Corn Chowder

One of my main staples in the cold months.  I love this dish!  I tweak it often depending on my mood.  You can even make it in the morning and put it in the crock pot so it's all ready for dinner.

Ingredients:

5 slices chopped bacon

1 medium diced onion

1 Poblano or red pepper, diced

2-3 medium celery stalks, chopped

about 2 cups sliced carrots

2 cloves chopped garlic {optional}

1-16 oz. bag frozen sweet white corn

3 cups milk

2 cups chicken broth

4 largish potatoes, cut into bit sized pieces

1-2 tsp salt {to taste}

1/2- 1 tsp pepper {to taste}

1 tbsp butter

A generous handful of cheddar cheese {you can really use whatever you have on hand.}

Directions:

I like to do this all in one pot to save on dishes.  Chop and prepare all you veggies.  Heat a large soup pot on medium high heat.  add chopped bacon and cook until crispy.  Remove bacon and set aside on a paper towel.  Add butter, onions, peppers, and celery.  Cook until tender.  Add carrots and garlic, cook until fragrant.  Add potatoes, milk and broth; bring to a boil.  Cook until carrots and potatoes are tender.  Add salt, pepper, and corn.  To thicken, remove about 2 cups of the veggies with a slotted spoon and puree with the handful of cheese until smooth.  Return puree to the pot stir in the bacon.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Ladle into bowls and garnish with cheese.  mmm mmm good.

*add in options*

2 cooked shredded chicken breasts

1-4 oz. can diced green chillies

a couple of diced stewed tomatoes

a few jalapenos

a splash of lime with some fresh cilantro

Come up with your own twist and let me know!  I'm always up for something new.  =)

parmesan crusted chicken

serves 4--prep time 10 minutes--cook time 2 hours

this is a family favorite for Sunday dinner...super easy and delish!

ingedients:

1 cube butter melted

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese {approximately}

1 sleeve crackers, crushed into crumbs{ i have used MANY different types from Ritz to Soda and even Wheat thins...sometimes even a combination of a few types depending on what I have...they all work!}

4-6 chicken breasts

salt and pepper

directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. i usually put my butter in a small shallow dish and place it in the oven while it is preheating to melt it. Put you crackers into a large Ziploc baggie and crush it into crumbs. add Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. pour crumb mixture onto a plate.

take your melted butter out. now dip your chicken into the butter. then roll the chicken in the cracker mixture until coated. place chicken into a baking dish.

pop it into the oven covered and bake for about 2 hours.

***a little twist...i do like to change it up sometimes by adding some fresh herbs {rosemary or thyme} or even some minced garlic and some times a combination of these. also a couple tips for left overs...serve it on a green salad or make a sandwich out of crusty bread. yummm...

red wine braised beef brisket

serves 6--prep time: 35 minutes--total time:4 1/2 hours

no knife required on this one!

ingredients:

4 tablespoons EV olive oil {divided}

3 1/2 pounds beef brisket, cut into 3-inch pieces

coarse salt and pepper

8 shallots halved or 2 medium red onions cut kabob style

6 garlic cloves peeled and smashed

3 cups dry red wine

1 cup sliced mushrooms

2 cups chicken broth

3 cups water

4 sprigs rosemary or thyme depending on what you have

directions:

preheat oven to 350 degrees.in a large dutch oven or heavy pot, heat 2 tbsp. EVOO over medium high.season brisket with salt and pepper; in batches cook until dark brown on all sides turning occasionally. {about 20 minutes}

transfer brisket to a plate set aside. discard fat from pot.

return pot to stove and add 2 tbsp. EVOO and shallots/onion and mushrooms. cook until browned. {about 3 minutes} add garlic and cook until you smell it. {about 2 minutes}

add wine and simmer rapidly until reduced by three fourths. {about 15 minutes}

return beef to pot and add thyme, broth and water. {you want it to cover meat} bring to a boil, cover and pop it in the oven. cook until it falls apart. {approx. 3 1/2 - 4 hours}

this dish goes great with the carrots with thyme recipe and mashed potatoes!

chicken apple sausage hoagies with carmelized onions

this is one of my hubby's favorite dishes. lucky for me it's super easy and delish.

ingredients

4 chicken apple sausages {i use lou's famous from whole foods. it's skinless and yummy.}
2 medium yellow onions sliced thinly
4 oz. dark beer
4 crusty hoagie rolls or sliced crusty bread {the crustier the better}
3 tablespoons butter {divided}
4 sprigs fresh thyme
4 slices cheese {optional}
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoon bourbon {optional}

instructions

heat medium skillet over low heat for 30 seconds.
melt 2 tbsp. butter, add onions and brown sugar.
cook, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes until onions are partially browned.
season with salt & pepper.
add sprigs of thyme.
add sausages. you can do them whole or if they are already cooked, you can slice them up. cook, stirring occasionally until browned, about 15 minutes.
add chopped garlic and cook until you can smell it, about 2 minutes.
add beer; reduce heat and cook covered for about 15 minutes. *if you don't have any beer on hand you can use apple cider or juice. it changes the flavor, but it's still pretty good.
remove pan from heat and stir in remaining butter and bourbon. *if you are serving the kiddos, you can boil a bit longer to burn off the booze.
remove the thyme sprigs.
serve on your crusty bread with a slice of cheese.
try not to make too much of a mess of yourself, serve with lots of napkins. enjoy!