Category Archives: American

Beef Wellington

Total Time: 2 hr 30 min
Prep: 1 hr
Inactive: 30 min
Cook: 1 hr

For the Duxelles:

  • 3 pints (1 1/2 pounds) white button mushrooms
  • 2 shallots, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Beef:

  • 1 (3-pound) center cut beef tenderloin ( filet mignon), trimmed
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 thin slices prosciutto
  • 6 sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves only
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • Flour, for rolling out puff pastry
  • 1 pound puff pastry, thawed if using frozen
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • Minced chives, for garnish
  • Green Peppercorn Sauce, recipe follows

Green Peppercorn Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 shallots, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
  • 1 cup brandy
  • 1 box beef stock
  • 2 cups cream
  • 2 tablespoons grainy mustard
  • 1/2 cup green peppercorns in brine, drained, brine reserved

For the Beef:

To make the Duxelles: Add mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and thyme to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add butter and olive oil to a large saute pan and set over medium heat. Add the shallot and mushroom mixture and saute for 8 to 10 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper and set aside to cool.

To prepare the beef: Tie the tenderloin in 4 places so it holds its cylindrical shape while cooking. Drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper and sear all over, including the ends, in a hot, heavy-based skillet lightly coated with olive oil – about 2 to 3 minutes. Meanwhile set out your prosciutto on a sheet of plastic wrap (plastic needs to be about a foot and a half in length so you can wrap and tie the roast up in it) on top of your cutting board. Shingle the prosciutto so it forms a rectangle that is big enough to encompass the entire filet of beef. Using a rubber spatula cover evenly with a thin layer of duxelles. Season the surface of the duxelles with salt and pepper and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. When the beef is seared, remove from heat, cut off twine and smear lightly all over with Dijon mustard. Allow to cool slightly, then roll up in the duxelles covered prosciutto using the plastic wrap to tie it up nice and tight. Tuck in the ends of the prosciutto as you roll to completely encompass the beef. Roll it up tightly in plastic wrap and twist the ends to seal it completely and hold it in a nice log shape. Set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to ensure it maintains its shape.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry out to about a 1/4-inch thickness. Depending on the size of your sheets you may have to overlap 2 sheets and press them together. Remove beef from refrigerator and cut off plastic. Set the beef in the center of the pastry and fold over the longer sides, brushing with egg wash to seal. Trim ends if necessary then brush with egg wash and fold over to completely seal the beef – saving ends to use as a decoration on top if desired. Top with coarse sea salt. Place the beef seam side down on a baking sheet.

Brush the top of the pastry with egg wash then make a couple of slits in the top of the pastry using the tip of a paring knife – this creates vents that will allow the steam to escape when cooking. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until pastry is golden brown and beef registers 125 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from oven and rest before cutting into thick slices. Garnish with minced chives, and serve with Green Peppercorn Sauce, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, and Warm Wilted Winter Greens.

Green Peppercorn Sauce:

Add olive oil to pan after removing beef. Add shallots, garlic, and thyme; saute for 1 to 2 minutes, then, off heat, add brandy and flambe using a long kitchen match. After flame dies down, return to the heat, add stock and reduce by about half. Strain out solids, then add 2 cups cream and mustard. Reduce by half again, then shut off heat and add green peppercorns.

Ref: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/the-ultimate-beef-wellington-recipe2.html

Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Meatballs

Ingredients:

  • 1 12 oz jar chili sauce
  • 1 jar grape jelly
  • 1 pkg. frozen meatballs (or 2-3 packages of Little Smokies)

Directions:

  1. Combine jelly and chili sauce in a crock pot an stir until smooth.  Heat the mixture if needed to combine.
  2. Add meatballs or cocktail sausages and set temperature to low.
  3. Cook for 2-5 hours on low.
  4. Serve over rice or with toothpicks!

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/06/slow-cooker-sweet-and-tangy-meatballs.html

 

Long Boy Burgers

Ingredients:

  • 2-4 (6-inch) sub rolls, split in half lengthwise
  • 1 1/4 cup cornflakes, crushed
  • 1/2 small onion, minced
  • 1/2 cup whole or lowfat milk
  • 6 tablespoons ketchup, separated
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 1/2 pounds 90% lean ground beef
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. Adjust the oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees.
  2.  Bake rolls, cut side up, on wire rack inside rimmed baking sheet until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes.
  3. Combine cornflakes, onion, milk, 4 tablespoons ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, garlic powder, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in large bowl. Add meat and knead gently until well combined.
  4. Top toasted rolls evenly with meat mixture, spreading meat to edges of rolls. Brush top of meat mixture evenly with remaining ketchup and bake until meat registers 160 degrees, 20-25 minutes. Top burgers with cheese and continue to bake until cheese melts, 3-4 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes. Serve.

http://sunshineandbones.blogspot.com/2010/09/long-boy-burgers.html

Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey, venison, etc)
  • 1 small head of cabbage, chopped
  • 2 onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • Spices to taste: salt, pepper, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, etc
Directions:
  1. Brown beef in a large skillet or wok, adding spices to taste as you go.
  2. When beef is almost completely browned, add sliced onions and grated carrots.
  3. When onions/carrots are starting to soften, add the cabbage and spice well.
  4. Cook about 10 more minutes, stirring often until cabbage starts to soften.
  5. Can be topped with salsa or sour cream if desired.

http://wellnessmama.com/2207/budget-friendly-beef-and-cabbage-stir-fry/

English-Muffin Egg Pizzas

Ingredients:
  • 4 English-muffins
  • Olive oil
  • 8 tomato slices
  • 4 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
  • Grated mozzarella
  • Oregano
  • Kosher salt

Preparation

  1. Toast English-muffin halves and place on a cookie sheet. Drizzle each with olive oil, then layer on tomato slices, hard-cooked egg slices (1/2 an egg each), and a little grated mozzarella. Sprinkle with oregano and kosher salt. Broil 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/english-muffin-egg-pizzas-10000000663044/

Customizable Bread Bowl Breakfast

Ingredients:

  • 8 whole Crusty Bread Rolls
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter, Melted
  • Salt And Pepper
  • Assorted Fillings (See Suggestions In Instructions)
  • 8 whole Eggs

Directions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Slice off the top of each roll and scoop out the soft bread inside, leaving the sides of the roll intact. Brush the inside of each roll with the melted butter and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Let your guests fill the roll with their favorite toppings (see suggestions below). Crack an egg or egg white on top, season with salt and pepper, and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes and then cover the pan loosely with foil. Bake an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the egg is just set.
  3. Suggested fillings: grape tomatoes, cilantro, parsley, thyme, shredded cheese, herbed goat cheese, caramelized onions, pre-cooked breakfast potatoes, spinach artichoke dip, deli ham, cooked sausage, crumbled bacon, onions, mushrooms, spinach, feta cheese.

http://tastykitchen.com/blog/2012/04/customizable-bread-bowl-breakfast/

Pulled Pork

Ingredients:
  • pork butt (I used 2.5 lb – but you can use whatever size needed for your family)
  • 1 can Diet Pepsi
  • 1/2 bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce
  • Lawry’s Seasoning Salt
Directions:
  1. Generally coat pork butt with Lawry’s seasoning salt, don’t be afraid to cover it all!
  2. Place in crock pot and pour in soda and barbecue sauce.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours. If you have a larger piece of meat, it will probably take longer.
  4. After 4 hours or so, take two forks and shred the meat into bite size chunks.
  5. Let it sit in the juice to soak up all that flavor. It can stay on warm in crock pot while serving, and can easily be reheated the next day.
  6. Serve on a kaiser roll and add more barbecue sauce if needed.

http://www.sweetandsavoryfood.com/2010/01/best-ever-pulled-pork-sandwiches.html

Grilled Salmon

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets
  • lemon pepper to taste
  • garlic powder to taste
  • salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil or olive oil

Directions:

  • Season salmon fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
  • In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown suger, water, and vegetable oil until sugar is dissolved.  Place fish in a large resealable plastic plastic bag with the soy sauce mixture, seal, and turn to coat.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  • Preheat grill for medium heat
  • Lightly oil grill grate.  Place salmon on preheated grill, and discard marinade.  Cook salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

If you dont want to use a grill, bake in a 450 degree oven for 12 minutes, and then broil for 5 minutes.

From all recipes.com

Crock Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:
4-6 Boneless Chicken Breasts (mine were still frozen!)
1 Bottle Archer Farms Hawaiian Style Barbecue Sauce (from Target)
1 20 oz. can Pineapple Chunks, drained
Directions:

Spray the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray for an easy cleanup!  Place frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot and cover with sauce.  Empty can of drained pineapple chunks on top.  Cook on High for 2-3 hours or Low for 4-6 hours.  Shred chicken with two forks while still in the crock pot so the chicken will be well coated with sauce.  Serve over rice.

*Sometimes I also throw in a chopped up green pepper and chopped onion . . . it tastes good with or without it.

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/06/crock-pot-hawaiian-bbq-chicken.html

Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients: 
3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips
Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.
3.  Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.
4.  Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges.  (The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook longer than ten minutes.)
5.  Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes.  Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely.  Makes approximately 3 dozen.  Try not to eat them all.