Chicken Pot Pie "well sort of"

With a busy day in store, I am thinking about how I will manage dinner. I will not be home until 6:45 and to start dinner at that time would be quite tiring. Not to mention, the family will be famished. Making dinner day after day can certainly become a challenge to anyone. I haven't been to the grocery store for a few days, and there isn't much in the house. So, I head to the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry for a quick inventory....frozen chicken breast, some veggies, crescent rolls,.......OK. Pot pie?? While not your traditional pot pie, this one turned out delicious. For you protein, use what you have on hand. Turkey, chicken, beef, or go for a meatless version. For vegetables, go with what is in the freezer. Do you have opened vegetables in the freezer? Do you have any cream of ANYTHING soup? Chicken, beef or vegetable broth or stock? No crescent rolls? How about biscuits? Or, one quick stop on your way home, you could just pick up a loaf of bread. Either way, a slow cooker can make most ingredients into a one pot wonder dinner!

Ingredients:

1- 1 1/2 pounds chicken, beef, turkey, or go meatless diced
2 cups or more of veggies (frozen peas, corn, carrots, beans, etc.)
1 cup of fresh veggies (diced potatoes, celery, and carrots)
1 onion diced
1 TBSP. of paprika
1 Tsp. of parsley
3 garlic cloves minced
2 can of cream of mushroom soup (or any "cream of")
1 cup of chicken stock or broth (or beef, vegetable). None available, use water.
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and mix well. Cook on low for 6 hours. Serve with bread & grated parmesan cheese.

Cooking Tips

CHEF RAMSAY’S COOKING TIPS:

■Prepare for Success – Before you begin cooking a dish, have all your ingredients prepared and ready to use.
■Patience Is A Virtue – When cooking a steak, be patient and make sure the pan is sizzling hot before adding the meat. This ensures a perfectly seared meat.
■The Spice of Life – Always keep garlic ready to use in the freezer. Blitz a few cloves in the blender and freeze them in an ice cube tray. They’re perfect for use in sauces and stews.
■Don’t Be Wasteful – After cooking chicken, fish or beef, don’t toss the leftover bones – they are key to making perfectly flavored stock! Simmer the bones in water with a carrot, an onion, several peppercorns and a bay leaf for one to two hours.
■Keep It Hot, Hot, Hot! – Never open the oven when baking. The cold air will sink your cake.

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1588695670259#!/notes/hells-kitchen/chef-gordon-ramsay-celebrates-the-milestone-100th-episode-of-hells-kitchen-by-sh/443463986477

French Onion Soup

I love french onions soup. Although, many restaurants have failed to impress with with their culinary preparation of what seems to be quite an easy dish to master. I have found amazing french onion soup at the Bistrot Zinc in Chicago, Zucco Le French Diner in New York City, and surprisingly Max and Erma's right here in Pittsburgh. No, I did not pursue a culinary journey to find the country's best french onion soup. I merely was the fortunate one to stumble across some of the best in my travels.
So, i decided, why not. Let's give it a whirl. But which recipe to try. I checked out Julia Childs recipe. Seemed pretty easy. Than I saw Emeril Lagasse. He uses Gruyere cheese. One of my favorites! So, Emeril's it is. I must say, his recipe did not disappoint. From the ease of the recipe, to the flavor, and lastly the much needed presentation. Yes, this was a winner. Yummo!

French onion soup is an onion and beef broth or a beef stock based soup traditionally served with croutons and cheese as toppings. Although ancient in origin, this dish underwent a resurgence of popularity in the 1960s in the United States due to an increased popularity for French cooking. Onion soups have been popular at least as far back as Roman times. They were, throughout history, seen as food for poor people, as onions were plentiful and easy to grow. The modern version of this soup originates in France in the 18th century, made from beef broth, and caramelized onions. It is often finished by being placed under a broiler in a ramekin traditionally with croutons and gruyère melted on top. The crouton on top is reminiscent of ancient soups (see History of Soup).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_onion_soup

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 pounds yellow onions, thinly sliced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup cognac
8 cups beef stock or broth
4 sprigs fresh thyme, tied into a bundle with kitchen string
1/2 loaf French bread, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
1 pound Gruyere cheese, coarsely grated
1/2 cup Port wine (optional)
Finely chopped parsley, garnish

Directions:
In a Dutch oven or other large, heavy pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully add the cognac. Return the pan to the heat and cook until the alcohol has evaporated. Be careful as the cognac may ignite.

Add the beef stock and thyme sprigs and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the soup for 45 minutes.

While the soup is simmering, toast the bread slices until light golden brown. Remove from the oven.

Preheat the broiler.

When the soup is ready, divide 1/2 of the toasted bread slices between 6 individual ovenproof serving bowls or crocks and top with 1/2 of the grated cheese. Ladle some of the soup among the bowls and top with the remaining toasts. Ladle the remaining soup among the bowls and top with the remaining cheese. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and place under the broiler until the cheese is melted, golden brown and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/gratinee-lyonnaise-lyon-style-onion-soup-recipe/index.html

Garnish the top with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Roasted Tomatoes

My father is a great gardener. He grows an abundance of vegetables. One of them is the versatile tomato. Which, in theory, is a fruit.

The tomato is a savory, typically red, edible fruit, as well as the plant (Solanum lycopersicum) which bears it. Originating in South America, the tomato was spread around the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas, and its many varieties are now widely grown, often in greenhouses in cooler climates.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato

Well, there were so many tomatoes this year, I made quarts and quarts of tomato sauce. I froze the sauce and will have many fuss free italian dinners this winter. Than, my dad gave my a bushel more. OK, I pondered, what will I do with these? Roasted tomatoes! Yes, I can freeze this well! If you’ve never made slow-roasted tomatoes before, prepare to have your mind blown with an amazing flavor!

Tomatoes sliced
4 tablespoons good olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.


Arrange the tomatoes on a sheet pan, cut sides up, in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle the garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper over the tomatoes. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the tomatoes are concentrated and beginning to caramelize. Serve at room temperature or cool and place in freezer bags for later enjoyment!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-tomatoes-recipe/index.html

Apple Cake

Apple season is upon us. This is the best time of year to pick and eat apples. I always love a great apple pie (see posting from 3/12/10), but I saw this recipe from Paula Deen, and had to try it. It was easy to make, moist, and scrumptious!!!!!

The Granny Smith apple gets its name from its founder, Mrs. Mary Ann (Granny) Smith. Granny Smith Apples are crisp, juicy, and tart which makes them perfect for either baking in pies, stewed in sauces or eating out of hand. They're also great in salads because once cut, they keep their color longer than other apples.

Usage: Very good for eating fresh, cooking & salads. They're also the primary ingredient for a Granny Smith Apple pie.

A Good-quality Granny Smith apple will be firm with smooth and clean skin. Granny Smith apples are a deep green with an occasional pink blush of the cheeks. Test the firmness of the apple by holding it in the palm of your hand. (Do not push with your thumb). It should feel solid and heavy, not soft and light. These apples may be less attractive, but the flesh is still good to eat after cutting.

Avoid product with soft or dark spots. Also if the apple skin wrinkles when you rub your thumb across it, the apple has probably been in cold storage too long or has not been kept cool. Grannies occasionally show "russeting," a brownish network at the stem end. http://www.produceoasis.com/Items_folder/Fruits/GSmith.html

Ingredients:

Honey Glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons milk

Apple Cake:
3 cups diced Granny Smith apples, about 2 apples
1 cup lightly toasted chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
3 eggs
Directions
Glaze: Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and stir until smooth. Set the bowl aside.


Cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a Bundt pan or tube pan.


In a bowl, mix together the apples, walnuts, vanilla, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.


Using an electric mixer beat the sugar, oil, and eggs in a large bowl. Add in the dry ingredients and beat until completely combined. Fold in the apple mixture.


Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until a tester inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.


Allow the cake to fully cool in the pan, about 1 hour, and then turn it out onto a plate.


Drizzle the apple cake with some of the honey glaze, serve and enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/uncle-bobs-fresh-apple-cake-recipe/index.html

Hoagie Dip

As soon as Labor Day rolls around, football season arrives to take our minds off the bittersweet ebb of summer. Since half the fun of football is the pre-game tailgate, planning a quality tailgate is key for maximum game day enjoyment. One of my favorite ways to kick off early games is with a delicious spread of appetizers. If you are looking for an EASY, DELICIOUS, and PORTABLE appetizer for your tailgating, this one works well!!!!

Ingredients

1 medium onion (optional)
2 pickled pepperoncini peppers
1/2 head iceberg lettuce
1 large tomato, halved and seeded
1/4 pound deli-sliced genoa salami
1/4 pound deli-sliced ham
1/4 pound deli-sliced prosciutto
1/4 pound deli-sliced roast turkey
1/4 pound deli-sliced provolone cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 10-to-12-inch round or long loaf Italian bread
8 hoagie rolls, cut into pieces, for dipping

Directions
Chop the onion, pepperoncini, lettuce and tomato into bite-size pieces. Dice the meats and cheese.

Combine the chopped vegetables, meats and cheese in a large bowl. Add the mayonnaise, olive oil, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes and stir until everything is all mixed up and tasty. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Carve out the center of the bread loaf to make a bowl (don't cut through the bottom) and cut the scraps into bite-size pieces. Serve the hoagie dip in the bread bowl, with the extra bread and hoagie rolls to scoop it up.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mary-alices-hoagie-dip-recipe/index.html

Chicken Noodle Soup

It's a windy and rainy today. A day you want to stay in your PJ's, wrap up in a blanket and read a great book. What goes better on a day like this than hot soup! Well, with all the talk on the news advising everyone to get their flu shots and a husband that started symptoms yesterday, I decided to make some hot & comfy chicken noodle soup.

Chicken soup is a soup made by bringing to a boil and then simmering chicken parts and/or bones in water, with various vegetables and flavorings. The classic chicken soup consists of a clear broth, often served with small pieces of chicken or vegetables, or with noodles or dumplings, or grains such as rice and barley. Chicken soup has also acquired the reputation of a folk remedy for colds and flus, and in many countries is considered a classic comfort foodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_soup

Ingredients:

1 chicken (roasted), 3-4 pounds. Skin removed and meat shredded. A store bought rotisserie chicken would work just fine, or roast your own chicken. (See blog for recipe - 2/26/10).
4 cups chicken stock, home made or store bought.
"http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/chicken-stock-recipe/index.html" stock recipe
3/4 cup diced onion
3/4 cup diced celery
3/4 cup of sliced carrots
1 tablespoon minced garlic
4 ounces dried egg noodles
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
Also, I like to add the juice of one lemon. This is optional, but I love it!

Directions

In a large stockpot, heat a tablespoon of oil. Add the celery, carrots, garlic, and onions. Saute for 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock, thyme, parsley, and lemon juice if desired. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Simmer until the vegetables are almost tender, about 5 minutes.
Add the noodles and cook until tender, 5 to 8 minutes (depending upon the size of the noodles). Add the chicken, warm through, and then adjust the seasoning, if necessary, with salt and pepper. Serve with some Italian Bread. I prefer Pittsburgh's best! Mancini's!!!
http://mancinisbakery.com
Enjoy!