Still learning

I am finding it interesting just how much of something I can eat before feeling ill. Just a small amount butter, and my nose runs. I woke this morning a little itchy and my nose running-- back to the Benadryl.

 

Of course I'm not sure if wasn't the potato that caused my issue. Potatoes are in the nightshade family, and do cause trouble for some people. .

 

So still trying to figure it out.

 

Here's a new recipe for Lemon Chicken. Yum. 

 

3 chicken breasts pounded out
2  cloves of garlic minced
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup capers
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt

 

In a large skillet heat to medium heat, add the olive oil. 

Add the chicken and salt and pepper.

In five minutes turn over, add the garlic and lemon juice. Cook another three minutes add the capers.

Finish cooking until done, a other 3 minutes. 

 

 

Lemon Chicken with Potatoes.

Ingredients

• ·        3 tablespoons butter
• ·        2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
•         1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ·        1 teaspoon salt
• ·        1 package (28 oz) boneless skinless chicken thighs
• ·        1 lb baby red potatoes, quartered
• ·        ½  medium yellow onion, cut into large pieces
• ·        1 lemon, sliced
• ·        ¼   teaspoon pepper

• 1 Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
• 2 Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. In small bowl, stir together brown sugar, Italian seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Sprinkle over chicken thighs.
• 3 Cook chicken thighs in skillet 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
• 4 Arrange chicken thighs, potatoes, onions and lemon slices in baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter, and drizzle over mixture.
• 5 Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and juice of chicken is clear when thickest part is cut (at least 165°F).

 This chicken dish is easy to prepare and comes together quickly. Simply brown the chicken thighs, toss all the ingredients in a pan, and you're good to go. 

http://www.pillsbury.com/

Pork Chops with Asparagus and Lemon Sauce

Spring! Time for young asparagus. yum...

• 1 pound of boneless pork chops
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons minced onion
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 pound of fresh asparagus
• 3 tablespoons of butter

brown pork and set aside. steam asparagus in chicken broth. after the asparagus has cooked to crisp tender, about 15 minutes, add the chicken broth to the pan that the pork cooked in. don't pour out any of the pan juices.

stir in the butter, lemon juice, onion and garlic. when the butter is melted and the mixture is simmering, whisk in the cornstarch. whisk until smooth

add back the port and asparagus. salt and pepper to taste.

serve with boiled potatoes or steamed rice.

enjoy

The "eyes" have it.

Potato eyes that is. Or make your own potato crisps.

2 russet potatoes

1 1/2 cups peanut oil

Seasoning of choice. 

Large bowl of water

3 tablespoons of table salt

Slice the potatoes thinly. Use a madaline or slicer. Don't make them any more than about 1/8 inch. 

Add the salt to the bowl of water. As the potatoes are sliced add them to the salted water. 

Let them sit for a least 15 minutes. Drain and dry on paper towls. Get them as dry as possible. Wate and hot oil don't mix. 

Meanwhile heat the oil in a large stock pot. Make sure it's at least 350 before adding the potatoes. 

Cook about 10 minutes on medium heat. 

When the slices are golden transfer to paper towls to drain. 

Add your favorite seasonings .  Cool and enjoy. 

Store them in an airtight container. 

Easter Brunch

How about a nice Easter brunch? There are lots of great ideas out there. Here's one from Walmart. With my version I also add bell pepper and onion.

Pretty,  isn't it?

 

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups Ore-Ida Potatoes O'Brien
• 6 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
• 2 Tbs. chopped onion
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup bacon , crumbled

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Melt butter in a microwave-safe pie dish; add potatoes, bell pepper and onion,  microwave for 10 minutes.
3. Stir together eggs, milk, salt, pepper and pepper jack cheese. Pour over potatoes.
4. Bake for 20 minutes or until eggs have set. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with cheddar cheese and bacon. Serve immediately.

Beef Stew

My favorite comfort food, beef stew.

1 1/2 chuck roast cut in small pieces
6 red potatoes, diced
8 oz frozen peas
1/4 large onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 rib celery chopped
1 large carrot chopped
3 diced tomatoes, or 1 can of diced tomatoes
1/4 cup flour
Salt
Pepper
Steak seasoning
Worcestershire sauce
Steak sauce
beef bullion

Dice the carrot, onion, garlic and potatoes, and set aside. Add flour salt, pepper and pieces of meat to a plastic bag.  Seal it and shake well. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then empty the contents in to a colander.
Sift off the excess flour, and add the meat to a hot oiled deep skillet. Brown the meat on medium low. Take care not to burn the flour.
Meanwhile. to a small stock pot, add water bullion, and the all the veggies except the peas.
Bring to a simmer and add the meat. Let it continue to simmer until potatoes and carrots are tender.

adjust the seasoning with Worcestershire and steak sauce, and turn down to low. Continue cooking for 1 hour. Add the peas. cook for additonal

My favorite way to serve is with warm bread and a glass of cold cold milk. Enjoy

Steak Italiano

Lidia oh Lidia. Have you met Lidia?

Here in Kansas City is one of her restaurants. It's on my list to visit one of these days. 

At this particular restaurant they feature a steak and potato dish.  

This is my version of that recipe. I call mine "Steak Italiano". 

This is really good. The steak tender, the fries crisp, and just hint of sweetness from the veggies. This is good eating KC style. The boy sat up and said " more please"

1- 10 oz strip steak

1/4 small onion

 1/2 red bell pepper

1/2 green bell pepper

1/2 yellow bell pepper

2 cloves garlic

4 oz can sliced mushrooms

1/3 cup marinara sauce

3 tbl olive oil

Frozen steak fries

Seasoning salt

Salt and pepper

For the fries, preheat  oven according  to package directions. Put a single layers of fries on a greased cookie sheet. Cook to package directions.

In a large skillet heat oil. Add the steak. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 7  minutes on medium heat. Season the other side also. 

Meanwhile slice the peppers, onion,  into small strips. Mince the garlic.

After desired doneness, remove the steak from the pan. 

Add the veggies to the pan. Stir fry until tender. Add the marinara sauce. Cook on low heat another 5 minutes. 

Remove fries from the oven, sprinkle with seasoning salt. 

Slice the steak into strips. Serve steak, add veggie mixture on top of sliced steak. Add the fries on the side.
 

 

Kimmie's Corn Chowder

I am ready rename the Midwest the Freezer. yes, it is winter, and winter is cold, and I did move here for the change in seasons, but I'm done. I am ready for spring.

On that note, the being cold part, I have been thinking about my favorite soups and stews. Tonight we will be having corn chowder, and as I  am always trying to loose weight, again, I will be making a light version. It will still be thick and yummy, but here is the regular version first.



Ingredients
1 12 to 16 oz bag of frozen corn
2 cans whole kernel corn, drained
1 can creamed corn
1/2 onion copped
1/4 green bell pepper, chopped
4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
4 oz lean ham diced.
1 quart cream of celery soup
2 chicken bullion cubes
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon sugar

Garnish
sour cream
chives
crumbled bacon

Start by putting the corn in the bottom of the crock pot. next add the onion, bell pepper, an the potatoes.

 Stir together. Add the celery soup. Turn the crock pot on high, and bring to a simmer.

After it has simmered together for 2 hours, add sugar, salt and pepper. mix well.  Take about a quarter of the soup and put in a blender; blend until smooth. Add back to the pot. Turn down to low for two more hours. 

Serve with sour cream, bacon and chives.

To lighten this up, substitute cream of celery soup for low fat chicken broth, use low fat milk and light sour cream,  and turkey bacon. 

To get the same flavor, you'll need to add 1/3 cup finely diced celery and 1 teaspoon celery seeds. Add these at the beginning when mixing the corn onion and potato.

Pork Cacciatore

The original recipe comes from Weight Watchers. This is my version. I took out the rosemary and changed from yellow to green pepper. I also cut back on the water, and I used the liquid from the canned mushrooms.  So, this sauce is a little thicker. Over all delicious.

Ingredients


12 oz uncooked lean pork tenderloin, cut into 1- to 1 1/2-in chunks
1/2 tsp table salt, divided
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, divided
3 spray(s) cooking spray, divided
3 small uncooked  potato(es), peeled, cut into 1-in chunks
1 medium uncooked onion(s), halved and thinly sliced
1/2 cup(s) water, or more if necessary, divided
1 medium green pepper(s), cut into 1-in chunks
8 oz mushroom(s), halved or quartered lengthwise (about 3 cups)
1 cup(s) home made marinara sauce



Instructions

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat.

Sprinkle pork with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add pork to skillet, increase heat to medium-high and cook, turning pieces occasionally, until browned, about 6 minutes; remove to a plate.

Off heat, coat same skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Add potatoes, onion and 1/2 cup of water; cook, scraping bottom of pan, 1 minute. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.

Add green pepper, mushrooms,  and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper to skillet; saute over medium-high heat, until vegetables are lightly browned, adding a tablespoon or two of water if needed to prevent sticking, about 7 minutes.



Stir in marinara sauce, pork; bring to a simmer. Cover skillet, reduce heat to medium and cook until vegetables are tender and pork is cooked through, about 7 minutes. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.

Mexican Potato Hash with Poached Eggs

This is really good., and with a few added ingredients, like fruit or sliced veggies you have full meal.

Ingredients


4 cup(s) water
1 Tbsp vinegar
4 large egg(s)
2 tsp olive oil
2 lbs  new potatoes, shredded
1/2  cup fat free salsa
1/2 cup low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese


Instructions

Preheat broiler.

In a large saucepan over high heat, bring water to a boil. Add vinegar and reduce heat to medium.

Carefully crack eggs into 4 separate small-size bowls (yolks should remain intact). Add eggs to saucepan one at a time, and simmer until egg white is cooked and yolk starts to solidify, about 2 minutes. Remove poached eggs with a slotted spoon; set aside.

Heat oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and saute until golden brown, stirring frequently, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add salsa and cook to heat through, about 1 minute. Top potatoes with poached eggs and sprinkle with cheese.

Place pan under broiler and broil until cheese melts, about 1 minute. Serve hot. Yields about 2/3 cup potato hash and 1 egg per serving.


See original recipe at:
http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeId=60601

Split Pea with Ham

Ingredients

1 lb dried split peas
2 small potatoes diced small
2 carrots sliced thin
1/2 small onion diced
2 cups ham or pork broth
3 oz sliced ham
1 celery stalk
garlic powder
salt and pepper
sour cream


Directions

Rinse and drain peas. Add to a large pot. Add broth salt pepper and garlic powder.
Dice the potatoes, carrots, onion and celery. Add to the pot.
Bring the pot to a boil. Stir well so nothing sticks to the bottom.
Simmer on low for 2 hours, or until all the veggies are tender.
Dice the ham, add to the soup. Stir gently folding in the ham.
The soup should be slightly think and be shiny green in color.
To serve top with a dollop of sour cream and crusty bread if desired

Oven Roasted Veggies

Ingredients

2 red peppers 1 green bell pepper 2 onions 2 zucchini 8 oz. box mushrooms 6 new potatoes, scrubbed 1 tsp. salt 2 cloves garlic, crushed or pressed coarsely ground pepper 1/2 tsp. oregano 1/2 tbsp. basil 1/2 tsp rosemary olive oil for drizzling Directions Wash and dry vegetables. Any combination of vegetables in season may be used.Cube them into large bite-size pieces. Halve mushrooms, if large. Potatoes can be parboiled (or put in first). Arrange vegetables in a baking dish or roasting pan in a single layer. Crush the garlic with salt using the side of a large knife until pureed (or use a garlic press). Stir into oil. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil and toss to coat well. Sprinkle with pepper, oregano, basil and rosemary. Roast in oven at 400°F; reduce heat if vegetables are browning too quickly before they are done. Vegetables may not cook at the same rate. As some of the vegetables cook, they may be removed while the others are left to finish cooking. Add more olive oil if the vegetables absorb the oil and become dry during the cooking (or use olive oil spray). Can be served hot or room temperature.

Scolloped Potatoes

What could be better than potatoes and cheese? This a twist on a holiday classic.
Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for brushing
1/2 clove garlic
1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup shredded asiago cheese
1/3 cup shredded raclette or comte cheese
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 fresh bay leaves
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions
Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Generously brush a large skillet with butter, then rub with the garlic. Combine the mozzarella, asiago and raclette in a bowl.

Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the potatoes, spreading them out. Sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt, half of the cut-up butter, half of the shredded cheese blend, and pepper to taste. Arrange the remaining potatoes on top. Sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Pour the cream over the potatoes, then add the nutmeg and bay leaves; simmer 3 minutes. Dot the potatoes with the remaining cut-up butter.

Generously brush a shallow baking dish with butter; slide the potatoes into the dish; arrange with a fork, if desired. (If your skillet is ovenproof, you can skip this step and bake the potatoes in the skillet.)

Sprinkle the potatoes with the parmesan and the remaining shredded cheese blend. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Discard the bay leaves.

Photograph courtesy Anna Williams


See original on Foodnetwork.com


http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/russet-potato/index.html

Lemon Roasted Potatoes

It's almost that time. Easter that is. Easter is a time of family and tradition. There are truly some amazing holiday traditions, especially with food. One is roast lamb, another is baked ham. What the have in common are great side dishes-like roasted potatoes. often said that the best potatoes are cooked right along with the meat so that they absorb the flavors which is wonderful, but a bit heavy tasting sometimes. I found this surfing for Easter recipes. The lemon brightens the flavor, without being too oily or heavy.

It's a great vegetarian dish too, if you substitute vegetable broth.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Ingredients:

5-6 potatoes, peeled and cut in to evenly sized wedges
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. garlic powder
Two lemons, juiced (plus more for serving)
1/2 cup chicken broth
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Note: If you serving lamb or beef, try adding a teaspoon of dried rosemary to the mixture and that works very well.

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced potatoes and toss them with the remaining ingredients until they are well coated.

Lightly grease a non-reactive half sheet pan with olive oil. Place the coated potatoes in a single layer and drizzle them with any remaining marinade left in the bowl.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for approximately one hour. Carefully turn the potatoes halfway through cooking to prevent them from sticking and to brown them evenly.

Re-season with salt and pepper and squeeze a bit more lemon juice (if desired) when they are fresh out of the oven.

Zesty Pork Salad with Potatoes

This meal tastes of springtime, and it's light enough that it fits into a heart-healthy diet.


This meal tastes of springtime, and it's light enough that it fits into a heart-healthy diet.

Minutes to Prepare: 15Minutes to Cook: 30Number of Servings: 4




Ingredients

Pork:
1 pound pork tenderloin, fat trimmed and silver skin removed
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, smashed and chopped
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce:

1 English cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon chopped shallot
1/2 cup low fat plain yogurt
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped

Potatoes:

1 pound new red skin potatoes, washed and scrubbed, sliced into 1/4-inch thick



Radish Salad:

6 radishes, scrubbed and chopped into matchsticks
5 ounces baby spinach, washed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper





Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Fill a large saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil.



Combine the mustard, garlic, and pepper in a small bowl. Lightly spray the pork with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the mustard mixture over the entire tenderloin. Place a cast iron skillet or heavy bottomed pan over moderate high heat. Sear the meat on all sides. Transfer the pan to the oven to finish cooking, until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit.



Remove the pan from the oven and cover the meat with foil. Allow the meat to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.



Prepare the sauce. Place the cucumber and the shallot into a small food processor and pulse twice. (You don't want to puree the sauce.) If you don’t have a food processor just mash the cucumber with a fork in a small bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine.



When the water comes to the boil, add the sliced potatoes and cook until tender, about 7-8 minutes. Drain the potatoes, then while the pan is still hot, quickly add the spinach to just wilt. Transfer the wilted spinach to a mixing bowl and add the sliced radish.



Slice the meat.



Arrange 1/4 cup of cooked potatoes onto each plate and top with 2 cups of the salad. Top with sliced meat and 1/4 cup cucumber sauce.

Pork and Pots

Ingredients

4- center cut pork chops
2 cups baby carrots
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2  lbs of russet  potatoes
Salt and ground black pepper

 
Directions
 
1.Preheat oven to 425 degree F.  Place chops  and carrots in a small beg. Add  maple syrup, 2 tablespoons of the oil, 1 teaspoon of the dried rosemary, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Turn the bag around and mix well. Make sure carrots and meat are competly covered.  Pour out chops and carrots on one end of a large roasting pan.
2.  Wash and cut potatoes into small pieces like steak fries.

3. In a medium bowl toss potatoes with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon rosemary. Transfer to roasting pan beside carrots and meat.



4. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 155 degree,  and potatoes are browned and crisp. Carefully remove meat and carrots. Cover meat and carrots with foil and let stand 10 minutes before serving. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Makes 4 servings.




Adapted from Better Home and Gardens

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

• In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, water, broth and garlic. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat buttermilk until warm. Drain potatoes and garlic; mash with buttermilk. Stir in the onions, salt and pepper. Yield: 6 servings.