Sweet & Spicy Chicken Stir Fry (with video link)

Yumm! This easy-peasy stir fry is super tasty and comes together in a flash. Try it tonight!

 

Link to my YouTube "making of the recipe" video: https://youtu.be/TBjsMmokTx8

Original recipe credit: https://www.eatwell101.com/pepper-chicken-stir-fry-recipe

Recipe below contains my modifications.

Ingredients:

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 c. brown sugar (packed)

1/2 c. low-sodium soy sauce

2 tsp. toasted sesame oil

1 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 T. Frank's Red Hot Sauce (regular/original)

1 T. cornstarch

1 T. olive oil

1 red bell pepper, sliced in thin strips

8 oz. chicken breast, cut in bite-size pieces

1/4 tsp. coarse ground black pepper

1 T. toasted sesame seeds

 

Directions:

 

1. Combine garlic cloves, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, hot sauce, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Set aside.

 

2. In a wok (or large skillet), heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once it's shimmering, add the bell pepper and cook, stirring often, until cooked to desired tenderness (for me, it was around 5 min). Transfer cooked bell pepper to a plate and set aside.

 

3. Add the chicken to the wok (plus a little more oil, if needed). Cook, stirring often, until browned all over / cooked through.

 

4. Return the cooked bell pepper to the wok, then add the reserved sauce mixture. Stir to coat/combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1-2 min, until beginning to thicken a bit.

 

5. Remove from heat and stir in the toasted sesame seeds. Serve with desired side and enjoy!

Coq au Vin Blanc

Excellent. Made with mom, everyone raved about it!

 

Original recipe credit: https://www.foodandwine.com/coq-au-vin-blanc-8784803

Recipe below contains our modifications.

Ingredients:

4 lb. chicken drumsticks

2 tsp. kosher salt, divided

~2 T. olive oil

1/4 c. (heaping) chopped bacon (4 regular slices)

2/3 c. frozen pearl onions, thawed

3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 T. sugar 

1/3 c. plus 1 T. unsalted butter, softened, divided

3 celery stalks, chopped

2/3 c. sliced carrots

2 oz. dried wild mushroom mix, reconstituted in 2 c. water, reserve 1 1/2 c. soaking water

2/3 tsp. dried thyme 

3 T. dry vermouth

2 c. dry white wine (such as Chardonnay)

2/3 c. chicken stock 

1 sprig fresh rosemary

1 sprig fresh thyme

1 large dried bay leaf

1 partial star anise

1 T. all-purpose flour

fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

 

Directions:

 

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Season chicken all over with 1 tsp. of the kosher salt.

 

2. In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Cook chicken in batches, until golden brown on sides, around 6-8 minutes (do not cook all the way through). Transfer cooked pieces to plate and set aside.

 

3. Reduce heat to medium. Add bacon pieces and cook, stirring often, until starting to brown (around 3-4 min).

 

4. Add onions and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, until translucent (around 2-3 min).

 

5. Sprinkle sugar evenly over pot. Add 1/3 c. of the butter and stir well until butter is melted.

 

6. Add celery and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just starting to soften (around 3 min).

 

7. Add the mushrooms and dried thyme. Cook, stirring gently, for around 3 min.

 

8. Deglaze pot with vermouth, scraping up browned bits from bottom. Stir in the wine and chicken stock.

 

9. Add the rosemary and thyme sprigs, bay leaf, star anise, and remaining 1 tsp. kosher salt. Nestle the chicken pieces into the mixture and bring to a simmer over medium heat. 

10. Using a fork, stir flour and remaining 1 T. butter in a small bowl together until combined. 

11. Add the flour-butter mixture to the pot, then stir gently to combine.

 

12. Bake, uncovered, until meat is very tender and sauce has reduced, slightly thickened, aroudn 2 hours. Turn chicken occasionally in the sauce as it bakes.

 

13. Remove from oven and let rest for 30 min. Garnish with parsley and serve with desired side (highly recommend these cheddar crusted potatoes with onion and rosemary).

Cheddar Crusted Potatoes with Onion and Rosemary

Served with the Coq au Vin Blanc. Excellent side dish!

 

Original recipe credit: https://www.sargento.com/recipes/meals/appetizer-and-sides/rosemary-cheese-crusted-potatoes/

Recipe below contains my modifications.

Ingredients:

1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 T. olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 tsp. Lowry's seasoned salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

1/8 tsp. lemon zest

8 oz. Sargento shredded mild cheddar cheese, traditional cut, divided

1/4 c. panko  

1 T. butter, melted

1/2 tsp. crushed dried rosemary

 

Directions:

 

1. Grease an 8" x 8" baking pan. Heat oven to 400°F.

 

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onions and cook for 5 min, stirring occasionally.

 

3. Add garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.

 

4. Stir in the potatoes, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Remove from heat.

 

5. Layer half of potato mixture into the prepared baking pan. Top evenly with half of the cheese.

 

6. Spread remaining potato mixture atop the cheese, then top evenly with remaining cheese.

 

7. In a small bowl, combine the panko, butter, and rosemary. Sprinkle atop the cheese.

 

8. Cover the pan and bake for 40 min. Uncover and bake for additional 20 min, or until lightly browned. Serve and enjoy!

Boneless Pork Chops in Creamy Garlic Sauce (with video link)

Another win from Eatwell101.com---10/10! Have made this a couple of times now and really enjoy it. Roasted potatoes make a great pairing (provided you don't over-roast them like I did for the ones in the video, d'oh!), and next time, I will pair with egg noodles.

 

Link to my YouTube "making of the recipe" video: https://youtu.be/bUEO0z9fptk

Original recipe credit: https://www.eatwell101.com/boneless-pork-chops-in-creamy-garlic-butter-sauce

Recipe below contains my modifications.

Ingredients:

4 boneless pork chops

salt & fresh cracked pepper, to taste

1 tsp. paprika

olive oil

2 T. butter

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced

1/3 c. chicken stock

1 3/4 c. heavy cream (or half and half)

3 c. baby spinach

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 c. freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

4 sage leaves, chopped 

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the pork chops with salt & pepper (to taste) both sides, then season with the paprika (half for one side, half for other). Place pork chops in pan and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side (or more), depending on thickness of your chops, until completely cooked. Remove from pan, cover with foil, and set aside.

 

2. Add the butter to pan. Once it has melted, add the garlic and onion. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.

 

3. Deglaze pan with the chicken stock, stirring and scraping pan to release fond. Stir in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.

 

4. Reduce heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream. Let sauce come to a gentle simmer (you may have to increase heat back up a little).

 

5. Add the spinach leaves. Stir and cook until the leaves have wilted a bit.

 

6. Stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano and chopped sage until cheese has melted into sauce.

 

7. Return pork, along with any accumulated juices, back to pan. Stir to coat in sauce and reheat. Serve with desired side and enjoy!

Best(?) Chocolate Chip Cookies (with video link)

According to this recipe, these are the BEST chocolate chip cookies. Well, with a claim like that, you know I had to try them! And, as I stated in the video, yeah, they really could be! Thing is, I've made many different recipes for them and it would be impossible for me to name just one as the very top. I think I could do a top 5, though, and this would be one of them for sure :)

 

Link to my YouTube "making of the recipe" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YJkVIxZ9Zw

Original recipe credit: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a50605/chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe/

Recipe below contains my modifications.

*pardon my dust, entry in progress! for now, please see video for instructions*

Ingredients:

320g (2 2/3 c.) all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 1/4 c. (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

3/4 c. light brown sugar (packed)

1/2 c. sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

120g coarsely chopped chocolate, 70% cacao

 

Directions:

Skillet Roasted Chicken with Veggies (with video link)

**pardon my dust, entry in progress! In the meantime, check out my YouTube video for the recipe!**

Link to my YouTube "making of the recipe" video: https://youtu.be/oT249W45rZw

Original recipe credit: https://www.cuisineathome.com/recipes/lunch-dinner/skillet-roasted-chicken-with-lemon-thyme-sauce/

Recipe below contains my modifications.

Ingredients:

4 T. unsalted butter, softened

1 T. chopped fresh parsley

1 T. chopped fresh thyme

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. fresh lemon zest

olive oil

 

1 whole chicken (4-5 lb.) fat trimmed, giblets and neck removed, seasoned inside and out with salt and pepper

1/2 of a lemon

1 bulb garlic, unpeeled, halved horizontally

6 sprigs fresh parsley

6 sprigs fresh thyme

3/4 c. dry white wine

 

1 lb. baby potatoes, halved

1 lb. baby carrots

8 medium shallots, peeled

olive oil

 

3 T. all-purpose flour

1 1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth

1 T. chopped fresh thyme

2 tsp. fresh lemon juice 

Directions:

 

 

 

Frosted Soft Sugar Cookies (with video link)

Happy St. Patrick's day! (If you are reading this on the day I posted it, anyway 😊🍀)

These cookies are really, really excellent. And so easy to make! Might have to make more again quite soon, as my kid has already declared there are not enough of them 😅 It does only make about 2 dozen.

 

Link to my YouTube "making of the recipe" video: https://youtu.be/qfcxePgmE5o

Original recipe credit: https://www.cuisineathome.com/recipes/desserts/easy-frosted-sugar-cookies/

Recipe as listed below contains my modifications.

Ingredients:

2 3/4 c. (330g) all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1/2 c. canola oil  

1/2 c. sugar (plus extra for 'coating')

1/2 c. powdered sugar, sifted

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. almond extract

frosting (I made my 'throw-together' homemade version; use your favorite recipe/kind)

 

Directions:

 

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.

 

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and kosher salt. Set aside.

 

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter, canola oil, sugar, and powdered sugar.

 

4. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.

 

5. On low speed, mix in the reserved flour mixture, mixing until just combined.

 

6. Portion dough using a 1.5 T cookie scoop, onto prepared baking sheets. Space dough portions 2" apart. Grease the bottom of a flat measuring cup or glass, then dip in sugar, then flatten each dough ball to about 1/4" thick, re-coating in sugar before flattening each.

 

7. Transfer to oven, then bake for 8 min. After removing from oven, let cookies rest on sheet for 5 min. before transferring them to cool completely on racks.

 

8. Once cookies have cooled completely, frost and decorate. Enjoy!