Category Archives: Chicken/Poultry

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Greek Style Roasted Chicken with Potatoes

This Greek Style Roasted Chicken is simple to make and has big flavors. The au jus is finger licking good.
Use fresh herbs for the best results.

Greek style roasted chicken
Greek style roasted chicken


Ingredients;
2 chicken breasts cut in half, 2 each; legs, thighs & wings.
2 TBLS each chopped; thyme, rosemary, parsley and oregano
5 fresh garlic cloves sliced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 – 2 Lemons
1 cup low sodium chicken stock or broth
1/2 TSP salt
1/2 TSP black pepper

Directions;
Squeeze the lemon and set aside the juice. 
Leave 1/2 a juiced lemon in the pan.
Mix all ingredients together in a large bag and marinate for 1-3 hours.
Place the chicken and all the marinade in a roasting pan.
Preheat the oven to 400 and bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover turning once for about 45 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165 and the chicken is browned.

***add oblong (baking type) potatoes cut into long wedges to the roasting pan tossed with the chicken**

Chicken and Herb Dumplings

This classic southern chicken and herb dumpling recipe is a belly warming dish.
I’ve made the dropped type of dumplings for this recipe.
Also used are the rolled out dough dumplings that you cut into fat strips.
Whatever dumpling you choose your family and friends will ask for second helpings.

Chicken and herb dumplings
Chicken and herb dumplings

Ingredients;
3 TBLS olive oil
6 boneless chicken breast, about 3 1/2 LBS
4 large carrots, peeled and cut int 1″ pieces
2 large celery stalks, cut into 1/4″ slices
1 med onion, diced
1 cup plus 2 TBLS flour
2 TSP baking powder
1 1/2 TSP dried herb mix such as Provence or Italian herbs
1 TSP salt
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 cups water
14oz can low sodium chicken broth or stock
1/4 TSP ground black pepper
10oz frozen baby peas

Directions;
In an 8qt pot or dutch oven with a lid add half the oil and brown in batches the chicken on all sides.  Remove the chicken and add the balance of the oil and saute the carrots, onion and celery until soft, about 10 minutes.
In the mean time make the dumpling; mix together 1 cup of the flour, herbs, baking powder and half the salt. In another cup mix 1/2 cup milk and the egg.  Add together the flour mixture and egg mixture and stir with a fork until just combined, don’t over mix it. Set aside.
Return the chicken to the pot and add the water, broth, pepper and remaining salt. Bring it up to a boil.
Reduce the heat to a low simmer and place 12 heaping tablespoons of the dumpling mixture on top. Cover and let cook for about 15 minutes.
Remove the veggies, dumplings and chicken from the pot onto a serving platter.
In a cup mix together the 2 TBLS flour and 1 cup of milk. Stir into the pot of broth and bring to a simmer adding the peas.  Simmer for 5 minutes or so until it thickens a bit. Pour the sauce with peas over the chicken with veggies platter.

Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Mustard Cream Sauce

This Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Mustard Cream Sauce recipe is in a delicate sauce and just a hint of mustard. Sooo tasty and an easy one pan dish.

Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Mustard Cream Sauce

Ingredients;
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
1/4 TSP salt
1/4 TSP pepper
2 TBLS olive oil
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 TBLS grainy mustard
2 TBLS sun dried tomato slices

Directions;
Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; saute until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes, turning once. Transfer to a plate; keep warm.
Pour wine and broth into hot skillet; cook, stirring, until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Whisk in cream, mustard, and sun dried tomatoes. Cook, whisking, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add chicken and simmer a few more minutes.
Pour any accumulated chicken juices from plate into sauce.
Serve with sauce poured over the chicken.

Brunswick Stew

Brunswick Stew is a traditional dish, popular in the Southern states and usually includes a tomato base, local beans, vegetables, and originally small game meat.
Most recently its made with chicken or pork.
A great stew for the cold weather and freezes very well too.

brunswick stew
brunswick stew

Ingredients;
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 TBLS vegetable oil
1 can Campbell’s beef consume
2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
1 (28-oz.) can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
1 (12-oz.) package frozen white shoepeg or whole kernel corn
1 cup frozen baby lima beans
1 cup frozen baby peas
one large red or Yukon gold potato, cubed
1 (12-oz.) bottle chili sauce
1 TBLS brown sugar
1 TBLS yellow mustard
1 TBLS Worcestershire sauce
1/2 TSP coarsely ground pepper
1 LB chopped barbecued pork brisket (without sauce)
1 TBLS fresh lemon juice
Hot sauce (optional)

Directions;
Sauté onions and garlic in hot oil in a 7.5-qt. pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes or until tender.
Stir together beef consume and 2 cups water, and add to pot/Dutch oven. stir in chicken and next 11 ingredients. bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 hours.
Uncover and shred chicken into large pieces using 2 forks. stir in pork brisket and lemon juice. Cover and cook 10 minutes. serve with hot sauce, if desired.

Chicken Taco, crock pot style

This easy Chicken Taco crock pot style recipe is delicious. Put it together in the crock pot and come home to a nearly complete meal. I served it with herbed white rice and sliced avocado.

Chicken tacos
Chicken tacos

Ingredients;
2 LB boneless/skinless chicken
1 large onion, diced
26oz-28oz can diced tomatoes
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and sliced
1 packet chicken taco seasoning
1/2 TSP dried cilantro
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions;
Cut the chicken into 1″ pieces. Place all ingredients into crock pot and cover.
Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
Use two forks to shred the chicken. Serve in hard or soft taco shells.
Serve with shredded cheese, fresh jalapeno, avocado or whatever pleases you.

Mexican Posole Soup

This Mexican Posole soup is the equivalent to the Jewish Chicken Matzo Ball soup and the American Chicken Noodle soup.
Warms the belly and comforts the heart.
It freezes well so make plenty. Chicken can be used in place of the pork.

Posole soup
Posole soup

Ingredients;
1.5 LBS lean pork OR boneless chicken, cut into 1/2″ cubes
1 TBLS olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
32oz low sodium chicken stock
25oz canned hominy grits, Mexican style if you can find it
14oz can stewed tomatoes, also Mexican style if you can find it
1 large jalapeno pepper, green or red, seeded and sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 TSP dried cilantro or 5-6 fresh leaves chopped
1 TBLS chili powder
2 sliced carrots
1/2 cup corn kernels
Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions;
Place the oil in a pot large enough to fit all the ingredients. Add the pork or chicken and sear on med high heat. Add the onions and saute for a few minutes. Rough chop the tomatoes. Rinse and drain the hominy grits.
Add all the ingredients to the pot and bring to a simmer.
Cover and low simmer for about 1.5-2 hours.

Chicken Francese

This Chicken Francese recipe is a one pan dish.
It’s of European origin.  Veal cutlets can be used instead of chicken.
So flavorful and easy to make.
The delicate lemon and butter sauce just pleases your pallet.

Chicken francese
Chicken francese

Ingredients;
6 skinless, boneless, chicken breast cutlets OR veal, pounded thin, about 1/4″
1 cup all-purpose flour, for dredging
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 large eggs
3 tablespoons water
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 lemon, with rind, cut in thin rounds
1 TBLS shallot, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine, like Pinot Grigio
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 TBLS unsalted butter
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Directions;
Place some flour in a shallow platter and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly.
In a wide bowl, beat the eggs with 3 TBLS of water to make an egg wash.
Heat the oil over medium-high flame in a large skillet.
Dredge both sides of the chicken cutlets in the seasoned flour, and then dip them in the egg wash to coat completely, letting the excess drip off. When the oil is nice and hot, add the cutlets and fry for 2 minutes on each side until golden, turning once. Remove the chicken cutlets to a large platter in a single layer to keep warm.
Toss the lemon slices and shallot into the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the wine, stock and lemon juice, simmer for 5 minutes to reduce the sauce slightly. Roll the butter in some flour and add it to the skillet, this will thicken the sauce. Stir to incorporate and dissolve the flour.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and return the chicken to the pan; place the lemon slices on top of the cutlets. Simmer gently for 5 minutes to heat the chicken through.
Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Sausage White Bean Escarole Soup

The beauty of this Sausage White Bean Escarole soup is it can be also made with turkey sausage.***See below
This is a soulful soup, rich and warming. It freezes very well, so make extra.

Sausage, White Bean and Escarole soup
Sausage White Bean Escarole soup

Ingredients;
1/2LB ground mild Italian pork or turkey sausage
2 TBLS olive oil
½ med onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 celery rib, diced
4 fresh garlic cloves chopped and mashed
Dash of red pepper flakes
Dash of salt(kosher preferred) or none
32oz low sodium chicken stock
1 can (15oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 head escarole, washed and chopped into small pieces
1 TSP lemon juice
½ cup small pearl like pasta, uncooked

Directions;
In a stock pot big enough to fit all the ingredients, heat the oil and add the onion, carrot and celery. Sauté a few minutes until soft. Add the sausage and sauté until the pink is gone, about 5 minutes breaking the sausage up with a fork.
**Just add a 1/2 TSP Bell’s Seasoning or ground sage if you use turkey.
Add the garlic and stir for 2-3 minutes. Add the balance of ingredients except the pasta. Cover and simmer on low for 1-2 hours or in a crock pot covered for 4 hours. Add the pasta and simmer for about 30 minutes before serving.
If a crock pot is used add about 1 hour before serving.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is a very tasty and easy recipe for BBQ chicken that compliments your summer cookout menu.
The slow cooker allows you time to prepare other menu items.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Ingredients;
3-4 LBS chicken legs/thighs
salt & pepper to taste
2/3 cup ketchup
2/3 cup molasses
2 TBLS Dijon mustard
2TBLS Worcestershire sauce
2 TBLS minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced and mashed
1 TBLS cornstarch
5 TBLS any style BBQ rub, without salt is preferred

Directions;
Rub the chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken in cooker and add all the other ingredients. Toss to coat the chicken well. Set the cooker on low for about 3 hours or until the chicken is tender but not falling off the bones.
Place the chicken on a foil lined baking sheet and place in the oven broiler until the skin is slightly charred.
You can also do this on the BBQ grill if you like.
Meanwhile pour the sauce from the cooker into a pot and simmer on medium a few minutes until it reduces and thickens.
Brush the charred chicken with the sauce and serve.

Mojito Chicken Wings

This Mojito Chicken Wings recipe is so tasty and a great item to prepare for an appetizer and a take along to a party.
The sauce gives a different take on wings that all will enjoy !!

Mojito Chicken Wings
Mojito Chicken Wings

Ingredients;
4 LBS chicken wings, cut into drum stick and flap, removing the tip
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup orange juice
4 TBLS olive oil
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
2 TBLS honey
2 TBLS mole verde spice, found in spice shop and the better markets
1 TSP grated lime peel
1 TSP ground cumin
1/2 TSP salt

Directions;
Mix all ingredients except the chicken in a bowl.
Reserve half the marinade and set it aside.
Place the chicken with half of the marinade into a 1 gallon zip lock storage bag. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
Remove the chicken and shake off the marinade.
Grill the wings turning often until they are cooked through and browned, about 20-30 minutes.
Pour all of the reserved marinade into a pot and simmer until thickened.
Place the cooked wings on a platter.
Brush the simmered marinade onto the cooked wings and serve.

Chicken Pot Pie

This Chicken Pot Pie recipe is savory and rich.
Warms your soul on a cold night.  It’s easy and can be frozen for a quick work night meal.
Using packaged pie crust makes this ready to bake in minutes.
But the best is to make my “Perfect Pie Crust” recipe if you have the time.

Chicken pot pie
Chicken pot pie

Chicken-pot pies
Chicken-pot pies

Ingredients;
1 cup carrots, diced
1 cup frozen pearl onions
1/2 cup frozen petite peas
1 TSP parsely
32oz low sodium chicken stock
3 cups cooked chicken, white or dark meat or mixed
2 TBLS heavy cream
2 TBLS butter
3 TBLS flour
1 egg, beaten
1 pkg prepared pie crust (my preferred brand is “Immaculate”)
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions;
Preheat oven to 375.
In a frying pan saute the carrots with the butter for 5 minutes then add the onions and peas. Heat for another 5 minutes.
In a  large pot heat all but 1 cup of the stock. Add the chicken, parsley and veggies. Simmer covered for 5 minutes.  Stir the flour into the reserved cup of stock at room temperature. Add the stock and flour mixture to the pot. Add the cream and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
Roll the dough out and cut to the size you like.  Pictured I made a single crust on a 5″ corning bakeware and a double crust in a 5″ tin pie pan. Fill the pie/bakeware and top with the crust. Trim the side and cut a square in the top of the crust.  Brush with the beaten egg.
You can also make this in a casserole dish for a shared pot pie.
Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes.
Makes four 5″  pie/bakeware pies or one 10×10 casserole.

Pork Chops with Apple Stuffing

This Pork Chops with Apple Stuffing recipe is tasty and easily serves a crowd.
Another option is to use the stuffing and roll it up in chicken or turkey thin sliced cutlets.

Pork Chops with Apple Stuffing
Pork Chops with Apple Stuffing

Ingredients;
1 TBLS chopped onion
1/4 cup butter, unsalted
2 cups soft bread cubes
1 cup finely chopped apple
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
2 TSP minced fresh parsley
1/2 TSP ground sage
1/2 TSP salt, divided
4 bone-in pork loin chops,1-1/2 inches thick
Dash of pepper
1 TBLS vegetable oil

Directions
In a small frying pan, saute onion and celery in butter until tender. Remove from the heat; add the bread cubes, apples, sage, parsley and 1/4 teaspoon salt and mix well.
Cut a pocket in each chop by making a horizontal cut through the meat almost to the bone. Sprinkle inside and outside with pepper and remaining salt. Spoon stuffing loosely into pockets.
In a large frying pan, brown the chops on both sides in oil. Place in an ungreased large baking dish, I use my corning ware covered dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 30 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 145°. Let meat stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Classic Chicken Salad

This Classic Chicken Salad recipe has minimal ingredients allowing the chicken flavor to be the focus. Serve it over salad greens, on bread or stuffed in an avocado or a hollowed tomato!
If you like you can add sliced almonds, walnuts, grapes or anything else.

Classic chicken salad
Classic chicken salad

Ingredients;
2 cups cooked chicken, skin removed, cubed or shredded, any mix of white or dark meat (for quick and easy  buy a roasted chicken)
1/2 cup celery, rough or finely chopped
1 TBLS minced parsley
1 TBLS onion or scallion, finely chopped
1/2 to 1 cup mayo, amount depends on your preference
1 heaping TBLS sour cream
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions;
Mix the chicken with all other ingredients.
Chill and serve.

Chicken or Veal Cutlets Milanese Style

This Milanese style recipe is classic Italian in that so much Italian food is just simple tastes. You can make this with chicken or veal. If you choose veal be sure it is top quality and very light pink in color. Veal Cutlets Milanese Style or Chicken Cutlets Milanese Style are served simply with lemon wedges.

Chicken cutlets Milanese
Chicken cutlets Milanese

Ingredients;
1 LB chicken or veal cutlets pounded thin
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup flour
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 TSP dried basil
1 TSP dried thyme
Salt & pepper
1 cup vegetable oil
6 lemon wedges

Directions;
In a shallow dish, beat eggs and season with salt and pepper. Pour flour into another shallow dish. Mix together the bread crumbs, basil and thyme in a third shallow dish. Have ready one large plate.
Season the cutlets with salt and pepper. Working with 1 piece of cutlet at a time, dip it first in the flour, shaking off excess. Next, place the floured cutlet into the beaten eggs, coating completely. Place the cutlet into the bread crumb mixture and gently press crumbs into the cutlet. Set aside on large plate and continue with remaining cutlets.

Preheat your oven on 200. In a large skillet, heat the oil to 375 degrees F. Have ready a baking sheet fitted with a rack. Carefully place 2 pieces of breaded cutlet in the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 6 to 8 minutes total. Chicken should be cooked through but the veal can be pink in the center.
Place cooked cutlets on the rack in the oven to keep warm.
Continue with remaining cutlets.

Serve with lemon wedges.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Buttermilk fried chicken recipe is finger lickin good !!  The buttermilk makes all the chicken pieces moist and tender. Marinate the chicken in the buttermilk for at least 6 hours and up to 2 days refrigerated. There are many many recipes for fried chicken but this one is my favorite.

homemade Buttermilk Fried Chicken
homemade Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Ingredients;

2 cups buttermilk
3 eggs, beaten
8-12 pieces of chicken with skin and bones; breasts (if they are lrg cut them in half), thighs, legs and wings
3 cups all purpose flour
2 x 1/2 TSP salt
1 and 1/2 TSP Cayenne pepper
1 TSP sweet Paprika
2 x 1/2 TSP poultry seasoning (Bell is one brand)
3 cups canola oil mixed with 1 cup peanut oil

Directions;
Marinate the chicken AT LEAST 6 HOURS TO TWO DAYS BEFORE. In a gallon size resealable plastic bag combine the buttermilk, 1/2 TSP salt,  1/2 TSP cayenne pepper and 1/2 TSP poultry seasoning.  Add the chicken. Use two bags if you need to, just split the milk mixture in two. Refrigerate.
Heat the oils in a large iron fry pan or in a deep fryer to 350. Use a deep-fry thermometer if you can or test the heated oil by putting a pinch of flour into it and if it sizzles its ready.
In a large bowl combine the flour, remaining 1 TSP cayenne pepper, 1/2 TBLS salt, 1/2 TSP poultry seasoning and the paprika.
Dredge the chicken pieces one at a time into the flour and then into the beaten eggs and then into the flour again. Shake off any excess. Carefully add the chicken pieces into the hot oil leaving some room around them to cook. Turning them about every 10 minutes until they are golden brown and the juices run clear, about 175 degrees. Place cooked chicken on a rack to drain. Repeat this 2-3 times more until all the chicken is cooked.

**use all wing pieces to make a great appetizer

Chicken Parmigiana

This Chicken Parmigiana is very easy to make and once the sauce is ready it only takes 30 minutes to prepare. Serve it alone, with pasta or on Italian bread as a sandwich. You can also change the cutlets to veal, it’s the same process for cooking. But be sure to buy a good quality veal otherwise they will be tough.

Chicken parmigiana
Chicken parmigiana

Make my Marinara sauce or use sauce left over from a Traditional Sunday sauce that had meat in it. The flavors work well with either.
If you really are pressed for time then use the best quality jarred sauce, like Barilla.

Ingredients;
6 Chicken breast cutlets or veal, pounded thin
2 eggs, beaten
1/1/2 cups Italian flavored bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 TSP of each; dried parsley, dried basil and garlic powder(not salt)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups Tomato sauce from the above selections
1/2 cup oil (half canola and half olive)

Directions;
Preheat the oven to 350.
Mix the parsley, basil, garlic powder and about 2 TBLS of the Parmesan cheese together and set aside. Heat half of the oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. Dip the cutlets into the beaten egg and then into the bread crumb mixture coating them on both sides. Place the cutlets in the frying pan so they have some room between them and fry until lightly brown. Unless you have a very large frying pan (then use all the oil) you will probably need to do this twice. Add the left over oil to the pan and let it heat in between frying more cutlets. Place the cooked cutlets on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. In a large baking pan place a few TBLS of sauce and then top it with a cutlet. Repeat this until all cutlets are in the pan. Place a few more TBLS of sauce on top of each cutlet and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and spread the mozzarella cheese over that. Cover with a lid or foil. Bake for 15-20 mins or until the cheese is melted and sauce is just slightly bubbling.

 

**to make this health friendly use half the Parmesan cheese and use part skim mozzarella cheese.

Matzo Ball Soup

This Matzo ball soup is a Jewish classic dish. So good if you make the matzo balls, which are a dumpling, light and fluffy.
Start out with making my Chicken Soup recipe.
Serve with the chicken shredded, some of the veggies and fine egg noodles if you like, poured over the cooked matzo balls.

matzo ball soup
matzo ball soup

Ingredients;
Matzo Ball mixture;
3 large eggs, beaten
3/4 cup Matzo meal
1/4 cup chicken fat called “schmaltz” or vegetable oil
3 TBLS club soda
11/4 TSP kosher salt

Directions;
Mix eggs, matzo meal, schmaltz or vegetable oil, club soda, and salt in a medium bowl (mixture will resemble wet sand; it will firm up as it rests). Cover and chill at least 2 hours.
Mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Scoop out 2-tablespoonful portions of the matzo ball mixture and, using wet hands, gently roll into balls.
Add matzo balls to water and reduce heat so water is at a gentle simmer (too much bouncing around will break them up). COVER the pot and cook matzo balls until cooked through and starting to sink, 20–25 minutes. Covering the pot makes them more tender.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer matzo balls to bowls. Ladle chicken soup over the Matzo balls, top with dill, and season with pepper

** variation** you can add cooked thin egg noodles to the soup stock if you like too.

**use vegetable oil to make this health friendly.

Spanish Saffron Rice

This Spanish Saffron Rice is classic Spanish. It’s so full of flavor it will quickly become your preferred rice in many dishes. I first saw this many years ago on a PBS station cooking with chef “Ef”.
If you can get it, use the Spanish Calasparra rice for the true flavor intended for this dish.

Spanish saffron rice
Spanish saffron rice

Make this rice with my Spanish Garlic Shrimp recipe as pictured

Ingredients;
3 TBLS olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, mashed
3 cups low sodium chicken broth or stock
1/2 TSP crumbled saffron threads, you can use Turmeric, but saffron gives the best flavor
1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice, if you can use the Spanish rice I suggested above

Directions;
Heat the oil in a 4 QT sauce pot and add the garlic and onions. Saute for a few minutes and add the other ingredients. Bring to a boil. Stir and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes. Stir again and cover. Cook on low for about 20 minutes, until the rice is just tender.

Roasted Turkey and Sage/Sausage Stuffing

This Roasted Turkey and Sage/Sausage Stuffing is a special edition post to the pantry.

roasted turkey
roasted turkey

Roasting a turkey is all about keeping it moist. Years ago you heard of people roasting in a paper bag. Now we have less flammable alternatives, like browning bags made for oven temps.
My recipe for both is basic and you can certainly add different spices as you please.

Ingredients:
Turkey, any size, fresh or frozen, defrosted
One pkg Reynolds turkey size browning bags
Bell’s Seasoning (it’s the little yellow box with the turkey on it)
Ground sage
1/2 stick of butter
2 carrots peeled and cut into 3 pcs.
2 celery stalks, cut into 3 pcs.
1 large onion, quartered

Directions
Wash the turkey and smooth the butter under the breast skin and all over the turkey skin too. Liberally sprinkle the sage and Bell’s seasoning all over the turkey. If you are going to stuff the turkey do it now. If you stuff the turkey then tie the legs together. You can add a meat thermometer to the breast area if you wish. Turkey needs to be 180 degrees when done. Prepare the oven bag according to the directions. Place the turkey in the bag.
Place the cut veggies all around the turkey. Close the bag as directed on the browning bag box. Roast according to the time and temperature indicated on the browning bag box and your size turkey. Once the turkey is done let it sit for about an hour before carving.

The Basic Stuffing;
2  12oz Bags bread cubes, unseasoned if possible
1 TBLS Bell’s Seasoning (little yellow box next to the Thanksgiving groceries)
1 TBLS ground sage
1 large onion, minced
4 stalks celery, cut fine
1 stick of butter, unsalted
4 cups unsalted or low sodium chicken broth
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 LB Italian sausage, if you get links remove the casing

stuffing
stuffing

Options;
** you can add a few tablespoons of chopped cooked mushrooms etc..**

Directions;
In a pot big enough to hold all the stuffing, sauté the veggies and sausage in the butter until soft but not brown. Breaking up the sausage as it cooks.
Add the broth to the pot and heat to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the seasonings and the bread cubes to the pot. Mix together and then add the beaten egg. Mixing it thoroughly. Place stuffing in the turkey loosely or bake in a covered pan that has been greased. Bake in the covered pan for about 30 minutes at 350.

 

Chicken Marbella

This Chicken Marbella dish is so tasty and is better when prepared the night before you want to cook it. Overnight marinating is the best. The flavors intermingle and burst in your mouth.  People who do not like prunes/olives eat this with vigor. I originally discovered this from a country store in Rye, NY. I’ve come to find out that its origin is Spanish-Moorish and the Silver Palate cookbook made it famous.

Chicken Marbella
Chicken Marbella

Ingredients:
1 whole fresh chicken, cut into 8-10 pieces***
4 cloves of garlic, mashed and pureed into the oil
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 TBLS dried oregano
1 TBLS dried thyme, if you use fresh use about 6-8 sprigs
1/4 TSP ground pepper
Dash of salt
1/2 cup pitted prunes
1/4 cup pitted green Spanish olives
2 TBLS capers, and a splash of their juice
2 fresh or dried bay leaves
2 TBLS fresh parsely, chopped
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup dry white wine

Directions:
In zip lock bag combine all the ingredients EXCEPT the white wine and brown sugar. Marinate overnight for best results or at a minimum 4 hours in the refrigerator. In a glass or stainless steel baking dish arrange the chicken in one layer. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Pour the white wine around the chicken. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the chicken.
Bake at 350 uncovered basting the chicken with the juices a few times.
Bake for about 50-70 minutes, until the juice of the thighs are clear when cut.

***if you want to make this as an appetizer use wingettes and reduce the cooking time to 30 minutes.

Chicken with Vinegar and Peppers

This Chicken with vinegar peppers is an alternative with  a little variation to a previously posted recipe using pork chops and just as tasty !

Chicken with vinegar peppers
Chicken with vinegar peppers

Ingredients:
1 LB boneless chicken breast, cubed
4 TBLS flour for coating chicken with a dash of salt and pepper added
3 TBLS olive oil
1 Med onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, mashed
1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
½ cup red wine vinegar
½ cup sliced hot cherry peppers ( you can also use sweet)
1 spring fresh rosemary
4-5 springs fresh thyme
3-4 fresh sage leaves

Directions:
Dust the chicken with the flour/salt/pepper mixture.
In a large frying pan heat the oil and brown the chicken over a med-high heat with onions on top.
Add the garlic and saute a few minutes. Add the vinegar and peppers and simmer for a few more minutes. Reduce the heat and add the  balance of ingredients and cover. Simmer 15-20 minutes more.

Stuffed Chicken Cutlets

This Stuffed chicken cutlets recipe is easy and very impressive without a lot of fuss.

Ingredients;
4 chicken cutlets, pounded thin
15oz container ricotta cheese
small bag of fresh baby spinach
garlic powder, not salt
2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup Italian flavored bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
Salt & pepper to taste

Stuffed chicken cutlets
Stuffed chicken cutlets

Directions;
Preheat oven 375. Mix the ricotta cheese with salt & pepper to taste. Set aside. Lay the cutlets flat and sprinkle a little garlic powder on each one. Place about 2-3 heaping tablespoons of the ricotta down the middle of each cutlet. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over each cutlet. Cover each cutlet with the spinach leaves, packing them down slightly. Roll the sides of the cutlets to the center leaving the only the ends with some of the stuffing exposed. Secure with a tooth pick. Dip the stuffed chicken into the beaten egg and then roll in the bread crumbs. Cut pieces of foil big enough to wrap around each cutlet. Spray the middle of each piece of foil wrap with cooking spray. Lay the cutlet in the middle and loosely wrap the foil closed. Place the wrapped cutlets on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 20 minutes. Open the foil to expose the cutlets and bake another 15 minutes.

**use low fat cheese to make this health friendly

Jambalaya – Cajun Style

Jambalaya
a serving of Jambalaya

While visiting New Orleans we had Jambalaya, a classic dish and enjoyed it so much.
I played with the flavors and here is my version.

Jambalaya
Jambalaya

Ingredients:
1 cup white long grain rice
2 cups chicken or seafood stock
1/2 cup minced onion
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
2 TBLS olive oil
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped fine
1 TBLS Chef Paul Prudhomme’s salt free Magic Seasoning (found in the spice aisle)
1/2 TSP cayenne pepper or more if you like heat
2 TBLS tomato paste
1 LB of chopped; raw shrimp and Cajun sausage or cooked white meat chicken or combine all 3 to equal a pound.

Directions:
In a large frying pan heat the oil and saute the onion and bell pepper until soft. Add the garlic for another minute. Add the seasoning, rice and cayenne pepper and stir. Transfer to a sauce pot and add the stock and tomato paste and stir. Increase the heat to bring it to a boil. Add the pound of seafood/meats and stir. Lower to a low simmer covered for about 20 minutes, until the rice is cooked.

Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala
Chicken Marsala

This Marsala recipe can be made with chicken or veal cutlets. Be sure if you make it with veal you buy a good quality veal, such as milk fed. It’s expensive but worth it. I use a California Marsala, please do not use the cooking wine type, it’s just watered down.

Ingredients;
6 chicken cutlets, tossed in 4 TBLS flour
4 TBLS unsalted butter
3 TBLS olive oil
2 TBLS shallot, minced
1 cup Marsala wine
1/2 cup beef stock
1 box 8oz-12oz fresh mushrooms, cleaned and thick sliced, button or any kind you like
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions;
In a large frying pan heat the butter and oil. Add the shallot for 2-3 minutes then add the cutlets. Saute the cutlets a few minutes on each side. Remove the cutlets. Turn the heat up to med-high and add the mushrooms. Saute until they shrink a little. Then add the wine for a few minutes, scrapping the pan drippings, until the wine reduces. Add the stock and bring it up to a good simmer, until it also reduces. Add the cutlets back in. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve now if you make it with veal,  if chicken, simmer covered on low for 20 minutes.

Serve with you favorite starch & veggie.

Chicken with artichoke hearts, capers and white wine sauce

This one pan entree is impressive looking and takes no time at all to make. Chicken with artichokes is tasty and freezes well too.

Chicken with artichokes
Chicken with artichokes

Chicken with artichoke hearts
Chicken with artichoke hearts

Ingredients;
6 chicken cutlets, tossed in 4 TBLS flour
3 TBLS unsalted butter
3 TBLS olive oil
2 TBLS shallot, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 box frozen artichoke hearts(buy the canned if you can’t find frozen)
1 TBLS capers
Sprinkle of parsley flakes
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions;
In a large frying pan heat the butter and oil. Add the shallot for 2-3 minutes then add the cutlets. Saute the cutlets a few minutes on each side. Turn the heat up to med-high and add the wine and stock. Simmer 2-3 minutes. Add the balance of ingredients and simmer covered on low for 20 minutes.

Serve with you favorite starch & veggie.

**Change the butter to all olive oil to make this health friendly.

Mexican Chicken

Mexican chicken
Mexican chicken

This Mexican style chicken dish is tasty and great for the crock pot. Add a jalapeno pepper if you like Mexican chicken spicy.

Ingredients:
1 LB boneless chicken breast, sliced into strips
1 pkg McCormick chicken fiesta or chicken taco seasoning
One 14.5oz can diced tomatoes + 1/2 can water, you can use the seasoned variety like green pepper, celery and onion
1 medium onion, sliced thin
1 TSP cilantro
1 sliced avocado
shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Directions:
Place all ingredients except avocado and the cheese in a crock pot and stir.
Cover and cook for 4 to 6 hours.
Serve with rice or in a taco style shell with the avocado and cheese on top.