Chocolate Covered Strawberries

 

• 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used Chocolate chips)
• 1 pint fresh strawberries with leaves
• (I also added 2 Tablespoons of butter and melted it into chocolate and 2 Tablespoons of Heavy cream)

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, or in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, cook chocolate until melted. Stir occasionally until chocolate is smooth. Holding berries by the stem, dip each one in molten chocolate, about three-quarters of the way to the stem. Place, stem side down, on wire rack and chill in refrigerator until hardened.

Recipe

Grilled Corn and Chipotle Pepper Salad

• 8 ears fresh corn, husks and silk removed
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons sliced green onion
• 2 chipotle peppers, minced
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Preheat the grill to medium.

Arrange the corn on the grill and cook, turning frequently, until the corn is slightly charred, about 12 to 15 minutes

Remove the corn from the grill to a cutting board and let cool. Cut the kernels from the cobs with a sharp knife and transfer to a serving bowl. Add all the remaining ingredients and toss to combine.

Recipe

Homemade Croutons

I use old bread, its perfect for these. I prefer Baguettes, or old bread from a bakery. Not sandwich bread.

1 Baguette, or old bread

Cookie Sheet

Olive oil

Salt & pepper

Italian Seasoning

Garlic Salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice Bread into bite size chunks. Then Spread out on cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the top, then sprinkle desired about of Salt & Pepper and Italian seasonings, and garlic Salt. Bake 5-10 minutes, or until bread is nice and brown, The darker the brown the crunchier they’ll be. When finished Use on salad or soup.

Tomato, Avocado Salad

One whole Avocado
1-2 tomatoes
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
salt & pepper

Cut Avocado into bite size Pieces, as well as tomato, but into bowl and mix up, add a tablespoon of Lemon Juice and sprinkle with (desired amount) Salt & Pepper.

Potatoes, with Bacon, Onion and Garlic

4-6 Potatoes
6-8 Slices of Bacon

1/2 Red Onion Diced

2-3 Garlic Cloves, Minced

Cut Bacon into Bite size pieces, Preheat Skillet and Saute bacon, Peel and cut potatoes into bite size pieces, Cook with Bacon. Cook on Med with lid on. Helps to hold moisture in and helps cook potatoes faster and prevents them from burning. When potatoes are Done (you can poke a fork through) and Diced Onions, cook for 10 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add in garlic and let cook 2-3 minutes, and serve.

Shrimp Scampi with Linguini, Bacon & Tomatoes

 

• 1 pound linguini
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 2 shallots, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves
• I add Cherry Tomatoes to mine

For the pasta, put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. When it has come to the boil, add a couple of tablespoons of salt and the linguini. Stir to make sure the pasta separates; cover. When the water returns to a boil, cook for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the pasta is not quite done. Drain the pasta.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; add them to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan; set aside and keep warm. Add wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley and cooked pasta. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over a bit more olive oil and serve immediately.

Recipe

Quick Coq au Vin

Season and Dredge:
4 bone-in chicken thighs
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour

 

Heat, Add, and Brown:
2 T. olive oil
Saute: 2 cups leeks, trimmed, julienned
1 cup baby carrots
8 oz. whole button mushrooms ( I used more because I LOVE mushrooms)
2 T. tomato paste
1 T. garlic, minced

Deglaze and Add:
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 sprig fresh thyme

Stir in:
2 T. unsalted butter

 

Season chicken with salt and pepper; dredge lightly in flour.

 

Heat oil in a saute pan over medium-high. Add chicken and brown on all sides; remove. Pour off all but 1 T. drippings and return pan to heat.

 

Saute leeks, carrots, and mushrooms for 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and garlic; saute 2 minutes, stirring often.

 

Deglaze pan with wine and reduce for 3 minutes; add broth and thyme. Return browned chicken to pan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes.

 

Stir in butter until melted, then season with salt and pepper. Remove and discard thyme sprig.

 

Recipe

Raspberry Cream Cupcakes

• 1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix (recommended: Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe)
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 3 large eggs whites
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 (6-ounce) containers fresh raspberries, cut in half or 1 (16-ounce) container fresh strawberries, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar, plus additional for dusting

Line 18 muffin cups with muffin papers. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Using an electric mixer, beat the cake mix, water, egg whites, melted butter, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a large bowl for 2 minutes, or until the batter is well blended. Using about 1/3 cup of batter for each cupcake, spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.

Bake the cupcakes until they are very pale golden on top, about 15 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely on a cooling rack.

Using a fork, coarsely mash 1 1/2 containers of raspberries in a medium bowl. Beat the cream and 1/3 cup of powdered sugar in a large bowl until firm peaks form. Fold the mashed raspberries into the whipped cream.

Remove the muffin papers from the cupcakes and cut the tops off of each cupcake. Spoon the raspberry whipped cream atop the cupcake bottoms. Place the cupcake tops on the cupcakes. Dust with more powdered sugar and serve with the remaining berries.

Recipe

Beef Stew

• 2 pounds stew beef
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 1 or 2 bay leaves
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Dash ground allspice or ground cloves
• 3 large carrots, sliced
• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Brown meat in hot oil. Add water, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, onion, salt, sugar, pepper, paprika, and allspice. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours. Remove bay leaves and garlic clove. Add carrots and celery. Cover and cook 30 to 40 minutes longer. To thicken gravy, remove 2 cups hot liquid. Using a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until smooth. Mix with a little hot liquid and return mixture to pot. Stir and cook until bubbly.

Recipe