Sausage Potato Bake

     This is one of those quick and easy weeknight meals or even one for your busy weekend. Simply combine all ingredients into one baking dish, cover, and bake. Sausage Potato Bake.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 Italian sausage links cut into bites
• Handful baby potatoes cut in half
• Handful fresh green beans picked
• Handful grape tomatoes halved
• Half yellow bell pepper sliced
• Olive oil
• Salt/pepper
• Italian seasoning

1. Prep all ingredients as described above.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. Drizzle some olive oil over all ingredients, salt and pepper, and sprinkle a little Italian seasoning
blend.

4. Cover and cook for 60 minutes.

5. Uncover and cook for another 20-30 minutes.

     This was a great and filling meal for that quick and busy night.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60-90 minutes
Serves: 3+

Cuban Mojo Pork Loin

    I was looking for a new delicious pork loin recipe and decided to give this traditional Cuban dish a try. The citrus flavor combined with some heat and warmth is amazing. Mojo is traditional for the Cuban culture and much different from other versions of Mojo. This was so easy and easy to make in the crock pot that I highly recommend this for anyone wanting a good, tender, juicy pork loin dinner for their family. Cuban Mojo Pork Loin. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2-1 lb pork tenderloin
• Vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 cloves garlic
• Zest from both orange and lime
• Cornstarch slurry
• Salt/pepper
• Fresh parsley

1. Rub pork loin with salt and pepper. In a large skillet with some vegetable oil drizzled sear the loin on all sides until lightly browned.

2. In crock pot pour in the orange juice, lime juice, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic and zest from the fruit. Place the loin in and toss around. Cover and cook for roughly 8 hours on low.

3. Serve over rice with some fresh parsley.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Serves: 3+

This dish was DELICIOUS!!! Give it a try. 

Ultimate Nachos

    Whether it is game day afternoon, or you just want something easy and oh so good for dinner. That craving of a good plate of nachos is always something I can get on board with. These are so amazing that you will make these at least 2 times a month if not more. These can easily be made in a crock pot and cook all afternoon or for about an hour on top of the stove in a large skillet. Ultimate Nachos.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 boneless beef rib
• 1 can black beans rinsed
• 1 small can diced tomato/jalapeno
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• Nacho chips
• White queso
• Green onion

1. Cut the beef rib into 1/2 inch bite size strips. Place in bowl with 1/2 cup water and taco seasoning and let marinate overnight.

2. Toss into skillet, (or crock pot), and simmer until brown.

3. Stir in rinsed black beans, diced tomato/jalapeno, frozen corn, and some green onion. Cover and simmer on low for roughly 1 hour.

4. Heat up the white queso.

5. Place nachos on plate. Top with beef been mixture, drizzle some queso, and chopped green onion and serve.

    These nachos are definitely the ultimate meal for game day or just to indulge in some good old Tex-Mex cuisine. 

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour stove top, 3-4 hours crock pot.

Serves: 2+

Terry's Irish Root Soup

    My dad every fall around the festival time, for at least the past 20 years, has made what he likes to call an Irish Root Soup that his mother used to make. He took all the root vegetables he could find, along with some beef, and made a delicious hearty soup. Now, to be completely honest, only myself and just a few others enjoyed this soup. This past year, he decided to not make any as he felt no one but him would eat it. So in honor of the time of year and him, I decided to make him some. Terry's Irish Root Soup.

Ingredients:

• 2 small parsnips
• 1 rutabaga
• 1 turnip
• 2 carrots
• 2 small potatoes
• 1 small onion
• 1/2 lb beef chunks
• Sprig fresh rosemary
• Sprig fresh thyme
• Sprig fresh oregano
• Sprig fresh fennel
• 1 large Bay leaf
• Beef stock
• Salt/pepper

1. Gather your fresh herbs and make a bouquet of them with kitchen twine.

2. In a large pot drizzle a little oil and brown the beef chunks until cooked.

3. Pour in the beef stock.

4. Dice up your root vegetables into bite size pieces and toss in.

5. Toss in your bouquet of herbs and bring to a simmer.

6. Cover and cook for about 30 plus minutes or until all vegetables are tender. Salt and pepper to taste.

    This soup is so good and hearty. My father really appreciated me making this for him. It will always remind me of him for years to come.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 plus minutes
Serves: 4+

Orange or Grape Crostata

    Saw this recipe in one of my copies of  Bon Appetit magazine where they had a special on different restaurants and some of the best dishes they serve. This was one of them and they included the recipe. However, knowing me, I changed it up a bit and created my own version. I made two different types of delicious fruit crostata to use up the fruit I had in my kitchen. The easy filling to these is very similar to the frangipane from French pastry cooking. Orange and Grape Crostata.

Ingredients:

• 1 small orange or handful grapes halved
• 1 store bought pie crust
• 3 oz butter room temperature
• 3 oz sugar
• 3 oz almond flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 2 tbs melted butter
• Extra sugar for sprinkling

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine room temperature butter and sugar until smooth. Mix in the almond flour.

3. Whisk in the eggs and almond extract. Zest your orange, (if doing the orange one), and mix into bowl. Set aside.

4. Now, slice your orange or grapes length wise and sit aside.

5. Roll out your piecrust onto a waxed lined baking sheet.

6. Spread the butter egg mixture over top of the piecrust leaving at least an inch around the perimeter.

7. Lay your slices around in a circle and fold up the edges to cover the outer slices of fruit.

8. Take your melted butter and brush over the edges. Sprinkle some sugar around crust and on top of the fruit. Bake for 40-45 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40-45
Serves: 4+

Steak Imperial

    So one of my favorite steak dishes is the steak imperial. I used to eat it quite a bit at the local restaurant down on the river called Calain's Cove. The owner was this great lady that even when it wasn't on the menu, or a special for the evening would cook it up just for me. She used filet, however I decided to use a simple yet delicious flank cut of beef. This was my first attempt at making Hollandaise sauce and I must say it turned out very well. Steak Imperial.

Ingredients:

• 1 flank steak
• salt/pepper

• 1 small 8 oz can of lump crab meat
• Tbs Garlic powder
• Tbs hot mustard
• Tbs old bay seasoning
• 2 tbs Italian style bread crumbs

• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 squeezed lemon
• 1 stick melted butter
• Pinch cayenne

1. Salt and pepper steak and set aside to grill.

2. In a large bowl combine crab meat, garlic powder, mustard, Old bay, bread crumbs. Sit aside.

3. In a stainless steal bowl whisk the egg yolks and lemon juice until doubled in size.

4. Over a double boiler with simmering water whisk the egg yolk mixture and slowly drizzle in the melted butter until doubled in size. 

5. Remove and whisk in the cayenne. Sit aside and keep warm until serving.

6. Now grill the steak to your choice of temp. 

7. Slice, top with some of the crab mixture and drizzle some Hollandaise sauce over and serve.

This is such a great flavorful dinner that everyone will love it!.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20-25 minutes 

Serves: 2+

Pratola Riso and Radicchio

    While visiting family again this year in Pratola Peligna, Italy, we were served this beautiful, yet odd color dish of rice. It was sat on a plate in a square and looked quite like a rice crispy treat, however purple and definitely not a sweet dessert. After taking the first bite, the bursting flavors in your mouth were amazing. This rice dish was definitely a highlight of the meal that evening and I just had to recreate it when I got back to the States. Pratola Riso and Radicchio.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• 3 tbs olive oil
• 2 tbs butter
• 1/2 white onion diced
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 small head radicchio diced
• 3 cups red wine
• 1 cup grated Parmigiano
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• Salt/pepper

1. In a large saute pan melt butter and oil until just hot enough.
2. Saute onion until translucent.
3. Stir in rice and let it just start to brown and soak up the butter, oil, and onion.
4. Slowly start stirring in the wine about a cup at a time until the rice begins to soak it up and you need to add more. Continue stirring.
5. Next, start adding in the chicken broth the same way. Continue stirring and standing over the stove as this process may be lengthy but well worth it.
6. Once all the liquid is absorbed. Turn off heat and stir in 1/2 cup Parmigiano until incorporated.
7. In a 9 x 13 inch greased baking pan spread the rice mixture.
8. Top with the mozzarella and the last of the 1/2 cup Parmigiano. Bake in 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes.
9. Let cool, slice and serve.

This side dish, antipasto, etc., was amazing and your quests will love the flavor of it.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40
Serves: 4 +

Tuscan Olive Crostini

   

     While on my travels in Italy this year I had the great opportunity of staying in a wonderful old farmhouse on the grounds of an old castle in the hills of Tuscany. Castello Del Trebbio, which grows and supplies their own olives, wine, and vegetables. During our wonderful tour of the castle and the old cellars that are used to make wines and olive oil, we had a fantastic wine and oil tasting accompanied by little crostini that paired perfectly with each wine. One of the crostini that stood out the most to me was a very simple one made of just a few ingredients. Although so simple in its composition the flavor was like nothing I had ever had before. Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the freshness of the olives picked and made on site, but whatever it was this little appetizer was coming home with me. Tuscan Olive Crostini

Ingredients:

• Small crusty baguette loaf
• 10 oz black olives
• Zest 1 small orange
• Olive oil
• Small handful chopped basil

1. Slice loaf into little crostini rounds. Drizzle with olive oil and bake in 350 degree oven until lightly brown.
2. Meanwhile in a food processor combine olives, zest of orange, small handful of fresh basil leaves. Drizzle in olive oil until you have consistency to spread.
3. Spread over each slice of bread and serve.

     This simple appetizer, (antipasti), is so flavorful. The combination of olives, orange, and hint of basil with some good olive oil are a party in your mouth. I served these at a party I had and not a single one was left. People raved about them.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Inactive: 10 minutes
Serves: 4+

Creamy Balsamic Pork Chops

     Here is another dish I created by using one I found on the Internet and making it my own. Quick, easy, and packed full of flavor. Creamy Balsamic Pork Chops.

Ingredients:

• 5 boneless pork chops
• 2 tbs balsamic 
• Clove garlic minced
• 1 tbs butter
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 small shallot chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup cream
• Pinch Italian seasoning
• Fresh parsley chopped
• 1/2-1 cup mushrooms
• Flour
• Salt/pepper

1. In a large skillet melt butter and olive oil over medium high heat.

2. Saute shallots and mushrooms until tender.

3. Toss in garlic and saute.

4. Toss pork chops in flour and brown in pan on both sides.

5. Pour in the chicken stock and cream. Stir until mixed and bring to slight simmer.

6. Mix in the balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, and chopped fresh parsley. Cover and simmer for about 10-15 minutes.

This pork chop meal was perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner. Enjoy!

Original blogpost I got the recipe from was www.saltandlavender.com. A good recipe if you ask me.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4+

Honey Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken

 

 

     Got this recipe from the Internet and made it my own. Wanted a delicious and crisp roasted chicken with a great burst of flavor. Honey Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken.

 

Ingredients:

 

• 5 lb whole chicken
• 3 large cloves garlic minced
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tbs herb di province
• 1 small onion chopped
• 3 tbs olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 tbs paprika
• 1 lemon juiced
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Potatoes

 

1. Combine honey, minced garlic, chopped onion, herb di province, olive oil, bay leaves, paprika, lemon and orange juice in a small bowl and whisk together.
2. In a large freezer bag place whole chicken and pour in the bowl of ingredients. Zip shut and place in fridge overnight. Rotate at least once.
3. when ready to cook, preheat oven to 350 and take chopped broccoli, carrots, and potatoes into the base of a roasting pan. Place chicken on top and pour in the marinade.
4. Cook covered for 1 hour. Remove cover and let the top brown. Half way through a second hour turn chicken over so the other side also gets brown and crisp. Cooking time may vary from 2 hours to 2 1/2.

 

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cook Time: 2- 2 1/2 hours
Serves: 4+

 

This chicken was so juicy and the flavor combination of the herb di province and honey was fantastic! Highly recommend.

 

(Hint: depending on how well you want your vegetables cooked, you could put them in later on through the cooking process. I used fresh vegetables so they actually turned out still tender and perfect).