Honey Glaze for Chicken

We are getting occasional days that it actually seems like Spring here in the valley.  Rare but they do exist and since I've got strawberry plants out, it's time for the grill to make an appearance.  I had some skin on chicken breasts just waiting to hit the grill so they called for a new sauce.

Honey Glazed Chicken

1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup Heinz 57 sauce
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp Frank's Hot sauce

Combine all in a small saucepan and let simmer until you're ready to use.  I basted the chicken 3 times on the grill and kept a little for dipping.

Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

Nothing like a rainy day to bring out the need for comfort food.  Mashed potatoes has always been in the top 10 of my comfort food and even though I had milk in my refrigerator, I decided to go entirely with sour cream this time.

Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

5 medium sized red potatoes, cut into 1/2" cubes and cooked until tender - leave the skins on
3/4 cup sour cream
2 tsp parsley
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

Mash the potato cubes.  Fold in sour cream and spices.

Pepperoni Roll Ups

I have been on a pepperoni kick lately and this is what I made.  I co-worker gave me a cajun chicken roll up a couple weeks ago that was absolutely delicious so I got to thinking about what I could do that was different with the same concept.  The bonus to this that it is fun to make with the different layers and rolling up.

Pepperoni Roll Ups

4 lasagna noodles, cooked and cooled
1 cup ricotta
1 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
24 slices pepperoni
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, oregano and garlic powder.  Spread out the noodles.  Put 1/4 of the ricotta mixture in a center strip on each noodle.  Top each noodle with 6 slices of pepperoni and sprinkle mozzarella on top.  

Carefully roll up each piece and put seam down in a greased 9 x 9 pan and cover with aluminum foil.  Bake for 20 minutes at 350°.  Remove from the oven and sprinkle the Parmesan on top.

Crispy Chicken Tenders

Some days dinner plans call for an easy meal that tastes good after a long day at work.  Chicken tenders are loved by most people and a little cayenne adds that little heat to them.  These would also make a great snack while watching your favorite team play on the tv.  

Crispy Chicken Tenders

1 # chicken tenders
2 1/2 cups crisped rice cereal
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp cayenne 
1 tsp dill weed
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup milk

Put the cereal in a large plastic bag.  Crush the pieces either by hand or using a rolling pin.  Add in spices.  Put the milk in a small dish that is suitable for dipping the tenders.  Dip the tenders one at a time and place in the bag.  Shake and put on a greased baking sheet.  Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.  Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Pizza Potato Bites

I really don't feel there's any wrong way to make a pizza.  Well maybe it would be bad to try to create one on slices of cake but any bread or vegetable base is fair game.

Pizza Potato Bites

4 red potatoes ~ choose a good size for your choice of toppings
pizza sauce ~ my recipe is below
pepperoni
mozzarella cheese


Pizza Sauce

1 - 6 oz tomato paste
6 oz water
3 tbsp Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp Italian Seasonings
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
salt to taste

Mix together tomato paste and water in a medium sized pan.  Add in honey, garlic and spices and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.


Cook potatoes of medium heat until fork tender.  Allow to cool enough to slice.  Slice potatoes in 1/4" pieces.  Place on a foil lined pan sprayed with olive oil.  Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.  Flip over and bake for another 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and top with pizza sauce, a slice of pepperoni and mozzarella cheese.  Return to oven for 5 minutes.

Hamburger Stroganoff

It always seems that Monday is a rough day and it needs an easy meal to make. Here's what I made with a pound of hamburger.

Hamburger Stroganoff

1 # extra lean ground beef

1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup beef stock

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream

3/4 cup sour cream

1 tsp parsley

1/4 tsp dill weed

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Brown ground beef. When almost done, add in the minced garlic. Stir in beef broth, milk and cream and let reduce. Add in spices. A few minutes before serving, add in the sour cream. Serve over your favorite noodles.

Frangelico Silk Pie

Happy Mother's Day!  Today I've made a special treat for mom ~ a chocolate silk pie lightly flavored with Frangelico.  

Frangelico Silk Pie

1 pie crust, either homemade or store bought
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 - 1 oz unsweetened chocolate squares
1 tsp vanilla
4 tbsp Frangelico, divided
1/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup Mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Bake and cool your pie crust.  Combine 2/3 cup sugar and eggs together in a small saucepan.  Cook, stirring constantly, until it coats the back of a metal spoon.  Take off heat and stir in the chocolate squares, vanilla and 2 tbsp Frangelico.  Keep stirring until smooth and let cool down until it's only slightly warm.  
In a small bowl, whip the butter until light and fluffy.  Beat in the cooled chocolate mixture and beat on high speed until light and fluffy again.  Add in another 2 tbsp of Frangelico and beat for another minute.
In a large bowl, beat whipping cream until it thickens.  Add in Mascarpone and beat until stiff peaks form.  Add in powdered sugar and beat for another minute.  
Fold chocolate into whipped cream mixture.  Pour into pie crust, smooth out evenly and place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.