Crispy Smashed Potatoes

 

• 1.5 lbs Petite Yukon Gold or Fingerling Potatoes
  
  
  
• 3 Tablespoons Salted Butter * (melted)
• 2 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
• Fresh Parsley (chopped)

Garlic Cheddar Sour Cream Dip:

• 8 ounces Sour Cream
• 3/4 cup Cheddar Cheese (grated)
• 1 Garlic Clove (or 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder)
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt
•  1/4 teaspoon Pepper

Instructions 

• Start by using petite gold or fingerling potatoes. You want to use small potatoes to make it easy to smash them with the bottom of a glass. If they are too large, they will just fall apart. I prefer yukon gold potatoes because of their creamy texture and thin skins.
• Place the potatoes in a large pot and fill with water. Place on high heat until boiling. Boil for about 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and fork-tender. You want them to be soft enough to smash! The larger the potatoes, the longer the cooking time.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Drain the water and place the potatoes in a colander to allow the steam to release for about 5 minutes. Get a large baking sheet ready. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet and press on each one with the bottom of a glass to "smash" them.
• Drizzle the potatoes with melted salted butter and extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 
• Bake in a 425-degree oven for about 35-45 minutes, depending on the level of desired crispiness. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with garlic cheddar sour cream dip. Image and recipe from Modern Honey 

Sweet Cream Ricotta Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
• 3/4 cup Buttermilk
• 2 Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 cup Flour
• 4 Tablespoons Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (may use 1 1/2 teaspoons if you desire a thicker pancake)
  
  
  
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• Butter for skillet

Optional Add-ins:

• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1/2 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Zest
• 
  

Berry Maple Syrup:

• 1/4 cup Butter melted
• 1 cup Real Maple Syrup
• 1 cup Blueberries or Raspberries

Instructions

• In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla until combined.
• Carefully fold in flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt and stir until just combined, avoiding over-mixing.
• Heat skillet over medium heat. Place a pat of butter onto skillet and wait for it to sizzle.Pour batter in 1/2 cup portions and cook until golden brown on each side.
• Berry Maple Syrup:
• In a saucepan over medium-low heat, add butter and let it melt. Add syrup and berries and heat for about 3-4 minutes until it starts to bubble. Remove from heat and serve with pancakes.
   
  Image and recipe from Modern Honey 

Chocolate Mousse

 

Ingredients 

• 3 large eggs separated
  
  
  
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar (66g)
• 2¼ cups heavy whipping cream divided (540mL)
• 7 ounces semi-sweet chocolate bars finely chopped
• Optional toppings: Whipped cream, chocolate shavings, fresh berries

Instructions

• In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar for about 1 minute, just until lightened in color and velvety.
• In a small saucepan, heat 1¼ cups (360ml) of cream over medium heat just until it's steaming, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Add the chocolate and stir constantly until fully melted. Slowly whisk the chocolate cream mixture into the egg yolks until fully combined. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally, until barely warm to the touch, about 30 minutes.
• In another large bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed using a hand or stand mixer with the whisk attachment until stiff peaks form, 3 to 5 minutes. Fold a third of the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture to loosen it. Fold the remaining egg white mixture in just until a few streaks remain.
• In a large bowl, beat the remaining 1 cup (240ml) of cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. (You can use the same beaters without cleaning them first.) Fold whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Fill 6 to 8 small serving glasses with the mousse.
• Chill until set, about 4 hours or up to 2 days. (If chilling for more than a few hours before serving, loosely cover the mousse to keep it from forming a skin and drying out.) Serve topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if desired.
   
  Recipe and image from the Preppy Kitchen 

Arugula Salad Dressing

 

Ingredients

• 4 ounces baby arugula
  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• pinch of salt & pepper

Instructions

• Make the vinaigrette by combining the olive oil, mustard, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt & pepper in the bottom of your salad bowl. Stir to combine.
• Add in the arugula and toss to combine.
   
  Image and recipe from Tastes Lovely 

Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles

INGREDIENTS
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 2 lbs boneless beef sirloin steak, trimmed and sliced into thin strips or cubes

• 1 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed golden mushroom soup
• 1 (8 oz) package fresh mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 1 (8 oz) container sour cream
• 6 cups cooked egg noodles
• Chopped fresh parsley, optional
DIRECTIONS
1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef, onion and garlic. Cook until the outside of the beef is browned and the onion begins to soften.
2. Transfer everything from the skillet to your slow cooker. Add the golden mushroom soup, sliced mushrooms, salt and pepper, and give it all a good stir.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours, or until the beef is nice and tender.
4. About 20–30 minutes before you’re ready to eat, add the cubed cream cheese. Stir well, cover again and let it melt into the sauce.
5. Just before serving, stir in the sour cream until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and add a little extra salt or pepper if needed.
6. Spoon the stroganoff over hot egg noodles and finish with fresh parsley if you’d like!

Image from Recipe Tin Eats

Mendocino Farms Chicken Pesto Caprese Sandwich Copycat Recipe.

 

Ingredients 

1 ciabatta roll (or rustic sourdough)
1/2 lb chicken breast (thin-cut or pounded evenly)
2 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
1/4 cup roasted red peppers (sliced)
1/2 cup fresh mixed spring greens or arugula
2–3 tbsp prepared basil pesto
1 tbsp balsamic glaze
1 tsp olive oil (for cooking chicken)
Salt and black pepper to taste 

Instructions

Cook the chicken: Season the thin-cut chicken breast with salt and pepper. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 5–6 minutes per side until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let it rest for a few minutes, then slice.
Warm the red peppers: In the same pan, lightly sauté the sliced roasted red peppers until warm and tender.
Toast the bread: Slice the ciabatta roll open and toast it lightly in a pan or panini press until crisp.
Assemble the sandwich: Spread a generous amount of basil pesto on both the top and bottom halves of the bread. On the bottom half, layer the sliced grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, warm roasted red peppers, and spring greens.
Add glaze and finish: Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the toppings before closing the sandwich with the top bun. Press slightly in a panini press or warm in a skillet until the mozzarella begins to melt. 

Sunday Brunch Casserole

1/2 pound diced ham

1/2 Cup chopped onion

1/2 Cup chopped pepper

12 eggs

1 Cup milk

1 pkg (16 oz) frozen hash browns

1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

 

In a skillet saute ham, onion, green pepper until tender.  Remove with a slotted spoon.  Beat eggs and milk in a large bowl.  Stir in hash browns, cheese, salt, pepper, onion, green pepper and ham. Transfer to greased 9 x 13 baking dish.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 35-45 minutes until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. 

 

Image from Plum Street Collective 

Breakfast Casserole

16 ounces frozen hash brown patties

1/2 Cup melted butter

1 Cup cheddar cheese

1 Cup Monterey Jack cheese

1 Cup diced ham

1/2 Cup canned milk

4 eggs

1/4 tsp salt

Spray vegetable spray in 9 x 9 pan.  Put hash browns on bottom of pan.  Pour melted butter over hash browns.  Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes.  Take out and top with ham and cheese.  Beat eggs, milk and salt.  Pour over potatoes and cheese.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Can be doubled and put in 9 x 13 for a thicker casserole. 

Cheesy Sausage Soufflé

 

• 1 Pound Sausage cooked (or bacon, chopped, or ham, diced)
  
• 2 Cups Monterey Jack Cheese shredded *see note
• 3 Cups Cheddar Cheese sharp, shredded
• 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• 1 ½ Cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 ½ Cups Cottage Cheese
• 9 Eggs lightly beaten
• 1/3 Cup Butter melted
• 1 Can Green Chiles small, diced

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spread 1/2 of the melted butter in a 9x13 pan. (be sure to cover sides too)
  1/3 Cup Butter
• In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and stir well.
  1 Pound Sausage, 2 Cups Monterey Jack Cheese, 3 Cups Cheddar Cheese, 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, 1/2 Cup Milk, 1 ½ Cups All Purpose Flour, 1 ½ Cups Cottage Cheese, 9 Eggs, 1 Can Green Chiles, 1/3 Cup Butter
• Pour into a 9x13 pan.
• Bake for 50 minutes or until golden and knife inserted comes out clean. Picture and recipe from Oh Sweet Basil 

Sausage Souffle

 8 slices of bread - cubed including crusts

2 Cups grated cheese

1 1/2 Pound Browned sausage

2  1/2 Cups milk

4 beaten eggs

3/4 tsp mustard

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1/2 Cup milk

Butter a 9 x 13 pan and put the cubed bread, cheese and sausage in layers.  Mix 2 1/2 cups milk, eggs and mustard and pour over the layers in the pan and let it stand over night.  In the morning mix the soup and 1/2 cup milk and pour over and bake uncovered at 300 for 1 1/2 hours. 

Egg Casserole

 8 slices of bacon

4 green onions sliced

8 eggs

1 Cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 Cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese 

Fry bacon, drain, reserving 1 TBS of drippings.  Saute onions in drippings until brown.  Beat eggs with milk and salt.  Stir in bacon, onions and 2 Cups of the cheese.  Pour into a greased 2 quart baking dish.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 40-45 minutes. Then sprinkle with remaining cheese and return to oven until melted.  

 

Image from Pretty Providence 

Easy Egg and Sausage Casserole

 

Ingredients

• 8 - 10 eggs scrambled with a fork
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese we like sharp cheddar
• 1 teaspoon salt optional
• 1 pound browned sausage
• 2 slices bread cut into cubes & slightly dried
• 2 cups milk

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F.  Grease 9 x 13  
• Scramble eggs in a mixing bowl and then stir in milk.
  8 - 10 eggs, 2 cups milk
• Add remaining ingredients to mixing bowl and stir well, pour into pan and bake for 30 - 45 minutes.
  1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 pound browned sausage, 2 slices bread

Notes

• Since the number of eggs can be varied the thickness of the casserole will affect baking time
• Milk can be substituted for half milk and half cream or half and half for a richer casserole
• To make a bacon sausage and egg casserole use half a pound of sausage and half a pound of bacon
• Original, maple or zesty sausage can be used, find your favorite flavor and enjoy
• Bread should be slightly dried out or toasted before cutting into cubes. We've prefer smaller cubes as they mix in with the other ingredients to create the best flavors in every bite
• To freeze casserole cut into individual servings, allow to cool, wrap in a paper towel and freeze individual portions in freezer bags

Picture and recipe from Plowing Through Life. 

SMORE COOKIES

Ingredients 

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
  
  180g
  
• ½ tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp corn starch
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 10 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup mini marshmallows OR marshmallow bits, divided
• 1 bar Hershey's Chocolate 1.55oz
• 4 Graham crackers 56g

Instructions

• Roughly chop the Graham crackers and Hershey's bar, then tear the mini marshmallows in half. These marshmallows are one of the best parts of the cookie but they will puff up and get a bit out of control if you don't halve them.
• Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cornstarch in a bowl then whisk together and set aside.
• Using a stand or hand mixer, beat butter and sugars in a bowl until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add in egg and vanilla and until combined. Scrape the bowl down and mix once more.
• Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating on low speed until just combined.
• Reserve a handful of the torn marshmallows and set aside then add the remaining marshmallows, chocolate chips, and Graham crackers to the dough and mix on low until just combined (do not over-beat).
• Refrigerate dough for an hour or more.
• Heat oven to 350F. Portion out roughly two tablespoon sized pieces of dough. Roll into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
• Bake at 350° for 8 minutes then top the cookies with the reserved marshmallow and Hershey's bar pieces then return to the oven for 2-3 minutes to finish baking. IF a some cookies had a blowout because of a few too many marshmallows to you can corral them back together with a round cookie cutter or a knife.
• Leave on pan to cool completely.Picture and recipe from Preppy Kitchen 

Waffles

 

Ingredients 

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour (270g)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (50g)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk (480ml)
• ½ cup unsalted butter melted (113g)
• 2 large eggs
• 
  2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

• Preheat the waffle iron. (If you can choose settings, I recommend a darker or higher heat setting for a crispier waffle.)
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and stir together just until combined.
• Grease the hot waffle iron with butter or cooking spray. Add about 1/3 cup of batter for each waffle to the hot waffle iron. (The amount will depend on the size of your waffle maker so feel free to experiment with how much you add.)
• Cook until golden brown. Place on a wire rack until ready to serve so they stay crisp. Serve hot with maple syrup and butter or your favorite toppings.
   
  Picture and recipe from the Preppy Kitchen
   

Hamburger Sliders

 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs ground beef
• ½ onion, diced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 2 (9-count) packages pretzel slider buns
• 12 slices cheddar cheese
For serving: ketchup and mustard

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion until the meat is cooked through. Drain excess grease.
3. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
4. Slice the pretzel slider buns in half like one large sandwich.
5. Layer with 6 slices of cheese, the beef mixture, and the remaining 6 slices of cheese.
6. Place the tops on and bake for 15–18 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the buns are warmed through.
7. Slice into individual sliders and serve with ketchup and mustard.