Showing posts with label Honey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Honey. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Honey Lime Country Ribs


Honey-Lime-Ribs
Honey Lime Country Ribs
 
 
     Another recipe based on one created by Rasa Malaysia. Her recipe was for chicken thighs which appeared very good. I thought I would shake it up a bit and make some country pork ribs with the same bases for marinade. Honey Lime Country Ribs.
 
Ingredients:
 
  • 1lb pork country cut ribs
  • 2 tbs honey
  • 2 tbs soy
  • 1 tbs lime juice
  • Pinch cayenne
  • 1 clove diced garlic
 
1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
 
2. Place ribs in a small casserole dish and pour marinade over.
 
3. Cover and let marinate for at least 1 hour.
 
4. On a hot grill, grill the ribs on both sides until marks appear.
 
5. In a 350 degree oven place the ribs on a foil lined baking sheet and bake for at least 20-25 minutes.
 
6. Every 5 minutes or so I removed the ribs and brushed on the left over marinade to add some shine
and caramelize.
 
      These were perfect for a weeknight meal. Quick and easy and full of flavor.
 
 
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Serves: 2-4
 




Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Bacon and Caramelized Onion Flatbread

Flatbread
Bacon and Caramelized Onion Flatbread



     This recipe was inspired by a friend of mine on Google+ Brittany M who had created some wonderful looking flatbread recipes. I wanted something that I had sort of had out in California on my last trip out there in February to visit some family and friends and to just get away from the blistering cold that is West Virginia in the winter. I had had this wonderful simple caramelized onion and ham recipe at my friend Andrea’s mother’s house. We had gone over there to visit her as it was the first time I was meeting her mother. She had some wine for us and this delicious little baked flatbread as we sat in the living room and chatted and got to know each other. Upon arriving back in West Virginia I had been craving this simple dish but kept putting it off until I could find the time to create it and find a good flatbread recipe that wouldn’t be difficult. Low and behold my friend on one of my food communities had posted one and was very generous enough to give me her recipe.

     This simple and easy flatbread is so good either right out of the oven or the next day as a simple snack out of the fridge. The creaminess from the ricotta, the sweetness from the honey and caramelized onions and the saltiness from the bacon add the perfect combination of flavors in one bite. The most time consuming part of this recipe is standing there and caramelizing the onions but it is so worth it. Please enjoy my take on Bacon and Caramelized Onion Flatbread.

Ingredients:

Flatbread recipe:

 Serves: Makes 2 flatbreads
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp. granulated-sugar
  • 1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
 
Directions:
1. Combine yeast and water in mixer fitted with a dough hook. Let stand a minute or two.
2. Add in flour (start with 2 ½ cups and add in more if needed), salt, sugar and oil. And start mixing.
3. Mix to combine, about 2-3 minutes. If dough is sticky add in remaining flour, and continue mixing for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place in an oil bowl and cover with plastic and let sit 30 minutes.
( I cut the recipe in half to make only one flatbread)

(Brittany M’s link to her website below)

Topping:
 
  • roughly 8oz ricotta
  • thyme
  • rosemary
  • salt/pepper
  • honey
  • olive oil
  • 7 slices bacon
  • 1/2 white onion diced

1.       In a large skillet brown and cook bacon until crispy and remove and drain on paper towel lined plate.

2.       In same skillet sauté diced onions on low heat until nice and brown and the caramelized has finished. (Hint: I add a little sprinkle of sugar to help out the process)

3.       Take ricotta cheese and mix in a bowl with a little salt, pepper, pinch of thyme powder, pinch of rosemary, and drizzle of honey.

4.       Now I rolled out the dough for the flatbread, drizzled a bit of olive oil over. Dimpled with my finger tips and spread the ricotta mixture over top.

5.       Placed the onions and crumbled bacon evenly over the top of the ricotta mixture.

6.       Placed in a 400 degree oven and baked for about 25 minutes until the flatbread was crisp and brown. Drizzle with some honey and serve once cooled.

     This flatbread was so good and had to share it with my friends down at the river the next day. I would possibly recommend cooking the flatbread a bit before placing the toppings on just to make sure the crispiness was even. Fantastic dish and very appreciative to Brittany for giving me the recipe and to Andrea and her mother for serving it to me the first time.

 Prep Time Total: 1 hour ½
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Serves: 2-4

 

Brittany M’s blog: http://cookingwithbrittany.com/


Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Roasted Grape and Ricotta Crostini

Grape-Crostini
Roasted Grape and Ricotta Crostini
 
 
 
     I cannot take credit for this recipe. I was hosting a dinner party for some coworkers and was making a bunch of different homemade Italian dishes. I needed an easy and delicious appetizer recipe and didn’t feel like making one I was used to. I searched to web and discovered a great way to take grapes and turn them into something even more delicious; roasted grapes. This was quick and easy and the flavor of the grapes completely changed with this recipe. They were more like figs or some other kind of fruit once they had been roasted. That with the combination of a ricotta mixture and drizzled balsamic vinegar created a burst of flavor in your mouth. Hope you enjoy my Roasted Grape and Ricotta Crostini.

Ingredients:
  • Baguette of French bread
  • Bundle of grapes
  • Thyme
  • Honey
  • Olive oil
  • Ricotta
  • Pepper
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Sea salt
 
 
1.       Preheat oven to 450. Take your bundle of grapes and toss them in a bit of olive oil, drizzled honey, and sprinkled thyme.

2.       Place the grape mixture on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes.

3.       Meanwhile take some ricotta and drizzle some more honey into it. Sprinkle with black pepper and whip together until you have a sweetened but spicy mixture. Add in a bit of sea salt to give it that salty contrast.

4.        Slice the baguette into ½ inch crostini slices and brown in the same oven.

5.       Take the ricotta mixture and spread a bit on each slice of bread.

6.       Once the grapes have come to room temperature top each ricotta sliced bread with a couple grapes.

7.       Serve with a bit of balsamic vinegar to be drizzled over each crostini.

 
     These were fantastic. The jaminess from the grapes, the peppered but salty creaminess from the ricotta and the contrast with the addition of the balsamic vinegar made for a perfect blast of flavor and excitement in your mouth. They were a big hit at the dinner party.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 10 plus

 


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Orange Honey Chicken

 
Orange-Honey-Chicken
Orange Honey Chicken


     A traditional Chinese dish that you can easily find in any American/Chinese restaurant on the buffet along with other typical take out items is that of Honey Chicken.  I thought about taking that item and spinning it with a new twist. Another flavor that you might also find in Asian cuisines: orange.  I thought it would be a perfect idea to combine the sweetness of the honey and citrus of the orange and add it to a great Chinese fried chicken.  Served it over a little lo mein noodles and you find yourself with a good weeknight meal.  Orange Honey Chicken.

Ingredients:
  • 1 large chicken breast
  • 4 tbs honey
  • 2 tbs rice wine
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup soy
  • 1 tsp diced ginger
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1 tsp diced garlic
  • 2 egg whites
  • 2 tbs cornstarch

In a small bowl combine the egg whites and cornstarch.  Cut up the chicken into bite size pieces.  Toss into the cornstarch egg mixture. Heat a wok over medium high heat with enough oil to fry some chicken.  Toss in a few pieces of coated chicken and fry until golden brown. About 3-5 minutes each side. 



     Remove and drain.  Once chicken is all complete I discarded the oil into a receptacle.  With a little oil still left in the wok quickly sauté the ginger, orange zest, and garlic until fragrant.  Pour in and mix the rice wine, orange juice, soy, and honey until the mixture becomes thick.  Toss back in the chicken and coat.  Serve over your favorite lo mein or rice dish.  Another homemade Chinese dish that you can add to your recipe box. Serves about 1-2 people.


 

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Balsamic Glazed Chicken


      I came up with this recipe by just searching the web for ideas on how to spruce up my chicken.  I decided to use boneless skinless thighs for this one thinking it would be a bit juicer and be able to handle the flavors that I decided to incorporate for this glaze.  I had seen a couple different ways of making a balsamic glaze but wanted to put my own spin on it.  I combined the strong flavors of the balsamic vinegar with some brown sugar, honey, fresh garlic, and even some thyme.  I accompanied these with an unusual potato concoction that I invented in my mind.  I took some small yellow skin potatoes, sliced them like little coins, quickly sautéed them in butter and oil, added just enough cream to barely cover them, some seasoning salt and fresh rosemary, covered and simmered until the liquid had absorbed and the potatoes were tender.  This chicken is not only tender and juicy but the flavors really go well together.  Almost like a good BBQ but with a tangy twist.  Balsamic Glazed Chicken.

Ingredients:
  • 1-2 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/3-cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbs brown sugar
  • 2 tbs honey
  • 1 large diced clove garlic
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme

      Coat chicken with salt and pepper and start grilling it over medium heat on the grill.  Meanwhile in a small sauce pan pour in the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, honey, garlic, and fresh thyme.  Simmer until the mixture reduces and thickens.  Start coating the chicken and flipping it until the chicken is cooked and the glaze has become thick on the meat.  Serve with the above potatoes and your favorite green vegetable.  Serves 2.  A quick and delicious chicken that anyone in the house can enjoy.