Month: August 2021

Easy Strawberry and Blackberry Crumble

Easy Strawberry and Blackberry Crumble

Easy Strawberry and Blackberry Crumble is my number one favorite summer dessert. I love this baked fruit dessert for several reasons. First of all, I love that this dish uses all the fresh summer berries that my farm stands have in abundance right now. Secondly, 

Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches are one of our favorite summer treats. I love this dessert for several reasons. First of all, I like that these can be made well in advance and that they keep in the freezer for weeks. Secondly, I like that 

Barbecue Chicken Pizza with Two Sauces

Barbecue Chicken Pizza with Two Sauces

Barbecue Chicken Pizza with Two Sauces is one of our favorite summer pizzas. This recipe makes two pizzas, and serves about four to five people. Starting with homemade pizza dough, I top the pizza with a zesty Red Barbecue Sauce. Also, it’s topped with chicken, onions, two cheese, and fresh tomatoes. After it’s baked, I drizzle the pizza with a White Barbecue Sauce and cilantro. White Barbecue Sauce is an Alabama thing, and I fell in love with it on a recent trip to Birmingham. This pizza, with it’s double cheeses and double sauces, is really delicious.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Bread Machine- I used my bread machine to make this dough. If you don’t have a bread machine, use my Hand Kneaded Pizza Dough recipe that I’ve attached.
  • Two Pizza Stones- You could also use pizza pans or baking sheets.
  • Two Pizza Peels- These help you slide the pizza into oven.
  • A Food Scale- For perfect results every time, weigh your flour.

The Ingredients Needed for Barbecue Chicken Pizza with Two Sauces

  • Chicken- I use boneless skinless chicken breasts. You could also use leftover roasted or grilled chicken.
  • Red Barbecue Sauce- My recipe includes a homemade Red Barbecue Sauce, but to save time, feel free to use your a bottled barbecue sauce.
  • Mozzarella Cheese- Use whole milk mozzarella cheese.
  • Mayonnaise- You’ll need this for the White Barbecue Sauce. I like Hellmann’s .
  • Yeast- Be sure and use active dry yeast, not quick acting.
  • Horseradish-Prepared horseradish adds so much great flavor to the White Barbecue Sauce.

How I Made my Pizzas

  • First, I made my pizza dough. It’s important to measure carefully, and add the ingredients to the bread machine, in the order suggested by the bread machine.
  • Next, I roast the chicken.
  • Then, I make both sauces.
  • Next, I roll out the pizzas.
  • Then, after they rise and bake, I add the toppings.
  • Finally, after the second bake, I add the cilantro and White Barbecue Sauce.

If you love barbecue chicken, you need to try this fabulous Barbecue Chicken Pizza with Two Sauces.

Barbecue Chicken Pizza with Two Sauces
Barbecue Chicken Pizza with Two Sauces
Barbecue Chicken Pizza with Two Sauces

Barbecue Chicken Pizza with Two Sauces

Homemade pizza dough topped with both red and white barbecue sauces, mozzarella, Monterey pepper Jack cheese, red onions, chopped tomatoes, chicken, and cilantro.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Rising Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2 pizzas

Equipment

  • Bread Machine

Ingredients
  

  • 1 recipe Bread Machine Pizza Dough
  • 2 cups each whole milk mozzarella and Monterey Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp. each extra virgin olive oil and unsalted butter
  • 4 whole garlic cloves
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • cups chopped tomatoes, with seeds and juice removed
  • ¼ cup cilantro leaves

For the Bread Machine Pizza Dough:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cups all purpose flour (360g)
  • ¼ cup fine cornmeal (30g)
  • 1 tsp. each honey and salt
  • 2 tsp. active dry yeast

For the Red Barbecue Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 cup minced onion
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp. chili powder
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • 2 tbsp. honey
  • 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • 1 tbsp. soy sauce

For the White Barbecue Sauce:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp. prepared horseradish
  • 1 tbsp. chives
  • tsp. black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the pizza dough: In your bread machine, add all the ingredients in the order suggested by your bread machine. Select the dough cycle, and let it run the full cycle.
  • While the dough rises, bake the chicken: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place the breasts in a small baking dish and top with the garlic, butter, oil, salt and pepper. Bake for twenty minutes. With a fork, crush the garlic and rub it all over the chicken. Cut the chicken in bite size pieces, and set aside..
  • Next, make the Red Barbecue Sauce: In a three quart saucepan, melt the butter and cook the onion and garlic until they're softened, on low heat, for about five minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the chopped chicken.
  • Next, make the White Barbecue Sauce: Simply mix the ingredients together in a small bowl, and refrigerate.
  • When the dough cycle ends, preheat the oven to 425 degrees, and add the pizza stones if you're using them. On a floured board, divide the dough into two balls.
  • Line your pizza peels or baking sheets with parchment paper, and using your fingers press each ball of dough into a 12 inch circle on the papers. Brush each circle with olive oil, and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise for thirty minutes. Then bake for 15 minutes either on the pizza stones or on baking sheets.
  • Remove the pizzas from the oven using the pizza peels. Spread the pizza with the Red Barbecue Sauce and chicken, and then add the cheeses, red onion, and tomato. Bake for ten more minutes. Before serving, drizzle with some of the White Barbecue Sauce and the cilantro.
Keyword Chicken
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Buffalo Chicken and Mozzarella Pizza

Hand Kneaded Pizza Dough

Pizza dough mixed with a wooden spoon and kneaded by hand.
Prep Time 13 minutes
Rising Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 43 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 pizzas

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • tsp. active dry yeast
  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • In a measuring cup, stir together the water and honey. Stir in the yeast. Let this mixture sit for five minutes.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the bread flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and the oil, and stir until it's all combined. Dump it on to a floured board, and knead it for 8 minutes.
  • Place the dough in an oiled bowl, and turn the dough until it's all covered in oil. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for one hour.
  • Divide the dough in half and roll into two circles. Place on two pizza pans, or pizza peels. Brush with olive oil and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for thirty minutes.
Keyword bread
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Shrimp Po’ Boys with Remoulade

Shrimp Po’ Boys with Remoulade

Shrimp Po’ Boys with Remoulade are famous New Orleans’ sandwiches. And they are one of our favorite shrimp sandwiches. I love this sandwich for several reasons. First of all, I love that I can make this meal in only thirty minutes. Secondly, I like that 

Sugar-Dusted Blueberry-Filled Beignets

Sugar-Dusted Blueberry-Filled Beignets

Sugar-Dusted Blueberry-Filled Beignets are our new absolute favorite doughnut! When these come out of the oil, they are so light and fluffy, and super delicious. We love these beignets for several reasons. First of all, I make the dough in the bread machine, which is 

Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Breadcrumbs

Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Breadcrumbs

Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Breadcrumbs is one of our favorite summer dinners. Honestly, what could be better than creamy, cheesy macaroni full of fresh lobster? I love this dish for several reasons. First, of all I can make the entire dish in less than a hour. Secondly, I love that this dish can be made early in the day, and then baked right before dinner. And, lastly, we all really savor every bite of this creamy, dreamy dish.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Food Processor- I use this to turn my bread into breadcrumbs. But, if you don’t have a food processor, try just cutting your bread in tiny pieces.
  • A Baking Dish- You can bake this dish in a 9×11 baking dish, or use four cocottes. Here I’ve used Le Creuset cocottes.
  • A Dutch Oven- I like to make my cream sauce in a Dutch oven, but you can use a four quart pot of any kind.

The Ingredients Needed for Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Breadcrumbs

  • Macaroni- You can use elbow macaroni, but I used shell pasta, to go with the beachy theme of the lobster.
  • Butter- Be sure and use unsalted butter.
  • Shallots- These add great flavor. You could use onions instead.
  • Flour- Use all purpose flour.
  • Chicken Stock- I always use my homemade stock. The recipe is attached below.
  • Heavy Cream- Be sure and use heavy, not light, cream.
  • Lobster- To save time, I used a half pound of cooked lobster meat. If you want a more luxe dish, double the lobster. But, my half pound of lobster meat cost $30, and that’s all I wanted to spend. If you want to cook your own lobster, one to two pounds of lobster should be plenty. I’ve attached a recipe below that explains how to cook lobster.
  • Cheeses- I wrote this recipe to use fresh mozzarella and parmesan cheese. But, I had some burrata to use up, so I used that instead of the mozzarella.
  • White Bread- I used Pepperidge Farm white bread for my breadcrumbs.
  • Herbs- Fresh parsley, chives, and thyme add so much fresh flavor to this dish.

How I Made my Mac and Cheese

  • Frist, I boiled the macaroni.
  • Then, I made the cheese sauce. It’s important to temper the egg yolk so that it doesn’t scramble.
  • Next, I cooked the breadcrumbs.
  • Finally, I filled my cocottes, and baked them off.

If you’re a lobster lover, you need to try this delicious Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Breadcrumbs.

Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Breadcrumbs
Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Breadcrumbs
Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Breadcrumbs

Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Breadcrumbs

Creamy macaroni and cheese filled with lobster chunks and topped with herby buttered crumbs.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • 9×11 baking dish or four cocottes
  • a Food Processor

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups macaroni or shell-shaped pasta
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup minced shallot
  • 2 tbsp. all purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 2 cups fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • ½ pound cooked lobster meat, chopped in bite sized pieces

For the Herbed Breadcrumbs:

  • 2 cups soft white bread, cubed
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp. each thyme, parsley, and chives

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter either a 9×11 baking dish or four cocottes.
  • Boil the pasta according to the directions on the box for al dente pasta. Drain it well.
  • Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, on medium heat, melt the butter and cook the shallots until they're tender, for about five minutes.
  • Add the flour to the shallots and cook for two minutes. Then add the chicken stock and the heavy cream and cook for two more minutes. Add the salt and pepper and remove from the heat.
  • Stir a half cup of the sauce into a bowl with the beaten eggs. This is to temper, or heat up the eggs, so that they don't scramble in the hot sauce. Mix it with a spoon, and then add the warmed up eggs to the warm pot. Stir in the pasta, lobster, and the cheeses, and pour it into either one 9×11 pan or four small cocottes.
  • In a small skillet, melt the rest of the butter, on low heat. Make breadcrumbs out of the bread in the food processor. Cook them in the butter for three minutes. Stir in the herbs.
  • Scatter the bread crumbs over the pasta and cheese and bake for thirty minutes.
Keyword seafood
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chicken soup with matzo balls and noodles

Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls and Noodles

Chicken soup with carrots, celery, chicken and matzo balls.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Jewish
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • pounds chicken breasts and wings with skin and bones
  • 10 cups water
  • 2 peeled onions
  • 2 peeled carrots
  • 3 peeled parsley roots
  • 1 tbsp. kosher salt
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 1 peeled parsnip
  • 2 tbsp. garlic
  • 1 cup fresh parsley and dill
  • 4 eggs
  • cup melted chicken fat
  • cup chicken stock
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 1 cup matzo meal
  • 3 cups cooked egg noodles

Instructions
 

  • Put the chicken and the salt in a large tall pot and cover with 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil, and then simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any scum that forms.
  • Meanwhile, beat the eggs in a bowl. Add the chicken fat, chicken broth, pepper, and a teaspoon of salt. Slowly stir in the matzo meal with a fork. Refrigerate for two hours, uncovered.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a slow boil. Add a tablespoon of salt. Wet your hands and form golf ball sized balls of the matzo mixture and drop into the water. Cover and simmer for thirty minutes without peeking. Drain the balls, and add to the soup when it's served.
  • Add all the vegetables and herbs and simmer for two and a half hours. Pour the soup through a strainer to remove everything but the broth. Reserve any vegetables or chicken meat you want to serve with the soup.
  • Serve the soup with the matzo balls, noodles, chicken, carrots, and celery.
Keyword chicken soup, matzo balls
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Summer Lobster Salad BLT Sandwiches

Summer Lobster Salad BLT Sandwiches

Lobster Salad, bacon, lettuce, and tomato piled high on toasted white bread.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
chilling time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 57 minutes
Course Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • large lobster pot

Ingredients
  

  • 4 one pound lobsters
  • 1 cup minced celery with leaves
  • 4 tsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp. minced tarragon
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • ½ cup minced red onion
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 1 large tomato, sliced
  • 4 leaves green leaf lettuce
  • 8 slices white sandwich bread

Instructions
 

  • In a very large pot, bring two inches of water to a boil.
  • Add the lobsters, and hold down the lid to kill them quickly. Steam them for 12 minutes.
  • Remove the lobster meat from the shells and chop it into half inch pieces.
  • In a large bowl, gently mix the lobster with ¾ a cup of the mayonnaise, the celery, lemon juice, garlic, onion , pepper, and tarragon. Chill for a couple of hours.
  • In a cold frying pan, cook the bacon over medium heat.
  • Toast the bread and spread it with the remaining mayonnaise. Top the bottom slices with lettuce, bacon, tomato, and lobster salad, and serve right away.
Keyword blt, Lobster, sandwich
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Tomato and Oregano Chicken Margherita

Tomato and Oregano Chicken Margherita

Tomato and Oregano Chicken Margherita is one of our favorite summer chicken dinners. I love this dish for several reasons. First of all, my family loves fried chicken cutlets, so this recipe always makes them happy. Secondly, this recipe uses ingredients I always have on 

Creamy Coconut Tart with Summer Berries

Creamy Coconut Tart with Summer Berries

Creamy Coconut Tart with Summer Berries is one of our favorite summer desserts. I love this tart for several reasons. First of all, it only takes about thirty minutes of hands on time to make this tart. Secondly, since this is a chilled dessert, it’s 

Steak Teriyaki Tacos with Pineapple Pico de Gallo

Steak Teriyaki Tacos with Pineapple Pico de Gallo

Steak Teriyaki Tacos with Pineapple Pico de Gallo are one of our favorite summer dinners. We love these tacos for several reasons. First of all, I can make these tacos in less than a half hour! That means, after a busy day, I can still serve a delicious dinner. Secondly, I like that this dinner can be made somewhat ahead. I just make the Pineapple Pico de Gallo and Teriyaki Sauce ahead of time. Then, right before dinner I make the steak. And, lastly, I love all the fresh flavor in these tacos. The pineapple really adds so much lovely tropical flavor.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Cast Iron Skillet- I use this to sear the steak. But, you could also grill the steak, and then finish it in any skillet with the Teriyaki sauce. Or, you could use any large skillet, instead of the cast iron skillet.

The Ingredients Needed for Steak Teriyaki Tacos with Pineapple Pico de Gallo

  • Pineapple- If possible, use a fresh pineapple.
  • Jalapeno- Remove the seeds and membranes. Be sure and wash your hands well after touching the jalapenos.
  • Lime Juice- Be sure and use fresh lime juice.
  • Red Onion- You could also use a sweet Vidalia onion.
  • Mirin- You can find this in the Asian food aisle of your market.
  • Soy sauce- Don’t use light soy sauce. I like the Kikkoman brand.
  • Vegetable Oil- Use this for searing your steak. Olive oil has too low of a smoke point.
  • Skirt Steak- To save money, you could use flank or sirloin steak.

How I Made my Tacos

  • First, I made my Pineapple Pico de Gallo.
  • Next, I opened a window and turned on my kitchen fan. Then, I seared the steak. I cooked the steak until it was just seared on the outside, but still very rare inside.
  • Then, I just stir fried the steak very briefly with the teriyaki sauce.
  • Finally, I served the steak in the tortillas, along with the avocado and Pineapple Pico de Gallo.

If you like tacos, you need to try these delicious Steak Teriyaki Tacos with Pineapple Pico de Gallo.

Steak Teriyaki Tacos with Pineapple Pico de Gallo
Steak Teriyaki Tacos with Pineapple Pico de Gallo
Steak Teriyaki Tacos with Pineapple Pico de Gallo

Steak Teriyaki Tacos with Pineapple Pico de Gallo

Tender steak with teriyaki sauce, topped with a Pineapple Pico de Gallo and avocado, all inside a flour tortilla taco.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp. dark brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp. white wine
  • 2 tbsp. mirin
  • 2 tbsp. soy sauce
  • pounds skirt steak
  • 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 8 small flour tortillas
  • 1 avocado, sliced

Pineapple Pico de Gallo:

  • 1 cup diced pineapple
  • ½ cup diced tomato
  • ¼ cup minced red onion
  • ¼ cup minced cilantro
  • 1 minced jalapeno
  • 2 tbsp. lime juice

Instructions
 

  • Start by making the Pineapple Pico de Gallo: Just mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.
  • Next, make the Teriyaki Sauce: In a small bowl mix together the sugar, wine, mirin, and soy sauce. Set aside.
  • In a cast iron skillet on high heat, char the tortillas on both sides. Set aside.
  • Next, heat a cast iron skillet to high heat. When it starts to smoke, add the vegetable oil and sear the steaks on both sides. You may need to do this in batches, so you don't overcrowd the pan. Cook the steaks for just a few minutes, until they're still very rare in the middle. Remove them to a cutting board and slice them thinly. Wipe the oil out of the skillet, and, over medium heat, add the steak back in along with the teriyaki sauce. Stir fry the meat until it's coated in the sauce.
  • Serve the meat in the tortillas, and top it with the Pico and avocado.
Keyword beef
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Lemon-Chive Lobster Salad Plates

Lemon-Chive Lobster Salad Plates

Lemon-Chive Lobster Salad Plates are one of our favorite summer dinners. I love this recipe for several reasons. First of all, I love that I can make this meal in just fifteen minutes. Secondly, I love that this can be made up to a day