Month: November 2020

Chicken Burritos with Avocado Crema

Chicken Burritos with Avocado Crema

Chicken Burritos with Avocado Crema are a new family favorite at our house. They are filled with slow cooked black beans, rice cooked with chicken stock, and spice covered grilled chicken. Also, they’re served with two sauces, a chipotle sauce and an avocado crema. The 

Bacon and Jalapeno Cheese Biscuits

Bacon and Jalapeno Cheese Biscuits

Bacon and Jalapeno Cheese Biscuits are biscuits that are full of bacon, jalapenos, and Monterey Pepper Jack cheese. Not only are these biscuits delicious, but they’re also super quick to make. In just about thirty minutes, from start to finish, you can make these super 

Rigatoni with Artichokes and Basil Pesto

Rigatoni with Artichokes and Basil Pesto

Rigatoni with Artichokes and Basil Pesto is a meatless pasta dish that is full of flavor. Along with the artichokes and pesto, the rigatoni is tossed with roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and bocconcini mozzarella. To make life easier, this recipe uses frozen artichoke hearts, and they don’t even need to be defrosted. I find it super convenient to keep the frozen artichokes in my freezer, so that I always have some on hand. Similarly, I like to keep peeled garlic cloves, the sun dried tomatoes, roasted and sliced peppers, and the pine nuts for the pesto all in my freezer.

The Equipment You’ll Need

  • A Food Processor- You will need a food processor to make the pesto.
  • A Dutch Oven- I use this for roasting my artichokes.

The Ingredients You’ll Need for Rigatoni with Artichokes and Basil Pesto

  • Basil- For great pesto, you’ll need super fresh basil. I like to buy the basil that comes in bags with soil and roots attached.
  • Pine Nuts- I like to keep these in the freezer.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes- These also keep really well in the freezer.
  • Bocconcini- Instead of these small mozzarella balls, you could also use a chopped fresh mozzarella ball.

How I Made This Pesto Pasta Dish

  • First, I roasted the peppers and the artichokes.
  • Next, I made my pesto. I processed all the ingredients in my food processor.
  • Then, I boiled the rigatoni. I made sure I salted the pasta water well.
  • Finally, I tossed all the ingredients together in a large skillet. After everything was combined, I sprinkled each portion with Parmesan cheese.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m always excited when I can find a meatless meal that satisfies the whole family. I served this with some roasted cauliflower, and we honestly didn’t miss the meat. So, if you’re looking for a light and refreshing pasta dinner, I hope you’ll try this Rigatoni with Artichokes and Basil Pesto.

Rigatoni with Artichokes and Basil Pesto
Rigatoni with Artichokes and Basil Pesto
Rigatoni with Artichokes and Basil Pesto

Rigatoni with Artichokes and Basil Pesto

Rigatoni with roasted artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, bocconcini, and basil pesto.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Food processor

Ingredients
  

  • 10 ounces frozen artichoke hearts
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves sliced garlic
  • 3 sprigs thyme
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 12 ounces rigatoni
  • 1 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup bocconcini mozzarella balls
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese

For the Pesto:

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tbsp. pine nuts
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Begin by roasting the artichokes and peppers: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the peppers on a baking sheet and bake for one hour. Put the frozen artichokes in a Dutch oven along with the oil, garlic, the thyme, lemon juice, bay leaf, and salt and pepper. Cover and bake for one hour.
  • Meanwhile, boil the pasta in salted water. Also, make the pesto: In a food processor, place the basil, the garlic, the pine nuts, the Parmesan cheese, and the salt and pepper. Pulse until everything is ground up. With the motor running, stream in the olive oil.
  • Remove the peppers from the oven when they're done. Peel them, and remove the seeds. Then, chop them in half inch pieces.
  • In a large skillet, on medium heat, add the cooked artichokes ( remove the bay leaf and thyme), the chopped pepper, the sun dried tomatoes, and the pasta. Then, stir in the pesto until everything is combined. Remove from the heat, stir in the bocconcini and serve with the Parmesan.
Keyword artichokes, pasta, pesto, pesto pasta, rigatoni
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Pumpkin Pie with Cream Cheese Crust

Pumpkin Pie with Cream Cheese Crust

Pumpkin Pie with Cream Cheese Crust is a pumpkin pie with a dough that is really easy to roll out. A lot of pie doughs are too moist or too crumbly, but this cream cheese dough has a really great texture. It never rips or 

Chicken and Tangerine Tossed Salad

Chicken and Tangerine Tossed Salad

Chicken and Tangerine Tossed Salad is a main course salad filled with grilled chicken, tangerines, red cabbage, cilantro, romaine lettuce, fried wontons, red bell peppers, and a ginger dressing. My favorite part of this salad is the ginger dressing, filled with sesame oil, fresh ginger, 

Kale and Manchego Mini Quiches

Kale and Manchego Mini Quiches

Kale and Manchego Mini Quiches are pastry tarts filled with a creamy quiche filling dotted with kale, Manchego cheese, and diced chorizo. They are a delicious breakfast or brunch dish, that would be very festive for a holiday or special occasion.

The Equipment You’ll Need

  • Tart Pans- You’ll need 8 four inch tart pans, with removeable bottoms.
  • A Food Scale- This is essential for properly weighing your flour.
  • A Pastry Blender- You’ll need this for cutting your butter and cream cheese into the flour.
  • Pie Weights- These are little ceramic balls that you put on the dough to keep it from expanding in the oven. If you don’t have these you can use dried beans or rice.

The Ingredients You’ll Need for Kale and Manchego Mini Quiches

  • Flour- Be sure to use all-purpose flour.
  • Cream Cheese- Use brick cream cheese, that is full fat.
  • Milk- Make sure you’re using whole milk.
  • Chorizo- Use precooked Spanish chorizo links. I like the Niman Ranch brand.
  • Kale- I find it easiest to use frozen kale. Be sure to wring all the liquid out in a dish towel.
  • Manchego Cheese- This is a Spanish cheese. If you can’t find it, just use Parmesan cheese.

How I Made my Kale and Manchego Mini Quiches

  • First, I made the pastry dough. I used my pastry blender to cut the butter and cream cheese into the four. Then, I added the ice water until a nice dough formed. I let it chill overnight.
  • Next, I rolled out the dough, and then cut dough rounds using a six inch cookie cutter.
  • Then, I baked the tart shells.
  • While the tart shells baked, I mixed up the quiche mixture. It is very important to squeeze all the liquid out of the quiche.
  • Finally, I filled the shells with the quiche filling and baked them.

These Kale and Manchego Mini Quiches are very pretty, and great for serving at brunch. I think these would be especially great to serve on Christmas morning, or for a New Year’s Day brunch.

Kale and Manchego Mini Quiches
Kale and Manchego Mini Quiches
Kale and Manchego Mini Quiches

Kale and Manchego Mini Quiches

Four inch tarts filled with a quiche filling with kale, Manchego cheese, and chorizo.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 27 minutes
chilling time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 42 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine French
Servings 8 four inch quiches
Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

  • 8 four inch tart pans with removeable bottoms

Ingredients
  

  • cups all-purpose flour (180g)
  • tsp. salt
  • 8 tbsp. cold butter, cut in half inch pieces (112g)
  • 3 ounces cold cream cheese
  • ¼ cup ice water
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • cup diced chorizo
  • cup defrosted frozen kale, with all the liquid squeezed out
  • cup grated Manchego cheese
  • 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

Instructions
 

  • First, make the pie dough. In a large bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Using a pastry cutter, cut the butter and cream cheese into the flour, until the flour is fully incorporated, and everything is pea sized. Pour in the ice water, stirring with a fork, until a scraggly dough is formed. Empty the dough onto a floured board, and shape the dough into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes.
  • Roll out the dough until it is very thin and cut out 8 six inch rounds. It's fine to reroll the dough as many times as you need to. Press the rounds into the tart pans, and up the sides of the pans. Prick the tart bottoms all over and then refrigerate them for fifteen minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Place parchment squares in each tart pan, and fill them with pie weights. Bake for fifteen minutes and then cool them to room temperature.
  • Make the filling: beat the eggs together and then add the rest of the ingredients and stir well. Divide the mixture between the pans and bake for 12 minutes, or until the eggs are set. Cool on a wire rack for ten minutes and then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal
Keyword chorizo quiche, kale quiche, manchego quiche, mini quiche, quiche
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Quick and Easy Apple Tart in One Hour

Quick and Easy Apple Tart in One Hour

Quick and Easy Apple Tart in One Hour is the perfect dessert for those days when you want to serve dessert, but are very pressed for time. I specifically had Thanksgiving in mind when I created this recipe. Personally, I have a lot to cook 

Chicken and Bean Burrito Bowls with Chipotle Sauce

Chicken and Bean Burrito Bowls with Chipotle Sauce

Chipotle and Black Bean Burrito Bowls with Chipotle Sauce are bowls of lettuce topped with seasoned black beans and grilled chicken, avocado, tomato, and chipotle sauce. They’re basically like a chicken burrito, but in a bowl, instead of a tortilla. The Equipment You’ll Need A 

Oktoberfest Salad with Pretzel Croutons

Oktoberfest Salad with Pretzel Croutons

Oktoberfest Salad with Pretzel Croutons is a fall salad filled with honey mustard brushed roasted chicken, roasted potatoes, red cabbage, apples, and pretzel croutons. And, the whole salad is tossed with a delicious creamy honey mustard dressing.

The Equipment You’ll Need

  • A Salad Spinner- This is essential for drying your salad greens.
  • A Bowl- You’ll need a big bowl to toss this salad properly.

The Ingredients You’ll Need for Oktoberfest Salad with Pretzel Croutons

  • Chicken- I use bone in, skin on chicken breasts for moister chicken.
  • Potatoes- Use baby red potatoes. You don’t even need to peel them.
  • Rosemary and Thyme- These fresh herbs add so much great flavor.
  • Mustard- I really like to use the Grey Poupon country style Dijon mustard.
  • Lemon Juice- Be sure to use fresh lemon juice.
  • Soft Pretzels- You could go to the store and buy the frozen ones, or make my homemade ones (recipe follows).
  • Spring Mix- This is also good with chopped romaine.

How I Made my Salad

  • First, I baked the chicken and potatoes. It’s important to check the chicken for doneness, when it nears the end of the cooking time. That way, you won’t overcook the chicken.
  • Next, I made the creamy honey mustard dressing.
  • Then, I made the croutons. It’s important to stir the croutons every few minutes, so that all sides of the crouton get crispy. And, be sure to stir the cheddar in quickly, so that it sticks to the pretzels.
  • Finally, I tossed everything together in a salad bowl.

We really enjoyed this big fall salad. The potatoes and chicken have such great flavor. And, the creamy honey mustard dressing is super tossed with all the vegetables and chicken. So, if you love big salads as much as I do, I hope you’ll try my Oktoberfest Salad with Pretzel Croutons.

Oktoberfest Salad with Pretzel Croutons
Oktoberfest Salad with Pretzel Croutons
Oktoberfest Salad with Pretzel Croutons

Oktoberfest Salad with Pretzel Croutons

Spring Greens tossed with creamy honey mustard dressing and topped with roasted potatoes, roasted chicken, red cabbage, apples, and pretzel croutons.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, German
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ pound baby red potatoes, halved
  • 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2 chicken breasts with skin and bones
  • 2 tbsp. country-style Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp. each fresh rosemary and thyme
  • 1 tbsp. brown sugar
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 3 cups soft pretzels, baked and cut in one inch pieces
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 cups Spring greens
  • 2 Honey Crisp apples, sliced
  • 1 cup sliced red cabbage

Instructions
 

  • Begin by roasting the chicken and potatoes: Preheat the oven to 425°. In a large bowl toss together the red potatoes with one tablespoon of the oil, the garlic powder, black pepper, rosemary, thyme and salt. Spread them out on a large sheet pan. Add the chicken breasts, skin side up.
  • Mix together a tablespoon of the mustard, two tablespoons of oil, and the brown sugar. Spoon some underneath the skin, and all over the bottom of the breast. Drizzle with some more oil, and some kosher salt and pepper and garlic powder. Bake 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the skin and bones, and slice the chicken.
  • Meanwhile, make the dressing by mixing the mayonnaise with the honey, lemon juice, and a tablespoon of the mustard.
  • For the croutons, melt the butter in a small skillet on medium heat and cook the pretzels until they turn golden brown. Stir in the cheese and remove from the heat.
  • In a large salad bowl, toss together the greens, chicken, potatoes, dressing, croutons, apple, and cabbage.
Keyword German salad, pretzel croutons, salad with chicken
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Truffle Cheese Soft Pretzels with Truffle Cheese Dip

Truffle Cheese Soft Pretzels

Soft Pretzels topped with Black Truffle Pecorino cheese with a truffle cheese dip.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Bread
Cuisine American, German
Servings 16 pretzels

Ingredients
  

  • 1 packet Red Star Platinum Yeast
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 3 to 4 cups all-purpose flour (360g to 480g)
  • cups warm water (120° to 130°)
  • 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, for greasing pans
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 4 tbsp. melted butter
  • 1 tbsp. sea salt flakes
  • 1 cup Black Truffle Pecorino cheese

For the Truffle Cheese Dip:

  • 1 tbsp. each butter and flour
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Black Truffle Pecorino cheese

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, mix together the yeast, salt, and two cups (240g) of the flour. Add the water.
  • Add more flour, a quarter of a cup at a time, just until the dough is no longer sticky. It should bounce back when you poke it. Knead it on a floured board for five minutes until it's smooth.
  • Cover the dough with a tea towel and let it rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425°, with the rack on the top third of the oven. Brush two parchment lined baking sheets with the vegetable oil.
  • Roll the dough out into a 14 by 12 inch rectangle, and then cut the dough into 12 14 inch stirps. Stretch each strip into a U. Take the top of the U and twist the top of the strands together twice, and then fold them down to meet the bottom of the U. Press down to seal the twisted strands to the bottom of the U. Lay them out spaced apart on the two sheet pans.
  • Brush each pretzel with the beaten egg. Bake the pretzels for about 25 minutes, switching the pans halfway through, so they each get a turn on the top rack.
  • While the pretzels bake, make the dip. In a small skillet melt the butter on low heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for two minutes. Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese.
  • As soon as the pretzels are done, brush them with the butter and sprinkle with the cheese and salt.
Keyword soft pretzels, truffle cheese dip, truffle pretzels
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Truffle Cheese Soft Pretzels with Truffle Cheese Dip

Truffle Cheese Soft Pretzels with Truffle Cheese Dip

Truffle Cheese Soft Pretzels with Truffle Cheese Dip are homemade soft pretzels that I serve with black truffle Pecorino cheese dip. This recipe uses an instant yeast so there is no rising time. Also, I omit the step of boiling the pretzels, that is common