Friday, June 10, 2011

"California" Style Chicken Salad

This chicken salad is dubbed as "California" style, because like most California cooking and baking, it has many fruits and nuts burried inside.  Sorry, no avocadoes in this one!

Ingredients

1 Whole 4-5 Lb Roasted Chicken
1 Cup Mayonaise
3 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
1 Whole Fuji Apple
1/2 Red Onion
1/4 Cup Green Onions
1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley
2/3 Cup Dried Cranberries
1/2 Cup Chopped Pecans
1/4 Cup Seedless Grapes
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
Alfalfa Sprouts

Directions

Cut chicken into cubes and place in a large bowl.  Dice the apple, red onion, and green onions and add to the chicken.  Halve the grapes and add to the mixture.  Add cranberries, pecans, parsley, salt, and pepper.  Gently fold the ingredients together until combined.  Add the mayonaise and mustard and gently fold in.  refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.  Serve on a buttery croissant and top with alfalfa sprouts.  Enjoy.

Pork Chili

An out-of-this world, one-pot chili that is perfect for pot-lucks or BBQ's.

Ingredients

1 Lb. Italian Seasoned Ground Pork
2 Cans Black Beans (undrained)
2 Cans Petite Diced Tomatoes (undrained)
1 Can Tomato Paste
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
1 Can Whole Kernel Corn (drained)
1 Jalepeno Pepper (diced)
1/2 Teaspoon Hot Sauce
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Worchestire Sauce

Directions

In large pot over medium/high heat, brown pork and drain fat.  Discard the fat.  Add the rest of the ingredients and turn heat down to lowest setting.  Let cook for at least one hour and no longer than 6 hours.  Add more or less salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste. Enjoy.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Famous BBQ Beef Cups

For all of those who have tried my BBQ Beef cups and wanted the recipe, well here it is!

Ingredients

1 Lb. Lean Ground Beef
Garlic Salt
Pepper
1 Container Ready-Made Biscuit Dough
1 Bottle Honey BBQ Sauce (about 2 cups)
Approximately 1 Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Grated
1 Can Kidney or Pinto Beans (Drained)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large skillet over medium/high heat, brown beef and add garlic salt and pepper to taste.  When cooked thoroughly, remove from heat and add BBQ sauce and beans to the beef mixture.  Set aside.

Grease a regular sized muffin tin and flatten biscuit dough with hand until the dough is larger than the circumference of the muffin tin and makes a deep cup for the filling to go into.  Spoon large spoonfuls of the beef and bean mixture into the biscuit cups. Top with the cheddar cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes or until biscuit dough is golden brown .

Pretzel Crusted Chicken with Beer Infused Cheddar Sauce

One of my husband's favorite dishes that has evolved over time from a recipe inspired by Rachel Ray.

Pretzel Chicken

2 Cups Pretzels
2 Whole Eggs
2 Chicken Breasts
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

Cheese Sauce

1 Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Cup Beer
2 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
Salt
Pepper

Directions

In a blender or food processor, crush pretzels until they are a breadcrumb consistency.  Place pretzel crumbs onto a plate and spread out evenly.  Beat eggs, a pinch of salt, and pepper, into a small bowl.  Heat olive oil in a 10 In. sautee` pan over medium heat. Dredge a chicken breast in the pretzel crumbs, dip in egg mixture, then coat in another coating of pretzels.  Carefully place each breast into the hot oil.  Do not overcrowd the pan.  Cook 3-4 minutes on each side, or until evenly browned on both sides and chicken is no longer soft to the touch. 

For the cheese sauce, heat the butter in the pan over medium heat until just melted.  Mix flour in and cook until rue is a golden brown, but not burnt and starts to smell.  Slowly add the beer and allow to come to a rapid simmer.  Lower heat to the lowest setting and add the cheese, cream, and mustard.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Serve over chicken, and enjoy.