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Cinnamon Apple Topped Pancakes

Cinnamon Apple Topped Pancakes

Cinnamon Apple Topped Pancakes are one of our favorite fall breakfasts. Here in New York, we have a few apple orchards very close to our house. So, on the weekends we love visiting to pick apples. Not only are the apples delicious, but the apple …

Lobster Tacos with Chipotle Aioli

Lobster Tacos with Chipotle Aioli

Lobster Tacos with Chipotle Aioli are one of our favorite summer dinners. I love these tacos for several reasons. First of all, I like that most of this taco dish can be made well ahead of time. Since the lobster salad filling just gets better …

Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits

Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits

Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits is one of our favorite shrimp dinners. Recently, we took a road trip from New York to Mississippi. Along the way, from Virginia to Mississippi, we sampled so many great versions of shrimp and grits. So, ever since we returned to New York, I’ve been inspired to make shrimp and grits all different ways. I start this dish by making creamy, cheesy grits, filled with smoked gouda cheese. Next, I make a rich roux, and then add peppers and onions. Finally, I cook the shrimp in this wonderful sauce. All together, this makes a truly fantastic meal.

The Equipment I Used

  • Dutch ovens- I used two Dutch ovens, one for the shrimp, and the other for the grits. If you don’t have Dutch ovens, any four quart saucepans will do.
  • A Whisk- Use a whisk to stir your grits.
  • A Wooden Spoon- I use this to stir my roux and shrimp sauce.

The Ingredients Needed for Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits

  • Shrimp- If possible, please use Gulf shrimp. They really have the best flavor and are the most appropriate for this dish. I buy frozen shrimp, since I find them to taste fresher than some of the fresh shrimp. Since in New York, we are no where near the Gulf.
  • Grits- Use white corn grits, but not the instant or quick cooking grits. I always buy the Bob’s Red Mill brand.
  • Bacon- I like the Niman Ranch brand.
  • Cheese- I like the Yancey’s Fancy brand of smoked gouda cheese.
  • Chicken Stock- My homemade stock recipe is attached below.
  • Hot Sauce- I used Crystal hot sauce.

How I Made my Shrimp and Grits

  • First, I cooked the grits. These are very easy to make, and reheat wonderfully.
  • Next, I made the roux. You need to cook the roux until it turns the color of peanut butter. Then, to keep it from burning, add the vegetables.
  • Then, add the shrimp and seasonings. and cook this just until the shrimp are no longer pink, and are cooked through.
  • Finally, I serve the shrimp over the grits.

If you like shrimp, you need to try this delicious Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits.

Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits
Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits
Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits

Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits

Southern shrimp and grits, featuring smoked gouda grits.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup chopped bacon
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp. all purpose flour
  • 1 cup each chopped onion and bell peppers
  • 2 tbsp. minced garlic
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp. each Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp. each fresh parsley and thyme
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1 pound peeled and deveined Gulf shrimp

For the Smoked Gouda Grits:

  • 2 cups each whole milk and water
  • 1½ tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 cup white corn grits (not quick cooking grits)
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 cups smoked gouda cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the Smoked Gouda Grits: In a four quart Dutch oven, bring the water, salt, and milk to an almost boil. Stir in the grits and cook over low heat for 15 minutes, whisking occasionally. Stir in the butter. Cover the pot and set aside until the shrimp are ready.
  • In a second Dutch oven, cook the bacon on medium heat until it's crispy. Remove the bacon and dry it on paper towels.
  • To the bacon grease add the butter. Cook on low heat until the butter melts, then add the flour and cook and stir until the roux is the color of peanut butter.
  • As soon as you achieve this color add the onion, peppers, garlic, and salt, and pepper. Cook on medium heat for about 12 minutes, until the veggies are soft and tender. Add the chicken stock and simmer for two minutes.
  • Add the shrimp, Worcestershire, hot sauce, paprika, lemon juice, paprika, parsley, thyme, and the cooked bacon. Cook on medium heat for about six minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through. Also, stir the cheese into the grits.
Keyword 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
  

  • 4½ 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
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Lemon Glazed Blueberry Biscuits

Lemon Glazed Blueberry Biscuits

Lemon Glazed Blueberry Biscuits are one of our favorite tea time treats. To make these biscuits, I make a sweet buttermilk biscuit dough. Then, I fold in blueberries and lemon zest. After I bake the biscuits, I top them with an easy glaze of powdered …

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 this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that this is a very hearty meal. So, it’s perfect for a day when everyone is really hungry. Secondly, we love eating this dish as leftovers the next day. And, this chicken makes great Chicken Parmesan sandwiches. Lastly, I like making this because it features familiar Chicken Parmesan, but also offers the lemony pasta. So, this is a nice change up from the old fashioned spaghetti with tomato sauce.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Cast Iron Skillet- I like to fry my chicken in this, but you can use any large skillet.
  • A Dutch Oven- Use this to make your tomato sauce. Or, use any four quart or larger pot.
  • A Large Skillet- I like to make my cream sauce in a large skillet, because it gives plenty of room for the sauce to reduce.

The Ingredients Needed for Chicken Parmesan with Creamy Fettuccini

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil-Use a good quality olive oil. I like California Olive Ranch brand.
  • Tomatoes- I really like the Pomi strained tomatoes. They are so much less acidic than canned tomatoes. But, you could also use about 24 ounces of canned pureed tomatoes.
  • Breadcrumbs- I like the 4C brand crumbs. Use plain, not seasoned, crumbs.
  • Vegetable Oil- Use this to fry your chicken.
  • Chicken- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I always use Bell and Evans chicken.
  • Fettuccini- I like DeCecco egg fettuccini.
  • Heavy Cream- Be sure and use heavy cream, not half and half.
  • Chicken Stock- I always use homemade stock. the recipe is linked below.

How I Made my Chicken and Pasta

  • First, I made some homemade tomato sauce. To save time, use a jarred sauce.
  • Next, I fried the chicken cutlets.
  • Then, I made the Alfredo sauce. It’s important to simmer this until it thickens up.
  • Finally, I baked the chicken to melt the cheese, and tossed the pasta with the sauce.

If you like fried chicken cutlets and Alfredo sauce, you need to try this fabulous Chicken Parmesan with Creamy Fettuccini.

Chicken Parmesan with Creamy Fettuccini
Chicken Parmesan with Creamy Fettuccini
Chicken Parmesan with Creamy

Chicken Parmesan with Creamy Fettuccini

Chicken Parmesan served with a Lemony, creamy Kale and Tomato pasta.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Parmesan:

  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1 box Pomi strained tomatoes, or 20 ounces of pureed tomatoes
  • ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 1 tbsp. fresh oregano
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • â…” cups all purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 2 cups plain dried breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp. each fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

For the Creamy Fettuccini:

  • 12 ounces fettuccini
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup chicken stock
  • 2 tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
  • 2 cups baby kale
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and pepper
  • ¼ cup basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the Chicken Parmesan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. For the sauce: In a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil on low heat and add the tomatoes, one teaspoon of the garlic, sugar, a tablespoon of the oregano, chicken stock, a half teaspoon of the kosher salt, and a quarter teaspoon of the red pepper flakes. Simmer this while you fry the chicken.
  • Split each breast in half, so that you have four thin cutlets. Using a meat pounder, pound them a bit thinner. Prepare a dredging station with three bowls: fill the first bowl with the flour and a quarter teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. Fill the second bowl with the eggs. Fill the third bowl with the breadcrumbs, a quarter teaspoon each of the salt and red pepper flakes, a tablespoon of the garlic, the herbs, and the Parmesan.
  • Heat a cast iron skillet with a quarter inch of the vegetable oil on medium high heat. The oil is ready when a small piece of chicken sizzles immediately. Dip each piece of chicken in each of the three bowls- starting with the flour and ending with the crumbs. Fry two cutlets at a time until they're golden brown on each side and cooked through. Drain the chicken on a wire rack over a baking dish.
  • While the chicken fries, begin cooking the fettuccini and making the sauce: In a large skillet melt the butter. Stir in the cream, garlic and chicken stock. Simmer for six minutes, until the cream thickens. Stir in the tomatoes, kale, salt, pepper, lemon juice. Stir in the drained fettuccini and keep warm.
  • Top the chicken with a few tablespoons of sauce for each cutlet. You can freeze the rest of the sauce. Top each cutlet with some mozzarella cheese, and bake just until the cheese melts, for about five minutes. Garnish with basil.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal
Keyword Chicken
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
  

  • 4½ 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
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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 …

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 appetizer. And, lastly, I like that this dish features all the ripe summer peaches that my local orchards are full of right now.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Food Processor- You’ll need this to puree the Peach Dipping Sauce.
  • Wooden Skewers- I used wooden skewers, but you could also use metal ones.
  • A Grill Pan- Use this or any large skillet to cook your chicken.

The Ingredients Needed for Chicken Satay Skewers with Peach Dipping Sauce

  • Chicken- I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs. You could also use chicken breasts.
  • Coconut Milk- Use canned coconut milk. My favorite brand is Native Forest.
  • Peaches- Fresh peaches are key for this recipe.
  • Cornstarch- This helps the sauce thicken up.
  • Sriracha- You can find this in the Asian foods section of your market.
  • Fish Sauce- This can smell pretty pungent, but is mild in the marinade.
  • The Spices- All the spices add great flavor to the marinade and the chicken. Sometimes I can find these spices a little strong and overpowering, but in this recipe, they create a really great, light flavor.

How I Made my Satay

  • First, I mixed up the marinade, and let the chicken marinate for one hour. It’s important to cut your chicken pieces so that it cooks evenly.
  • Next, I made the peach sauce. Just keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t burn.
  • Then, came my least favorite part- threading the wet chicken cubes on the skewers.
  • Next, I grilled my chicken. It’s important to cook the chicken until it’s no longer pink inside.
  • Finally, I served the chicken with the dipping sauce.

If you like Thai flavors, you need to try this mildly spiced, summery Chicken Satay with Peach Dipping Sauce.

Chicken Satay with Peach Dipping Sauce
Chicken Satay with Peach Dipping Sauce
Chicken Satay with Peach Dipping Sauce

Chicken Satay with Peach Dipping Sauce

Coconut marinated chicken skewers with a peach dipping sauce.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating Time: 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Thai
Servings 4

Equipment

  • 8 wooded skewers
  • Food processor

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut in half inch cubes
  • 13.5 ounces canned coconut milk
  • 1 tsp. fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp. dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. each coriander and cumin powder
  • ½ tsp. each black pepper, yellow mustard powder, ground ginger, and fennel seed
  • 1 tbsp. vegetable oil

For the Peach Dipping Sauce:

  • 2 cups peeled and chopped peaches
  • ¼ cup each water and honey
  • 1 tbsp. lime juice
  • 2 tsp. cornstarch
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. sriracha

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the marinade: In a large bowl, stir together the coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar, coriander, cumin, pepper, mustard, ginger, and fennel seed. Add the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for one hour. Also, soak your wooden skewers in water, for at least thirty minutes.
  • While the chicken marinates, make the Peach Dipping Sauce: Simmer all the ingredients for ten minutes in a three quart saucepan. Puree in a food processor. You can serve this warm, cold, or at room temperature.
  • After the chicken is marinated, thread the chicken on the skewers.
  • Heat a grill pan to high heat, and grill the chicken on both sides for about ten minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink inside. Serve with the peach sauce.
Keyword appetizers, Chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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 …