Alex Guarnaschelli's Roasted Braeburn Apple Jam

Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a huge fan of Food Network.  It's one of my favorite TV network and magazine.  I find all kinds of new ideas, cooking tips and recipes watching their shows and reading their magazine.  

This recipe looks beautiful and tastes fantastic.  The apple jam is delicious with biscuits, popovers, toast or at a holiday brunch.  

3 lbs Braeburn apples (about 6)

1/4 cup clover honey

1 tsp ground cinnamon

2 cups apple cider

2 3" cinnamon sticks

8 cloves

1 Tbsp sherry vinegar

Grated zest and juice of 1 large lemon

Peel and core the apples.  Cut them in half and then into thin slices.  

In a large skillet, heat the honey over low heat until it begins to foam and turns a very light brown, about 5 minutes.  

Remove the skillet from the heat and add the ground cinnamon and apple slices.  

Return the skillet to medium heat and cook stirring from time to time with a wooden spoon until the apples are soft, 30 - 35 minutes.  

While the apples are cooking, flavor the cider.  In a medium saucepan, combine the cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves and vinegar and bring to a simmer over high heat.  Cook until the liquid is reduced by half, 10 - 12 minutes.  

Strain the cider mixture over the cooked apples (discard the cinnamon sticks and cloves).  Simmer the apples over medium heat until all of the flavors meld and the liquid is almost completely absorbed, 5 - 8 minutes.  Add the lemon zest and juice.  Remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside to cool.  

Divide the jam among jars and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.  

It's tangy, it's sweet, and perfectly spiced.  You're gonna love this one!

Lemon Herb Chicken with Buttered Peas and New Potatoes

Looking to make a flavorful meal for a special occasion?  This one will be perfect.  It is simple to prepare, it's bright, full of flavor and simply delicious.

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or skin on thighs)

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp lemon juice (plus zest from 1 lemon)

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 lb baby/new potatoes, halved if large

1 1/2 cups fresh garden peas (shelled) or frozen

2 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Salt and pepper to taste

Marinate the chicken:  In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper.  Pour over chicken in a shallow dish or zip-top bag.  Let marinate 15 - 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours) in the refrigerator.

Cook the Potatoes:  Place potatoes in a saucepan, cover with water and add a pinch of salt.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 10 - 15 minutes until fork tender.  Drain and toss with 1 Tbsp butter and parsley.  Keep warm.  

Cook the Chicken:  Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.  Cook chicken for 5 - 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.  Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Prepare the Peas:  While the chicken rests, bring a small pot of salted water to a boil.  Add fresh or frozen peas and cook 2 - 3 minutes until tender, but still bright green.  Drain and toss with 1 Tbsp butter, salt and pepper.

To Serve:  Plate sliced lemon herb chicken alongside the buttered peas and potatoes.  Garnish with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired.  

 

Creamy Tomato Zucchini Pasta with Chicken

This is a creamy, comforting pasta dish with zucchini, tomato and chicken.  It's perfect when you want something for dinner that won't heat up the house, or if you're a gardener like me, who always winds up with too much zucchini by mid-summer.  

1 chicken breast (or about 1 1/2 cups of cooked/shredded chicken)

1 medium zucchini, sliced into half moons

1 - 2 fresh tomatoes, diced

1/2 can Cream of Mushroom soup

1/2 cup milk or chicken broth (to thin sauce)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

6 - 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or spaghetti)

2 Tbsp olive oil or butter

1/4 tsp Italian seasoning (or a pinch each of oregano and basil)

Salt and pepper to taste

Shredded Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)

Cook the pasta:  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain and set aside.  

Cook the chicken:  Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook in 1 Tbsp oil or butter until browned and cooked through.  Remove and set aside.  

Cook the vegetables:  In the same skillet, sauté garlic, zucchini and chopped tomatoes for 3 - 4 minutes until softened.

Make the sauce:  Stir in 1/2 can Cream of Mushroom soup and 1/2 cup milk or broth.  Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.  Simmer for 2 - 3 minutes until creamy.  

Combine everything:  Add cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet.  Toss until well-coated and heated through.  

Top with Parmesan cheese before serving.  

Simple Marinades You Can Make at Home

 

A couple of years ago Schnucks featured several marinades in the May/June issue of Simply Schnucks.  These are all delicious and can be used in so many ways.  They quickly became my go-to ways to add that extra flavor to so many dishes.

All-Purpose 

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients until well combined.  Season with salt if desired.  Stir in chosen protein or vegetables; let marinate, covered and refrigerated at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.  This is particularly good on steak, pork, chicken, and some veggies.  

Orange-Chile

1/4 cup olive oil

1 medium navel orange, zested and juiced (about 1/4 cup of juice)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp crushed red pepper

This is particularly good with seafood.

Garlic-Herb

1/2 cup Wish-/bone Italian Dressing

1 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano

2 cloves garlic, minced 

1/2 tsp black pepper

This is particularly good with veggies and seafood.

Balsamic

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves or 1 tsp dried

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 tsp black pepper

This is perfect for cherry tomatoes, mushrooms or steak.

Shrimp & Veggie Rice Bowl

What's better than a one dish dinner.  All of your favorite ingredients in one bowl.  This dinner hits the spot.  

1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 cups cooked jasmine rice

2 cups mixed veggies (broccoli, snap peas, carrots or corn)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp orange juice (fresh or bottled)

1 tsp honey or maple syrup

1 tsp sesame oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings:  sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or lime wedges

 

Make the sauce:  In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, orange juice, honey and sesame oil.  Set aside.

Cook the shrimp:  Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add shrimp, season lightly w with salt and pepper, and cook 2 - 3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.  Remove from the pan and set aside. 

Sauté vegetables:  In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed.  Stir-fry the veggies and garlic for 4 - 5 minutes until crisp-tender.

Combine and glaze:  Return shrimp to the pan, pour the sauce over everything, and toss to coat.  Cook 1 - 2 minutes more until warm and glossy.

Serve:  Spoon rice into two bowls and top with shrimp and veggies.  Garnish with green onions, sesame seed and lime wedges, if desired.  

Mango-Lime Shrimp Skillet

 

This is a dinner that comes together quickly using ingredients I almost always have in my fridge and/or freezer.  It's fresh and delicious and always satisfying.

1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined (thawed, if frozen)

2 cups frozen mango chunks (thawed)

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp chili powder

Salt and pepper, to taste

Zest and juice of 1 lime

Pat the shrimp dry.  Season with salt, pepper, and chili powder.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1 - 2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp to a plate.

Lower heat to medium.  Add mango chunks and cook 2 - 3 minutes, stirring gently, until warmed and lightly caramelized at the edges.  

Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.  Return shrimp to the pan.  Add lime zest and juice.  Toss everything together and cook 1 more minute.  

Add a pinch more salt or a squeeze of lime if needed.  

This is fantastic served with steamed cauliflower.

Homemade Chili Crunch

I recently ran across a recipe that included Chili Crunch.  I didn't have a clue what that was. Apparently, I haven't spent enough time in the Asian aisle at the grocery store.  Well, I found a recipe to make it myself at home.

3/4 cup vegetable oil

6 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 shallots, very finely chopped

1 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 1//2 tsp kosher salt

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp rice vinegar

Warm the oil in a small saucepan over medium-low.

Add garlic and shallots.  Cook slowly, stirring often, until golden and deeply fragrant -- about 8 - 10 minutes.  No rushing; this builds flavor.

Lower heat and add chili flakes, paprika, brown sugar, and salt.  Stir for 30 seconds -- just until bloomed.

Remove from heat.  Stir in soy sauce and vinegar.

Let cool slightly, then transfer to a jar.  It will thicken and get crunchier as it cools.  

This is fantastic drizzled over enchiladas, mixed with sour cream for an instant spicy crema, or added to corn or roasted veggies.  

This will keep in the fridge for 2 - 3 weeks.  

Creamy French Onion Chicken with Potatoes and Broccoli

OMG, it's super cold tonight and I asked Chat GPT for a cozy dinner idea.  This is what we came up with.  I added the garlic to the broccoli and substituted mozzarella for Gruyere.  This is absolutely delicious!

4 chicken breasts or thighs

2 large white onions, finely sliced

2 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp dried thyme

Salt and pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup Half and Half

1 1/2 lbs baby potatoes, halved, coated with olive oil and salted

2 cups broccoli florets, coated with olive oil, minced garlic, and salt

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

3/4 cup mozzarella pearls

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil.  Add onions, sugar, thyme, salt and pepper.

Cook slowly 20 - 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until deep golden and soft.  Add half of the garlic in the last minute.  

Deglaze with broth and half and half and add Worcestershire sauce.  Simmer 2 - 3 minutes.  

Toss halved baby potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Spread them in the skillet nestled among the chicken.  Spoon the creamy onion sauce over everything.

Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

While the chicken roasts, toss the broccoli with a little olive oil, salt, pepper and remaining minced garlic.  Let sit until the 30 minutes has passed.

Remove foil and scatter the broccoli around the pan.

Sprinkle mozzarella pearls over everything.  Return to oven uncovered for 15 minutes.  

Absolutely delicious!!

Yum Yum Sauce

Yum Yum Sauce is a delicious white sauce that is typically found at Japanese steak houses.  We have an easy quick version to make at home and dip everything in.  

1 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp butter, melted, but not hot

1 Tbsp ketchup

1/2 tsp seasoned salt

1/4 tsp paprika

Whisk ingredients together and enjoy!  (Don't use a blender or you risk breaking the emulsion.  You'll end up with a liquidy mess.  A delicious liquidy mess, but not the result we are looking for!).  

If sauce is too thick, add water in very small increments until desired consistency is reached.  

 

Lemon-Garlic Green Beans

12 - 16 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
1 Tbsp olive oil or butter 

1 clove garlic, minced

Zest of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper
 

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.  Add green beans and cook 3 - 4 minutes until crisp-tender.  Drain well.  

Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.  

Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add green beans, lemon zest, salt and pepper.

Toss 1 - 2 minutes until coated and warmed through.