Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Drip Beef Sandwiches

 

I found this recipe on Food Network's Pioneer Woman. She doesn't make anything bad. I made a few changes which I will note.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ingredients:
One-- 4-pound chuck roast
Salt and Black pepper
 3 tablespoons butter
     2 tablespoons canola oil
    2 cups beef broth
    2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary or 1 package of Italian dressing mix
    One-- 16 ounce jar pepperoncini, juice and all
   2 yellow onion, sliced ( one was enough for us)
    10-12 toasted, buttered deli rolls--or favorite cheese ( I used fontina cheese)
Directions:
Sprinkle the chuck roast with salt and pepper
Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and the canola oil in a heavy pot over high heat. Sear both sides of the chuck roast until browned, about 5 minutes in all. Pour in the beef broth and 1 cup of water. I didn't use the water because I cooked it in the crock pot and it didn't need the extra liquid. Add the rosemary, or Italian dressing mix , and pepperoncini with their juices. Now cover the pot and simmer until the meat is tender and falling apart, 4-5 hours. I cooked mine in the crock pot on low for about 8 hours.
 
Meanwhile, heat the skillet over medium heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the onions and sauté until light golden brown. Set aside.
 
Remove the roast from the pot and shred the meat completely using two forks. Return the meat to the cooking liquid and keep warm.  Before I shredded the meat, I took out enough for dinner and made side dishes to go with it.  Then I shredded the rest of the meat, removed the pepperoncini, and put it in the refrigerator overnight. The next day for lunch, I removed the pot and removed the grease. I warmed the meat and put the pepperoncini back in the meat. I cut off the stems.
 
To serve, slice wedges out of the tops of the deli rolls. Heap a generous portion of meat on each roll, and then spoon some of the cooking liquid over the meat. Top with a few peppers from the pot and plenty of caramelized onions. Top the sandwiches with the wedges of roll and serve. I toasted my bread with a little cheese on the bottom of the roll. Then I put the meat on each roll. I found that it didn't need any of the liquid because the meat had been in the liquid and it made the sandwiches harder to eat with the extra liquid. After the caramelized onions, you can add a little extra cheese if you are so inclined.
 
 
 

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells


I found this recipe on pinterest. I think it would be especially good for children who love tacos, but have a hard time eating the hard shell.  The following is a link to the blog from Pinterest. http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/10647185/taco-stuffed-pasta-shells/
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
1--4oz. package cream cheese
12 large pasta shells
1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce ( I didn't use this because the ground meat had taco seasoning in it and the salsa gave it something so it wouldn't stick to the bottom.)
1 cup cheddar cheese (grated)
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (grated)
1 1/2 cups tortilla chips (crushed) I didn't use this because I served chips and guacamole on the side
3 green onions (chopped) for garnish
1 cup sour cream
1. In a fry pan cook ground beef and add taco seasoning. Prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese. Cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and allow to cool. Cook the pasta shells, drain and toss well with butter.
2. Pour salsa in the bottom of a 9" X 13" baking dish.
3. Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place the stuffed shells in the baking dish and cover the tops of the shells with taco sauce.
4. Cover and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
5. After 30 minutes, uncover, and sprinkle crushed chips if using and shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Cook for an additional 15 minutes. Serve with sour cream, additional salsa, black olives or whatever you like on your tacos.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Chocolate Cream Cheese Tunnel Cake

I found this recipe on Pinterest:  http://beautyandbedlam.com/easy-chocolate-cream-cheese-cake-with-hint-of-coffee/  I think next time, I would half the cream cheese filling. It was a little much for my taste.









Printable Version
Ingredients:
1-1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 (8ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 - (18.25 oz.) chocolate cake mix
3/4 cup cold coffee
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
2/3 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour 10 inch tube or bundt pan
1. Melt 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips in double boiler over simmering water. (I just did mine in the microwave in 30 second increments)
2. With electric mixer, combine cream cheese, sugar, milk, and melted chocolate
3. Beat until smooth. Set aside
4. Combine cake mix, coffee, oil, and eggs, and beat with electric mixer for 4 minutes.
5. Pour into prepared pan.
6. Sprinkle with nuts (optional)
7. Mound cream cheese mixture onto the top of cake mixture around the tube, but do not spread to touch sides of pan.
8. Bake 350 degrees about 55 minutes or until top springs back when pressed lightly in center
9. Cool upright in pan one hour before inverting.
To make glaze:
Heat 1/2 cup cream in small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to boil. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips until melted and smooth. Drizzle warm glaze over cooled cake. Store, covered, in refrigerator. Makes 12 servings.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Crispy Chicken with Honey Mustard and French Fried Onions

This recipe comes from Six Sisters.   Crispy Chicken with Honey Mustard and French Fried Onions
This is a great recipe. These chicken breasts were big enough that I just gave Jud one and cut the other in 1/2. Now we have enough for another meal.  I absolutely love when that happens.





Crispy Onion Chicken Recipe:
(Makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cup honey mustard (I didn't have honey mustard so I used Dijon Mustard w/ a little mayonnaise and honey. 
2 cups French's French Fried Onions, crushed
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Dip each chicken breast in honey mustard then coat in crushed French fried onions.  Place in a baking dish lined with foil and sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.  Cook for 30-35 minutes, or until cooked through.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Herb and Garlic Roast Pork Loin with Honey Mustard Sauce


This recipe comes from Food Network Kitchen http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/herb-and-garlic-roast-pork-loin-with-honey-mustard-sauce-recipe.html
I was testing it for a dinner party that I am having, but decided to do the pork in a bag. It was not because we didn't like it. We thought it was great, but I needed a dish that I could put in the oven and leave it during church. This was suppose to cook in 45 min. And I wanted it to be warm when I got home from church so it could rest while we got everything else on the table.
Printable Version


Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds boneless pork loin
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup panko crumbs
1/3 plus 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 whole heads garlic, roasted
3 tablespoons honey
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Sprinkle the pork with salt and pepper. Heat a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil; add the pork and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. Transfer the pork to a cutting board.
2. Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the butter, thyme, parsley, rosemary, and garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 min. Stir in the panko and 1 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until the panko is golden brown, about 2 min. Transfer the toasted breadcrumbs to a piece of wax or parchment paper.
3. Brush the pork with 2 tablespoons of the mustard and roll in the toasted breadcrumbs to coat. Return the coated pork to the skillet. Halve the garlic heads crosswise and add to the skillet. Roast until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the pork registers 145 degrees F, about 45 minutes. Transfer the pork and garlic to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, place the skillet over medium-low heat. Add the honey, remaining 1/3 cup mustard, and 1/4 cup water and stir until combined. Simmer until the mixture is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Slice the pork and serve with the roasted garlic and the mustard sauce

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Cream of Cauliflower and Cheese Soup

This recipe comes from The Big Book of Soups and Stews by Maryana Vollstedt. Love this book. Most of my soup recipes come from this cookbook. I put the fennel fronds on the top just for the picture. Even Jud, who needs meat, liked it. It would make a great first course.





Printable version
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 stalk celery, chopped
4-5 cups chopped cauliflower (about 1 3/4 pounds)
2 cups chicken stock or broth (homemade is best)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper (I used black- I don't mind black on white)
1 cup 1/2 and 1/2
1 cup (about 4 oz. ) grated Monterey Jack cheese
chopped parsley for topping (I didn't have any so I just used the fennel fronds for the picture)
2 tablespoons chopped raw cauliflower for topping (optional) I didn't use it.
In a soup pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion, garlic, and celery and saute' until tender, about 5 minutes. Add cauliflower, stock, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes.

Transfer to a food processor or blender in batches and puree. Return to pot and add 1/2 and 1/2 and cheese. Whisk until cheese is melted and soup is smooth, about 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with parsley and chopped cauliflower, if desired.






Friday, March 7, 2014

Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash

    This recipe comes from Ina Garten and I think it may be the best
side dish that I have ever tasted. It is a little labor intensive, but oh so worth it.  I made my massaged kale salad and grilled salmon. May be my favorite meal ever. (Have I said that before?)







Printable version
Ingredients:
1 butternut squash (2 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
2 ounces pancetta, diced (I bought a 4 oz. package that was already diced and it was not too much)
1/2 cup minced shallots (2 large)
1 1/2 cups Aborio rice (10 oz. )
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon saffron threads (I happen to have some, but you could probably leave it out)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into 3/4 inch cubes. You should have about 6 cups.  Place the squash on a sheet pan and toss it with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes, tossing once, until very tender. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the chicken stock in a small covered saucepan. Leave it on low heat to simmer.

In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute' the pancetta and shallots on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, until the shallots are translucent but not browned. Add the rice and stir to coat the grains with butter. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 full ladles of stock to the rice plus the saffron, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir, and simmer until the stock is absorbed, 5-10 minutes. Continue to add the stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring every few minutes. Each time, cook until the mixture seems a little dry, then add more stock. Continue until the rice is cooked through, but still al dente, about 30 minutes total. Off the heat, add the roasted squash cubes and Parmesan cheese. Mix well and serve.

Marcella Hazan advises that correct heat is important in making risotto. It should be "lively"; too high heat and the grains don't cook evenly, and too low heat will result in a gluey mess. It should cook in 30 minutes.

You can use bacon instead of pancetta if you so desire.