Sunday, September 27, 2015

One Pot Pasta

Such an easy, quick, filling and yummy dinner.  If you want to make it a little less in calories, use skim milk instead of heavy cream.



ONE POT PASTA
(serves 6-8)

Ingredients:
*3 tablespoon olive oil
*1/2 pound Italian sausage, sliced
*1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
*1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
*1  teaspoon onion powder
*1 teaspoon garlic powder
*1/2 teaspoon paprika
*1 teaspoon ground basil
*1 teaspoon ground oregano
*1 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon ground black pepper
*2 medium red bell peppers, deseeded & sliced thin
*2 medium green bell pepper, deseeded & slice thin
*1 medium yellow onion, sliced
*4 garlic cloves, sliced thin
*2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
*1 pound fettuccine noodles
*1 (32 ounce ) chicken stock
*3/4 cup heavy cream
*1 1/2 cups fresh grated parmesan cheese
*sour cream (optional)

Directions:
~In a large saucepan or pot, add olive oil and heat over medium heat.
~Add Italian sausage and cook until almost done.
~Add chicken, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, basil, oregano, salt & pepper and cook until both meats are no longer pink (about 5-8 minutes).
~Add red bell peppers, green bell peppers, onion, garlic & mushrooms and stir.
~Add noodles over top of mixture.
~Pour chicken stock over noodles.
~Cover and bring broth to a boil.
~Reduce heat to a simmer and cover.
~Cook for 20 minutes stirring every 2-4 minutes, until noodles are done.
~Stir in heavy cream & parmesan cheese.
~Serve up hot (top with a dollop of sour cream if desired)

Variations:
~Add cooked crumbled bacon over top once it's served.
~Add chopped green onions over the top once it's served.





Saturday, September 26, 2015

Canning Steak Sauce

I am not a big fan of steak sauce, but boy do I like this.  It's also good on chicken, hamburgers and meatloaf.   Easy to make.  This has a little spice to it.  If you don't like any spice leave out the hot sauce.




Canning Steak Sauce
(makes 5 1/2 pints)

Ingredients:
*2/3 cups raspberry jam
*2 cups blackberries
*2/3 cups brown sugar
*2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
*2/3 cup ketchup
*2/3 cup red wine vinegar
*1 tablespoon hot sauce (less or more depending on how spicy you like it)
*1/4 cup water
*1 teaspoon kosher salt
*1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
~Pour all ingredients into a blender and mix well.
~Set a wire sieve over a medium saucepan.
~Push ingredients through sieve with a wooden spoon.
~Discard everything that will not go through he sieve.
~Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat.
~Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until thickened.
~Place steak sauce into sterile jars, leaving a 1/2 inch head space.
~Put lids and rings on jars, making sure jar is free from any residue first.
~Cook in hot bath for 20 minutes.
~Make sure all lids have sealed, and store after sitting for 24 hours.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Bleu Cheese Pork Chops

Mmmmm, I love just about anything with bleu cheese in it.   This gravy just makes the pork chops so good.  It's easy and quick to make.  You can leave a light coating off of the pork chops if you want to make it a little less starch.  I serve either linguine noodles or mashed potatoes with it.



BLEU CHEESE PORK CHOPS
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
*1 cup flour
*1 teaspoon garlic powder
*1 teaspoon onion powder
*1/2 teaspoon paprika
*1 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
*4 thick cut pork chops (I use center cut)
*2 tablespoons butter
*2 garlic cloves, minced
*1 tablespoon onions, minced
*1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
*2 tablespoons butter
*1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
*1 cup heavy whipping cream
*1/4 cup sour cream
*2-4 ounces crumbled bleu cheese

Directions:
~In a medium bowl mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder,  paprika, salt & pepper.
~Dredge pork chops in flour mixture and shake off any excess flour.
~Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet, over medium heat.
~Fry pork chops until done (no longer pink in center), about 8-10 minutes on each side.
~Remove pork chops and keep warm.
~Add remaining butter, mushrooms,  minced garlic & minced onions.
~Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to loosen up any meat residue from the bottom of the pan.
~Whisk in whipping cream and sour cream and cook for 1 minute.
~Stir in bleu cheese, stirring constantly until sauce thickens up (about 5-8 minutes).
~Serve over pork chops.