Posts under ‘Cuisine’

It has been fourteen months since the first time I made apple pie. After some feedback from viewers, I decided it was time to revisit the recipe and add some punch. Thanks to the crumb topping and smaller apple slices, that punch was achieved. This one is definitely worth giving a try!

Ingredients:

• Pillsbury ready made pie crust
• 6 cups sliced and cubed medium sized McIntosh or Jonathan apples
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• Dash of salt

Crumb Topping:

• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 stick margarine

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425. Take stick of margarine for topping out of fridge, cut into small pieces in bowl and set aside to warm to room temp.

Place crust in 9 inch deep dish pie pan. Mix together sugar, flour cinnamon, salt. Peel, core and slice apples, then cut into cubes about the thickness of a plain M&M and the size of a peanut M&M.

Stir apples into sugar mixture coating all the apples. Turn into pie crust.

To prepare crumb topping, mix together flour and brown sugar. Add the sliced margarine.

Mix with fork, smashing in the margarine until mixture is crumbly.

Sprinkle mixture evenly over the apples. Cover edges of pie crust with foil so they don’t burn.

Bake approx 50 minutes (ovens vary so keep and eye on the topping) at 425. Check after 40 minutes. If crumb topping is properly browned cover entire pie loosely with a piece of foil to prevent topping from burning.

Let pie cool for about 30 to 45 minutes.

I’m starting to come to a realization. I believe I am becoming a fan of casseroles. They taste great, are easy to prepare and heat up really well as a leftover – everything a single guy on a budget could ask for. This time around, I’m taking some leftover Easter ham and mixing it with some hash browns, cheese, onions and other goodness for what is sure to be a tasty treat.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 half of 32 oz bag Ore Ida Hash Browns (square chunks, not shredded)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 7 tablespoons melted margarine
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 cup ham chunks
• 1 cup cornflakes

Directions:

Thaw potatoes in bowl and season with salt and pepper.

In a separate bowl mix together sour cream, soup, onion, and 3 tablespoons melted margarine.

Add potatoes, ham and cheese.  Mix together.

Place into greased baking dish.  Melt remaining 4 tablespoons margarine in bowl.  Add cornflakes and stir to coat.

Place on top of potato mixture and spread to cover.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes uncovered.

I love garlic, I love potatoes and I like rosemary. Behind mashed potatoes loaded with all the things you are supposed to leave off, this is my favorite way to prepare potatoes. Be sure to check out part two of this episode for the recipe for Crispy Balsamic Baked Chicken Breasts. They are the perfect companion for these cubed spuds.

Ingredients

• 1 lbs red potatoes, unpeeled and cut in large chunks
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

In a saucepan large enough to hold all of the potato chunks, bring water to a boil.

Add potatoes, and boil for 2 minutes. You are not trying to cook the potatoes through at this point.

In a large bowl, combine the oil, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Be generous with the salt, or the potatoes will be bland.

Drain the potatoes well, and add to the oil and garlic mixture.

Mix gently, but thoroughly.

Cover bowl, and let sit for at least 20 minutes, and up to 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 450.

Place potato mixture in a roasting pan.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Toss potatoes with a spatula.

Return to the oven for 10 more minutes until cooked through and golden brown.

Check seasonings, and add more salt or pepper as needed.

Serve immediately.

I love fried chicken but it is so bad for you that I try to avoid it as much as possible. I have found baking chicken to be a good alternative but sometimes I miss that crunch. Enter crispy balsamic chicken. With the texture from the breadcrumbs and the amazing taste sensation of garlic and balsamic vinegar, this is a recipe you are likely to add to the rotation. Be sure to check out part one of this episode for Oven Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary. They make a great side for this one.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (I used Italian)
• 1/2 teaspoon dry parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 egg whites (I used the egg beater style ones)
• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• salt & pepper

Directions

Put bread crumbs, parsley,garlic powder,and salt in medium bowl and mix.

Whisk together vinegar and egg whites in smaller bowl.

Dip chicken in vinegar mixture then dry mixture.

Place on sprayed cookie sheet.

Spray the top of the chicken breasts with cooking spray (I used butter flavored)

Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.

Bake 400 for 30-40 minutes, till fork tender and juices run clear.

Today’s recipe comes from overhearing a conversation at work between a few coworkers. After hearing the words buffalo chicken ring I had to find out the details of the conversation and obtain a recipe. What came next was something I found very exciting. I am happy to report my listening skills paid off with this little dish. Quick, easy and very tasty – this treat will make you popular at the next party you host or attend.
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I’m just going to say it upfront, this is my favorite episode so far. I have made tacos countless times but never have they been as fresh, flavorful and delicious as what I created for this episode. The biggest factor playing into the flavor is without a doubt the fresh tortillas given to me by Nicole Misencik (@NicoleWTHR). As a fellow food lover (and great local meteorologist), Nicole was nice enough to bring back some fresh tortillas from her favorite Mexican restaurant in Phoenix. A huge thanks goes out to her for making this recipe possible.

I even get so excited at the end that I fail to recognize the difference between a lemon and a lime.
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Between a full week out of town and what I now refer to as the Great Cold of 2010, my cooking was on hold for much of January. Thankfully, the fun can return and with it comes another casserole bake. This time around the recipe comes from a book given to me by my good friend Greg Sorvig (@gsorvig) – 365 Easy One-Dish Recipes. While I was tempted by the Sassy Sandwiches section, I settled on the Spaghetti Bake, etc.

I would also like to mention this weeks episode is sponsored by rickyleepotts of http://blog.rickyleepotts.com/ (@rickyleepotts) Be sure to check that out – my favorite section is food and beverage.
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As my final taping for 2009 I decided to make a dish to bring over to my friend’s house to celebrate bringing in the new year. Looking through some of my viewer submitted recipes, I found one that I knew would fit the bill perfectly – Mexican lasagna. The preparation is easy and reheating is simple. Even better, the taste is amazing!
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As my last recipe before the Christmas holiday, loaded potato skins are in the house. Perfect for a holiday party due to the easily scalable recipe, your guests are sure to enjoy this treat.

I cut the recipe in half since I was the only one eating these bad boys. Keep that in mind as the way the recipe is written will only make four potato halves.
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I opened my fridge this morning only to find I had no eggs.  I wanted to get something in my belly to hold me over before a large lunch.  So, I decided to toss some random things together to make a quick meal.  Here is what I came up with.