Blueberry Buttermilk Cornmeal Biscuits are one of our favorite summer teatime treats. To make these quick biscuits, I make a sweet buttermilk cornmeal biscuit dough. Then, I fold in blueberries and lemon zest. After I bake the biscuits, I top them with an easy glaze …
Caprese Burgers with Basil Mayonnaise are one of our favorite summer burgers. I start these Rastelli’s Wagyu burgers by making a creamy mayonnaise in my food processor. Next, I cook the burgers in a cast iron skillet or we grill them outside. Finally, I top each burger with the Basil Mayonnaise, …
Red Leicester Lobster Chowder is one of our favorite summer soups. I start this chowder by cooking carrots, celery, and leeks until they are tender. Then, I add in homemade chicken stock and red potatoes. Finally, I add cream and cooked lobster. We like this soup for several reasons. First of all, I like that this soup can be made ahead of time and reheated. Secondly, since I used shelled lobster meat I was able to make this chowder very quickly. And, lastly, we all love the rich and creamy flavors in this lobster soup.
THE EQUIPMENT I USED
A Dutch Oven- I always use an enameled cast iron Dutch oven. I used my Staub Dutch oven this time.
THE INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR Red Leicester LOBSTER CHOWDER
Butter- I always use Kerry Gold Irish butter.
Carrots- Be sure to peel your carrots well.
Leeks- These add great flavor, but you can also use onions. Be sure to wash your leeks well.
Chicken Stock- I always use my homemade chicken stock. I like to make it in big batches and store it in my freezer.
Heavy Cream- If you like, you can substitute whole milk for some of the cream.
Lobster- If you can buy cooked lobster meat it will save you a lot of time.
Cheese- I used Red Leicester Cheddar Cheese. You could always just use extra sharp cheddar cheese though.
Potatoes- Use red potatoes but peel them first.
Garlic- I like to buy the peeled cloves of garlic, and store them in my freezer.
HOW I MADE MY CHOWDER
First, I cooked the celery, carrots, and leeks until they were soft.
Then, I added the potatoes and chicken stock and cooked them until the potatoes were tender.
Finally, I added the cream and the lobster.
If you like lobster, you need to try this decadent and delicious Red Leicester Lobster Chowder.
Red Leicester Lobster Chowder
Lobster chowder filled with Red Leicester cheddar cheese, potatoes, and lobster.
1cupheavy cream (or a ½ cup milk and a half cup of cream)
1cupRed Leicester cheddar cheese or other cheddar cheese
2cupscooked lobster, cut in bite sized pieces
2tbsp.chopped chives
Instructions
In a Dutch oven, melt the butter. Add the leeks, carrots, and celery and cook on low heat for ten minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
Add the chicken stock and potatoes. Cover and simmer for twenty minutes.
Add the cream and bring it to a simmer. Then add the lobster and cheese and cook for a couple of minutes, just to warm up the lobster. Serve topped with the chives.
BLT Lobster Salad Rolls are one of our all-time favorite family dinners. I start this lobster dinner by steaming two live lobsters. Then, I remove the lobster meat from the shells and chop it in small pieces. Next, I combine the lobster with mayonnaise, lemon juice, tarragon, bacon, lettuce, …
Easy Orange Butter Cake is one of our favorite summer desserts. I start this cake by baking up a buttery orange cake. Then, I top the cake with vanilla whipped cream and sweetened strawberries. We like this dessert for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this …
Cobb Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette is one of our favorite main course salads. I start this salad by roasting chicken breasts coated in herbs and seasonings. 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 Shallot 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.
A Food Processor- You’ll need this to make the dressing for the Cobb Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette
THE INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR COBB SALAD with Shallot Vinaigrette
Chicken- Use boneless chicken breasts. I always use Bell and Evans chicken, because I find it to be the most tender.
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.
Mustard- 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 for the Cobb Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette
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 Cobb Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette.
Cobb Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette
Roasted chicken, tomato, blue cheese, bacon, avocado and hard- boiled eggs all tossed with a Shallot Vinaigrette.
2tbsp. eachextra virgin olive oil and unsalted butter
1tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
½tsp.sugar
¼tsp. eachkosher salt, paprika, and black pepper
4eggs
4cupsSpring mix lettuce
1cuphalved cherry tomatoes
1avocado, sliced
1cupblue cheese, crumbled
4slicesbacon, cooked and crumbled
For the Shallot Vinaigrette:
½cupextra virgin olive oil
¼cupred wine vinegar
2tbsp.honey
1tbsp.minced shallots
1tbsp.Dijon mustard
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 herbs, seasonings all over the chicken. Add the olive oil and butter to the tops of the breast, and drizzle on the balsamic vinegar and 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 processing all the ingredients in a food processor
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.
Chimichurri Steak with Salsa Criolla is one of our favorite steak dinners. I love this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make the salsa and chimichurri ahead of time. Now, the chimichurri will darken in color. But if you …
Bacon and Egg Breakfast Pizza is one of our favorite weekend breakfasts. I start this pizza by making pizza dough in my bread machine. But I’ve also attached a recipe for my hand-kneaded pizza dough. While the pizza dough rose, I baked up lots of bacon for 15 minutes …
Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata is one of our favorite chicken dinners. I start this dish by breading the chicken breasts and frying them in olive oil. Next, I make a lemony, garlicky, buttery sauce. We like this chicken dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this dish in about thirty minutes. Secondly, I like that this dish can be made ahead completely in advance. Then, I just reheat it in the microwave. Thirdly, I like that this is a complete meal. I don’t need to make any side dishes. And, lastly, we all love the tender chicken and lemony sauce.
THE EQUIPMENT I USED
A Cast Iron Skillet- I highly recommend using a cast iron skillet for the chicken. It really helps brown it quickly and make the perfect chicken.
THE INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR LEMON Garlic Chicken Piccata
Chicken Breast- I like to use three small breasts for this. I find the smaller breasts to be the most tender. I highly recommend the Bell and Evans brand chicken since it’s the most tender. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
Flour- Use all purpose flour for dipping your chicken.
Butter- Be sure to use unsalted butter.
Chicken Stock- I always use homemade chicken stock. My recipe is below.
Preserved Lemon Paste- You can find this at Middle Eastern markets or gourmet stores. It added a delicious earthy flavor to my Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata.
HOW I MADE MY CHICKEN
First, I dipped the chicken lightly in flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs.
Then, I browned it on both sides. This only takes a few minutes.
Next, I baked the chicken so that it would cook through.
Finally, I simmered down the stock, wine and lemon paste. I slowly stirred in the butter and this created a delicious sauce for my Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata.
If you like chicken breast, you need to try this buttery and delicious Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata.
Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata
Tender fried chicken cutlets in a preserved lemon and garlic sauce.
1cupall-purpose flour mixed with ½ tsp. salt and pepper and 1 tsp. garlic powder
3eggs, beaten
2cupsseasoned breadcrumbs mixed with two teaspoons garlic powder, and a quarter teaspoon of crushed pepper flakes
¼cupextra virgin olive oil
¼cupunsalted butter
1tbsp.minced garlic
2tsp.preserved lemon paste
½cupwhite wine
½cupchicken stock
3tbsp.capers, rinsed
1lemon, sliced
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
Pound each breast until they're a quarter inch thick. Season them on both sides with 1/4 tsp. salt and pepper. Dip them lightly in the flour and then in the eggs, and then in the breadcrumbs. In a cast iron skillet, heat the olive oil on medium low heat. Fry a couple pieces at a time until each breast is lightly browned on both sides. Add more oil as needed. Bake on a foil lined baking sheet for 15 minutes or until 165 degrees inside.
Wipe out the pan. Melt two tablespoons of the butter in the pan and add the garlic. Cook on low heat for one minute. Add the lemon paste, white wine, and chicken stock. Simmer until reduced by half. Remove the pan from the heat.
Stir in the capers. Stir in the rest of the butter, one teaspoon at a time. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and top each piece with a lemon slice.
Lemon Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce is one of our favorite dessert recipes. I start this recipe by making a sweet vanilla wafer crust. Next, I make an easy, creamy lemon cheesecake filling. Then, I make a thick blueberry sauce full of sweet berries. I love …