Lyn found this online @ behealthful so I made a batch this morning and now I can’t wait until lunch.
What and How
Ingredient
Online it said to add to a jar and then shake like heck. we prefer the blender on dressing setting. it takes a while to settle but think it blends the flavors better. I made a double batch.
Now I watch the clock until Lunch!
Got some orange beets, butternut squash, red and orange peppers and red onions from Misfits and had just receive some pork chops from Butcher Box so I figured this would make a good meal.
Porkchops
I like to do a quick brine soaking in salt, sugar and water for about 15-20 minutes. Keeps the meat moist especially if grilling outdoors. Then I take a preheated cast in pan and pan sear one side for about 4-6 minutes flip and finish in the oven. Make sure you dry the pork chops with paper towel then salt and pepper before you place in the pan. if you don’t do this you will end up streaming the meat rather searing. This time I had some red wine left over from a nice basket off goodies I got from my retirement party at work. So when I placed in oven I poured the remaining about a cup in the pan and roasted for about 4-6 minutes until done. Hey it was either have a second glass of wine or try something new. My theory was it would braise but silly me braising is done on low heat so the wine quickly evaporated. However, the taste of the wine did come through so it was not a total maitake.
I had already roasted the veggie in a 425 oven.
The veggies as mentioned above, were tossed in oil and spices but I added 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and roasted until done turning half way through total time about 25 minutes. Really like the addition of vinegar.
You can tell I retired as of Jan 3 this year and I’m starting to post things again. Been working since I was 12 or 13 thought it was about time to take a break.
All this talk about Mike and we made a tuna melt today based on a receipt he gave us a long time ago. it’s very simple you make it the same way you do regular tuna except substitute avocado instead of mayo. Spread on bread of choice top with cheese and place under broiler until cheese is melted and i like it slightly burned.
Mike was moving in with Gail and we volunteered to watch the cats to make the move easier. They quickly settled in but being cats, curiosity was top on their list. They knew where to hide when I went out for the mail so many escape attempts were just that attempts. Lyn did say that if they got out all we had to do was open a can of food and boy do they come running, begging and demanding. If you listen to them, we never fed them and there was never a bowl of dried food always at their ready night and day.
I took to preparing their wet food behind closed doors and Lyn said that they would try to push the door open. Anyway I was preparing a cauliflower crust pizza last Wednesday and had to take extreme measures. See picture below
Another cook from the frig recipe. This time I had some delicata squash, red, green and yellow peppers, made some red onion relish, goat cheese, grape tomatoes earlier so I decided to roast the squash and add the rest sorry no pictures of the finished product.
Roasting the Squash
Preheat oven to 425° convection. Cut ends off of squash, then cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds. Cut squash into ½” half-moons.
On a large baking sheet toss squash with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Spread single layer on pan and sprinkle with cinnamon (not the sugared kind but I suppose you could)
Roast until golden and soft on the inside, about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Meanwhile I thinly slice the peppers, diced some fresh mushrooms, and prepared a small hand full of fresh baby spinach, grape tomatoes in half and goat cheese
For the cauliflower crust, Lyn’s been into the paleo version, I spread pizza sauce the topped with all the above. As Colbert likes to say meanwhile I spun out my dough which is Portland Pie Company Beer dough, my store bought favorite. And topped with everything except the goat cheese, instead I used three types of Italian cheeses. I then baked for about 10 minutes each. Will vary depending on oven.
Anyway, to make this long story short I was forced to use what I joking call the cat guard to protect my cooking area from the curious duo.
Oh they are in their new home now and enjoying it.
I’m not sure where Lyn was but she must have had other plans because I will generally whip something like this up if cooking for myself. This is a cook from the gut and largely depends on what in the frig. I like the addition of honey gave it a sweeter taste. Sorry my picture did not come out that great, probably did not have my glasses on, but the taste made up for it. Remember cooking is a lot of tweaking to your tastes as well as what you have on hand.
Ingredients
Stir Fry Sauce
How
Stir Fry Sauce
In a medium size bowl, whisk together corn starch and water. Add remaining ingredients (chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, and toasted sesame oil, red pepper flakes) and whisk to combine. Set aside.
Chicken
Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet or wok and heat over medium high heat.
Add chicken floured or not (in batches if necessary) and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from skillet.
Reduce heat to medium and add remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet.
Add broccoli, bell pepper, and asparagus and cook, stirring occasionally, just until crisp tender. Add ginger and garlic and cook for an additional minute or until you smell the garlic.
Add chicken back into the skillet and stir to combine.
Whisk stir fry sauce and pour over chicken and vegetables and stir gently to combine.
Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, stir in cashew and let boil for one minute or thickness you like.
When done top with sesame seeds.
Serve with rice if desired.
For Christmas Lyn got me a taste of Texas, Austin Texas to be exact Blacks BBQ . It had been years since I was there, but it did not disappoint. It came frozen so after it defrosted, I followed the simple directions to reheat. Wrap in tin foil place on pan * into a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes to 1 hours until internal temp was between 110 and 120. I stuck in my remote temp gauge and began to prepare my Texas style BBQ sauce. Once it came to temp, I added another step and wrapped the whole thing, foil and all, in a towel and place in a small cooler with lid closed. It was in there for maybe 3 hours. Placing it wrapped in a cooler let it sit and absorb the juices and when I took it out it passed the flexible test gently dropping on each side. Ok enough about the brisket here is the sauce, a friend of mine in Dallas taught me this recipe which I have tweaked since.
* I like to preheat the pan in oven rather than throwing in cold pan.
Ingredients
How
In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer until you sell it could be less time. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to blend. I placed in the blender after, but this is optional. This comes out as a thicker sauce. I stored in a small canning jar.
Every year Lyn and I celebrate the new year with a Pan Seared oven roasted Tenderloin. This year I got to present on my new cutting board a Christmas Gift from my son. I’m getting so showy.
We held off the champagne until Friday since we will be celebrating my retirement! Oh ya Happy last Thursday to all I’ll soon be living the everyday is Saturday life. Yes I’ve already notice a list of thing to do compiled by Lyn.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Usually we make a dry rub pork loin which although we make it frequently I have not posted yet but this last shipment from Butcher Box had some in it I decided to tur something different. If you want to check it out please use my codes you’ll find http://fbuy.me/oqMxZ this link get $30 off this is from my on my post http://fbuy.me/oqMpH and we both get stuff for free!
Anyway, this was quick, easy, delicious and a good choice. You could do veal and chicken the same way.
INGREDIENTS
How
Slice pork into 2-inch thick slices. Place each slice between two pieces of plastic wrap and use the flat side of a meat tenderizer to flatten to ¼-inch thickness. (Season with salt and pepper)
Place the flour in a shallow bowl and dredge the pork in it. Shake off the excess.
In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, warm 2 Tbsp. of the olive oil.
Place 4 pieces of pork in the pan and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter and keep warm under a tent of foil. Warm the remaining 1 Tbs. oil in the pan and repeat to brown the remaining pork. Place that pork under your foil tent as well.
Reduce the heat to medium and melt 1 Tbsp. of the butter in the pan. Add the garlic and cook until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Add the vermouth, lemon juice and broth, increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the liquid is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the remaining 2 Tbsp. butter, the capers and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
Drizzle the sauce over pork and serve immediately. I like to put in pan and toss to coat.
Gourmet Dad, Don’t Let The Title Fool You 