Pumpkin Beer Cheese Dip is one of our favorite fall appetizers. I especially like serving it on Halloween. I start this dip by stirring together pumpkin beer, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese. This creates a rich and creamy fondue-like dip. Then, I serve this warm …
Pumpkin and Pancetta Pasta Carbonara is one of our favorite fall dinners. I start this pasta dish by cooking cubes of fresh sugar pumpkin and sage leaves. Then, I make a rich carbonara sauce. Finally, I toss the sauce with the pumpkin, fettuccini, sage, and …
Creole Chicken Cobb Salad is one of our favorite main course salads. I start this salad by roasting chicken breasts coated in Creole seasoning. Then, I lay the sliced chicken on top of Spring greens along with blue cheese, avocado, cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled egg slices, and crispy bacon. Finally, I drizzle everything with my Creole Mustard Vinaigrette. We like this salad for several reasons. First of all, I like that this salad is a complete meal. I serve the salad with bread, but I don’t have to make any side dishes. Secondly, I like that I can make this salad ahead of time. I really like to make dinner early in the day; it makes my evenings so much easier and more relaxing. And, lastly, we all love the tender chicken, crispy bacon, and zesty vinaigrette.
The Equipment I Used
A Salad Spinner- Use this to dry your salad greens. If your greens are too wet, the vinaigrette won’t cling to them.
The Ingredients Needed for Creole Chicken Cobb Salad
Chicken- Use boneless chicken breasts. I always use Bell and Evans chicken, because I find it to be the most tender.
Creole Seasoning- I used the Savory Spice Shop brand seasoning, and we all loved it.
Lemon Juice- Be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Lettuce- I used spring greens, but you could also use romaine lettuce.
Blue Cheese- I like to store my blue cheese in the freezer. Then, I just defrost it before I want to use it.
Creole Mustard-If you can’t find this, just use Dijon mustard.
How I Made my Salad
First, I roasted the chicken breasts. Take care to not overcook them.
Next, I made the dressing.
Finally, I covered the platter with lettuce, and then arranged the chicken, bacon, eggs, cheese, and veggies on top.
If you like big salads, you need to try this delicious Creole Chicken Cobb Salad.
Creole Chicken Cobb Salad
Roasted chicken (seasoned with Creole seasoning), tomato, blue cheese, bacon, avocado and hard- boiled eggs all tossed with a Creole Mustard Vinaigrette.
2tbsp. eachextra virgin olive oil and unsalted butter
4eggs
4cupsSpring mix lettuce
1cuphalved cherry tomatoes
1avocado, sliced
1cupblue cheese, crumbled
4slicesbacon, cooked and crumbled
For the Creole Mustard Vinaigrette:
½cupextra virgin olive oil
1tbsp.fresh lemon juice
2tbsp.apple cider vinegar
2tsp.honey
1tbsp.Creole mustard
1tbsp.fresh basil, minced
1clovegrated garlic
¼tsp.black pepper
Instructions
Begin by roasting the chicken: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Put the chicken in a small baking dish and sprinkle the Creole seasoning all over the chicken. Add the olive oil and butter to the tops of the breast, and drizzle on the lemon juice. Bake for twenty minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle. When the chicken is done, chop the breasts in half inch pieces.
Meanwhile while the chicken cooks, hard boil the eggs. Place the eggs in a two-quart saucepan and cover them with cold water. On high heat, bring the water to a boil. Then, turn down the heat, and simmer the eggs for 15 minutes. Drain the eggs and peel them under cold running water. Slice the eggs in half inch pieces, and chill.
Also, make the vinaigrette by shaking up all the ingredients in a small jar.
Put all the spring greens in a large bowl, or on a large platter. Arrange the cooked chicken, bacon, avocado, eggs, blue cheese, and tomatoes in rows on the spring greens. Drizzle on as much dressing as you like.
Braised Brisket with Prunes and Apricots is one of our favorite fall dinners. We like this apricot brisket for several reasons. First of all, I like to serve this for all the Jewish holidays in the fall. Since, it’s very traditional to serve braised brisket …
Three Cheese Eggplant Parmesan is one of our favorite meatless meals. I start this dish by making a homemade tomato sauce. Then, I bread and fry thin slices of eggplant. Finally, I layer the fried eggplant with ricotta and mozzarella. We like this dish for …
Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes are one of our favorite desserts. I start this recipe by mixing up an easy chocolate and pumpkin cupcake batter. Then, I make a fluffy and sweet marshmallow frosting. And sometimes I even toast the frosting with a kitchen torch. We like these cupcakes for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make the cupcakes and frosting in just about thirty minutes. Secondly, I like that these pumpkin cupcakes use ingredients that I always have in my pantry. Thirdly, I like how festive these pumpkin cupcakes are for both autumn and Halloween. And, lastly, we all love the delicious pumpkin and chocolate flavors in these cakes.
The Equipment I Used
An Electric Mixer- You can mix the cupcakes with just a spoon, but you’ll need an electric beater or mixer to make the frosting.
A Kitchen Torch- You’ll need this if you wish to toast the marshmallow frosting. I love my Culinary Jo Chef kitchen torch.
A Food Scale- For perfect baking results, use a scale to weigh your flour, sugar, and pumpkin.
A Cupcake Pan- You’ll need this pan and cupcake liners.
A Pastry Bag- This is optional, but you can use it to pipe on the frosting.
The Ingredients Needed for Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Flour- Be sure to use all-purpose flour.
Cocoa Powder- I used Hershey’s powder.
Pumpkin- Use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix.
Cream of Tartar- You can find this with the spices at your market.
How I Made my Cupcakes
First, I baked the cupcakes.
Next, I made the frosting. It’s important to make sure the bowl doesn’t make contact with the simmering water. Also, start beating the frosting on low, and gradually increase the speed to high.
If you like pumpkin, you need to try these scrumptious Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes.
Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Quick and easy chocolate and pumpkin spice cupcakes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line the cupcake pan with the cupcake liners.
Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, pumpkin spice, and cocoa powder into a small bowl. Set aside.
In a three quart saucepan, melt the butter on low heat. Remove from the heat, and add the sugar, pumpkin, vanilla, and eggs.
Stir in the dry ingredients, just until combined. Fill the cups of the pan with the batter and bake for 20 minutes or until the cakes bounce back when pressed. Cool 5 minutes in the pan on a rack, and then remove from the pan to the rack to finish cooling. Top with frosting.
Place a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water. Make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water. Add all the ingredients except for the vanilla. Whisk for four minutes.
Pour the bowl into the bowl of your electric mixer with the balloon whisk attached. Add the vanilla and beat for four minutes or until stiff peaks form.
Spread some frosting on each cupcake or use a pastry bag to swirl on the cupcakes. You can also use a kitchen torch to toast the frosting.
Creole Cod Tacos with Remoulade are one of our favorite fish dinners. I start these tacos by tossing the fish with Creole seasoning and frying it in butter. Then, I add the crispy cod to flour tortillas along with pickled cabbage and remoulade sauce. We …
Buffalo and Ranch Chicken Pizza is one of our favorite fall dinners. I start this dinner by making homemade pizza dough. Then, I top the dough with Buffalo sauce and chicken, fresh mozzarella cheese, and cheddar cheese and bake the pizza. Finally, I top the …
Chicken Schnitzel and Apple Salad is one of our favorite fall dinners. I start this salad by frying crispy chicken schnitzels and making some sweet, candied pecans. Then, I slice the chicken and toss it with apples, Spring greens, apple chips, blue cheese, and red onions. We like this salad for several reasons. First of all, I like that this is a complete meal, although I might serve it with some bread. Secondly, I like that this salad can be made ahead of time. And, lastly, we all love the crispy chicken schnitzel, sweet vinaigrette, and the crunchy apples.
The Equipment I Used
A Cast Iron Skillet- I like to fry my schnitzels in a cast iron skillet, but you can use any large frying pan.
A Salad Spinner- Use this to dry your salad greens. If the greens are wet the dressing won’t cling to the leaves.
The Ingredients Needed for Chicken Schnitzel and Apple Salad
Chicken- You’ll need to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. I always use Bell and Evans brand chicken because I find it to be the most tender.
Breadcrumbs- Use plain breadcrumbs, not Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. I like the 4C brand breadcrumbs.
Pecans- I always use Diamond pecans, because I always find pieces of shell in other nuts brands.
Oil- Use vegetable, canola, or peanut oil to fry the chicken.
How I Made my Salad
First, I fried the chicken. Take care to watch the chicken to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Next, I made the candied pecans. These, too, need to be watched closely.
Then, I made the maple vinaigrette. I like to shake up my dressing ingredients in a small jar.
Finally, I tossed the chicken, pecans, and vinaigrette with the rest of the salad ingredients.
If you like fried chicken, you need to try this delicious Chicken Schnitzel and Apple Salad.
Chicken Schnitzel and Apple Salad
Spring Greens topped with fried chicken schnitzels, fresh apples, candied pecans, and blue cheese, all tossed with a maple vinaigrette.
Frist, make the chicken schnitzels. Prepare a dredging station: In the first bowl, place the flour, salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and spices.
Heat a cast iron skillet on high heat, with a quarter inch of oil. Dredge each piece of chicken with first the flour, then the eggs, and finally the crumbs. The oil is hot when a small piece of chicken sizzles immediately when placed in the oil. Fry the chicken until it's golden on each side, and cooked through. Drain the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Cut it into small pieces. Chill until you're ready to serve the salad.
Make the candied pecans: Heat a medium skillet on medium heat and melt the butter and brown sugar together. Add the pecans and stir them until the pecans are toasty and coated with the sugar. Let them cool on a wax paper lined plate.
Prepare the dressing: In a small glass jar, combine the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, and mustard.
In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce and dressing. Then add the rest of the ingredients and serve.
Sesame Chicken and Vegetable Bowls are one of our favorite Chinese-inspired dishes. I start this recipe by deep-frying chicken breast chunks until they’re ultra-crispy. Next, I make a sweet caramel sauce and drizzle it on to the chicken. Then, I serve the chicken on top …