Month: October 2020

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Chowder in Bread Bowls

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Chowder in Bread Bowls

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Chowder in Bread Bowls is one of our favorite creamy soups. It is a hearty soup filled with a creamy chicken broth, shredded chicken, cheddar, carrots, onions, celery, potatoes, hot sauce, and blue cheese. I like to serve this soup in the 

Pork Medallions with Basil and Peppers

Pork Medallions with Basil and Peppers

Pork Medallions with Basil and Peppers consists of sliced pork tenderloin marinated in oyster and soy sauces, mixed with sweet basil, garlic, jalapeno, and mini peppers. Not only is this dish delicious, but it can be made, from start to finish, in thirty minutes. The 

S’mores Mini Skillet Cookies with Toasted Marshmallows

S’mores Mini Skillet Cookies with Toasted Marshmallows

S’mores Mini Skillet Cookies with Toasted Marshmallows are baked in little cast iron skillets. They’re filled and topped with semi sweet chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and graham crackers. Of course, they’re served warm, which makes them all the more delicious.

The Equipment You’ll Need

  • A Food Processor- You’ll need this to grind up the oats for the dough.
  • A Food Scale- This is essential for weighing your flour and granulated sugar. Weighing these ingredients will ensure your cookies come out perfectly every time.
  • An Electric Mixer- I feel this is the best way to mix this dough.
  • Mini Cast Iron Skillets- You will need 8 six inch skillets for baking these cookies.
  • A Kitchen Torch- This is used for toasting the marshmallows on top of the cookies.

The Ingredients You’ll Need for S’mores Mini Skillet Cookies with Toasted Marshmallows

  • Oats- This recipe uses old-fashioned oats, not the quick cooking ones.
  • Lemon Juice- A little bit of this creates a tender cookie.
  • Graham Crackers- Just break them up into half inch pieces.
  • Marshmallows- Use mini marshmallows.
  • Chocolate Chips- We used semi-sweet, but you could use milk chocolate.

How I Made my Cookies

  • First, I made sure to grease my skillets with butter.
  • Next, I used my food processor to grind up the oats. You don’t want them ground into a fine powder, though.
  • Then, I carefully measured the flour, baking soda, and salt, and sifted them into a mixing bowl. I made sure to weigh my flour, and later I weighed my granulated sugar.
  • Next, it was time to cream the butter and sugars. It is very important that your butter be softened, but not melted or mushy. It also shouldn’t be cold.
  • Then, I made sure not to overmix anything. You want to mix the butter and sugars just until it’s a cohesive mixture.
  • Next, I baked off my skillets.
  • Finally, I topped them with the toppings, and used a kitchen torch to brown the marshmallows.

These S’mores Mini Skillet Cookies with Toasted Marshmallows are very popular at my house. I like to bake a couple at a time, right before I want to serve them. If you love s’mores, these are the cookies for you!

S'mores Mini Skillet Cookies with Toasted Marshmallows
S’mores Mini Skillet Cookies with Toasted Marshmallows
S'mores Mini Skillet Cookies with Toasted Marshmallows

S’mores Mini Skillet Cookies with Toasted Marshmallows

S'mores cookies filled with semisweet chocolate chips, graham crackers, and marshmallows, and baked in mini cast iron skillets.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 cookies

Equipment

  • 8 six inch cast iron skillets

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup old-fashioned oats
  • cups all purpose flour (270g)
  • tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 cup softened butter
  • ¾ cup dark brown sugar, tightly packed
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup graham crackers, chopped in half inch pieces
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions
 

  • In a food processor, pulse the oatmeal until it's coarsely ground.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and grease each skillet with butter.
  • In a small mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the oats.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Add the eggs and stir until combined.
  • Stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture, until just combined. Stir in ¾ cup each of the chips, marshmallows, and crackers.
  • Put ⅔ cup of dough into each skillet. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and top with the rest of the chips, marshmallows, and graham crackers. You can use a kitchen torch to brown the marshmallows, if you like.
Keyword cookie, s’mores
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Walnut Banana Bread Pancakes with Chocolate Chips

Walnut Banana Bread Pancakes with Chocolate Chips

Walnut Banana Bread Pancakes with Chocolate Chips are pancakes with all the flavors of chocolate chip banana bread. They are filled with bananas, walnuts, and chocolate chips. But, unlike banana bread, these pancakes cook in just minutes. The Equipment You’ll Need A Food Scale- Weighing 

Andouille Deep-Dish Pizza with Peppers and Onions

Andouille Deep-Dish Pizza with Peppers and Onions

Andouille Deep-Dish Pizza with Peppers and Onions features dough made in a bread machine, homemade pizza sauce, andouille sausage, sweet peppers and onions, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh oregano leaves. The Equipment You’ll Need A Bread Machine- The dough for this pizza is made in 

Pumpkin and Pulled Pork Nachos

Pumpkin and Pulled Pork Nachos

Pumpkin and Pulled Pork Nachos is an appetizer filled with pumpkin, tender pulled pork, and pinto beans. It’s topped with homemade barbecue sauce and homemade cheese sauce, as well as, scallions, jalapenos, and cilantro,

The Equipment You’ll Need

  • A Dutch Oven- This is the best vessel for oven braising your pork.
  • Two 3 Quart Saucepans- You’ll need these for cooking the sauces.
  • A Large Skillet- I use this to cook my pumpkin.

The Ingredients You’ll Need for Pumpkin and Pulled Pork Nachos

  • Fresh Pumpkin- You need to purchase a sugar pumpkin for this recipe. If you can’t find one, you can substitute a butternut squash.
  • Pinto Beans- I really like to buy dry pinto beans, and cook them myself. But, you can also use canned beans.
  • Chicken Stock- Again, I use homemade stock. You can find my recipe on my post for Matzo Ball Soup.
  • Barbecue Sauce- I have supplied my recipe for barbecue sauce, but feel free to purchase some instead.
  • The Pork- My recipe makes far more pork than you’ll need for this recipe, but this pork freezes great and can be used for sandwiches, tacos, and quesadillas.
  • Evaporated Milk- This comes in a can and can be found in the baking aisle of your market.

How I Made my Nachos

  • I made my pork the evening before I wanted to serve my nachos.
  • The next day, I cooked the pumpkin. I made sure to cook it until it was tender, but not mushy. I was also careful not to burn it.
  • Next, I cooked the barbecue sauce. Again, you won’t need all the sauce, but it freezes great.
  • Then, I made the cheese sauce, whisking until it thickened up.
  • Finally, I heated up the chips and added all the toppings.

My family really loves these Pumpkin and Pulled Pork Nachos. I know there are a lot of components, but it is truly a restaurant quality appetizer. And, the pumpkin adds the wonderful fall flavor that we all crave this time of year.

Pumpkin and Pulled Pork Nachos
Pumpkin and Pulled Pork Nachos
Pumpkin and Pulled Pork Nachos

Pumpkin and Pulled Pork Nachos

Tortilla chips topped with tender pulled pork, pinto beans, barbecue sauce, and cheddar cheese sauce.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the Pulled Pork and the Pumpkin:

  • 2 onions, cut in one inch pieces
  • 3 lbs. boneless pork butt
  • ½ tsp. each kosher salt and cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp. each black pepper and garlic powder
  • 2 tsp. each chili powder and paprika
  • 6 cloves peeled garlic
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups peeled pumpkin, cut in half inch pieces

For the Barbecue Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 1 cup minced onions
  • 2 tbsp. minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp. honey
  • 2 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • 1 tsp. soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp. black pepper

For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:

  • 6 ounces shredded extra sharp cheddar
  • 2 tsp. cornstarch
  • 8 ounces evaporated milk

To assemble the Nachos:

  • 4 cups corn tortilla chips
  • 1 cup cooked pinto beans
  • ½ cup each sliced jalapenos and sliced scallions
  • ¼ cup cilantro leaves
  • 1 cup sour cream

Instructions
 

  • For the Pulled Pork and Pumpkin:
  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
  • Place the sliced onions and garlic in the bottom of a Dutch oven, and then add the pork with the fatty side facing up. Mix together all the spices ( but not the sugar) and spread them all over the pork. Pour the chicken stock into the bottom of the pot. Cover tightly and bake for four hours. You will only need a couple of cups of the pork, but the rest freezes great.
  • While the pork is cooking, cook the pumpkin with a tablespoon of olive oil, in a large skillet on medium heat, until the pumpkin is tender. Season it with salt and pepper.
  • When the pork is done, shred it with a fork and add in the sugar.

For the Barbecue Sauce:

  • Melt the butter in a three quart saucepan, and cook the onion and garlic, on low heat until they're soft.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer uncovered for twenty minutes.
  • FOR THE CHEESE SAUCE:
  • In a small bowl, mix together the cheese and cornstarch.
  • In a three quart saucepan, heat the milk and bring it to a simmer. Turn the heat to low and stir in the cheese. Whisk until the sauce thickens.

To assemble the Nachos:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place the tortilla chips on a sheet pan and heat them up for about five minutes. Also, warm up the pumpkin, two cups of the pork, beans, and both sauces.
  • Arrange the chips on a serving platter and top with the pork, beans, and pumpkin. Drizzle on about a cup each of the barbecue and cheese sauces. Then, sprinkle with the jalapenos, cilantro, and scallions.
Keyword nachos, pulled pork, pumpkin
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Vanilla Chocolate Chunk Scones with Vanilla Glaze

Vanilla Chocolate Chunk Scones with Vanilla Glaze

Vanilla Chocolate Chunk Scones with Vanilla Glaze are filled with vanilla flavor and warm chocolate chunks. They are the perfect for breakfast, tea time, or an after school snack. While they’re festive enough to serve at a holiday brunch, they’re also easy enough to serve 

Chipotle Cheddar and Brisket Poutine

Chipotle Cheddar and Brisket Poutine

Chipotle Cheddar and Brisket Poutine is a hearty appetizer of homemade deep fried French fries, topped with cheese curds and chipotle cheddar cheese pieces which are melted by piping hot, chili spiced gravy. The Equipment You’ll Need Two Dutch Ovens- One is for braising your 

Pomegranate and Quince Salad with Chicken

Pomegranate and Quince Salad with Chicken

Pomegranate and Quince Salad with Chicken is a big fall salad filled with Spring greens, grilled chicken, pomegranate seeds, sliced quince, feta cheese, carrots, and pistachios. It’s all tossed with a lemon and honey vinaigrette.

The Equipment You’ll Need

  • A Grill Pan- You’ll need this for searing the chicken. If you don’t have one, any skillet will do.
  • A Small Jar- This is for shaking up your dressing.
  • An Instant Read Meat Thermometer- You’ll need this for testing the temperature of your chicken.
  • A Salad Spinner- Since no one likes soggy lettuce, you’ll need this for drying your lettuce.
  • A Big Bowl- The key to a perfect salad is tossing everything together in a big bowl.

The Ingredients You’ll Need for Pomegranate and Quince Salad with Chicken

  • A Quince- If you’ve never had one it tastes a lot like a pear.
  • Pomegranate- There should be plenty in the store this time of year.
  • Cumin and Coriander Powders- These give the chicken great flavor.
  • Feta Cheese- If you don’t like feta cheese, goat cheese would be a good replacement.

How I Made My Salad

  • I began this recipe by seasoning my chicken.
  • Next, I heated a grill pan on medium heat. Grilling your breasts on high heat will cause your chicken to be tough.
  • Then, I baked my chicken. I used my thermometer to check the temperature about every five minutes, towards the end of the baking time. And, I was sure to let them rest before slicing them.
  • While the chicken baked, I cooked my bacon. I watched it closely so it didn’t burn, and then I let it drain on paper towels.
  • I also made my dressing and cut up all the vegetables.
  • Finally, I tossed everything together in a big bowl.

As you may have noticed I really like making big salads. Especially when they can highlight seasonal fruits like pomegranates and quinces. If you’re looking for a great new salad recipe, I hope you’ll try this Pomegranate and Quince Salad with Chicken.

Pomegranate and Quince Salad with Chicken
Pomegranate and Quince Salad with Chicken
Pomegranate and Quince Salad with Chicken

Pomegranate and Quince Salad with Chicken

Spring greens, pomegranates, quince, grilled chicken, bacon, feta and pistachios tossed with a lemon honey dressing.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp. each cumin, coriander, garlic powder, paprika
  • ¼ tsp. each black pepper and kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 4 slices chopped bacon
  • 4 cups Spring mix lettuces
  • 1 cup feta cheese
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1 sliced quince
  • ½ cup chopped pistachios
  • 2 shaved carrots

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the chicken: Mix the salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, and paprika together. Sprinkle it on both sides of the chicken, and drizzle on the olive oil.
  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees. On a hot grill pan, brown the chicken over medium heat on both sides. Then bake it in a small casserole dish for about 27 minutes, until they are 165 degrees in the center. Let them rest for five minutes, and then slice them thinly.
  • Meanwhile, in a small skillet on low heat, cook the bacon until it's crispy.
  • Make the dressing by combining the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and a pinch each of kosher salt and pepper.
  • Toss the chicken, bacon, and dressing with the Spring mix, feta, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, quince, and carrots.
Keyword pomegranate salad, quince salad, salad with chicken
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Roasted Garlic Fondue Burgers with Sweet Potato Spirals

Roasted Garlic Fondue Burgers with Sweet Potato Spirals

Roasted Garlic Fondue Burgers with Sweet Potato Spirals are one of our favorite fall dinners. The beef burgers are topped with a roasted garlic cheddar fondue, arugula, tomato, and red onion. They’re served on a brioche bun, with spiralized sweet potatoes on the side. The