Watermelon & Arugula Salad

Watermelon & Arugula Salad
With A Pomegranate Vinaigrette!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes

   

Ingredients
4 cups Arugula
2 cups watermelon, diced
1 cup feta cheese, crumbles
1/2 cup onions, sliced
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil

Cooking Tools
Small sauce pan

Directions
In a small sauce pan, add; pomegranate juice and sugar on medium heat and reduce liquid to a syrup, approx. 7-8 minutes.  Remove from heat and slightly cool.  Whisk in oil and vinegar into the pomegranate syrup.  Place arugula, watermelon and onion slices into a serving dish, drizzle Pomegranate vinaigrette, then sprinkle with Feta cheese.
Serves 4

Blackberry & Apple Oatmeal Cookie Crisp

Blackberry & Apple Oatmeal Cookie Crisp
Perfect Portion For Two People!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes

Perfect For An Evening Night In!

 Ingredients
1 large Granny Smith Apple, peeled, sliced
1 cup blackberries
3 oatmeal cookies
1/2 cup flour
1/4 stick of cold butter, diced
1/4 cup sugar + 1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Cooking Tools
Food Processor
Small mixing bowl
Small Copper pot

Directions
Preheat oven 375 Degrees F.  In a food processor, add in oatmeal cookies and pulse until medium crumbles.  Add in flour, cold butter and 1/4 cup sugar and pulse until ingredients come together.  In a small mixing bowl, toss apples, vanilla extract and 1 tbsp sugar until coated.  Line copper pot with 1/2 of the oatmeal mixture.  Place apples in an even layer on top of the oatmeal mixture. Place blackberries on top of apples and layer the other half of the oatmeal mixture evenly on top.  Place in oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. let rest for 5 minutes before serving.  A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, if you wish.
Serves 2

Greek Meatballs With Roasted Tomato Sauce

Greek Meatballs With Roasted Tomato Sauce
On A Mediterranean Flat Bread
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

   

Ingredients
Mediterranean Flat bread
2 cups Arugula
1 cup cucumber, diced
1 cup Feta cheese, crumbles
1/2 lb. ground lamb
1/2 lb. ground beef
2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, minced
2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, minced
1 tbsp fresh oregano, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
1/2 cup onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp green onion, minced
3 tbsp Parmesan, grated
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup cold water
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
olive oil, drizzle

 Cooking Tools
2 foil lined sheet pans
Medium mixing bowl
Medium skillet
Food processor

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, add; ground lamb, ground beef, mint leaves, basil leaves, oregano, parsley, onion, garlic, green onion, Parmesan cheese, Panko bread crumbs, cold water, cinnamon, egg, salt and pepper.  Mix all ingredients until well incorporated.  Shape into meatballs, will yield approx. 1 dozen.  Place meatballs on a sheet pan and bake in oven for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and place Flat bread on a serving platter, line with a 1/2 cup of Arugula, place meatballs on top.  Spoon Roasted Tomato Sauce (recipe below) on top of meatballs and garnish with diced cucumbers and Feta cheese.  Drizzle with some olive oil (optional).
Serves 4

Roasted Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
2 lbs. Roma tomatoes, halved
7-8 cloves garlic, whole
olive oil, drizzle + 1/4 cup
salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F. Place halved Roma tomatoes on a sheet pan with the whole garlic cloves.  Drizzle the tomatoes and garlic with a generous amount of olive oil and season with salt.  Roast in oven for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and place in a food processor and pulse until semi-smooth, small chunks are fine.  Place 1/4 cup of olive oil in a skillet on simmering heat, then add in the blended tomato sauce and cook for additional 10-15 minutes, season to taste.

Breakfast Crepe

Breakfast Crepe
Stuffed With An Avocado & Green Onion Soft Scramble
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes

Filling
Ingredients
8 eggs, whisked
1/2 cup green onion, sliced
1 cup avocado, diced
1 cup cheddar, shredded
2 tbsp butter
salt
pepper

Cooking Tools
Medium Non-stick skillet
Small mixing bowl
Blender

Directions
On medium heat, melt butter, whisk in eggs and cook on low, occasionally moving eggs gently.  When the eggs are halfway cooked to a soft scramble, add in the rest of the ingredients and cook for additional minute.  Salt and pepper to taste and place egg mixture on Crepes (recipe below) serve hot.
Serves 4

Crepe Batter
Ingredients
1 cup flour
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
3 tbsp butter, melted + greasing

Directions
Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse for a minute until well blended.  Set aside in refrigerator for an hour or until bubbles disappear.  Grease non-stick pan with butter, place just enough batter to line the bottom of pan, swirl pan so batter spreads to the outside.  Cook crepe for about a minute on one side, flip and cook for 20 seconds on the other side.  place on plates until ready to stuff. Cook crepes one at a time.
 

Spaghetti With Peas & Bacon

Spaghetti With Peas & Bacon
Perfect For An Easy Dining In!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes 

Ingredients
4 servings, fresh Spaghetti pasta
8 slices bacon, lardons
1 cup onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 can 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup frozen sweet peas
1 tbsp parsley minced + garnish
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup Marsala wine
1/2 cup pasta water
salt
pepper 

Cooking Tools
Stock pot
Large skillet

Directions
On high heat, add pasta to boiling salted water, cook according to directions.  Drain, reserve at least 1/2 cup of pasta water for sauce.  In a skillet, add; bacon lardons and fry until bacon is cooked and crispy.  Drain excess bacon fat on paper towels.  Clean skillet of any bacon debris and on low simmer add olive oil and garlic, cook until slightly translucent.  Add into the skillet, onions, cooked bacon, diced tomatoes, butter, peas, Marsala wine and cook for 10 minutes.  Toss in parsley and drained pasta plus pasta water and toss until completely coated.  Salt and pepper pasta to taste, garnish with minced parsley.
Serves 4

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Stuffed Pepper Soup
All The Classic Flavors Of Stuffed Peppers, But In A Soup!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients
1 1/4 lb. Angus ground round
1 green pepper, seeded, diced
1 cup onion diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1  14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with liquid
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
3 cups beef stock
2 tbsp Sofrito base
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp butter
salt
pepper

Cooking Tools
Medium stock pot

Directions
On high heat, cook ground round until brown, approx. 10 minutes.  Add in; green peppers, onions and garlic and saute for an additional 10 minutes.  Place tomatoes plus liquid, thyme, rice, 1/2 cup of cheese, beef stock, Sofrito base, tomato paste, butter, sugar into the ground beef mixture.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Lower the temperature to a simmer and cook soup for 30-40 minutes.  Place in serving bowls and garnish with shredded cheddar cheese.
Serves 4

 

Grilled Pork Chops With A Hot Buttered Pineapple Rum Sauce

Grilled Pork Chops With A Hot Buttered Pineapple Rum Sauce
Served On A Bed Of Pineapple Plantain Hash!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes

 Ingredients
4 thick cut bone-in pork chops
2 ripe plantains, peeled, cubed
1 pineapple, (4) wedges/spears + 1 1/2 cups, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup white onion, diced
2 tbsp parsley, minced
1 cup canned black beans, drained, rinsed
3/4 cup jarred roasted red pepper, drained, diced
1/2 stick butter
1/4 tsp cumin
olive oil
salt
pepper

Cooking Tools
Outdoor grill
Large skillet
Small sauce pan

Directions
Preheat outdoor grill.  In a large skillet, melt butter on medium high heat.  Add in cubed plantains, cook for 10-12 minutes in a single layer until golden brown and crispy along the edges, toss occasionally.  Add in, diced pineapple, onion and garlic and cook for additional 5 minutes.  Toss in the beans, roasted red pepper, parsley, cumin, salt and pepper to taste and cook through.  Coat pork chops with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Grill pork chops to 145 Degrees F. Internal temperature, with a slightly pink center. Time can vary with the thickness of your chops.  Let rest 3-4 minutes before serving.  Grill Pineapple wedges along side pork chops until slightly tender and has beautiful grill marks, approximately 4-5 minutes on each side. Place Pineapple Plantain Hash on serving plate, top with grilled pork chop, lay on grilled pineapple spears and spoon on Hot Buttered Pineapple Rum Sauce (recipe below).
Serves 4

Hot Buttered Pineapple Rum Sauce
Ingredients
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp agave syrup
2 tsp butter
1 shot Rum

Directions
In a small sauce pan on medium heat, add all ingredients, cook for about 20 minutes until a syrup like consistency.  

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Italian Ranch Pasta Salad

Italian Ranch Pasta Salad
A Quick And Easy Side Dish!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Cooling Time: 2-3 hours

Ingredients
1/2 box Rotini pasta
1 cup Ranch dressing
1 cup Sweet Italian dressing
2 shallots, sliced thin
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 1/2 cups English cucumber, diced
1 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
1 1/2 cups Radicchio leaves, chopped
salt
pepper

Cooking Tools
Stock pot
Large mixing bowl

Directions
Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to box directions.  Drain, rinse and cool pasta, set aside.  Prepare cut vegetables while pasta is cooling.  Place cooked Rotini in a large mixing bowl and add the vegetables on top.  Add in the Ranch and Italian dressing and toss all ingredients until well coated.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Place in refrigerator for a few hours to chill.

Serves 4

 

Cocoa Crusted Bison

Cocoa Crusted Bison
Bison Is Leaner Than Beef, Chicken Or Pork!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 minutes

Served With A Potato Souffle

Ingredients
2 Bison strip steaks
2 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar

Cooking Tools
Outdoor grill
Small mixing bowl

Directions
Preheat outdoor grill.  In a small mixing bowl, mix all the seasonings and evenly coat all sides of the Bison.  Grill Bison for 2-3 minutes on each side.  Let rest for a few minutes before cutting.  Cook's Note:  Bison is a very lean meat, you do not want to overcook the Bison.
Serves 2

Umami Sliders

Umami Sliders
With Sweet Soy Shiitake Mushrooms And Truffle Mac & Cheese!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour

Umami, A Category Of Favors In Food!

Ingredients
Schweid & Sons, chuck brisket blend sliders http://schweidandsons.com/products
12 slider buns, grilled
8 oz. fresh Shiitake mushrooms, sliced
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp sesame oil
4 small tomatoes, sliced
1/2 cup red onion, sliced thin
2 cups spring mix
salt
pepper 

Cooking Tools
Outdoor grill
2 Medium skillet
Stock Pot
Mixing bowl
Baking dish
12 long wooden skewers

Directions
Salt and pepper beef sliders and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side.  Grill the buns along side the sliders.  In a skillet, add; vegetable oil and saute Shiitake mushroom for a few minutes, then add soy sauce, brown sugar and sesame oil and cook down for about 10 minutes until it creates a thick sauce.  Place cooked sliders on bottom half of the grilled bun, top burgers with the Shiitake mushrooms, sliced red onion, spring mix, tomato slice and Truffle Mac & Cheese (recipe below) Top off with the grilled bun and secure with skewers.
Yields 12 sliders

Truffle Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
1/2 box, macaroni pasta
1 cup smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
1 cup Parrano cheese, shredded http://www.parrano.com/
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 stick butter + greasing
1 tbsp flour
2 cups milk
1/2 cup cream
1/2 tsp truffle salt
2 tsp truffle oil
fresh grated nutmeg

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 Degrees F.  Cook pasta in boiling water according to box directions.  Drain pasta well and place in mixing bowl.  In a skillet on medium heat, add; butter until melted, whisk in flour and cook for about a minute.  Whisk in milk, cream and nutmeg.  Cook until the sauce thickens, once it's thickened, pour onto the cooked pasta.  Add in the rest of the ingredients and toss until well blended.  Place Truffle Mac & Cheese into a greased baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes before spooning onto the burger.

Caramelized Figs Over Vanilla Ice Cream

Caramelized Figs Over Vanilla Ice Cream
The Sweetest Way To Use Figs!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

 Ingredients
2 cups fresh figs, halved
1/2 stick butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup apple juice
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pint vanilla ice cream

Cooking Tools
Medium skillet

Directions
In a skillet on medium heat, melt butter, vanilla extract and sugar in the apple juice.  Simmer to evaporate some of the liquid then add halved figs, cut side down and pecans, cook for about 10 minutes or until the edges start to get caramelized.  Spoon fig sauce on top of the dished ice cream.
Serves 4

 

Chicken Sausage Orecchiette With Harissa

Chicken Sausage Orecchiette With Harissa
A Quick & Easy Pasta Dish!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
1 box Orecchiette pasta
3/4 lb. bulk Italian chicken sausage
1 bag frozen spinach leaves
3 cloves garlic, pressed
3 tbsp mild or spicy Harissa sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
salt
pepper 

Cooking Tools
Large stock pot
Large skillet

Directions
Boil pasta in a stock pot and cook according to the box directions.  Drain pasta and set aside until ready to toss into the sauce.  In a skillet on medium heat, add olive oil and chicken sausage,  Saute chicken and breaking apart to medium-small chunks. Add in garlic and cook for 15 minutes or until sausage is cooked through. Into the skillet, add spinach and Harissa, cook for additional 10 minutes.  Toss in cooked pasta and cook for additional few minutes, salt and pepper to taste.
Serves 4

Creamy Avocado Shrimp Croissant Sandwich

Creamy Avocado Shrimp Croissant Sandwich
The Perfect Lunch Time Sandwich!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: No cooking required

Ingredients
4 croissants, split
1 lb. 31/35 count cooked shrimp, deveined, tail off
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp horseradish cream
juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1/4 cup celery, sliced
1/4 cup green onion, sliced
8 oz. mixed greens
salt
pepper

Cooking Tools
Food Processor
Medium mixing bowl

Directions
In a food processor, add; mayonnaise, avocado, horseradish cream, lime juice and pulse until creamy.  In a medium mixing bowl, add; shrimp, red onion, celery, green onion, avocado mayonnaise, toss well, salt and pepper to taste.  Fill croissant and top with mixed greens.
Serves 4