Au Gratin Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the greatest comfort foods, in my opinion at least.  And with this winter they are needed and what better than adding some cheese to a cream sauce to raise the comfort level.  After all, you'll burn off the extra calories by shivering when you leave the house.

Au Gratin Potatoes

6 medium sized potatoes, peeled and sliced in 1/4" slices
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
2 cups 2% milk
1/4 cup onions, minced
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
8 oz mild cheddar cheese, grated
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 tsp paprika, divided

Place half of the sliced potatoes in a greased casserole dish.  Top with minced onions, Parmesan cheese, some salt, pepper and 1/4 tsp of paprika. Cover with the remainder of the potatoes.  
In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter.  When melted, stir in the flour and let cook for 1 minute.  Add in 1/2 cup of the milk, stir and let it thicken.  Repeat adding in 1/2 cup at a time.  Add in the cheddar cheese and stir until it melts.  Pour over the potatoes.  Sprinkle some salt, freshly ground pepper and the remaining 1/4 tsp of paprika on top.  Place in a 350° oven for 90 minutes.

Chicken Apple Sausages

My German pancake needed something to serve with it so I made this easy (and healthy) sausages.  You can control the size of the patty that you want to make.  I used a large cookie scoop and slightly flattened the patty with a fork.  

Chicken Apple Sausages

1 # ground chicken
1 apple, peeled and shredded
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp rubbed sage
1/2 tsp fennel seed
1 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground pepper

Mix all the ingredients in a medium sized bowl.  Be sure to mix well so all of the spices are incorporated throughout the sausage.  Cook in a heated frying pan with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.  

You can freeze any leftovers and reheat for later use.

German Pancake

What better way to start off breakfast or brunch than with a light, puffed pancake hot from the oven with crispy edges?  I've attempted to make this before with my old cast iron pan but it failed.  I received a Christmas gift certificate to the local kitchen store and that turned into a beautiful Le Creuset skillet.  I love it and it worked perfectly to make this.  I topped it with sliced peaches in a light sugar syrup and a little dollop of whipped cream.  

Allow enough time to bring your eggs to room temperature.  You don't want to put a cold mixture into a hot pan.

German Pancake

2 tbsp butter, melted 

6 large eggs, room temperature

1 cup milk, I used 2%

1 cup flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cinnamon

Melt the butter in your pan in the oven as it's preheating to 350°.  In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs.  Gradually whisk in the remainder of the ingredients.  When the oven is ready, remove pan from the oven and pour in the pancake mixture.  Return to the oven and bake for 30 minutes.  Serve hot.

Taco Bites

These are fun little bite size treats that are great for dipping into your favorite salsa.

Taco Bites

25 wonton wrappers
1 cup taco meat
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Place one teaspoon of taco meat and a pinch of cheese in the center of a wonton wrapper.  Dip your finger in water (once for each of the 4 sides) and wet the edge of the wrapper.  Gently fold over into a triangle shape and press down on the edges.  Place on a greased baking sheet.  When all 25 are made, spray with cooking oil and bake for 10 minutes at 325°.  Serve warm.

Raspberry Peach Crisp

It might not look like summer outside but you can bake some summer goodness like this delightful combination of raspberries and peaches.

Raspberry Peach Crisp

1st layer ~

3 cups peaches, sliced (if frozen, thaw before using)
1 cup raspberries (if frozen, thaw and strain off juice)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice

Mix together and place in a greased 9 x 9 baking dish.

2nd layer ~

2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick of butter, cold and sliced thin

In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.  Gradually add in butter slices and mix together using your fingers.  When all combined, spread out evenly over the fruit mixture.  Bake for 30 minutes at 350°.

Italian Beef Stew

Winter doesn't seem to want to leave and there's more snow in the forecast for tonight.  It's a good day to let the meal basically make itself in the crock pot and what a flavor difference a few herbs can make (for the better).  

Italian Beef Stew

1 1/2# beef stew meat
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup onions, minced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
4 cups beef stock
1 tbsp celery flakes
1 tsp sage
1 tsp oregano1 tsp parsley
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 bay leaf
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
1/2 cup peas

Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.  When hot, add in beef stew meat and season with salt and freshly ground pepper.  Lightly brown meat in small batches and place in the crock pot.  Add in onions and garlic and let soften in the last batch of meat.  Pour in beef stock and stir in herbs and tomato paste.  Add in carrot first.  After about a half hour, add in the potatoes.  Cook until vegetables are fork tender.  Add in peas.

Baked Honey Teriyaki Chicken

If you need an easy to make meal, this recipe is for you.  All you do is mixing the sauce together in a large liquid measuring cup (2 cup size) or a bowl, let it sit for a half hour and then pour it over chicken and put it in the oven.  What could be easier?  Plus it's really tasty and great served with rice ~ white or brown.

Baked Honey Teriyaki Chicken

3 chicken breasts
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small ginger root, peeled and thin sliced
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp sesame seeds, toasted

Combine all the ingredients in a large measuring cup or bowl and allow to sit a half hour.  In the meantime, line a baking pan with no-stick aluminum foil.  This will make clean up a breeze.  Also, lightly toast the sesame seeds while you are waiting for the sauce.  Place the chicken breasts in the pan and pour the sauce over.  Put in a pre-heated oven of 350°.  Bake for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165°.  Remove from the oven once or twice and spoon the sauce over the chicken while baking.  When done cooking, allow to sit for 5 minutes and sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds on top before serving.