Pork Chops with Apples and garlic mashed potatoes

Recipe from Foodnetwork.com

Ingredients
1 pound small fingerling potatoes
2 cloves garlic
Kosher salt
4 1/2-inch-thick boneless pork loin chops (5 ounces each)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
Freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
2 Granny Smith apples, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup apple cider
1/4 cup buttermilk
Directions
Put the potatoes and garlic in a saucepan, cover with cold water and season with salt. Cover and bring to a boil, then uncover and continue cooking until tender, about 15 minutes. Cover and set aside.

Meanwhile, rub both sides of the pork chops with the sage, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat, then add 1 teaspoon olive oil and sear the chops until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out the skillet and add the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil. Add the onion and apples and cook over medium-high heat until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the cider.

Return the chops to the skillet. Cover and cook, turning once, until just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain the potatoes, reserving 1/4 cup liquid. Return the potatoes to the pan; add the buttermilk and mash, adding cooking liquid as needed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with the pork chops, onion and apples. Drizzle with the pan juices.

Per serving: Calories 413; Fat 16 g (Saturated 5 g); Cholesterol 76 mg; Sodium 98 mg; Carbohydrate 40 g; Fiber 5 g; Protein 26 g

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/pork-chops-with-apples-and-garlic-smashed-potatoes-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Marinated chicken

This is really good with whatever you throw in the bag.  I've tried the marinade in a bag while my frozen chicken breast un-thaw and it's good, so you don't have to freeze it.  Reviews also say that they have done it without freezing and it tastes great too.  

Recipe from Foodnetwork.com

Marinated Chicken Breasts

Ingredients
1 to 2 tablespoons vinegar, like cider, balsamic, or red wine
2 to 3 teaspoons dried herbs, like thyme, oregano, rosemary, or crumbled bay leaf
1 to 2 tablespoons mustard, whole grain or Dijon
1 to 2 teaspoon garlic or onion powder, optional
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast, each about 6 ounces
Directions
Put the vinegar, herbs, mustard, powders if using and oil in a large re-sealable plastic bag. Close the bag and shake to combine all the ingredients. Open the bag, drop in the chicken breast in the bag. Close and shake the bag to coat evenly. Freeze for up to 2 weeks.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, under cold, running water, or in the microwave at 30 percent power for 1 minute at a time.

Heat a grill or grill pan. When the grill is hot, place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. You can also bake the thawed chicken in a 375 degree F oven for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.

Per serving: Calories: 327; Total Fat: 16 grams; Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams; Protein: 40 grams; Total carbohydrates: 3 grams; Sugar: 0 grams Fiber: 0 grams; Cholesterol: 99 milligrams; Sodium: 291 milligrams

Thai Coconut Curry

I made this curry and was shocked with how delish it tasted.  I usually serve it with chicken, but the tilapia is great too if you don't mind fish.

Recipe from Food.com

1 teaspoon dark sesame oil, divided
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped green onion
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 teaspoons red curry paste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1 (14 ounce) can light coconut milk (I used regular)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
4 (6 ounce) tilapia fillets
3 cups hot cooked basmati rice
1 lime (cut in 4 wedges)
Directions:

1 Preheat broiler.
2 Heat 1/2 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
3 Add ginger and garlic; cook 1 minute.
4 Add peppers and onions; cook 1 minute.
5 Stir in curry powder, curry paste, and cumin; cook 1 minute.
6 Add soy sauce, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and coconut milk; bring to a simmer (but do not boil).
7 Remove from heat and stir in cilantro.
8 Brush fish with remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt and place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray (I just use parchment paper).
9 Broil 7 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
10 Serve fish with sauce, rice, and lime wedges.

Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/broiled-tilapia-with-thai-coconut-curry-sauce-116882?oc=linkback

Spiced couscous and chicken

Recipe from foodnetwork.com


Spiced couscous and Chicken

Ingredients
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 cup couscous, preferably whole wheat
2 cups coarsely shredded rotisserie chicken
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup golden raisins
4 scallions, white and light green parts only, roughly chopped
1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for topping
Greek yogurt and/or harissa or other hot sauce, for topping
Directions
Bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the ginger, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the carrots and cook until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain the carrots, reserving the cooking liquid.

Put the couscous and chicken in a medium bowl; pour 1 cup of the hot cooking liquid on top. Stir, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and let sit 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the almonds, raisins, scallions and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Cook, stirring, until the nuts are toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.

Divide the couscous and chicken among bowls. Top with the carrots and more of the cooking liquid. Sprinkle with the almond mixture and more cilantro. Top with yogurt and/or harissa.

Per serving: Calories:441 ;Total Fat:20 grams; Saturated Fat:7 grams; Protein: 28 grams; Total carbohydrates: 42 grams; Sugar: 0 grams; Fiber: 8 grams; Cholesterol: 91 milligrams; Sodium: 853 milligrams

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/spiced-couscous-and-chicken-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Vietnamese Caramelized Shrimp

Vietnamese Caramelized Shrimp

Serving Size: 4

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pounds extra large shrimp, peeled and de-veined
• 3 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Combine fish sauce, dark brown sugar, crushed red pepper flakes and water in a bowl and whisk until brown sugar is dissolved.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook a few minutes more. Do not brown.
3. Turn heat up to medium-high and add shrimp. Cook, stirring frequently, until shrimp are just barely pink and still translucent in spots, a few minutes. Add fish sauce mixture, turn heat down to medium, and simmer until shrimp are cooked through, a few minutes more. (Note: the sauce will be thin.) Off the heat, stir in scallions and cilantro. Serve immediately with jasmine rice.

recipe from Onceuponachef.com.  I get her emails with new recipes, amazing!

Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

recipe from onceuponachef.com.  Love her site. Everything I have tried has been amazing from her.

Homemade Caesar Salad

Servings: Makes 1-1/3 cups

Ingredients

• 2 small garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 tsp fish oil or you can use 1 tsp of anchovy paste
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (I like the brand Maille)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann's Real
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Add the mayonnaise, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt and pepper and whisk until well combined. Taste and adjust to your liking.

I threw all the ingredients in a my bullet blender, it turned our thick and amazing.  You can use your blender as well :)

Homemade Chicken Cordon Bleu

AMAZING! From Our Best Bites.

Homemade Chicken Cordon Bleu
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 c. shredded mozzarella, provolone, or Swiss cheese
6-12 thinly sliced ham
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 c. panko bread crumbs
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 tbsp. melted butter

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Place a breast on a cutting board and place your non-dominant hand on top of it. Using a sharp knife, cut each breast completely in half horizontally. Place each piece between two pieces of plastic wrap and, using a meat mallet, pound until the piece is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Repeat with remaining breast halves; you should have 6 pieces of chicken.
3. Combine seasoning and sprinkle evenly over one side of each chicken piece.
4. Divide shredded cheese among all pieces, layering on top of the spices. On top of the cheese, layer 1-2 pieces of ham.
5. Roll each chicken piece up and secure with toothpicks.
6. Place flour in a shallow bowl, eggs in another bowl and both panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a third, stirring to combine bread and cheese. Working with one piece of chicken at a time, dredge in flour, rolling the chicken around to cover the whole piece, then in eggs, and finally in bread crumb mixture. Use your fingers to press bread crumb mixture in on all sides of chicken.
7. Place chicken on prepared baking sheet. Drizzle melted butter evenly over chicken.
8. Bake for about 25-35 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. If desired, place pan under the broiler to lightly brown the tops of the chicken. Cook for 10 minutes before serving. Remove toothpicks.