Saturday, April 16, 2011

Zuppa Toscana

This soup turns out the best if you have some time to let it simmer!

Makes apx 4 bowls

Ingredients:
1/2 Onion
4 Cloves of Garlic or 1 tablespoon garlic paste
2 LARGE potatoes or4 smaller ones
3 Italian sausage links removed of their casings (or the equivilent in patties)
4 strips of bacon
3 cans of chicken broth
1/2 quart of heavy cream
Grapeseed or Olive Oil
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Red pepper flakes
Kale

Remove the sausage links from their casings and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes

Meanwhile dice the onion into small pieces as well as the garlic and sautee on medium low heat with a tablespoon of oil

Dice the potatoes (I keep the skin on, but that's up to you) and add to the onion mix and cook for a few more minutes

Add 2 cans of chicken broth and let the potatoes come to a boil

Remove the sausage from the oven and place on a cutting board to cool

Cook bacon until crisp and then set aside to cool

Once sausage has cooled enough to handle (insert joke here) slice down the center, then slice down the centers again to create 4 small spear shaped pieces, dice into little bite sized pieces.
(Note: After I chop up the sausage I put the sausage between a bunch of paper towels *or regular cloth towels if youre not afraid to stain them* and place my cast iron skillet ontop and press to remove the grease. I do this twice. If you don't do it you'll just have extra grease that sits a little ontop of the soup, it's not a big deal, I just don't prefer it)

Add the sausage to the soup and add the cream and third can of broth.

Let the soup simmer on medium low for at least 30 - 45 minutes

In the meantime chop up the Kale - I remove as much of the stalks as possible, but you don't need to if you don't mind them. 

I prefer my soup a little thicker so I kind of mash down some of the potatoes with the back of my spoon or a whisk to thicken it, but this is optional.

add about 1 tsp of red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste

Add the kale and simmer for another 30 minutes or so

Add the crumbled bacon right before serving.

Bread Dip

Bread Dip
1 1/3  c. sour cream
1 1/3 c. mayo
2 tbsp parsley
2tsp beau monde
1.5 tsp dill weed
1.5 tsp dill seed.                 

Mix everything together and pour in a bread bowl. Serve with pumpernickel bread. It is delicious. I just made it for my cousins baby shower. I also heard it is really good with veggies.

PB and CC Pancakes

For you, Rachel!
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups buttermilk
2 spoonfulls peanut butter
1 banana
1/2 bag chocolate chips (I used Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate)

Mix flour through buttermilk together and whisk, add the peanut butter and whisk till smooth. 

Dice up the banana into small bite sized pieces and add to the batter with the chocolate chips, stir with spoon until well mixed.

Heat a griddle and scoop 1/2 a cup of batter at a time and grill as usual

Sausage and Egg Breakfast casserole

4 C frozen shredded hashbrowns
2 C shredded cheddar
1 lb (cooked) breakfast sausage - I use sweet sausage, because it's more "breakfasty" to me
1/2 C onion, minced
1 minced bell pepper
8 eggs, beaten
2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
1/2 to 1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
Arrange hashbrowns in an even layer in the bottom of a greased 9X13 pan
Sprinkle with pepper, onion, sausage, and cheese
Combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper and whisk together, then pour over hashbrown mixture, cover and refrigerate for several hours, or overnight

Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees until the center is set: 40 to 50 minutes if chilled. 50 to 60 minutes if chilled overnight.

Suz's Canadian Bacon Breakfast Casserole

The only breakfast bake I usually make...

12 slices Canadian bacon -- sliced thin
1 1/2 cups Swiss cheese -- grated
12 eggs
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Parsley
Lightly grease a 13 x 9 pan. Layer the bacon on the bottom of the pan, followed by the Swiss cheese. Break the eggs over the Swiss cheese, being careful not to break the yolks. Pour the cream over the eggs. Bake @ 450 for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with the desired amount of salt and pepper and paprika. Bake for another 8-10 minutes. Let stand for 5 - 10 minutes before serving and sprinkle with parsley.

Sooooooooooo good. Serve with toasted, lightly buttered english muffins.

Webley's Weight Watcher Chicken

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches (although I put mine over greens)

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 2 lbs)
Salt and pepper
1 onion finely chopped (I used 2)
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (I prob used like 6)
1 1/3 C. BBQ sauce
1/2 C. Apple Cider Vinegar
Hot pepper sauce
6 Kaiser rolls
6 slices cheese

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and place in a heavy pot with the chopped onion, garlic and just enough water to cover (about 1 1/2 cups). Add the bbq sauce, vinegar and a few drops of hot sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 15 min. Remove the chicken from the sauce and shred with 2 forks. (NOTE: I usually let the breasts cool for almost 30 min b/c one time I burned myself on really hot chicken breasts durr)
2. Boil the sauce, skimming occasionally, until reduced by half, about 15 min. Season with salt, and pepper. Add the shredded chicken and heat through. Spoon mixture onto rolls and top with cheese. (or put over greens for pulled chicken salad like I do)

Monday, April 11, 2011

Suz's Mom's Chinese Chicken Salad

4c cooked chicken (I boil it in chicken broth... or roast it)
1 1/2 oz chinese bean thread
1 head lettuce
4 green onions
2 1/2 tbsp almonds
2 tbsp sesame seed
1 3/4 c sliced water chestnuts (me gusta water chestnuts)

Dressing 
4 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
6 tbsp cider vinegar
1/2 c salad oil
Mix the day before and chill overnight for the flavors to blend.

Cook and dice chicken, deep fry bean thread in 6c oil.
Toast almonds and sesame seeds in skillet until brown
Slice onions and chestnuts

Arrange in large bowl as follows:
lettuce
bean thread
chicken
onions
chestnuts
almonds
sesame seeds 
dressing.