Saturday, January 27, 2024

Stuffed potatoes with shrimp


 Stuffed potatoes with shrimp 


INGREDIENTS


  

Perfect Baked Potatoes

  • 4 Medium Sized Russet Potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 tablespoon Salt

Shrimp Stock

  • Leftover Shrimp Shells
  • 2-3 Sticks of Celery roughly chopped
  • 2-3 Sticks of Carrot roughly chopped
  • ½ cup Onion roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Roasted Garlic Boullion
  • 1 cup Water

Cajun Shrimp Cream Sauce

  • 1 lb Raw Medium Sized Shrimp
  • 1.5-2 cups Heavy Cream
  • 1 tsp Butter
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
  • ½ cup Asiago Cheese
  • 1 cup Chopped Broccoli
  • ¼-1/2 cup Shrimp Stock optional
  • 1 tbsp Cajun Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Parsley
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice ½ of lemon

INSTRUCTIONS


 

Perfect Baked Potatoes

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Thoroughly clean potatoes and pat dry with a paper towel. 
  • Using a fork, poke holes all over potatoes.
  • Pour oil over potatoes, sprinkle with salt and massage until fully covered. 
  • Place on lined baking sheet uncovered and bake for 50-60 minutes until cooked through to the center. 

Shrimp Stock

  • In a small stock pot with water, add shrimp shells, celery, carrot, onion, bouillon and stir. 
  • Simmer on low for 20-30 minutes covered while preparing recipe. 

Cajun Shrimp Cream Shrimp Sauce

  • Peel and devein shrimp and set on paper towels to dry.
  • In a medium sized skillet on high heat, add butter and sauté shrimp. 
  • Add Cajun seasoning and fresh lemon juice and stir. 
  • Remove shrimp from heat being careful not to overcook and set aside until ready for use. 
  • Pour in cream, cheeses, garlic and broccoli, stirring until combined. 
  • Allow sauce to come to a slow boil and reduce heat simmering until the sauce thickens. 
  • Add cooked shrimp back to cream sauce and stir. 
  • Pour in shrimp stock to loosen sauce if it's too thick and simmer until ready to serve. 

Cajun-Cream Shrimp Stuffed Potatoes Assembly

  • When potatoes are done, allow to rest for 10-15 minutes.
  • Cut slits into potatoes and flake the flesh removing potatoes from the skin. 
  • Pour cream sauce over potatoes and top with cajun shrimp.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Swedish meatballs




 Sweetish meatballs 

Or you can choose the gravy! See below 


Ingredients

For the meatballs:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 small onion very finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 large egg
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 tablespoon oil

For the gravy:

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons flour use 2 tablespoons if you prefer a thinner gravy
  • 1 ½ cups beef broth
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon smooth Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon grape jelly OR lingonberry jam; or less, to taste
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Make the meatballs:

    Add all ingredients for the meatballs EXCEPT for the oil to a large bowl. Knead very well. I like doing this with a handheld mixer with the hook attachment - it's so much faster! Using about 2 teaspoons of meat mixture, roll into firm balls. (Freezing the meatballs for 5-10 minutes at this point helps them to keep their shape.)
  • Cook the meatballs:

    Heat the oil in a wide, deep skillet. Brown the meatballs on all sides, until well browned on all sides. This will take between 6-8 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside. If you prefer baking the meatballs, place them on a lined baking sheet and bake them at 425°F for 10-12 minutes or until browned and no longer pink in the middle.
  • Make the gravy:

    Bring the skillet back to medium heat. Melt the butter, then stir in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until medium brown. Quickly pour in the beef broth while whisking constantly. Simmer until thickened, then whisk in the milk, mustard and jelly. Simmer gently over medium-low heat until creamy, about 1 minute. Season to taste.
  • Finish the dish:

    Place the meatballs back in the gravy and warm very gently until heated through. Serve immediately.

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Salmon w/ Mango Salsa

 


Salmon with mango salsa 


Ingredients

Lime Salmon

  • 4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for if you are using a grill
  • 2 tsp lime zest
  • 3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning Salt
  • 1 teaspoon of black pepper

Coconut Rice

1 1/2 cups Coconut Water

1 1/4 cups canned coconut milk

1 1/2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed well and drained well

1/2 tsp salt

Avocado-Mango Salsa

  • 1 large mango, peeled and diced. I sliced mine into 3 slices and then diced it.
  • 3/4 cup diced red bell pepper (1/2 large)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro chopped small 
  • 1/3 cup chopped red onion, rinsed under water and diced 
  • 1 large avocado, peeled and diced, optional 
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp Coconut Water
  • Salt and pepper, to taste


Instructions

For the salmon:

If you are not using a grill 

Season the salmon with

1 teaspoon Seasoning Salt 

1 teaspoon Garlic powder and 1 teaspoon paprika 

And cook for 5 minutes on each side in a skillet on medium heat , to avoid over seasoning only season on one side of the meat/ fish 

Cook with olive oil.


If you are using a grill In an 11x7-inch baking dish whisk together olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, garlic and season with salt and pepper to taste (a fair amount of each). 

Place salmon in baking dish, cover and allow to marinate in refrigerator 15 - 30 minutes, then flip salmon to opposite side and allow to marinate 15 - 30 minutes longer. Preheat a grill over medium-high heat during last 10 minutes of marinating.

Brush grill grates with oil. Place salmon on grill and grill about 3 minutes per side or until just cooked through (turn carefully as the salmon will be fragile).

For the coconut rice:

While salmon is marinating prepare coconut rice. In a medium saucepan bring coconut water, coconut milk, rice and salt to a full boil. 

Cover and simmer until liquid has been absorbed (there may be just a little bit of excess liquid in center which you can drain off), about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then let rest 5 minutes.

For the mango avocado salsa:

While the salmon is grilling prepare salsa. In a medium bowl toss together mango, bell pepper, cilantro, red onion, avocado, lime juice, olive oil and coconut water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve salmon warm with coconut rice top with avocado mango salsa.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Grilled cheeseburgers

 



Ingredients

  • 1 jalapeno, sliced thin
  • 1/2 small red onion, sliced thin , I like to gill my onion ahead of time 
  • 12 ounces of ground beef, 80/20, split into 3-ounce portions
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 4 slices of American cheese
  • 2 slices of cheddar cheese
  • 2 hamburger buns, brioche or potato
  • Mayo or melted butter for toasting

Instructions

  1. Preheat your skillet or griddle to a medium-heat. Use a slightly lower heat for the second burner, which will be used to toast the hamburger buns.
  2. Sear the burgers and toppings. Place the shaved jalapenos and onions into 2 small piles on the hot surface. Immediately place a portion of ground beef on top of each. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Allow the meat to sear for about 3-4 minutes until it gets crispy underneath and can be flipped.
  3. Flip the burgers. Using your spatula, scrape underneath and flip each burger. Add the slice of cheddar cheese to 1 of the patties.
  4. Toast the buns. Place the curved side of the buns down directly onto the griddle and press down gently. Allow them to toast for about 2 minutes and flip to the flat side which should be buttered (or slathered with mayo). Add a slice of American cheese to each of the buns.
  5. Assemble the grilled cheese burgers. Stack the two burger patties so the cheddar cheese is between them, and place them onto a toasted bun with the American cheese. Flip the other bun so the cheese is sandwiching the burgers. It’s time to eat!
  6. Keep them warm (optional). Place the burgers in a sheet of aluminum foil and wrap them tight. This helps to keep them warm while also melting the cheese further.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Greek chicken

 


Ingredients

  • 11/4 pounds thin boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • the zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • Optional garnishes: lemon wedges, parsley sprigs
  • 1 tablespoon paprika 

Instructions

  • In a large resealable bag or mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, garlic, oregano, paprika,salt and pepper. Seal the bag and shake to mix all of the ingredients together, or whisk the ingredients together in a bowl.
  • Add the chicken to the bag or bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up an hour .
  • Heat a grill or grill pan over medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 7-8 minutes per side or until cooked through. Cook time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with parsley. Serve with lemon wedges and parsley sprigs for garnish if desired.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Autumn Roasted Pork

 



Ingredients

  • 1 bone-in pork loin roast (5 pounds)
  • 8 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 8 carrots, halved lengthwise
  • 2 medium onions, quartered
  • 1 small pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-1/2-inch chunks
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons snipped fresh sage or 1 tablespoon rubbed sage
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 medium baking apples, quartered

Directions

  • 1. Place roast in a large baking pan. Arrange potatoes, carrots, onions and pumpkin around roast. Add water to the pan. Sprinkle meat and vegetables with sage, salt and pepper; dot vegetables with butter. 
  • 2. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°; bake, uncovered, for 1 hour. Place the apples around roast; cover and bake until a thermometer inserted in pork reads 145°, 45-60 minutes, basting every 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. If desired, thicken pan juices for gravy.