Beautiful foods to try

Apple & Pear Crisp

/in , /by

This is the second recipe that I tried from the “It’s Friday Night Again” episode from the Barefoot Contessa.

This was absolutely delicious!!! My step-son’s really enjoyed it. It was so simple and quick. Enjoy!!

Ingredients

2 pounds ripe Bosc pears (4 pears)

2 pounds firm Macoun apples (6 apples)

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon


1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the topping:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal

1/2 pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced









Directions:




Peel, core, and cut the pears and apples into large chunks. Place the fruit in a large bowl and add the zests, juices, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour into a 9 by 12 by 2-inch oval baking dish.

For the topping:
Combine the flour, sugars, salt, oatmeal, and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed for 1 minute, until the mixture is in large crumbles. Sprinkle evenly over the fruit, covering the fruit completely.

Place the baking dish on a sheet pan and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is brown and the fruit is bubbly. Serve warm.








Recipe from the Food Network, see here.

Chicken Piccata

/in , /by

I love trying new recipes! It is a great way to learn about new ingredients, how to cut vegetables or fruits, you learn about certain cuts of meats and herbs. I watch a LOT of Youtube videos. I follow this channel called “BarefootButterNHeavyCream” and they post nothing but the Barefoot Contessa cooking shows!

The most recent episode that I watched was the one called “It’s Friday Night Again” and in this episode Jeffrey was on his way home and Ina had this wonderful meal prepared. This dish in particular was called the Chicken Piccata and it looked delish!

I had to try it. The recipe is below and it was super easy. Enjoy!!

My chicken piccata




Ingredients

2 split (1 whole) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 extra-large egg

1/2 tablespoon water


3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

Good olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons), lemon halves reserved

1/2 cup dry white wine

Sliced lemon, for serving

Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving






Here is the video from the show

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.


Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.


Mix the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a shallow plate. In a second plate, beat the egg and 1/2 tablespoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs on a third plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.


Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Place them on the sheet pan and allow them to bake for 5 to 10 minutes while you make the sauce.


For the sauce, wipe out the saute pan with a dry paper towel. Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and then add the lemon juice, wine, the reserved lemon halves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl to combine. Discard the lemon halves and serve 1 chicken breast on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

Recipe via the Food Network, see here.




Cinnamon Apple French Toast

/in , /by

I saw this decadent recipe on Southern Lady magazine. I must try it soon!!! No, no asap!!!

Looks heavenly



Ingredients
  1. 1⁄2 cup heavy whipping cream
  2. 1⁄2 cup half-and-half
  3. 2 large eggs
  4. 1 tablespoon sugar
  5. 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  6. 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  7. 4 tablespoons butter
  8. 8 slices Texas toast
  9. Cinnamon Apple Topping (recipe follows)
  10. Garnish: chopped toasted pecans
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 200°.
  2. In a shallow dish, combine cream, half-and-half, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla; whisk to combine well.
  3. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat. Dip bread into cream mixture, allowing excess to drain. Cook bread for 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Repeat procedure with remaining butter and bread. Keep each batch warm in oven. Serve with Cinnamon Apple Topping. Garnish with pecans, if desired.


Cinnamon Apple Topping
Ingredients
  1. 6 tablespoons butter
  2. 3⁄4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  3. 3⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  4. 3 Granny Smith apples, cored and thinly sliced
Instructions
  1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and cinnamon, stirring to combine. Add apples, stirring to coat. Cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until syrup is slightly thickened, 6 to 8 minutes.






(photo and recipe via Southern Lady.com)

The Ayres Tea Room Recipe ~ Chicken Pot Pie

/in , /by

One of the last recipe’s that I wanted to share from the gorgeous and chic tea room is the “chicken pot pie” recipe. It has the same base ingredients as the chicken velvet soup so it is a delicious meal also. The pastry crust on top is divine!

Chicken Pot Pie


1 cup & 4 tablespoons of all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of sugar
8 tablespoons of margarine, divided
2 tablespoons of ice water


1 tablespoon powered chicken base
1-1/2 cups of boiling water
2 cups cooked and boned chicken, cut in 1 inch chunks




Dough: Combine 1 cup flour, salt and sugar; cut in 4 tablespoons of chilled margarine and add just enough ice water to make dough come together. Wrap dough in waxed paper; refrigerate for at least a half-hour. Roll out half of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and the size of a casserole dish. Line dish and sides with dough; bringing dough up to edges. Roll out remaining dough to size to cover dish; reserve.


Filing: Melt remaining margarine in saucepan, add 4 tablespoons flour and cook, stirring for 2 or 3 minutes. Blend chicken base, add water all at once and mix well. Bring mixture to a simmer, add chicken and, when heated through, pour into dough-lined casserole. Top with reserved dough; press edges to seal. Prick top in several places to allow steam to escape. Bake 400 degrees for 20 minutes, or until dough is lightly browned.




photo via AHFE


Simple Rigatoni

/in , /by

I keep a dinner rotation list so that there is none of the “what’s for dinner” questions  when I get home from work.

I shop for the same items every week and it makes preparing meals very easy. On the list is my simple rigatoni meal.

I just boil a box of rigatoni noodles, warm up some Ragu spaghetti sauce (meat flavored). Most nights my husband and I have meat in ours so I will brown some ground beef in a skillet and pour the sauce over it. Add some garlic salt and basil for seasoning. My daughter doesn’t like much meat so with her’s we just add the sauce and basil.

Once the noodles are done I pour the sauce over the noodles, sprinkle some cheese, bake some french bread and Voila. Dinner is served! I still use my dishes and cloth napkins. It keeps dinner nice and simple. Enjoy!

(photo via AHFE)

Slow Cooker Chicken

/in , /by

There is nothing like coming home and having your dinner already simmering in your slow cooker. I love creating slow cooker meals. It is so easy and the meals are always wonderful.

I have been trying to get into the habit of doing this more. With my daughter’s busy schedule and homework after school cooking a meal can turn into another job if you are not prepared.

So I have been buying chicken and putting it in the slow cooker. Then when I come home all I have to do is make the side dishes and voila dinner is ready in 30 minutes.

The dish that I have been making a lot lately is chicken breast with Campbell’s cream of chicken soup. I just put a few chicken breasts in the crock pot with salt, pepper and 2 cans of Campbell’s cream of chicken soup. I turn on my slow cooker to low and let it cook for 10 hours.

The chicken falls apart on the fork. Pair it with some mashed potatoes, vegetables and french bread and you have a healthy warm meal that the family will love. Well, at least mine do!!! Enjoy!!!

My slow cooker chicken




photo via AHFE

Baked Salmon

/in , /by

Salmon is my favorite fish to eat! There are so many benefits to eating it. It is packed with vitamins A, B and D as well as calcium. It also has those wonderful omega 3 fatty acids that help your brain work better and improve memory (see this article about the benefits of eating salmon).

I have been on a salmon “kick” for the last several weeks. I don’t know why but maybe my body is craving those omega fatty acids. I have enjoyed it. Below is my quick and simple recipe for baked salmon. I hope you enjoy it!

My salmon at home






Baked Salmon:


~ Purchase a salmon of your choice and size

~ Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees

~ Place salmon on parchment paper or greased baking pan

~ Sprinkle some olive oil on it (use as much as you wish)

~ Sprinkle salt, pepper, Weber Grill Kickin Chicken (I love this stuff), and then some basil.

~ I then place it in the oven for about 30 minutes and voila. Dinner is served!

(photo via Mrs. Shockley)