Main Course

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Stuff I’ve been cooking

Sesame Peanut Sauce Spaghetti
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Sesame Peanut Sauce Spaghetti

INGREDIENTS

serves 3-4

  • 8oz gluten free spaghetti or ramen noodles
  • 3 Tablespoons peanut butter
  • 3 Tablespoons gluten free Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using traditional soy sauce)
  • 1 Tablespoon coconut sugar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Siracha chili sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 small clove garlic, pressed or minced
  • 1 lime, sliced in half, one half sliced into wedges
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • Green beans in bite size pieces
  • 3 Tablespoons roasted peanuts, minced
  • Toppings: chopped cilantro, minced peanuts, chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil then add gluten free spaghetti or ramen noodles and cook until al dente. BEFORE DRAINING, carefully scoop out 1 cup pasta cooking water then set aside. Drain pasta then return to pot.
  2. Meanwhile, combine peanut butter, gluten free Tamari, coconut sugar, sesame oil, Siracha chili sauce, ground ginger, garlic, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice in a small bowl then stir to combine – it’s ok if the sauce isn’t completely smooth.
  3. Add sauce, green onions, and minced peanuts to the hot pasta, plus a few Tablespoons pasta cooking water, then stir until noodles are coated and the sauce is completely smooth. Add more pasta cooking water as needed to reach a smooth consistency.
  4. Scoop into bowls then serve with lime wedges and toppings.
INSTANT POT BARBECUE BEANS
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INSTANT POT BARBECUE BEANS

Serves 4 to 6
Total Time: 1% hours, plus 8 hours brining

Regular bacon can be used in place of the thick-cut bacon, if desired. If you are short on time, you can quick-brine your beans: In step 1, bring 1112 tablespoons of salt, 2 quarts of water, and the beans to a boil in the Instant Pot using the highest saute function; turn off the pot; and let the beans sit for 1hour. Drain and rinse the beans and proceed with step 2.

1112 tablespoons table salt for brining
1 pound (2112 cups) dried navy beans, picked over and rinsed 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound thick-cut bacon, cut crosswise 112 inch thick 1 onion, chopped fine
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder 1112 teaspoons table salt
112 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 cups chicken broth 1 cup ketchup
113 cup packed brown sugar
113 cup packed brown sugar
114 cup molasses
114 cup Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons cider vinegar

How

  1. Dissolve 1 1/2 tablespoons salt in 2 quarts cold water in large container. Add beans and let soak at room temperature for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours. Drain and rinse well.
  2. Using highest saute function, heat oil in Instant Pot until shimmering. Add bacon and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon fat is rendered and onion is softened about 8 to 10 minutes
  3. Add garlic, chili powder, salt, and cayenne and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in broth, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in beans.
  4. Lock lid into place and close pressure-release valve. Select high pressure -cook function and cook for 9 minutes. Turn off Instant Pot and let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Quick-release any remaining pressure.
  5. Carefully remove lid, allowing steam to escape away from you.
  6. Stir in ketchup, sugar, molasses, and mustard. Using highest saute function, bring to simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally and scraping bottom of pot, until slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl and let cool for 10 minutes (beans will continue to thicken as they cool). Stir in vinegar and serve.
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Spaghetti Ragu

Ok we had leftover ground sirloin and what to do with it was the question. We went from Lasagna, can’t don’t have the cheese or pasta then it was tacos and then Lyn kicked in and she made this delicious meal Spaghetti Ragu!

Fruited Pork Chops
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Fruited Pork Chops

Ingredients

1/2 cup raisins chopped

1/4 cup chopped orange

1/4 cup bread crumbs

4 Pork chops cut with pocket

2 TBS cooking oil

1/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup water

Sprinkle of nutmeg.

How

Mix Raisins, Nutmeg orange and bread crumbs together and stuff in pocket

Brown each side in cooking oil

pour juice and water over chops

Simmer on low for 45 minutes to 1 hour until done..

Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
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Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Got some ground turkey from a ButcherBox super sale and decide to use some and try a Shepherd’s Pie for the first time. Lyn usually made this using Lamb. I suppose you could use any ground meat. I had made a huge batch of mashed potatoes yesterday and used leftover for this. When very young my son insisted that everything be separate on the plate he had some rule about mixing foods. he also hated fat but loved pepperoni and Asian style ribs you known the red ones, which could be very fatty. Anyway I found a recipe and it had one of those handy how many you’re cooking for scalers so this is for TWO. I made some turkey burger patties for lunch today.

Ingredients for 2 servings

Meat Filling:

  • 0.67 tablespoons olive oil
  • 0.33 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 0.33 lb. 90% lean ground turkey, beef or ground lamb
  • 0.67 teaspoons dried parsley leaves
  • 0.33 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
  • 0.33 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 0.17 teaspoon salt
  • 0.17 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 0.33 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 0.67 garlic cloves -minced
  • 0.67 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 0.67 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 0.33 cup beef broth
  • 0.33 cup frozen mixed peas & carrots Note: Did not have frozen carrots so I saluted with the onions
  • 0.17 cup frozen corn kernels

Potato Topping:

  • *Note: I used 2% milk and added the cheese
  • 0.5 – 0.67 lb. russet potatoes -about 2 large potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2.67 tablespoons unsalted butter -1 stick
  • 0.11 cup half & half *
  • 0.17 teaspoon garlic powder Note: I usually add 1-2 cloves when boiling potatoes so left powder out.
  • 0.17 teaspoon salt
  • 0.08 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 0.08 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

Make the Meat Filling.

  • Add the oil to a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the onions. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the ground turkey to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and and pepper. Stir well. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the meat is browned, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the flour and tomato paste. Stir until well incorporated and no clumps of tomato paste remain.
  • Add the broth, frozen peas and carrots, and frozen corn. Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Set the meat mixture aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Make the potato topping.

  • Place the potatoes in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are fork tender, 10-15 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes in a colander. Return the potatoes to the hot pot. Let the potatoes rest in the hot pot for 1 minute to evaporate any remaining liquid.
  • Add butter, half & half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes and stir until all the ingredients are mixed together.
  • Add the parmesan cheese to the potatoes. Stir until well combined.

Assemble the casserole.

  • Pour the meat mixture into a 9×9 (or 7×11) inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the meat. Carefully spread into an even layer.
  • If the baking dish looks very full, place it on a rimmed baking sheet so that the filling doesn’t bubble over into your oven. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.** Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
sneak peak before covering and baking
sprinkled paprika on top
Apricot Glazed Pork Tenderloin
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Apricot Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Ingredients

  • 1 – 1 1/2 pound pork tenderloin
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons dry white wine Pinot Grigio used
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup apricot preserves
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

  • Separate tenderloins, pat dry with paper towels and season with salt, freshly cracked black pepper on all sides and ends.
  • Melt butter and add the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear the tenderloin on all sides and ends.
  • Pour the white wine (Pinot Grigio used), thyme and chicken stock into the skillet and bake at 400° for 10 minutes. 
  • In a small bowl whisk the apricot preserves and Dijon mustard together. Brush over the top, sides and ends of the tenderloins and continue baking another 10-15 minutes or until the tenderloins are done as you like:145° medium rare, 150° medium, 155-160° well done/no pink
  • Remove from the oven, allow the pork to rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.
Got giant butternut squash from Misfits
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Got giant butternut squash from Misfits

What do you do with a giant butternut squash? I peeled, chopped in chunks and had 6+ cups of squash. I usually make Butternut squash and apple soup but I had no green apples so I used some honey crisp apples. I think my hand slipped and I went heavy on the soup spice so it came our pretty hot and spicy

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. Unsalted butter (We keep butter in the freezer since we don’t use it all the time)
  • 1 ½ cups roughly chopped sweet onions
  •  1 Tbsp. minced garlic
  • 6 cups peeled and roughly diced butternut squash (I like to buy the squash with a long neck this part has no seeds and usually can get enough for what I need. The bottom I save for roasted later.)
  • 3 cups peeled and roughly diced honey crisp apples (about 3 apples)
  • 2 tsp. Toasted Spice Rub, recipe below. ( I make a lot and store with my spices for future use.) This is where I messed up went with TBS not tsp. Cleared the sinuses.
  • About 30 to 32 ounces low sodium, low-fat chicken broth or you can use vegetable broth.
  • 2 cups of water to add to the broth.
  • Salt and pepper to taste (Don’t add until you taste finished soup a lot of times it really does not need)

How:

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, and cook until it turns nut brown, just about the time it stops foaming. Add the sweet onions and cook until slightly softened, about 2-4 minutes. Add the garlic until you smell it 10-20 seconds

Now add the squash and apples, raise temp to high, and cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to caramelize, about 5-8 minutes. Stir in the Toasted Spice Rub and cook briefly to toast it, about 1 minute.

Add the broth-water mixture, bring to a simmer, and partially cover (use a wooden spoon across the pot rest the cover on that. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the squash and apples are tender, about 40 minutes.

In about 3 or 4 batches transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Return to a pot, reheat and season with salt and pepper if desired.

Toasted Spice Rub

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup fennel seeds
  • 1 Tbsp. coriander seeds
  • 1 Tbsp. black peppercorns ( I have made with a mixture of pepper corns not bad)
  • 1 1/82 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 2 Tbsp. kosher salt
  • 2 Tbsp. ground Cinnamon

In a small heavy pan over medium heat, combine the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns. When the fennel turns light brown, work quickly. Learned this during my Chinese wok cooking stage, turn on the exhaust fan; add the red pepper flakes, and toss, toss, toss, always under the fan. Having trouble breathing? I said under the exhaust fan silly, I did bold it!” Immediately empty the spice mixture onto a plate to cool. I have a small coffee grinder for grinding spices; grind only the fennel, coriander, pepper, and chili flakes. Pour into a bowl and toss with the remaining chili powder, cinnamon and salt. You can use a blender and blend until the spices are evenly ground.  Either way works for me.

Snowy Day Turkey Chili
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Snowy Day Turkey Chili

I usually make Halftime White Turkey Chili and today the day after a 65 degree day I had to go out and snow plow the 8 inches. Got to love new England. I had just received a Buthcer Box shipment

If you want to check it out and we can both save some money click here http://rwrd.io/3dmnaju?c

Anyway I did not have everything so I kind of adlibbed.

Ingredients

  •  1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, divided
  • 2 pounds ground turkey breast — mine was frozen so I cut it in chuncks
  • 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp. ground coriander
  • 2 Tbsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 jar of salsa
  • Lyn had some left over diced tomatoes maybe 1 1/2 cups
  • maybe 1/8 cup hot sauce
  • 2-3 TBS of low fod taco season
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups cooked Great Northern beans, drained

How

Heat 1/2 tablespoon of the oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add turkey and cook, stirring often, until browned. Transfer to a bowl and return pot to heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, bell pepper and onion and cook until softened and golden brown. Return turkey to pot and add coriander, cumin, oregano and salt. Stir well to combine. Add bay leaf, tomatoes mixed and broth, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 45 to 50 minutes. Gently stir in beans and cook for 30 minutes more.

Came out pretty good but I feel the turkey would have been more tender if was fully defrosted.

Hey Lyn how was the Chili? She said very good.

Made the corn muffins earlier at Lyn’s request that’s what inspired me.
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Lyn whips up some Italian sausage, red pepper, onions, summer squash and mushrooms in a light tomatoes sauce