Month: December 2021

Gochujang Chicken Rice Bowls

Gochujang Chicken Rice Bowls

Gochujang Chicken Rice Bowls are one of our favorite chicken dinners. Topped with Gochujang marinated chicken and warm and pickled veggies, these bowls are full of flavor. I love these bowls for several reasons. First of all, I like making these for my picky eaters. 

Short Ribs with Boursin Potatoes

Short Ribs with Boursin Potatoes

Short Ribs with Boursin Potatoes are one of our very favorite winter dishes. Because, on a cold snowy day, what could be better than a rich and hearty short rib? And, served with a red wine gravy and Boursin mashed potatoes, this is just the 

Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp

Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp

Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp is one of our favorite winter dinners. Filled with tender chicken, spicy sausage, and plump shrimp this one dish meal is full of flavor. I love this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can cook this entire meal in one pot. That means, there is only one pot to wash after dinner is done. Secondly, I like that this dish can be made ahead and reheated. Simply heat up individual portions in the microwave. And, lastly, I love the Creole spices and tender chicken in this dish.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Dutch Oven- You’ll need a four quart or larger Dutch oven to make this dish. You can use any pot with a lid, but I like using an enameled cast iron Dutch oven to make this dish.
  • A Food Processor- Use this to finely chop your tomatoes.

The Ingredients Needed for Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp

  • Chicken- I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
  • Andouille Sausage- I like the Niman Ranch brand.
  • Chicken Stock- I always use my homemade chicken stock. My recipe is below.
  • Rice- Use long grain white rice. I like the Carolina brand.
  • Shrimp- I always use Gulf shrimp. I buy the frozen ones.

How I Made my Jambalaya

  • Frist, I browned my chicken. It’s important that they get at least lightly browned.
  • Next, I cooked the vegetables. This adds so much flavor.
  • Then, I added the tomatoes and chicken stock and slowly simmered everything until the chicken was fall apart tender.
  • Next, I added the rice and cooked it until it was tender and infused with delicious spicy flavor.
  • Finally, I added the shrimp and cooked them until they were just cooked through.

If you like shrimp, you need to try this full-flavored Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp.

Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp
Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp
Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp

Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp

Creole Jambalaya, featuring rice, andouille, chicken, and shrimp.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Creole
Servings 4

Equipment

  • a Food Processor

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 cup each onions, celery and green bell peppers, chopped
  • ½ cup red bell peppers, sliced
  • 6 ounces andouille, sliced
  • 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 tbsp. chopped garlic
  • 2 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • ¼ tsp. each cayenne pepper and kosher salt
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup long grain rice
  • ½ pound Gulf shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ cup scallions

Instructions
 

  • Dry off the chicken thighs with paper towels, and season them with the garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven on medium heat and brown the chicken on both sides. Remove it to a plate.
  • To the Dutch oven, add the butter and onions and cook for ten minutes. Add the peppers, celery, and andouille and cook for ten minutes.
  • Meanwhile in a food processor, process the tomatoes, garlic and thyme until finely chopped. Add this to the Dutch oven along with the chicken, spices, and chicken stock. Cover and simmer for thirty minutes.
  • Using two forks, shred the chicken and then add it back to the pot. Add the rice and bring the pot to a boil. Cover the pot and simmer for 12 minutes.
  • Stir in the shrimp and scallions and cover and cook for 15 more minutes. Remove the bay leaves and serve.
Keyword Chicken, pork, seafood
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Chicken Stock

Chicken Stock

Homemade chicken stock
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8 cups

Ingredients
  

  • lbs. 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 cloves
  • 1 cup fresh parsley and fresh dill

Instructions
 

  • Put the chicken and the salt in a large, tall pot and cover with ten cups of cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any scum that forms.
  • 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.
Keyword chicken soup, chicken stock, stock
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Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon

Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon

Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon is one of our favorite seafood dinners. I love this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this entire dish in less than an hour. To serve even more time, start with 

Gingerbread Rolls with Creamy Frosting

Gingerbread Rolls with Creamy Frosting

Gingerbread Rolls with Creamy Frosting are one of our favorite winter breads. I love these rolls for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make the dough in my bread machine. That makes this a super easy recipe to prepare. Secondly, I 

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti are one of our favorite Christmas cookies. I love these cookies for several reasons. First of all, I love that I can make these cookies in less than an hour. Secondly, I like that these cookies use baking supplies that I always have in the house. That means, these cookies are fairly inexpensive to prepare. And, lastly, I love the flavor of these cookies. I like that these cookies are not to sweet, and I love the peppermint flavor.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Food Scale- For perfect baking results, use a scale to weigh your flour and sugar.
  • An Electric Mixer- You could just mix this up by hand, but I used my mixer.
  • A Baking Sheet- Use parchment paper to line your baking sheet.

The Ingredients Needed for Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti

  • Peppermints- You can use peppermints or candy canes. Put them in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
  • Flour- Use all purpose flour. I like King Arthur brand.
  • Butter- Use unsalted butter that is nice and soft.
  • Chocolate Chips- I love the Guittard chocolate chips.
  • Vegetable Shortening- I use Crisco.

How I Made my Cookies

  • First, I creamed together the butter and sugar. Just mix them together until they’re just combined.
  • Next, I added the eggs and beat them together until they were really well combined.
  • Then, I added the dry ingredients, but beat them until they were just mixed enough so that no flour streaks remained.
  • Next, I shaped the dough into four loaves on my sheet pan.
  • Then, I baked the loaves for exactly thirty minutes.
  • Next, I sliced the loaves and let them cool.
  • Then, I made the chocolate drizzle and used a spoon to drizzle it on the cookies.
  • Finally, I topped everything with the crushed candy canes.

If you like peppermints, you need to try these delicious Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti.

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Bisoctti
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Bisoctti

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Chocolate chip biscotti drizzled with chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermints.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Servings 30 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups all purpose flour (360g)
  • 1 tsp. each baking powder and salt
  • 8 tbsp. unsalted butter (112g), softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp. each almond and vanilla extracts
  • ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips

For the Biscotti Topping:

  • ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp. vegetable shortening
  • ½ cup peppermints or candy canes, crushed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, with the paddle attachment on, cream the butter and sugar together until just combined. Add the eggs and extracts and beat until well combined. Then, add the sifted ingredients and beat just until no streaks of flour remain. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into four balls, and then shape them on the baking dish into four loaves, about three inches wide and an inch high. Bake for 27 to thirty minutes, or until the edges turn light brown.
  • Slice the loaves into slices, about ¾ of an inch thick. Let them cool on a wire rack.
  • For the Biscotti Topping: Place the chips and shortening in a small bowl and microwave for ten seconds. Stir. Repeat until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Place the cookies on a wax paper lined pan. Drizzle the cookies with the chocolate using a spoon. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the cookies. Let the chocolate harden before serving.
Keyword Dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza

Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza

Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza is one of our favorite cold weather dinners. We love this pizza for several reasons. First of all, I really like that I can make the pizza dough up to two days in advance. Pizza dough just gets better after 

Easy Meatball and Mozzarella Skillet

Easy Meatball and Mozzarella Skillet

Easy Meatball and Mozzarella Skillet is one of our favorite cold weather appetizers. We love this appetizer for several reasons. First of all, we love eating these warm meatballs topped with cheese on cold nights. Sometimes we eat this as an appetizer with crusty bread. 

Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions

Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions

Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions are one of our favorite cold weather appetizers. I love these pierogi for several reasons. First of all, I like that this dough is so easy to roll out. And, it doesn’t require a pasta machine. Secondly, I like that this dish is fairly economical to make. It’s an especially frugal meal if you use leftover mashed potatoes for the filling. And, lastly, we all love how delicious these pierogi are. They are truly the perfect dish for cozy, cool weather nights.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Food Scale- For perfect dough results, please weigh your flour.
  • A Rolling Pin- You’ll need a rolling pin to roll out your dough.

The Ingredients Needed for Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions

  • Flour- Be sure to use all purpose flour.
  • Chicken Fat- I use melted chicken fat for the dough, but you can also use vegetable oil.
  • Milk- Be sure to use whole milk, not low fat.
  • Potatoes- Use russet potatoes.
  • Cream Cheese and Sour Cream- Be sure to use full fat versions of these.
  • Shallots- You can find these near the onions in your market. They add so much flavor to the pierogi filling.
  • Cheddar Cheese- Be sure to use extra sharp cheddar. I like the Cracker Barrel brand.
  • Onions- I used red onions. but white onions are fine, too.
  • Bacon- Use a good quality thick bacon for the bacon topping.

How I Made my Pierogi

  • First, I started my caramelized onions. It’s important to stir these frequently so that they cook evenly.
  • Next, I made my pierogi dough. It’s important to knead it for the full 12 minutes.
  • Then, I made the potato filling. The potatoes need to be tender but not mushy.
  • Next, I filled my pierogi. Use a fork to seal all the edges.
  • Then, I boiled my pierogi, drained them, and fried them in butter.
  • Finally, I added all the toppings and served them.

If you like potatoes, you need to try these warm and comforting Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions.

Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions
Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions
Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions

Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions

Homemade cheddar and potato pierogi topped with caramelized onions, cheddar, bacon, and sour cream.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Polish
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the Pierogi:

  • 2 cups all purpose flour (240g)
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 tbsp. melted chicken fat or vegetable oil
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 2 cups peeled potatoes, cut into two inch chunks
  • 1 tbsp. kosher salt
  • 11 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • ½ cup chopped shallots
  • 1 ounce softened cream cheese
  • ½ cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tbsp. each sour cream and salted butter

For the Caramelized Onions and other Pierogi Toppings:

  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • cups sliced red onions
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • 4 slices cooked, crumbled bacon
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ½ cup sliced scallions
  • 1 cup shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the Caramelized Onions: In a Dutch oven melt the butter and oil on low heat. Add the onions. Cover and cook for 40 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the salt.
  • While the onions are cooking, make the Pierogi Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In a second smaller bowl, mix together the chicken fat or oil, yolks, and milk. Stir these liquids into the flour with a fork. Then, knead it on a floured board for 12 minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest for thirty minutes.
  • While the dough rests make the filling: Put the potatoes and salt in a three quart saucepan and cover with three inches of water. Boil and cook for about 10 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender,
  • While the potatoes cook, melt one tablespoon of butter in a skillet and cook the shallots on low heat until they're soft, for about five minutes. Drain the potatoes and then add them back to the pot. Let them dry for a minutes and then mash them with shallots, cream cheese, cheddar, sour cream, salted butter, pepper, and a quarter teaspoon of kosher salt.
  • Cut the dough in half. Roll out each half on a floured board until they're an ⅛ inch thick. Cut out rounds with a three inch biscuit cutter. You should have about 30 biscuit cutters. Put one teaspoon of filling on each circle ( you'll likely have some leftover filling). Fold the circles in half and use a fork to seal the edges shut. Place the pierogi on a flour dusted parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a slow boil. Add one teaspoon of kosher salt and cook six pierogi at a time for about five minutes, or until they float to the top. Drain, and repeat with remaining pierogi.
  • In a large skillet, melt two tablespoons of butter. Cook six pierogi at a time, cooking until golden brown on both sides. Repeat with rest of butter and pierogi, cooking them in five more batches.
  • Serve the pierogi topped with bacon, scallions, caramelized onions, cheese, and sour cream.
Keyword appetizers
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo

Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo

Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo is one of our favorite shrimp dinners. I like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this whole dish in less than thirty minutes. That’s actually less time than it takes me to pick