Pork Chops
Ingredients
Dry Rub
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
The Pork
2 large bone-in pork chops (1-inch thick)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Oil a baking dish large enough to fit the pork chops.
In a small bowl, mix the dry rub ingredients.
Rub the pork chops with olive oil and season them with a dry rub. Make sure you rub the seasoning all over the pork chops (both sides).
Place the pork chops onto the prepared baking sheet.
Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 140 to 145 degrees.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes, tented with aluminum foil. While the meat rests – the temperature will redistribute (carryover cooking) and the internal temperature will rise about 5 to 10 degrees.
Oven Roasted Carrots
Ingredients
1 bunch fresh organic carrots about 6
2 tablespoon butter
Slat and pepper
Directions
Cut the ends off the carrots and wash well. Dry.
Oil a 13×9-inch baking pan.
Place the carrots close together in a single layer in the pan..
Sprinkle it with salt and pepper and dot with the butter.
Seal the foil on top and on the edges. Place the pan in the oven with the pork chops and cook until tender. They take about the same time as the pork chops. How tender you want them is up to your taste.
Garlic and Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
6 large baking potatoes (about 4 pounds), peeled and diced
7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled
Salt and pepper
Directions
Place potatoes and garlic in a heavy large pot. Cover with cold salte4d water. Boil over medium-high heat until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes.
Drain. Return potatoes to the dry pot. Stir over medium heat until any excess liquid evaporates. Add the olive oil and mash until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
The calendar may say Fall but where I live it is still hot. So ribs are still on the menu.
Easy Ribs
Ingredients
2 small slabs pork baby back ribs, each cut in half
BBQ sauce, optional
Rub
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon dried oregano
4 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons table salt
1 tablespoon ground white pepper
3 tablespoons celery salt
3 tablespoons garlic powder
Directions
Mix all the rub ingredients together in a medium bowl. Rub each side of the 4 pieces of ribs with 2-3 tablespoons of the rub mix. (Save any remaining rub for another time,) Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Line a baking dish large enough to fit the ribs with foil and place the ribs meaty side up in the dish.
Bake at 250 degrees F for 3 hours. For extra crispiness, place the ribs on a hot grill or under the broiler for 5 minutes on each side. Serve with BBQ sauce if desired.
Simple Potato Salad
Ingredients
2 lbs whole medium red-skinned potatoes
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons pickle juice
1/4 cup minced bread and butter pickles or pickle relish.
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion or scallions
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1/2 cup olive oil mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and black pepper to taste
Chopped parsley for garnish
Directions
Place the potatoes in a large pot with a lid. Cover the potatoes with cold water and add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and cook the potatoes with the lid ajar until tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain the potatoes and cool. When cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes. Slice the potatoes into a storage bowl.
Add the pickle juice and let sit at room temperature for an hour or so.
Add the remaining ingredients, mix well, and taste to see if the salad needs salt. Add black pepper to taste. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator until serving time. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.
Roasted Asparagus Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Ingredients
2 bunches thin asparagus, washed and ends trimmed
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Vinaigrette
1 medium shallot, minced (about 11/2 tablespoons)
2 lemons, juiced
1 teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons smooth Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
Option one – Roast asparagus in the air-fryer at 400 degrees F for 7-8 minutes.
Option two- Adjust oven rack to uppermost position and heat broiler.
Toss asparagus with olive oil and salt and pepper, then lay spears in a single layer on a heavy rimmed baking sheet. Broil about 4 inches from heating element, shaking the pan halfway through to turn spears, until asparagus is tender and lightly browned 8 to 10 minutes.
Cool asparagus 5 minutes and arrange on serving dish.
Whisk shallot, lemon juice, honey, mustard, and olive oil in a small bowl; season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle over asparagus and serve immediately.
Grilled Pork Chops
2 servings
Spice Rub
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 thin bone-in pork loin chops (about 4 oz each)
Directions
In a bowl, mix together garlic, oil, sugar, salt, paprika, pepper, and cayenne until a paste forms. Coat pork chops with the paste and refrigerate 1 hour (or up to 3).
Heat an outdoor grill or broiler to medium-high. Cook pork, covered if grilling, 5 minutes per side. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Sweet Potatoe Salad
Ingredients
2 large sweet potatoes, about 1 1/2 lb, peeled and diced
Salt
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
Dressing:
½ a large jalapeno pepper or 1 small, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
2 tablespoons pickle relish
1 tablespoon honey
1 garlic clove, grated
2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
Directions
Bring a large bot of salted water to a boil, then add the sweet potatoes. Simmer just until fork-tender, about 10 minutes depending upon the size of the potatoes. Drain, gently, and set aside.
In a serving bowl place the celery, and green onions.
Prepare the dressing in a large measuring cup, whisking together all the dressing ingredients.
Add the sweet potatoes to the bowl with the celery, drizzle with the dressing, then toss gently to combine. Taste and season with additional salt/pepper as desired. Serve chilled. Garnish with extra chopped parsley if desired.
Grilled Japanese Eggplant
What Is the Difference Between Japanese Eggplant and Regular Eggplant?
Their smaller size and thinner shape make them look more like a baby zucchini than a big, globe eggplant! Once you cut into it, you’ll find fewer seeds than most eggplant varieties (which also means they’re less bitter, since the seeds are responsible for creating bitter eggplant). The flesh is sweet and creamy with a spongy texture, meaning they’ll soak up marinades and sauces exceptionally well.
Ingredients
Marinade
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for brushing
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 a jalapeno pepper, minced
Eggplant
3 Japanese eggplants, about 1 lb total, halved lengthwise
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup Asian plum sauce
Directions
Combine the marinade ingredients in a long dish.{lace the cut eggplant in the marinade and turn them over several times. Season the eggplant with salt and pepper. Set aside for an hour.
Heat an outdoor grill or preheat a grill pan. Remove the eggplant from the marinade. Grill cut side down over high heat until lightly charred, about 2 minutes. Turn the eggplant and cook until lightly charred and tender, about 2 minutes. Brush the cut side of the eggplant with the p;u, sauce, and turn them over to grill for another 2 minutes. Transfer the eggplant to a serving dish and drizzle the remaining plum sauce over the slices.
Tuna Steak
2 servings
Rub
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
2 teaspoons black pepper
1/2 teaspoon rosemary sea salt
Tuna
16-ounce tuna steak (1 inch thick)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt
Directions
To prepare the spice blend, grind all spices in a mini-food processor or spice grinder until they are powdery. Spread the spice mixture evenly on a large plate. I used half the rub for one tuna steak. save the remainder for another time.
Rinse the tuna fillets and pat dry. Place one side of the tuna on the spice mixture.
In a 10 inch non-stick skillet, heat olive oil over high heat until almost smoking. Carefully place the tuna steak, spiced side down, into the skillet. A spice crust should form within 1 minute. Cook 3 minutes more. Using kitchen tongs, turn the tuna over, lower the heat to medium, and cook for 4 minutes or to your desired doneness.
To plate
Cu the tuna steak into two equal portions and place on individual serving plates. Place a handful of arugula on each plate and top with bean salad. Serve the Tzatziki sauce on the side.
Cannellini Bean Salad
Ingredients
1 (15.5 ounces) can cannellini beans, drained, rinsed ( or 2 cups cooked dried beans; directions below)
1 cup frozen and cooked or jarred in water artichoke hearts
1 cup sliced fresh grape tomatoes, cut in half
1/4 cup chopped red onion
2 cups arugula
Dressing
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Directions
In a serving bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients. Add the cooked or canned beans, sliced artichokes, sliced tomatoes, and red onion. Stir into the dressing. Refrigerate. Remove from the refrigerator 1 hour before serving and let stand at room temperature until serving time.
How to cook dried beans
1 Pound Dried White Beans (Cannellini)
Pinch Baking Soda
Carrot, Cut In Half
1 Celery Stick, Cut In Half
1/2 Onion, Peeled And Quartered
1 Sprig Rosemary
Directions
The night before serving, rinse the beans picking out any bad ones and place in a large bowl. Cover with water, add a pinch of baking soda and let soak at least 12 hours.
The next day, drain well. Place the beans in a heavy stockpot with the vegetables and rosemary and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the beans are tender about 45 minutes. Drain, remove the vegetables and rosemary sprig.
Tzatziki with Feta
Ingredients
Half of an English cucumber, unpeeled
1 1/2 cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup crumbled Greek feta cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon Greek seasoning
Directions
Seed and finely chop the cucumber. In a medium bowl, stir together the cucumber and yogurt. Stir in the remaining ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate for several hours before serving.
Baby Back Ribs
2 servings
Ingredients
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 rack pork baby back ribs
Plum Sauce reserved from the skirt steak dinner: link to the recipe
Directions
For the ribs:
In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, salt, and paprika. Place the ribs in a baking dish large enough for the ribs to lay flat. Rub the ribs evenly on all sides with the sugar mixture. Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
Bake the ribs covered with foil until tender for 2 ½ hours.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of Sriracha (depending on how spicy you like your food) to the sauce and stir well. Remove the foil from the baking dish and spoon one-third of the sauce all over the ribs. Return the pan to the oven uncovered and bake for 20 minutes. Repeat the process another 2 times, until the coating on the ribs is thick and sticky.
Preheat the broiler to high heat or heat an outdoor grill. Broil or grill the ribs for 5 minutes to crisp the ribs.
Stir-Fried Bok Choy with Ginger and Garlic
2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
4 cups chopped fresh bok choy
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Salt and ground black pepper
Directions
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute. Add bok choy and soy sauce cook 3 to 5 minutes, until greens are wilted and stalks are crisp-tender. Season to taste, with salt and black pepper and serve with the ribs.
Alabama Sweet and Spicy Pork Ribs
Ingredients
2 racks meaty pork ribs
For the barbecue spice rub
2 tablespoons smoked paprika (sweet or hot)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried thyme
For the sweet and spicy glaze
1 cup tomato ketchup(regular or no sugar added)
½ cup brown sugar or brown sugar substitute
2 garlic cloves, grated
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon barbecue spice rub (see above)
Directions
Mix together the ingredients for the barbecue spice rub, and set 1 teaspoon aside for the glaze.
Pat both sides of the ribs dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, remove the thin membrane from the back of each by slicing into it and pulling it off with a paper towel.
Put the ribs in a large baking dish and sprinkle them all over with the spice rub. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
Mix all the ingredients for the glaze together in a mixing bowl and set aside.
Grill Method
If using a charcoal barbecue, light it about 30 minutes before you want to cook. If using a gas barbecue, preheat it 10 minutes beforehand. Rearrange the coals or turn off the middle burner for indirect cooking. Put the ribs on the grill, bone-side down, making sure they are not directly over the heat. Cover with the lid and grill over indirect medium heat for 30 minutes each side, or until the ribs are tender and a deep reddish-brown.
Uncover the ribs and brush generously with the sweet and spicy glaze. Cook for 10 minutes, turn and brush with more glaze. Cook for a final 10 minutes or until caramelized and sticky – brush with the remaining glaze and serve.
Oven Method
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Bake in the preheated oven until the meat begins to pull away from the bones but is not fully tender, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 450°F. (Do not remove ribs from oven.) Brush both sides of ribs with the glaze. Bake until ribs are very tender and caramelized, 35 to 45 minutes. Brush with the glaze several times during the baking time.
Alabama Hot Slaw
Ingredients
Half of a head of green cabbage (1 lb.)
2 celery ribs
1 carrot
1/2 green bell pepper
2 tablespoons minced red onion
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 teaspoons honey or low carb honey substitute
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons mustard
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Directions
Finely chop the cabbage, bell pepper, celery, and carrot.
Place the chopped vegetables and onion to a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, add the vinegar, honey, and salt; whisk until clear.
Add in the black pepper, mustard, and Tabasco; stir to mix, then pour on the vegetables.
In a small skillet or in the microwave heat the oil until very hot.
Pour the hot oil over vegetables.
Let sit for 4 minutes.
Toss and let sit at room temperature until serving time.
Round out the meal Alabama style with corn-on-the-cob.
Grilled Rib-Eye Steaks
2 servings
Ingredients
Sauce
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 minced green onion
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil plus more for steaks and grill
1/8 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/2 tablespoon drained capers
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Steaks
Two 3/4-inch-thick grass-fed rib-eye steaks
1 garlic clove, pressed
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Rub both sides of the steaks with oil and garlic. Mix paprika, coarse salt, and black pepper in small bowl. Sprinkle on both sides of the steaks. Let stand at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour.
Combine the sauce ingredients in a small glass dish. Set aside
Prepare an outdoor or stovetop grill (medium-high heat). Brush the grill rack with oil to coat. Grill steaks until cooked to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to serving plates.
When the steaks are cooked and resting, heat the sauce in the microwave until hot, about 1 minute. Spoon the sauce over the steaks and serve.
Green Bean Casserole
Servings 6
Ingredients
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
1 clove garlic, minced
4 tablespoons dry white wine or dry vermouth
2 tablespoons butter
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 cup unsalted chicken stock/broth or vegetable stock
Salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Shallot topping, recipe below
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8×8 ovenproof casserole dish.
Cook green beans to your liking. Boil in salted water or steam them on for 3-4 minutes..drain and place in a mixing bowl.
Sauce: In a saucepan heat the butter and add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes until soft. Turn the heat down to medium and add the wine. Saute for about a minute or until the alcohol has burned off. Add the softened cream cheese and break it up in the pan so that it melts more easily. Add the chicken broth little by little and whisk to combine until the cream cheese has melted.
Turn the heat to medium-low and let the sauce bubble a little to combine flavors and thicken slightly. Add the cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk and taste to adjust seasoning.
Pour the sauce into the bowl with the green beans and stir together. Pour the green bean mixture into the buttered baking dish. Put the green bean casserole in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly around the sides. Sprinkle with the fried shallots and serve.
Fried Shallots
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
4 large shallots, peeled and sliced lengthwise about 1/8-inch thick
Salt
Directions
Pour about one inch of oil into a deep skillet. Add shallots and place the pot over medium
heat. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes (turn down heat if they seem to be coloring too quickly), until they gradually become brown.
Place a fine-meshed sieve over a bowl. Transfer shallots to the sieve and let drain well. (Save the oil for another purpose.) Blot shallots on paper towels. They will become crisp as they cool. Sprinkle lightly with salt.’
Spinach-Stuffed Tomatoes
6 servings.
Ingredients
6 medium tomatoes
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Salt
Directions
Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out the pulp, leaving a 1/2-in. thick shell. Invert tomatoes onto paper towels to drain.(Save the use the pulp for tomato sauce.)
Combine the bread crumbs, Italian seasoning garlic powder and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside 1/4 cup for the topping. Add spinach and mozzarella cheese to the remaining crumb mixture. Sprinkle the tomato shells lightly with salt; stuff with the spinach mixture. Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Toss the reserved crumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle over tomatoes. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until crumbs are lightly browned.
My blogging friend Pam at For The Love Of Cooking recently posted a rub recipe for ribs. My family really likes ribs and after I saw Pam’s recipe, I decided to try a new rub and use her recipe the next time I cooked ribs. I did tell her I was going to make her recipe soon and now I share that with you. The only change I made to the rub recipe was to use a brown sugar substitute because we do not use regular sugar.
Baby Back Ribs
Rub
4 tbsp sweet paprika
3 tbsp brown sugar or brown sugar substitute
2 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp dry mustard
2 tsp celery salt
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp cayenne pepper
Ribs
2 racks of baby back pork ribs
Your favorite barbecue sauce
Directions
Dry the ribs on paper towels.
Combine the spice ingredients and rub 1 tablespoon (4 tablespoons) of the rub mixture on each side of the ribs. Wrap in foil and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
Place the ribs in a large baking dish and cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 3 hours,; until the ribs are tender but not falling apart.
Remove the baking dish from oven and increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Pour off all liquid in the baking dish. Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the sauce begins to get a little sticky. Remove the ribs to a cutting board and cut into two-rib sections to serve.
Potato Patties
Ingredients
2 cups leftover mashed potatoes at room temperature
1 egg (beaten)
2 scallions, green and white parts finely chopped
1/4 cup flour or arrowroot for low carb
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
Directions
Mix together the mashed potatoes, beaten egg, scallions, flour, cheese and pepper and stir well. Using a muffin scoop, measure out 8 scoops of the mixture and place on a waxed paper-lined plate. Refrigerate until time to cook.
In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and butter together until the butter melts and the mixture starts to sizzle.
Using a metal spatula place the potato mixture into the frying pan and pat into 3-inch circles that are about 1/2-inch thick. Cook the potato patties until the bottom is browned and crisp, which will take about 3 to 4 minutes.
Carefully turn each patty over and cook the second side until it is brown and crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes longer. Remove the patties from the pan and drain briefly on paper towels Serve the patties immediately.
Broccoli With Easy Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
1 head of broccoli cut into florets and the stems reserved for another recipe.
Sauce
1 cup heavy cream
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese grated
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Directions
Broccoli
Steam the florets until tender and drain in a colander. Set aside in a serving dish
Sauce
In a 1 1/2 quart saucepan, heat the heavy whipping cream over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. When the cream begins to simmer (little bubbles form around the edges, whisk in the cheese, mustard, garlic and onion powder, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and black pepper. Turn heat to low.
When the cheese has melted, remove the sauce from the heat. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Whisk again and pour over the steamed broccoli florets and serve.
Fried Chicken
Serves 4
Ingredients
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
3 tablespoons milk
11/2 lbs chicken thighs
½ cup vegetable oil
Spice Rub
1/2 tablespoon sweet paprika
1/2 tablespoon oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions
Combine all the spices for the rub in a glass dish large enough to hold the chicken.
Rub the spice mixture over all the sides of the chicken thighs. Refrigerate covered for several hours.
Set a rack in a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Combine the milk and two eggs in a shallow dish. Place the flour in a large deep bowl.
Heat the oil until it shimmers in a deep skillet.
Dredge the chicken in the flour, then in the egg mixture and dredge in the flour again.
Fry over moderately high heat, turning, until deep golden, 4 minutes on each side.
Transfer the chicken to the rack in the baking dish and bake for about 20 minutes, until crispy and the juices run clear when a thigh is pierced. The inner temperature of the chicken should register at 65C/150F when the chicken is cooked through.
Old Fashioned Macaroni & Cheese
This dish can be baked at different temperatures depending on how you are cooking other parts of the meal. By itself bake the casserole at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes. For this meal bake the casserole for 15 minutes while the chicken is baking
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter, divided
1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11/2 cups milk or Half & Half
1/4 lb. (4 oz.) processed cheese (Velveeta), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
Directions
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in medium saucepan on medium heat. Whisk in flour and black pepper; cook 2 minutes stirring constantly. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to boil; cook and stir 3 to 5 min. or until thickened. Add Velveeta; cook until melted, stirring frequently. Stir in macaroni.
Spoon into a 2-quart casserole coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with Cheddar. Melt the remaining butter and toss with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle over the casserole.
Bake 20 minutes with the chicken until heated through and the top begins to brown.
Green Bean Salad
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed
Fresh basil, chopped into thin ribbons
1 shallot, peeled and sliced thin on the cross-wise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Sea salt
Directions
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in the beans and let them cook for about 7 minutes until done but still bright green and quite crispy. Drain the beans in a colander.
In the same saucepan heat the oil with the rosemary and garlic.
Add the beans and lemon juice and toss in the flavored oil. Arrange on a serving plate, sprinkle with basil, shallot rings, and salt. Let sit at room temperature until serving time.
T-bone steaks have two distinct pieces of meat on it, which cook at different rates: the leaner tenderloin and the fattier strip. The key to perfectly grilling a T-bone is to start cooking it with lower heat and then finish it over high heat. Grass-fed beef cooks more quickly than grain-fed beef. Grass-fed beef requires 30% less cooking time so watch your thermometer and don’t leave your steaks unattended.
Wedge Salad
This retro salad is making a comeback.
4 servings
Ingredients
Blue Cheese Dressing
Whisk together in a small bowl:
1/2 small shallot, finely chopped
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Fold in 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese. Season to taste with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Salad
Cut 4 oz. thick bacon into 1″ thick pieces.
Cook in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, until crisp, 5–7 minutes.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Cut 1 small head of iceberg lettuce into 4 wedges; place on individual salad plates and spoon some of the dressing over the wedges.
Top each with some diced bacon, diced red onion, diced tomato and more crumbled blue cheese. Then sprinkle each with chopped chives.
Grilled T-Bone Steak With Onion Rings
For great tasting beef, start with a steak rub.
Rub Ingredients
2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoons ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
Steak
4 tablespoons butter
4 (16 ounces) t-bone steaks, at room temperature
Directions
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil the grates.
Stir the salt, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, coriander, and turmeric together in a small bowl.
Rub the steaks on all sides with the seasoning mixture.
Directions
Set up an outdoor grill for direct and indirect heat. Oil the grill grates.
Arrange steaks on the cooler side of the grill with tenderloins (the smaller medallions of meat) positioned farthest from the coals. Cook steaks, turning once (but always keeping tenderloin farthest from the coals), until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the coolest part of the strip (the larger section of meat) registers 115°F/46°C and the tenderloin registers 110°F/43°C for medium-rare, about 10 minutes total for grass-fed beef.
Transfer steaks to the hot side of the grill and cook, turning, until seared on both sides, about 2 minutes on each side for grass-fed beef.
An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 125-130 degrees F. Place the steaks on a serving platter and top each with a tablespoon of butter.
Let rest 10 minutes, then serve.
Oven-Baked Onion Rings
4 servings
Ingredients
1 large yellow onion – ends trimmed off, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices
2 eggs
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
3 cups panko breadcrumbs, or more if needed
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus extra for sprinkling
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Olive oil cooking spray
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
Separate the onion slices into individual rings. Place the onion rings in a bowl of ice-cold water before coating.
Whisk eggs with cream in a bowl until thoroughly combined; season egg mixture with a pinch of cayenne pepper. Place flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Place panko crumbs in a separate bowl.
Work with one or two at a time, shaking off excess water then toss into a bag of flour mix.
Place onion rings into a large resealable plastic bag. Add flour, salt, and black pepper; seal bag and shake until the onion rings are well coated with flour.
Place flour-coated onion rings into the egg mixture, a few at a time, and toss lightly with tongs until coated. Place rings into panko crumbs and gently shake the bowl to toss the crumbs with the onion rings until rings are coated with crumbs.
Transfer coated onion rings to a large baking sheet; spray rings lightly with cooking spray.
Bake in the preheated oven until the onion rings are tender and crumbs are lightly golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
