Oxtails with Gravy

Oxtails make the most flavorful beef stock. For the most part, the robust beef flavor comes from the bones and marrow, but the meat is also very tasty. The rendered stock will be thick and gelatinous due to the collagen released. 

Long, slow braising in a liquid is the preferred method to derive a tender result while drawing maximum flavor from what is pretty much all bones. Plan on a long cooking time. Oxtails work particularly well in crockpots and pressure cookers.

The first time I tried Oxtail, it was prepared by Tong, owner and operator of Tong's Thai.

I don't know his recipe, but I remember it had a very nice, gravy-like, sauce.  I found this recipe online and decided to give it a try.  I was not disappointed.   ~Shelly 

 

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds beef oxtail

1 clove garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon Greek seasoning

Browning Sauces

at Harter House World Flavors

Gravy Master 

B-V Broth and Sauce 

1 teaspoon seasoning salt                           

2 tablespoons bacon drippings or shortening

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups broth from cooked oxtails

2 dashes browning sauce

salt and pepper to taste

garlic powder to taste

DIRECTIONS

Place oxtails, garlic, onions, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, Greek seasoning, and seasoning salt in a large stock pot. Fill with enough water to cover oxtails, and place over high heat. Bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove from heat, and reserve 2 cups broth.

Warm bacon drippings in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in flour, and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and browning sauce. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook, stirring constantly, until gravy thickens. Remove from heat.

Place oxtails in skillet, and stir to coat with gravy. Return to stove, and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The Oxtails are very fatty.  I removed the meat from the oxtail portions, separating the fat, before adding the meat to my gravy. 

Add any vegetables you desire to this delicious meat and gravy dish!

~Shelly 

 

This is another Oxtail recipe I want to try next.

 

OXTAIL STEW

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

Salt and pepper

6 pounds oxtail, cut into chunks

1/4 cup olive oil

4 cloves garlic sliced then mashed in salt to puree consistency

1 red onion chopped

1 cup red wine

3 cups crushed tomatoes with juice

Water, to cover

3 bay leaves

2 pounds carrots peeled and chopped into large chunks

2 pounds potatoes peeled and chopped into large chunks

DIRECTIONS

In a shallow bowl, add the flour. Season well with salt and pepper. Dredge the meat in the flour, shaking off any excess. In a large stock pot or Dutch oven over high heat, add the olive oil and heat. When the oil is hot, add the meat, and brown on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. When all of the meat is browned, remove the meat from the pan and set aside on a plate.

To the pot, add the garlic and red onion and allow to sweat. Add the wine to the pot. Add the browned meat back into the pot and add the crushed tomatoes. Add enough water to cover the meat and add the bay leaves. Bring to a simmer and simmer over low heat for 2 1/2 hours.

Add the carrots and the potatoes and simmer for another 45 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing (in a 9x13 pan)

 MY FAVORITE

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  2 teaspoons baking powder
  2 teaspoons baking soda
  ½ teaspoon salt
  2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  2 cups white sugar
  4 eggs
  1 ⅓ cups vegetable oil
  4 cups grated carrots
  ¾ cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Instructions Checklist

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.   Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

• Step 2

  In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and eggs until thick and pale. Stir in the oil, then gradually mix in the sifted dry ingredients. Fold in the carrots and nuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

• Step 3

  Bake for 40 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. When cool, frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 Cup Butter
8 oz. Cream Cheese
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Notes

Use 1 cup unsweetened applesauce and 1/3 cup oil inst4ead of the full amount of oil.

This recipe also makes great cupcakes.
Mini muffins cook about 15 minutes, regular size muffins about 25 minutes.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup that is restaurant delicious (or better!), accidentally healthy, easy to double/triple for a crowd, freezer friendly and tastes like it's been simmering for hours but on your table in 30 Minutes! 

This Chicken Tortilla Soup is almost dump and run for the ideal easy weeknight dinner or fabulous for crowds. It's warm and comforting, hearty, savory, filling, and healthy, requires minimal effort (seriously one of the easiest soups you will ever make) and is destined to become a new family favorite!

Soup - 8 to 10 Servings

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to an even thickness
1 medium onion chopped
1 poblano pepper chopped*
1 red bell pepper chopped
4 garlic cloves minced
2 tsp EACH chili powder, ground cumin, chicken bouillon powder*
1/2 tsp EACH smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 4 oz. can mild diced green chilies
2 15 oz. cans fire-roasted tomatoes not drained
1 15 oz. can black beans rinsed and drained
1 15 oz. can sweet corn rinsed and drained
1 10 oz. can mild enchilada sauce
6 cups low sodium chicken broth

ADD LATER

• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/3 chopped cilantro

Homemade Tortilla Strips

• 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
• salt

Garnish

• fresh cilantro
• sour cream
• avocado
• lime
• hot sauce
• cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (for tortilla strips).
2. Melt olive oil over medium high heat in a large Dutch oven/soup pot. Add onions and sauté for 3 minutes. Add bell pepper and poblano peppers and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
3. Add all remaining Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients (except ADD LATER). Cover soup and bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer over medium-low (or low if your stove runs hot). Simmer 20-25 minutes OR just until chicken is tender enough to shred. Remove chicken and let rest 5 minutes then shred.
4. Add chicken back to pot along with lime juice and cilantro. Taste and season with additional salt/lime juice/cayenne to taste. Stir in additional chicken broth if you would like a less chunky soup.

Recipe Notes

*This soup has a medium kick to it which I think will be perfect for most people. If you are very sensitive to spice or want to make this very kid friendly then substitute the poblano with a green bell pepper and decrease the chili powder to 1 teaspoon.

HOW TO COOK CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP IN THE SLOW COOKER

1. Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray and add chicken.
2. Add all remaining Chicken Tortilla Soup ingredients except cilantro, lime juice and tortilla strips and give the top ingredients a stir to combine.
3. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours or until chicken is tender enough to shred.
4. Remove chicken to a cutting board, shred chicken and return chicken to slow cooker along with cilantro and lime juice and cook on LOW for 10 minutes so the chicken can soak up more flavor.
5. Stir in additional chicken broth for a less chunky soup if desired and season with salt/pepper/hot sauce to taste.
6. Top individual servings with desired garnishes.

For step by step directions, this recipe comes from;

CarlsbabCravings.com

Chicken Zucchini Bake

 

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts
0.5 oz dry Ranch seasoning (½ packet)
1 zucchini thinly sliced
6 strips bacon cooked, drained, chopped
½ cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded

Instructions 

Heat oven to 375 F.
Add 4 chicken breasts to casserole dish.
Sprinkle the chicken with dry Ranch seasoning mix.
Top with sliced zucchini and chopped cooked bacon.
Top with shredded Parmesan and Mozzarella cheeses.
Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes.
Broil for the last 2-3 minutes (optional).
Remove from the oven.
Allow the chicken rest in the casserole dish.  It will continue cooking as it rests for 5-10 minutes.

Notes

Use regular chicken breasts or thinly sliced chicken breasts.  If your chicken breasts are large, slice each one in half horizontally.  By doing this, you can make 2 thinly sliced chicken breasts out of each large chicken breast.

The chicken should be cooked through in about 20 minutes.  The actual time depends on your oven.   All ovens are different.  It also depends on the thickness of your chicken breasts. 

Thin chicken breasts will cook faster. 
The chicken is cooked through when it's no longer pink in the center.
When broiling, check often.  Make sure the cheese doesn't burn on top of the chicken.  

FROM: Julia's Album

Italian Sausage Stromboli

I LOVE Italian Sausage.  I LOVE any type of Stromboli, and we never get tired of this recipe.

Start with pizza dough, then cooked Italian sausage, lots of mozzarella cheese and a drizzle of pizza sauce.  You can add sauteed peppers, olives, ham, pepperoni or any other topping that suits your fancy.

Just like pizza, the possibilities are endless.  Then roll and bake.  You can serve this with a salad for a 30 minute meal or alongside veggies and dip as an appetizer. 

Ingredients you’ll need:

1 medium sweet onion, finely diced

3 cloves garlic minced

1lb spicy Italian sausage

1/2 cup pizza sauce, plus more for dipping

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 - 13.4 oz. refrigerated pizza crust (such as Pillsbury Classic) or 1lb homemade pizza dough

Topping:

1 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp dry Italian seasoning

1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

In a medium stove top saucepan, saute the onion in a couple of drizzles of olive oil for 3 minutes until soft.  Add the minced garlic and saute for 1 minute.  Add the Italian sausage and cook until no pink remains.  Drain any excess fat from the pan and remove from the heat to cool.  This can be done ahead of time for a time saver.   Drain well and refrigerate if making in advance.

To assemble:

Preheat the oven to 425°F.  On parchment paper, stretch the dough into roughly a 10 x 13 inch rectangle.  Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.  Arrange the cooked sausage on top, then drizzle with the pizza sauce.  Top with the remaining shredded cheese, and begin to roll starting from the widest edge.  Arrange seem side down on the prepared baking sheet.

For the topping:

Brush the top and sides with melted butter, then sprinkle the seasonings on top.  Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.  [Tip: All of the seasonings can be adjusted to suit your taste.]

Bake for 18 minutes then allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into 1 inch slices.  Serve with additional pizza sauce for dipping, if desired.  Yield: 12 pieces

Italian Sausage Stromboli

Author: Melissa Sperka

Serves: 12

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. 

Classic Chicken Fried Steak with Country Gravy

Who better than Ree Drummond to give us a classic recipe, flavorful and easy.

This is a favorite in my family, for sure.   Enjoy!
~Shelly








Ingredients

Chicken Fried Steak:   6 servings

1 1/2 cups whole milk

2 large eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons seasoned salt

Freshly ground black pepper

3/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 pounds Harter House Tenderized Cube Steak 

Kosher salt

1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil

1 tablespoon butter

Gravy:

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3 to 4 cups whole milk

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1. For the steak: Begin with setting up an assembly line of dishes. Mix the milk with the eggs in one; the flour mixed with the seasoned salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, paprika and cayenne in another; and the meat in a third. Then have one clean plate at the end to receive the breaded meat.
2. Work with one piece of meat at a time. Sprinkle both sides with kosher salt and black pepper, then place it in the flour mixture. Turn to coat. Place the meat into the milk/egg mixture, turning to coat. Finally, place it back in the flour and turn to coat (dry mixture/wet mixture/dry mixture). Place the breaded meat on the clean plate, then repeat with the remaining meat.
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter. Drop in a few sprinkles of flour to make sure it's sufficiently hot. When the butter sizzles immediately, you know it's ready. (It should not brown right away, if it does, the fire is too hot.) Cook the meat, 3 pieces at a time, until the edges start to look golden brown, about 2 minutes each side. Remove the meat to a paper towel-lined plate and keep them warm by covering lightly with another plate or a sheet of foil. Repeat until all the meat is cooked.
4. After all the meat is fried, pour off the grease into a heatproof bowl. Without cleaning the skillet, return it to the stove over medium-low heat. Add 1/4 cup of the grease back to the skillet and allow it to heat up.
5. For the gravy: When the grease is hot, sprinkle the flour evenly over the grease. Using a whisk, mix the flour with the grease, creating a golden-brown paste. Add more flour if it looks overly greasy; add a little more grease if it becomes too pasty/clumpy. Keep cooking until the roux reaches a deep golden brown color.
6. Pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Add the seasoned salt and black pepper to taste and cook, whisking, until the gravy is smooth and thick, 5 to 10 minutes. Be prepared to add more milk if it becomes overly thick. Be sure to taste to make sure gravy is sufficiently seasoned.
7. Serve the meat next to a big side of mashed potatoes.
   Pour gravy over the whole shebang! 

Find this recipe and a video demonstration at

TheFoodNetwork.com

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.

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.