Asiago Chicken Pasta

Asiago Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

1 teaspoon fresh thyme, leaves only
2 oz Asiago cheese, shredded
1 lb boneless chicken cutlets
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 oz presliced baby portabellas
1 teaspoon minced garlic
9 oz fresh linguine pasta
1 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock (or broth)
1/2 cup half-and-half
2 cups baby spinach leaves 

Prep

• Remove thyme leaves from stem. Grate cheese (1/3 cup).

Steps

1. Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; coat chicken with flour on both sides, shaking off any excess (wash hands).
2. Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Place oil and butter in pan, cook chicken 2–3 minutes on each side or until browned and 165°F. Remove chicken from pan.
3. Place mushrooms, garlic, thyme, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in pan; cook and stir 2 minutes. Cut pasta in half.
4. Stir in stock, half-and-half, and pasta; cook and stir 3–4 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in cheese and spinach; cook 1 minute or until cheese melts. Serve chicken over pasta.

Notes:

I made this tonight with just a few changes.

1. I used shredded chicken from a rotisserie chicken (about 1 lb.)

2. I used salted butter & lower sodium chicken broth omitting addition of kosher salt

3. I floured the chicken, sautéed, removed from the pan and added back to the pasta at the end.

4. I increased the broth amount to 2 cups.

5. I increased the Asiago cheese amount to 1/2 cup.

Delicious! Will definitely make again.

Granny Seale's Fresh Apple Cake

Find this recipe at Meal Plan Monday Southern Plate

In the early 70's, we attended church with Granny Seale. She gave me the recipe for this wonderful cake during that time...so, I guess that means that I have been making it for about 40 years! Wow!
A friend of German decent always welcomed this cake for his birthday, his mother had always made it for him prior to her passing. It is so moist and apple season is a perfect time to make it!

 

MY FAVORITE FRESH APPLE BUNDT CAKE or Apple Dapple Cake Or as I call it...GRANNY SEALE'S APPLE CAKE (she went to church with us in Robinwood, AL in the early 70's) that is when I first began making this cake.

1 1/4 c. salad/vegetable oil 1 c. brown sugar 3 eggs 3 c. flour 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. vanilla 1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts 4 c. chopped apples Mix oil, sugar, eggs, well with vanilla. Sift flour, salt, baking soda,  gradually add to egg mixture. Stir in nuts and apples. Pour into greased & floured  Bundt pan.Bake at 350°F approximately 1 hour (or test with toothpick). Very moist. Allow to cool in pan after pouring frosting/glaze over. Frosting (optional): 1/2 c. butter 1/2 c. brown sugar 1/4 cup half & half Bring to boil & cook for 3 minutes. Pour over hot cake in pan, allow to sit in pan until cool.

Butter Dip Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, two ways

Butter Dip Biscuits

Adapted from several recipes that I had seen online

1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter, divided

3 cups White Lily Self-rising Flour, plus extra for rolling out dough

1/4 cup confectioners sugar

1 Tbsp. baking powder

Pinch of salt

1 to 1-1/2 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Spray 10" cast iron skillet with cooking spray. Add 1 stick butter & melt.

In mixing bowl, stir together flour, confectioner's sugar, baking powder & pinch of salt.

Melt 1/2 stick butter & add to flour mixture starting with 1 cup buttermilk. If necessary, add remaining buttermilk to form a soft but sticky dough. 

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface & knead until firm enough to pat out, adding flour as needed. Do not overwork dough. Cut with 2" biscuit cutter. Dip each biscuit in melted butter in skillet & turn so both sides will be coated. Bake 20-25 minutes until golden.

Sausage Gravy:

1 lb. bulk sausage, hot or mild. I prefer hot.

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper if I am using mild.

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

1/3 cup bacon drippings 

1/2 cup flour

3 cups milk or water

In large skillet, crumble sausage in bacon drippings. Cook over medium heat until sausage is cooked through, add salt, pepper & crushed red pepper if using. Add 1/2 cup flour & cook stirring occasionally for 1 minute for white gravy. If you want brown gravy (my preference) add flour and cook stirring constantly until browned (fairly dark, like a roux). For white gravy, whisk in milk, stirring, bring to boil until thickened. For brown gravy, whisk in water, stirring, bring to boil until thickened. 

If too thick, add milk or water to reach desired consistency. Add small amounts & heat until bubbling to know how thick your gravy will be. 

SEPTEMBER 2015 Newsletter

SEPT 2015 Newsletter

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

 "I Thank Thee, Lord"

I sometimes get so busy, Lord, I know not where I'm going;

But find that my determination is leading what I'm doing.

At times like these, I thank Thee, Lord, for bringing me to a halt

And putting me down on my knees, where I can see my fault.

For what can I accomplish, when following my will?

So make me take the time to Listen and Be Still

For unless my life is guided completely By Your Hand,

I know my foolish works will never be able to stand.

So take my life and mold me to what You'd have me be;

That through a yielded life, a Loving Jesus some might see.

American Poetry Anthology

Vol. III, No. I 10/15/83

Paula George Smith

RECIPES:

Hoisin Dijon Chicken Skewers

From Glynda

Servings 6

3/4 c. hoisin sauce
1/4 c. dijon mustard
1-1/2 T. rice vinegar
3/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 lbs. chicken tenders
Kosher salt and black pepper

Count out the number of chicken strips you have, then soak an equal number of bamboo skewers in warm water for 15 minutes. Heat the grill to medium-high. 
In a small bowl, mix together the hoisin sauce, mustard, vinegar and red pepper flakes. Divide the sauce into two portions, one for basting he raw chicken, another to serve with the chicken after it is cooked. (Cooks notes: I just marinated it for about 1 hr or more)
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper (Notes: I just put in marinade) Thread the chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers and brush all over with one portion of the hoisin mixture. Grill the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, basting with more of the mixture a it cooks. As the skewers finish cooking, reading 165F at the thickest part, transfer them to a platter. Serve with the reserved sauce.

ITALIAN ORZO TOMATO SPINACH SOUP
Author: Little Spice Jar
Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 25 mins
Serves: 4-6 servings

This soup is loaded with classic Italian flavors and it's simple to make! Orzo tomato spinach soup is completely vegetarian friendly and it's so warm and comforting! The perfect soup so serve on a chilly day.
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1//2 cups chopped onions
1¼ cup carrots, sliced into ½ inch rounds
1 cup celery
6 cloves of roasted garlic (see notes)
6½ cups of vegetable stock (or chicken)
2 (14.5 oz) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1½ tablespoons pesto
1½ cups orzo (whole wheat or regular)
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon oregano
3 cups baby spinach, packed
salt and black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat the oil in a dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté them for 4-5 minutes until they get soft. Add the carrots, celery, and roasted garlic and continue to sauté for an additional 3 minutes. Add the stock, along with the tomatoes, pesto, orzo, thyme, Italian seasoning, and oregano, stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium and let the orzo pasta cook to al-dente, about 10 minutes, stir occasionally.
Just before serving, add the baby spinach and continue to cook for 1 minutes or until the spinach gets nice and bright green and wilts down. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
MARZIA'S NOTES
Roasted garlic can be found in jars in the International food aisle in most grocery stores. You can also substitute fresh garlic for this recipe. 

To roast your own garlic: Heat an oven to 400 degrees F. Position a rack in the center of the oven. Peel off most of the paper from the garlic, leaving the head intact with the cloves attached. Trim the top off the head of garlic by ¼ inch. Drizzle 2 teaspoons of olive oil over the exposed surface, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Wrap in foil and bake for 40 minutes. Check the garlic, it is done when the center clove is completely soft with pierced with a paring knife. Continue roasting for an additional 5 -10 minutes to help deepen the golden color and caramelize further. Exact roasting time may vary due to size. Garlic can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks and frozen for up to 3 mo

Creamy Tomato Basil

One of my favorite sandwiches is a Triple Grilled Cheese that I served at Canebrake.
He used to order 2 of them every Saturday!  It also became a favorite of some customers from the Courthouse. The Creamy Tomato Basil soup is one of my
requested soups by a former customer at LuVici's.


Two slices wheatberry bread (preferably Rotella brand)
softened cream cheese
2 slices Swiss cheese
2 slices Colby or Cheddar cheese
sliced purple onion
sliced tomatoes
salt & pepper
butter

Butter both sides of bread. Place on hot grill pan and brown. Turn and spread softened cream cheese on grilled side of bread. Top with onions, tomatoes, salt & pepper and remaining cheeses. Put sandwich together and grill remaining buttered sides until sandwich is browned and cheeses are melted.

Optional: Can also add ham or bacon to make them heartier!
 

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Paula George Smith

4 Tbsp. butter
1 med onion, chopped
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp. minced garlic
4 Tbsp. flour
28 oz. can diced tomatoes with juice
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 qt. chicken broth or vegetable broth
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1/3 cup julienned, fine basil leaves
1 cup heavy cream or culinary cream, if available

In stockpot, melt butter. Saute onion, celery, carrots for 5 minutes. Add garlic
and cook 1 more minute. add flour and cook 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients
except basil and heavy cream, bring to slow boil and simmer for 30 minutes. With
immersion blender. puree. Stir in heavy cream and basil and heat through (about
5 minutes). Do not boil.

Pecan Pie Cobbler
1 Box refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
2 1/2 cups light corn syrup
2 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
6 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
Butter-flavor cooking spray
2 cups pecan halves
Vanilla ice cream, if desired
1. Heat oven to 425°F. Grease 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with shortening or cooking spray. Remove 1 pie crust from pouch; unroll on work surface. Roll into 13x9-inch rectangle. Place crust in dish; trim edges to fit.
2. In large bowl, stir corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, vanilla and eggs with wire whisk. Stir in chopped pecans. Spoon half of filling into crust-lined dish. Remove second pie crust from pouch; unroll on work surface. Roll into 13x9-inch rectangle. Place crust over filling; trim edges to fit. Spray crust with butter-flavor cooking spray.
3. Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until browned. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Carefully spoon remaining filling over baked pastry; arrange pecan halves on top in decorative fashion. Bake 30 minutes longer or until set. Cool 20 minutes on cooling rack. Serve warm wit