discarding excess fat.
  • Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over high heat. Scatter half the beef in the skillet, QUICKLY spread it with tongs. Leave untouched for 30 seconds until browned. Turn beef quickly (as best you can!). Leave untouched for 30 seconds to brown. Immediately remove onto a plate. Don't worry about pink bits and that it will be raw inside.
  • Add remaining 1 tbsp oil and repeat with remaining beef.
  • Turn heat down to medium high. Add butter, melt. Then add onions, cook for 1 minute, then add mushrooms.
  • Cook mushrooms until golden. Scrape bottom of fry pan to get all the golden bits off (this is flavor!).
  • Add flour, cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
  • Add half the broth while stirring. Once incorporated, add remaining broth.
  • Stir, then add sour cream and mustard. Stir until incorporated (don't worry if it looks split, sour cream will "melt" as it heats).
  • Bring to simmer ,then reduce heat to medium low. Once it thickens to the consistency of pouring cream (3 - 5 minutes), adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add beef back in (including plate juices). Simmer for 1 minute, then remove from stove immediately. (Note 4)
  • Serve over pasta or egg noodles, sprinkled with chives if desired.

Notes

1. Best cut of beef for stroganoff - use decent to good quality quick cooking cut of beef such as:
  • boneless rib eye 
  • beef tenderloin
  • boneless sirloin, sirloin steak tips
I don't recommend: beef round steak (aka topside), skirt, flat iron, 
Pork can also be used - pork stroganoff is found in Russia too.

2. Flour - any is fine here, I use plain white flour (all purpose).  Or use 1 TBL. corn starch.

3. Serving - I like serving this with short pastas, rather than long pastas. Easier to eat. It's also great with mashed potato, rice, polenta - anything that's suitable to slop up all that gravy!

4. Sauce thickness: You can make sauce thinner with touch of water if you want, but DO NOT keep simmering to thicken once the beef is added, it will overcook the beef.

5. Storage - 3 to 4 days in the fridge, also freezes fine. Thaw fully then reheat carefully, being sure not to overcook the beef!
I found this recipe at;RecipeTinEats

Peanut Butter Bars with Salted Chocolate Ganache

This recipe comes from Nancy at foodnetwork.com

It's an easy recipe to make and yields 16 squares.




Ingredients


Nonstick cooking spray, for baking dish
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 
1 cup creamy peanut butter 
Kosher salt 
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted 
8 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, chopped into small pieces 
1 cup heavy cream 
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, optional

Directions


  1. Coat the bottom and sides of an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  2. In a large bowl, stir to combine the confectioners' sugar, graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish and set aside.
  3. Place the chocolate and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan until bubbles start to form around the edges. Pour the cream over the chocolate, let sit for 1 minute and then whisk until completely melted and smooth.
  4. Pour the ganache over the peanut butter mixture and refrigerate until the chocolate is cooled and set, at least 45 minutes and up to overnight.
  5. Sprinkle evenly with the flaky sea salt. Cut into squares to serve.



     

Sliders with Grilled Pineapple & Teriyaki Mayo


These are SO YUMMY!!!

Hawaiian Sliders with Grilled Pineapple & Teriyaki Mayo// Loves Food, Loves to Eat Sliders can be done many different ways, so use your imagination and add any ingredients you love!  I love grilled pineapple, so "Hawaiian" became my theme for this gathering.


Hawaiian Sliders with Grilled Pineapple & Teriyaki Mayo// Loves Food, Loves to Eat



























Hawaiian Sliders with Grilled Pineapple & Teriyaki Mayo// Loves Food, Loves to Eat



You could absolutely make these into full size burgers, but how fun would it be to serve these Hawaiian sliders at your BBQ?
Hawaiian Sliders with Grilled Pineapple & Teriyaki Mayo// Loves Food, Loves to Eat
Hawaiian Sliders with Grilled Pineapple & Teriyaki Mayo// Loves Food, Loves to Eat












Hawaiian Sliders with Grilled Pineapple & Teriyaki Mayo// Loves Food, Loves to Eat
































































Hawaiian Sliders
Baby-sized ground beef sliders
Swiss cheese sliced
Pineapple slices grilled
Avocado
tomato
Teriyaki Mayo Sauce
Slider buns


I did a simple Harter House Ground Chuck mixture with salt and pepper, topped with swiss cheese. And also, grill some pineapple slices. I love King Hawaiian slider buns, but any little buns, breads, or rolls will do. To assemble, start with half your slider bun, then layer on teriyaki mayo sauce, grilled baby burger with cheese, grilled pineapple, avocado, tomato, and more sauce. Then top it off with the bun top! That's it! 


Teriyaki Mayo Sauce
1/3 cup Real mayonnaise.  I always use Hellmann's
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon liquid sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or agave)
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Hot sauce of your choice (Sriracha!)
Fresh ground black pepper

Whisk together all ingredients, and you're good to go! 

From :  Loves Food, Loves to Eat




Another Teriyaki Mayonnaise to try.

Ingredients
7 tablespoons Hellmann's mayonnaise
3 tablespoons Teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method
Mix together and enjoy.






Can be used as a dipping sauce at a BBQ

Steamed white fish with a dollop of Teriyaki Mayonnaise served with rice and stir fried vegetables.

Try it with a Ham Salad Sandwich
Chicken teriyaki mayonnaise sandwich, using leftover roasted chicken
As a dip with salted crisps
Crudites with a difference – dip your vegetables into Teriyaki Mayonnaise
From:  Melissa.co

Hawaiian Sliders with Grilled Pineapple & Teriyaki Mayo// Loves Food, Loves to Eat

Cheeseburger Soup






INGREDIENTS
1 pound Harter House Ground Chuck 
¾ cup chopped onion
¾ cup shredded carrots
¾ cup diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
4 tablespoons butter, divided
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
¼ cup all purpose flour
2 cups of Velveeta processed cheese cubed (16 ounce) OR 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1½ cups milk
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ to ½ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup sour cream
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Brown the ground beef in 3 quart saucepan. Drain and set aside.
  2. In the same saucepan add 1 T butter and add onion, shredded carrots, parsley flakes, basil and celery. Saute until tender.
  3. Add the broth, potatoes and beef and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
  4. In small skillet melt remaining butter (3 T) and add the flour. Cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to the soup and bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
  5. Stir in the cheese, milk, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat and blend in sour cream.
Author:
Recipe Adapted from Taste of Home

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Homemade Baked and Buttery Soft Pretzels

Do you love Auntie Anne's Pretzels? 


I have gotten rave reviews from this recipe.
Doesn't it look delicious?   ~Shelly




Braided and baked soft pretzels.

Ingredients

3 cups of all purpose flour plus a little more for dusting 
1/4 cup of sugar 
2 teaspoons of salt
1.25 cups of warm water
1 teaspoon of sugar 
4 teaspoons of active, dry, baker’s yeast 
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon of melted butter or vegetable oil for the dough
2 tablespoons of melted butter for brushing after baking
4 cups of hot water
1/2 cup of baking soda
Pretzel, kosher, or coarse sea salt for salting the pretzels

Equipment

  • Small bowl
  • Large mixing bowl
  • 1 or 2 baking sheets
  • Aluminum foil
  • Large pot
  • Slotted spoon
  • Rubber spatula
  • Cup, tablespoon, and teaspoon measurements
  • Pastry / basting brush
  • Large flat surface
  • Knife

Directions

  1. Combine the 3 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1/4 cup of sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix the dry ingredients well using a fork. man-fuel-food-blog-homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe-dry-ingredients
  2. In a small bowl, mix the 1.25 cups of warm water with a teaspoon of sugar and the 4 teaspoons of yeast. Mix well until dissolved and let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it gets a little frothy. It may even smell a little bit like beer, which is good because yeast is one of the ingredients that gives beer a lot of its distinctive flavor and aroma. man-fuel-food-blog-homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe-yeast
  3. After 10 minutes, melt a tablespoon of butter in the microwave (or use vegetable oil) and add it to the flour mixture along with the yeast liquid. man-fuel-food-blog-homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe-flour-and-yeast
  4. Mix the ingredients well starting with a rubber spatula. When the dough starts to form into a uniform paste, you can use your hands to knead the dough for 6 to 8 minutes until all of the ingredients are well incorporated and you can shape the dough into a ball. Don’t overdo it with the kneading though. The idea is just to get everything well mixed. man-fuel-food-blog-soft-pretzels-recipe-dough-ball
  5. Next, use a teaspoon of vegetable oil to grease the outside of the entire dough ball to keep it from sticking to the bowl as it rises.
  6. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a towel and let it rise for 1 hour at room temperature (don’t refrigerate!). man-fuel-food-blog-soft-pretzels-recipe-covered-dough
  7. After an hour, the dough will have risen noticeably and be very soft to the touch. You’ll also start to smell that wonderful yeast and dough combination that is a precursor to baked breads. man-fuel-food-blog-homemade-pretzels-recipe-risen-dough
  8. At this point, start to pre-heat your oven to 450 degrees F.
  9. Dust a flat, clean surface like a counter-top with some flour and carefully get the dough ball out of the bowl and onto the counter. Dust the top of the dough with a little more flour to help keep it from sticking. man-fuel-food-blog-homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe-risen-dough
  10. Dust your hands with flour and cut the dough in half. Start stretching and forming half the dough into an elongated rectangle that you can then cut into 6 equal pieces. When you have a nice stretched rectangle, cut the dough into six pieces and repeat this process for the other half of the dough. You should end up with 12, evenly sized pieces of dough. man-fuel-food-blog-homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe-dividing-dough
  11. Now it’s time to create some fun shapes! Roll out a piece of dough into a long, thin cord. The length is really up to you depending on what kind of shapes you want to make. The typical bowed pretzel shape is always fun and you’ll need a decently long cord for that. I found that the usual pretzel shape is great, but I also really liked just rolling out a cord of dough and tying it in a single knot (like the first knot in a square or granny knot for anyone that knows their knots). I don’t recommend the long twisty style you might see in my pictures. Those looked fun, but didn’t give the best results. man-fuel-food-blog-soft-pretzels-recipe-braiding-pretzels
  12. Repeat this process for all of the pieces of dough. Mix and match the shapes as you like! man-fuel-food-blog-soft-pretzels-recipe-braided-pretzels
  13. When done with the braiding, get 4 cups of hot water and 1/2 a cup of baking soda ready to use. If your hot tap water isn’t clean or isn’t hot enough just heat some cold water and let it cool slightly so that it is hot, but not boiling. Some light steam is ok. Then add in the baking soda and mix until well dissolved. This step is especially important because this alkaline mixture of baking soda and water is what will help to give the pretzels that deep brown color on the outside as well as that nice outer texture that is so characteristic of soft pretzels. It works because the alkaline mixture speeds up the browning process as the pretzels cook.  man-fuel-food-blog-soft-pretzels-recipe-baking-soda-and-water
  14. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (2 baking sheets if your pretzels won’t all fit on one sheet). Keep in mind that the pretzels will expand a bit as they bake. Also make sure to grease the foil very well using butter or vegetable oil. This will help to keep the pretzels from sticking when they bake.
  15. Using a slotted spatula or large slotted spoon, carefully scoop up a pretzel and place it into the hot baking soda mixture. Let it sit for 15 seconds or so as you splash some of the water over the top using the spatula or spoon. Then take it out of the water, let it drain a bit, and place it on the baking sheet. Repeat this process for all of the pretzels. man-fuel-food-blog-soft-pretzels-recipe-blanched-dough-in-baking-soda
  16. Sprinkle the pretzels with pretzel salt, kosher salt, or coarse sea salt. Don’t go overboard with the salt, but just make sure to lightly cover the tops.
  17. Slide the baking sheet(s) into the oven and make the pretzels for 10 minutes or until they are a nice deep brown. Not all areas of the pretzel will get that deep brown, so just pull them out as soon as the outermost edges are that classic pretzel color. man-fuel-food-blog-soft-pretzels-recipe
  18. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave to brush butter onto the pretzels. man-fuel-food-blog-soft-pretzels-recipe-melted-butter
  19. Brush each pretzel with a nice amount of butter to coat the entire top. Then throw them in the oven for another 1 to 2 minutes. You’ll end up with some rich, buttery, glistening pretzels. man-fuel-food-blog-buttereing-homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe
  20. Serve them immediately or, better yet, let them cool. I discovered that the pretzel flavor actually depends as these pretzels cool. They taste great piping hot, but they taste even more like traditional pretzels when they cool down. man-fuel-food-blog-homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe
  21. Eat them with your favorite mustard for a savory treat or eat them like a dessert dipped in a sweet vanilla glaze! These pretzels work as a salty or sweet treat. They’re also just wonderful plain or buttered.
  22. If you have leftover pretzels, place them in a sealed plastic zipper bag and refrigerate. Use them the next morning to make pretzel breakfast sandwiches! man-fuel-food-blog-homemade-pretzels-recipe-pretzel-bun-breakfast-sandwich

BBQ Country Style Ribs


Country-style ribs come from the shoulder portion of the pig. This makes them fattier, easier to prepare and cook.

Serve with a classic Baked Beans recipe and a delicious Potato Salad for the perfect family gathering.


Ingredients


  • 4 lbs country style ribs
    1.5-2 cups BBQ sauce
Rib Rub

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar packed
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250°F and place ribs on a rimmed baking sheet (I line with foil for easy cleanup).
  • In a small bowl whisk together rib rub ingredients.
  • Coat the ribs in the seasoning and cover tightly with foil. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the ribs just start to feel tender.
  • Remove from the oven and liberally baste the ribs with bbq sauce. Cook for another 45 mins to 1 hour uncovered until fork tender.
  • If desired, turn your oven onto the broil setting and let the BBQ sauce on the ribs bubble and lightly brown.





Buffalo Chicken Roll Ups


I love Buffalo Chicken, Frank's Red Hot sauce and also blue cheese, so this recipe really called out to me.  I was quite impressed.  And it was SO EASY! ~Shelly


4-6 chicken tenders
salt and pepper
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
1/4 cup frank's red hot
2 Tbsp mayo
1 cup crush cornflakes (you could also use gluten free corn chex)

***********************************

Stir together mayo and Frank's Red Hot.
Crush cornflakes.
Flatten chicken with meat hammer.
Season chicken with salt and pepper.
Spoon blue cheese on chicken tender.
Roll up the chicken and close with a toothpick.
Dip chicken rolls in Frank's Red Hot mixture
then roll in Cornflake crumbs.
Set in a baking pan and bake on 400 for 30 minutes.


Serve with extra hot sauce!

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

This is my current favorite wing recipe.  SO easy.  And for some reason, nothing tastes as good as the Crystal brand hot sauce in this recipe.  ~~Shelly




Chicken Wings - I like Smart Chicken
2 Tbls. Butter
2 - 3 Cloves Minced Garlic
1 Tsp. Vinegar
6 oz. Crystal Hot Sauce
6 oz. freshly grated Parmesan Cheese


Cook Wings in an oven or air fryer,

SAUCE
Melt butter and saute garlic.  Then add vinegar, hot sauce and parmesan cheese.
When Chicken is done, toss with sauce. 
Sprinkle with additional grated parmesan cheese.

Enjoy.


Grilled Ribeye Steak with Cabernet Mushrooms


This recipe for Grilled Ribeye Steak with Cabernet Mushrooms is the last of the incredible grilled steak recipes Chef Brandon Douglas taught participants at the “Sizzling Summer Steaks” event that was part of the “Made from Scratch” cooking classes in 2013 at the Winrock Institute on Petit Jean Mt.



Chef Douglas says the ribeye is his favorite steak cut because of the wonderful marbling of fat this cut features compared to leaner cuts of beef steak. He says the fat adds to the sweet, rich flavor of this recipe. He combined sliced baked sweet potato wedges when he plated the finished steak and mushroom sauce.
















Ingredients
  • 1 cup dry cabernet sauvignon
  • 2/3 cup green onion sliced in rounds
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
  • 3 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves, chopped; plus sprigs for garnish
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup demi glaze or Beef stock
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 Harter House Ribeye Steaks, 1-1/2 inches thick
  • your favorite mushrooms, rough chopped or whole
  • Baked Sweet Potato (Optional)
Directions
  1. Make small cuts with knife into fat around the edge of steaks. Rub with your favorite seasoned salt steak rub and pepper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour.
  2. Clean grill grate and preheat grill to high heat.
  3. Place steaks on hot grill for three minutes on each side to sear. Reduce grill temperature to low and close the lid. Continue cooking steaks an additional five to 10 minutes for medium-rare, turning halfway through. Let steaks rest for five minutes before serving.
    OPTION - cook till Medium Rare on the grill.
  4. As steaks cook, add olive oil to saute’ pan. Add mushrooms, garlic and saute’ until mushrooms become tender. Excluding green onions, add remaining ingredients and reduce until sauce forms. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  5. Pour on top of finished steak. Garnish with green onions and remaining olive oil. Serve with baked sweet potato.




Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders




"These small, delicious sandwiches are perfect for any party.  They can also be made up the day before, cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.  When ready, bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes with the foil on, then uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes."  ~Shelly 




Image result for ham and swiss slidersIngredients

  • 3/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
  • 24 King;s Hawaiian Original Sweet Dinner Rolls
  • 1 pound thinly sliced cooked deli ham
  • 1 pound thinly sliced Swiss cheese

Directions



  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

  2. In a bowl, mix together butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and dried onion. Separate the tops from bottoms of the rolls, and place the bottom pieces into the prepared baking dish. Layer about half the ham onto the rolls. Arrange the Swiss cheese over the ham, and top with remaining ham slices in a layer. Place the tops of the rolls onto the sandwiches. Pour the mustard mixture evenly over the rolls.

  3. Bake in the preheated oven until the rolls are lightly browned and the cheese has melted, about 20 minutes. Slice into individual rolls through the ham and cheese layers to serve.
Image result for ham and swiss sliders
Image result for ham and swiss slidersImage result for ham and swiss sliders