Month: September 2021

Quick and Easy Gazpacho Soup

Quick and Easy Gazpacho Soup

Quick and Easy Gazpacho Soup is one of our favorite summer soups. Filled with fresh vegetables, this soup is served cold. I love this soup for several reasons. First of all, I like making this soup on hot summer days. It’s very refreshing. Secondly, I 

Chicken Parmesan with Creamy Fettuccini

Chicken Parmesan with Creamy Fettuccini

Chicken Parmesan with Creamy Fettuccini is one of our favorite family meals. I begin this meal by making the crispy, cheesy Chicken Parmesan. And, I serve it with fettuccini in a lemony Alfredo sauce that is dotted with cherry tomatoes, kale, and garlic. I love 

Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad

Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad

Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad is one of our favorite main dish salads. I love this salad for several reasons. First of all, it’s very hearty and filling, since it has lots of chicken in it. Secondly, the barbecue chicken and homemade Ranch dressing add so much great flavor. And, lastly, I love that this can be prepped ahead of time and then be served later in the day. Also, I like to serve this salad with my homemade cornbread. The recipe is linked below.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Grill Pan- I used this to cook my chicken, but you could just cook it in any large skillet.
  • A Food Processor- Use this to combine your dressing ingredients, or just stir them together in a bowl.
  • An 8 inch square pan- Bake the cornbread in this.
  • A Food Scale- For perfect cornbread, weigh your ingredients.

The Ingredients Needed for Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad

  • Cornmeal- Be sure and use fine cornmeal for the cornbread. I used Indian Head Stone Ground Cornmeal.
  • Sour Cream- Use full fat sour cream. I like Breakstone’s .
  • Buttermilk- If possible, use full fat buttermilk.
  • Chicken – I used breasts, but you could also use thighs.
  • Smoked Gouda- You could also use cheddar.
  • Ketchup- I like Heinz organic.
  • Mayonnaise- My preference is Hellmann’s, full fat.
  • Fresh Herbs- These add so much fresh flavor.

How I Made my Salad and Bread

  • First, I made my cornbread. To save time, you could just serve store bought bread. I like to keep bakery French bread in my freezer.
  • Next, I made the barbecue sauce. To save time, you could use bottled barbecue sauce.
  • Then, I grilled the chicken. To save time use a store baked chicken.
  • Next, I made the dressing. Again, you could use purchased dressing.
  • Finally, I mixed it all together and served it up.

If you like barbecue chicken, you need to try this fresh and delicious Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad.

Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad
Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad
Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad

Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad

A tossed salad topped with barbecue chicken breast and homemade Ranch dressing.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 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
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 ear corn on the cob
  • 4 cups chopped romaine
  • 1 avocado, cut in half inch pieces
  • 1 cup chopped tomato
  • ½ cup chopped red onions
  • 1 cup smoked Gouda, cut in half inch cubes

For the Ranch Dressing:

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • cup whole milk buttermilk
  • 1 tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. each minced dill, parsley, and chives
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the Barbecue Sauce: In a three quart saucepan, melt the butter and cook the onions and garlic until they soften. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cut the chicken breast in half horizontally. Put it between two sheets of plastic wrap and flatten it with a meat pounder. Sprinkle both sides with some salt and pepper, and grill on a grill pan until cooked through. Brush with some barbecue sauce as the chicken cooks. When it's completely cooked, remove from the pan and cut half inch pieces.
  • Also, steam the corn on a plate in the microwave for 7 minutes. Cut the kernels off.
  • Also, make the Ranch Dressing: Simply stir all the ingredients together in a bowl, or process in a food processor.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the romaine, avocado, corn, tomato, onions, Gouda, and chicken. Add in as much dressing as you wish. Serve with cornbread.
Keyword Chicken
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Quick and Easy Buttermilk Cornbread

Quick and Easy Buttermilk Cornbread

Moist and sweet cornbread.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 8 squares

Equipment

  • an 8 inch square baking pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup fine cornmeal (120g)
  • 1 cup all purpose flour (120g)
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • cup granulated sugar (66g)
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature, and beaten
  • ½ cup sour cream (120g)
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter an eight inch square baking pan.
  • In a large bowl, sift together the cornmeal, flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
  • Stir in the eggs, sour cream, and buttermilk. Then, stir in the butter.
  • Bake for twenty minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the pan comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
Keyword bread
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Hummus and Arugula Salad Bowls

Hummus and Arugula Salad Bowls

Hummus and Arugula Salad Bowls are one of our favorite summer meatless meals. I love this meal for several reasons. First of all, I love that this is a meatless meal. While I enjoy eating meat, I tend to get sick of eating chicken and 

Chicken Satay with Peach Dipping Sauce

Chicken Satay with Peach Dipping Sauce

Chicken Satay with Peach Dipping Sauce is one of our favorite summer appetizers. I love this recipe for several reasons. First of all, the coconut marinade is insanely delicious. Secondly, this dish is hearty enough to be a main dish. But, it’s also a super 

Honey Cake with Creamy Frosting

Honey Cake with Creamy Frosting

Honey Cake with Creamy Frosting is our favorite Rosh Hashanah dessert. Without honey cake, it just wouldn’t feel like the Jewish New Year to me. Some honey cakes can be dry, but I promise you that this one is moist and utterly delicious. I love this cake for several reasons. First of all, I love how quick this cake is to make. The whole cake can be made in about thirty minutes of hands on time. Secondly, I like that this cake can be made with items I always have in the house. And, lastly, I love the deep, rich flavor of this cake. Also, the cream cheese frosting is incredibly fluffy and yummy.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Nine Inch Springform Pan- I used my cheesecake pan to make this cake. Since the honey makes it extra sticky, removeable sides are a good idea.
  • A Food Scale- For best results, weigh your flour and sugars.
  • Sifter- Be sure to sift together your dry ingredients.
  • An Electric Mixer- While you could just use a whisk or a spoon, the mixer will give you the best results.
  • An Offset Spatula- Use this to spread your frosting on the cake.

The Ingredients Needed for Honey Cake with Creamy Frosting

  • Honey- Please use a good quality honey for the best flavor.
  • Coffee- My favorite coffees are made by Bear Mountain Coffee. I used their salted caramel flavor this time.
  • Butter- Be sure and use unsalted butter. Make sure it’s nice and soft.
  • Flour- I use King Arthur flour.
  • Cream Cheese- Be sure a brick cream cheese, not a whipped cream cheese. I like Philadelphia brand cream cheese. I soften it in the microwave.
  • Confectioner’s Sugar- If using cup measures, sift and then measure your sugar.

How I Made my Cake

  • First, I mixed together the batter. It’s very important to measure carefully, and not overmix.
  • Next, I made the frosting. Again, measuring carefully is so important.
  • Finally, I frosted the cake and sprinkled on the walnuts.
Honey Cake with Creamy Frosting
Honey Cake with Creamy Frosting
Honey Cake with Creamy Frosting

Honey Cake with Creamy Frosting

A one layer honey cake topped with cream cheese frosting and chopped walnuts.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine German
Servings 8 slices
Calories 375 kcal

Equipment

  • 9 inch springform pan
  • electric mixer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp. vegetable shortening
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ cup brewed coffee
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups flour (240g)
  • ½ tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 tsp. bourbon

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 12 ounces softened brick cream cheese
  • 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (240g)
  • ½ cup finely chopped walnuts

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a nine inch springform pan with shortening.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the eggs. Add the sugars and beat until light and thick.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the coffee and honey, and then add it to the mixing bowl. Add the butter and mix until combined.
  • In a third bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add this to the mixing bowl and mix until just combined. Then add the vanilla and the bourbon.
  • Bake the cake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove the sides right away. Let it cool on a rack for ten minutes, and then using a spatula, remove the bottom of the pan. Let it cool for another 50 minutes and then frost it.
  • For the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, vanilla, and butter. Then, sift in the cream cheese, and whip until blended.
  • Spread frosting all over the top of the cake, and sprinkle the walnuts all over.

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcal
Keyword Dessert
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Mexican Street Corn Tacos with Chicken

Mexican Street Corn Tacos with Chicken

Mexican Street Corn Tacos with Chicken are one of our favorite late summer dinners. I love these tacos for several reasons. First of all, these tacos are a great way to make use of all the terrific corn that’s in the markets right now. Secondly, 

Strawberry Hazelnut Ricotta Cheesecake

Strawberry Hazelnut Ricotta Cheesecake

My Cake and Tea Runners Tea Strawberry Hazelnut Ricotta Cheesecake is the perfect summer dessert. And, it pairs delightfully with my favorite teas, made by Tea Runners. If you haven’t heard about Tea Runners before, let me tell you about them. Tea Runners is a