Grilled Steak Skewers with Arugula "Chimichurri" (with video link)

These skewers are a great spring/summer dinner, really love them, 10/10! Of course, I'm a fan of traditional-style chimichurri, so that probably helps :) The switch out for arugula gives a peppery twist to the sauce, it's great! Next time, will use more mushrooms for sure.

 

Link to my YouTube "making of the recipe" video: https://youtu.be/bMqGJuIki9k

Original recipe was from Fine Cooking, which is no longer available.

Recipe below contains my modifications.

Ingredients:

1 tsp. smoked paprika

1/2 tsp. dark brown sugar

1/4 tsp. ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided

1 lb. steak, cut in 1" cubes

baby bella mushrooms (I used 8 oz, could easily have used 12 or even 16), stems removed

red onion, cut in 1" chunk pieces

red bell pepper, cut in 1" chunk pieces

1 c. baby arugula

1/4 c. olive oil

2 medium garlic cloves

1 T. red wine vinegar

pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

 

special equipment: skewers for grilling (if using wooden ones, be sure to soak in water!)

 

Directions:

 

1. Prepare your grill (medium setting for gas or a regular charcoal fire).

 

2. In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, dark brown sugar, cumin, and 1 tsp. of the kosher salt.

 

3. Place the steak cubes in a medium bowl and sprinkle the seasoning mixture all over, tossing to coat evenly.

 

4. Thread the steak, mushrooms, onion chunks, and bell pepper chunks on skewers, alternating pieces. 

 

5. Place on grill and cook to desired doneness (I went about 2-3 min per side, around 10 min total).

 

6. Meanwhile, put the remaining ingredients (arugula through pepper flakes) plus the remaining 1/2 tsp. kosher salt in a small food processor and process until mostly smooth (it will still be slightly chunky).

 

7. Serve skewers with sauce and enjoy!  

Chocolate Lovers' Oatmeal Delights (with video link)

Another delicious cookie! If you can't find peanut butter morsels at all, feel free to use just chocolate chips :)

 

Link to my YouTube "making of the recipe" video: https://youtu.be/ohB-FbQYnt4

Link to original recipe: http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/cookies/chocolate-loverrsquos-oatmeal-delights

Recipe below contains my modifications.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 c. quick oats
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. peanut butter morsels

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F.

2. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.  Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or with other electric mixer), beat butter for 30 seconds.

4. Add sugar, then beat until well combined and fluffy.

5. Beat in egg, water, and vanilla.

6. Switch to dough hook and add the flour mixture gradually.

7. Stir in oats with a wooden spoon, followed by chocolate chips and peanut butter morsels.

8. Use cookie scoop to drop dough in tablespoon-sized balls on cookie sheet (or use 2 spoons method).  Press each cookie down with two fingers to slightly flatten.  Bake for 10-12 min, or until edges are set.

9. Transfer to wire rack and cool.  Enjoy!

Broiled Leeks with Pine Nuts

Soooo good, loved it just as much as the roast spatchcocked chicken we served it with!

 

Original recipe credit: https://www.foodandwine.com/broiled-leeks-with-toasted-pine-nut-sauce-recipe-8421317

Recipe below contains my modifications.

Ingredients:

6 medium leeks, trimmed and halved lengthwise

1 c. toasted pine nuts

5 T. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 tsp. sherry vinegar

1 large clove, minced 

3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided

1/4 c. water

1/4 tsp. black pepper

 

Directions:

 

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice water; set aside. Carefully add leeks to the boiling water and press down gently using tongs to submerge.

 

2. Bring water back to boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, covered, until leeks are just tender but not falling apart (~3-4 min.)

 

3. Lift leeks out of the water using tongs and submerge in the ice bath. Let stand until cooled (~10 min.)

 

4. While leeks are cooling, in a food processor, pulse together the pine nuts, 2 T. of the olive oil, sherry vinegar, garlic, and 1/2 tsp. of the kosher salt, until nuts are finely chopped.

 

5. Drizzle in the water a little at a time, pulsing as you add, until mixture reaches a loose chunky peanut butter consistency (do NOT let it get to "smooth" consistency). Set aside.

6. Heat oven broiler on hi with rack 6" from heat. Brush a rimmed broiler pan with 1 T. of the olive oil.

 

7. Pat leeks dry and arrange, cut side up, in the broiler pan. Drizzle leeks with the remaining 2 T. of olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with pepper and remaining 1/4 tsp. kosher salt. Broil leeks until lightly charred, 7-10 min.

 

8. Serve leeks topped with sauce and enjoy! 

Stuffed Red Bell Peppers with Orzo & Chicken

Super delicious! Made these with mom and again, we all loved them!

 

Original recipe credit: https://www.foodandwine.com/orzo-and-chicken-stuffed-peppers-8698013

Ingredients:

4 medium-size (~10 oz. each) red bell peppers, divided

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 large shallot, thinly sliced (~3/8 c.)

1 medium garlic clove, finely chopped

1/2 T. smoked paprika  

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

1/2 c. uncooked orzo

1 1/2 c. chicken stock, divided 

1/2 T. + 1/8 tsp. kosher salt, divided

1 c. leftover roasted chicken, shredded (rotisserie works as well) 

1 T. chopped fresh oregano

2 T. panko

1/2 oz. low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded

 

Directions:

 

1. Heat oven to 400°F.

 

2. Cut 1/4" off the tops of 3 peppers, reserve tops. Remove and discard stems, seeds, and membranes. Place peppers, cut side up, in a 13" x 9" baking dish; trim bottoms of peppers if needed to help them stand up straight. Set aside. Chop the reserved pepper tops and remaining 1 bell pepper, set aside.

 

3. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 T. of the oil over medium heat. Add shallot and chopped peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned (~10 min.)

 

4. Add garlic, smoked paprika, and red pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant (~30 sec.)

 

5. Add orzo. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 min.

 

6. Add 1 1/2 c. of the chicken stock and 1/2 T. of the kosher salt. Bring to simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low, keep at simmer, until orzo is al dente (~5 min.)

 

7. Remove from heat. Stir in the chicken and oregano until combined.

 

8. Divide mixture among peppers in baking dish (about 3/4 c. per pepper). Pour remaining 1/2 c. chicken stock around stuffed peppers. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and transfer to oven. Bake for 30 min. Note: we had some of this mixture leftover, so we served it on the side; highly recommend!

 

9. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together panko, cheese, remaining 1 T. oil, and remaining 1/8 tsp. kosher salt until combined.

 

10. When peppers have baked for the 30 min, remove and discard foil. Top each pepper with an even amount of the panko mixture. Transfer back to oven and bake for additional 10 min. Let cool for 5 min, then serve and enjoy!

Steak au Poivre Pasta

Yum yum yum! Made this with mom and we all absolutely loved it!

 

Original recipe credit: https://www.foodandwine.com/steak-au-poivre-pasta-8621647

Ingredients:

8 oz. mafaldine pasta (dry weight), broken into 1-3 inch lengths

1 1/4 lb. beef strip steak, trimmed and cut into 1" cubes

2 1/2 tsp. coarse ground black pepper, divided

1/2 T. kosher salt

1 T. canola oil

5 T. unsalted butter, divided

1/2 c. finely chopped shallots

1/4 c. brandy 

1/2 c. unsalted beef (or chicken) stock

8 oz. crème fraîche

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

 

Directions:

 

1. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. When draining the pasta, reserve 1/2 c. of the cooking water and set aside.

 

2. Meanwhile, pat steak dry with paper towels, then sprinkle with 2 tsp. of the pepper and 1 tsp. of the kosher salt.

 

3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil plus 1 T. of the butter. Once melted and combined, add half the steak pieces, being sure to keep space between pieces. Cook, undisturbed, for around 1 min, then flip and repeat for each side. 

4. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with remaining steak pieces. Do not wipe skillet clean.

 

5. Reduce heat to medium and add the shallots and thyme to skillet. Cook, stirring often, until shallots have softened (~2 min).

 

6. Carefully deglaze skillet with the brandy, stirring and scraping up browned bits, for around 30 sec. Pour in the beef/chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Keep at simmer for 2 min.  

7. Stir in the remaining 4 T. of butter, 1 T. at a time, until sauce is glossy and smooth. 

8. Stir in crème fraîche, Dijon mustard, and remaining 1/2 tsp. each of pepper and kosher salt. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened (~ 5 min.)

 

9. Add the drained pasta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and 1/4 c. of the reserved cooking water. Stir to combine and coat. If needed, add additional cooking water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.

 

10. Stir in the steak cubes and cook for 1 additional minute. Serve and enjoy!

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).