Month: April 2023

Burrata Topped Penne Bolognese

Burrata Topped Penne Bolognese

Burrata Topped Penne Bolognese is one of my all-time favorite dinners. I start this dish by making a rich and hearty Bolognese sauce. Then, I toss it with penne pasta and top it with parmesan cheese. Finally, I add a big ball of burrata cheese 

Burrata-Topped Kale Pesto Rigatoni

Burrata-Topped Kale Pesto Rigatoni

Burrata-Topped Kale Pesto Rigatoni is one of our favorite spring dinners. I start this pesto rigatoni by making the pesto in my food processor. Then, I toss the cooked rigatoni with the kale pesto and cherry tomatoes. Finally, I top the rigatoni with creamy burrata 

Grilled Chicken and Feta Salad

Grilled Chicken and Feta Salad

Grilled Chicken and Feta Salad is one of our favorite main dish salads. I start this salad by quickly marinating and grilling boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Then, I make a fresh dill vinaigrette. Finally, I put both of these on a mixture of spring greens, cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, and feta cheese. We like this salad for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this entire salad ahead of time. I like to make all the components early in the day and then assemble them right before dinner. Secondly, I like that I can make this salad with ingredients I usually have in the house. I like to always have boneless, skinless chicken breasts and feta cheese in my freezer. That makes this salad so easy to assemble. And, lastly, we all love the tender chicken, the creamy cheese, and the crisp veggies.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Salad Spinner- Use this to dry your lettuce. If your lettuce is wet, the vinaigrette won’t cling to the leaves.
  • A Grill Pan- I used a grill pan to grill my chicken breasts. You could also grill these outside or cook them in a skillet.

The Ingredients Needed for Grilled Chicken and Feta Salad

  • Chicken- I always use Bell and Evans chicken because I find it to be the most tender.
  • Lemon Juice- Be sure to use fresh lemon juice.
  • Dill- Use fresh dill for the vinaigrette.
  • Oil- Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the vinaigrette.

How I Made my Salad

  • First, I quickly marinated the chicken.
  • Then, I grilled the chicken, taking care to not overcook it.
  • Next, I made the vinaigrette. It’s important to taste the vinaigrette, to see if it needs more honey or salt.
  • Finally, I tossed the lettuce, feta, chicken and other vegetables with the vinaigrette.
Grilled Chicken and Feta Salad
Grilled Chicken and Feta Salad

Grilled Chicken and Feta Salad

Salad greens topped with grilled, marinated chicken, feta cheese, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and topped with a Dill Vinaigrette.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Dill Dressing:

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. fresh dill
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper

For the Salad:

  • 4 cups baby arugula
  • 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
  • 1 cup chopped orange pepper
  • ½ cup sliced purple onion
  • 1 cup sliced cucumbers
  • 1 cup chopped feta cheese

For the Grilled Chicken:

  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. cumin powder
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Instructions
 

  • Start by preparing the chicken: Mix together all the spices in a small bowl. Cut the breasts in half vertically, and then horizontally, so that you have 8 pieces all together. Heat a grill pan on medium heat and cook the chicken on both sides until cooked through, for about 7 minutes. Sprinkle the chicken with the lemon zest and lemon juice. Place in the refrigerator to chill up while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
  • Next, make the Dill Dressing: Place all the ingredients in a small jar and shake them together.
  • Place the lettuce in a large bowl, and top with the chicken, feta cheese and vegetables. Toss with as much dressing as you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcal
Keyword salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Easy Coconut Cream Pie

Easy Coconut Cream Pie

Easy Coconut Cream Pie is one of our favorite springtime desserts. I start this pie by making an easy cookie crust. Then, I make a creamy coconut custard filling. Finally, I top the pie with whipped cream and toasted coconut. We like this pie for 

Lemon Asparagus Lobster Linguini

Lemon Asparagus Lobster Linguini

Lemon Asparagus Lobster Linguini is one of our favorite springtime suppers. I start this seafood dinner by steaming four lobsters and some asparagus. Then, I toss them with linguini and a light lemon basil sauce. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, 

Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto

Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto

Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto is one of our favorite springtime dinners. I start this risotto by cooking the mushrooms until they’re golden brown. Then, I add the rice and stir in the chicken stock until the risotto is creamy and delicious. Finally, I add lots of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and sweet peas. We like this risotto for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this risotto in just thirty minutes. Secondly, I like that I can make this risotto ahead of time. I like to make it early in the day, and then heat it up in the microwave right before dinner. And, finally, we all love the earthy mushrooms, the tender peas, and the creamy risotto.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Dutch Oven- I like to make my risotto in a heavy, cast iron Dutch oven. But you can use any five quart or larger pot.

The Ingredients Needed for Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto

  • Rice- Use arborio rice or another rice suitable for risotto. I like the Rice Select brand risotto.
  • Chicken Stock- I always use my homemade chicken stock. The recipe is below.
  • Wine- Use a dry white wine.
  • Mushrooms- I used regular white mushrooms, but you can also use wild mushrooms.
  • Peas- You can use fresh or frozen peas.
  • Parmesan cheese- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

How I Made my Risotto

  • First, I brought my chicken stock to a simmer.
  • Next, I cooked the mushrooms until they were golden brown.
  • Then, I cooked the onions until they were soft.
  • Next, I added the rice and stirred it into the buttery onions until the rice was totally coated.
  • Then, I slowly stirred in the chicken stock one ladle at a time. When the rice sticks to the pot it’s time to add more stock to the pot.

If you like rich and creamy rice, you need to try this tasty Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto.

Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto
Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto

Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto

Rich and creamy risotto filled with peas and mushrooms.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 cup minced onion
  • 1 cup Arborio rice
  • ½ cup white wine
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup cooked peas
  • ¼ cup chopped basil

Instructions
 

  • In a four-quart saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a simmer. In a Dutch oven, melt one tablespoon of the butter and cook the mushrooms until they're golden. Remove the mushrooms to a plate. Add the onion along with another tablespoon of butter to the pot and cook until golden brown. Add the rice and stir until it is well coated with the butter and onions. Add the wine, and stir until the rice absorbs the liquid. Add the chicken stock in one quarter cup increments, stirring the rice with a wooden spoon. Add another quarter cup of stock when the rice begins to stick to the bottom of the pot. Keep adding stock until the rice is slightly tender. You may not need all the stock. Stir the mushrooms back in, along with the Parmesan cheese, peas, and basil.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcal
Keyword meatless, risotto
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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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Pinto Bean and Vegetable Chili

Pinto Bean and Vegetable Chili

Pinto Bean and Vegetable Chili is one of our favorite winter dinners. I start this chili by cooking carrots, celery, cabbage, onions, and garlic until they’re tender. Then, I add in chili powder, tomatoes, chicken stock, and pinto beans and simmer them all together. Finally,