Brittany's Pantry
Before we get to the amazing recipe pictured above (think ribs, bbq chicken, kabobs, a sauce for burgers…) I wanted to take a second and say thanks!
Brittany’s Pantry is all about sharing with you my most successful recipes. I created this blog so that my friends and family had access to all the foods and dishes that I had been making over and over with considerable success. Wether it is a family recipe that I have been making for years, something I have created on my own, or a recipe that I found in a magazine at the dentist office. The point is, if I am making it over and over, then it was worthy of passing along to those I am closest to.
The blog has now grown into something SO much bigger than just an online resource for people I know, and I am thrilled that so many of you continue to come back and see what I have been cooking. I am excited about some of the changes coming up for BP and hope that all of you lovely readers will continue to Tweet, Pin, Follow, Like, Subscribe, and comment here and on other social media outlets! I love love LOVE to hear from all of you and have enjoyed connecting with other readers and bloggers that are just as passionate about food, cooking, and baking as I am. I promise to continue to post only that which I would feed you if you were a guest in my home; tried and true dishes that I know work for me and will work for you too. So thank you for your support and continued visits to my little piece of the internet. I love to write on this space almost as much as I like to be in the kitchen and YOU allow me to do it.
Ok. Enough mushy stuff. Bring on the barbecue sauce!
As we head into the holiday weekend, I couldn’t help but make sure this was posted for you. I saw this recipe, and then kinda started to drool. Root Beer is not a beverage I drink because it is just waaaay too sweet for me. But as an ingredient in a savory sauce on meat??? Shyah!! Once I tried it though, the flavor wasn’t quite what I expected. Or wanted. I made it the first time years ago, served it at my sons birthday party and wrote briefly about it here. Years passed and I kept reminding myself to go back and tweak that recipe because I really wanted a finished, perfect version that I could freeze and use year round. Well, actually, what I really wanted was for someone else to mess with the recipe for me so that I didn’t have to do it. I wanted the result without the work. For some reason, it took three years for me to get back into the groove of making that particular barbecue sauce, and this past spring, I was ready.
I remade it according to the notes I had (thankfully) marked on the original recipe, and again, knew at first taste that it wasn’t what I was after. Don’t get me wrong here. It was really good. Better than good. It was great! And smeared all over a rack of pork ribs that were so tender a slight breeze would make the meat drop off the bones, it was outstanding. But I wanted something to change.
It took several more days and more grilled meat, but I figured out what was bothering me so much. Too much tang, not enough richness. For you, it doesn’t really matter. Just know that this is the best version of this there is. For me, anyway. *sigh* I feel so much better.
Three Years Ago: Red Velvet Cupcakes
Root Beer BBQ Sauce
Adapted from Bon Appetit
This sauce will keep about two weeks, tightly sealed in the fridge. You can also freeze it and use it all summer. It would make an AWESOME hostess gift to a barbecue or pot luck dinner and is so tasty I imagine you can find some great uses for it! For us, we love it the most on ribs and grilled chicken, but smeared on a burger (especially venison-yuuuuummm) or just a bit on a pizza and then covered with caramelized onions is fabulous. It also happens to be just so darn easy, you won’t believe it.
1 c root beer
1 c ketchup
1/4 c orange juice
3 T worcestershire sauce
2 T brown sugar
1 T molasses
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan and set over medium heat. Simmer gently, lowering the heat if needed to prevent scorching, until combined and reduced until thickened a bit. Sauce will also thicken as it cools. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as necessary. Enjoy! Seal and chill or freeze.
Roast Salmon & Vegetables W/Mustard Sauce
Brittany wrote this on 21 June 2014
asparagus, dijon mustard, gluten-free, green beans, honey, potatoes, salmon, zucchini
And my obsession with all things salmon continues…
I admit I have been staring at the above picture for several minutes. It contains so many foods I love, it could actually be called Brittany’s Salmon Dish. I suppose I could have named it that but it seems a bit narcissistic. It is right up my alley and the more I look at it, the more I want to eat it again. And again. And then again. Soooo me.
Much like this pasta dish, this meal can be customized to the vegetables that are in season at your specific geographic location. The veggies listed here go particularly well with the sauce, but are certainly not written in stone. Later in the season I would omit the asparagus or up the number of potatoes toward the end of summer, but otherwise I have found my favorite formula and haven’t been able to stray very far from it!
This is such a great summer dish because it is the caliber of something you would order at a little sidewalk bistro. Fortunately, you can skip the tip for your garçon and make it yourself instead. Heck! Make it for everyone! It’s low fat, heart healthy, gluten free, grain free, dairy free, and darn delicious!
It is the savoriness that gets ya. The punch of the mustard is tempered by the vegetables, the creaminess of the potatoes, and the freshness of the fish. You get a bite and zing of the sauce, and then you kinda go “Ooooooooooooo.” And then you eat some more. All together, it is pretty much just what you want on a summer day. Add a big bowl of berries as the final course and maybe a sunset if you can swing it, and gaah. Bonus points if there is a body of water nearby to gaze at as well. Awesome.
One Year Ago: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Cherry Gallette, Oatmeal & Brown Sugar Scones & Carrot & Ginger Rice W/Lime
Two Years Ago: Marshmallow Buttercream, Homemade Granola Bars, Flank Steak W/Tangy Sauce, Far Eastern Salad, Strawberry Lemonade & Baked Oatmeal
Three Years Ago: Strawberry Watermelon Cooler, Fried Corn, Mocha Chocolate Chip Scones, How To: Freeze Berries, Cheeze-It Chicken, Strawberry Sauce, Chocolate Chip Blonde Brownies, Pan Fried Tilapia & How To: Roast Asparagus
Roasted Salmon & Vegetables W/Mustard Sauce
This serves about 6 people, but it really depends on how much you plan on eating. My kids can tuck away an adult sized plate of this stuff so we rarely have all that much as leftovers. Ultimately, adjust the quantities to suit your family’s needs.
2 lbs of wild salmon, skin on (about 4-6 oz per person, give or take)
1 lb asparagus, rinsed, woody ends trimmed and the stalks cut into 1 inch pieces
2 lbs small red potatoes, rinsed and cut in half or into quarters if large
1 lb green beans, trimmed, rinsed and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 medium zucchini or summer squash (or both) cut into bite sized pieces
Sauce:
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
2 heaping T of dijon mustard
pinch of salt
heavy pinch of ground black pepper
2 tsp honey
Combine all sauce ingredients and set aside.
Toss the potatoes with a bit of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and spread in a single layer on a sheet pan. Roast the potatoes for 15 minutes at 425 degrees or until just starting to brown. Using a spatula, toss the potatoes so that they roast evenly and slide them all down to one end of the pan. Toss the remaining vegetables in a small drizzle of olive oil and a bit of salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer on the remaining end of the sheet pan. Use a second pan if the veggies are too crowded-you want them to roast and brown, not steam. Put all the veggies back in the oven and continue to roast for another 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through, but not mushy, and the vegetables are crisp tender. While the veggies are doing their final roasting, slide the salmon in next to them on a foil lined pan, skin side down, and drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. This is all VERY simply done. The vegetables and fish should be done about the same time, but you will have to judge that individually based on the thickness of your salmon. It should flake easily, but be just barely pink in the center still. Combine all the vegetables on a large serving platter and drizzle sparingly with the mustard sauce. Taste for seasoning and add more sauce until you reach your preferred strength. Remove the skin from the fish and flake the salmon into large chunks over the veggies. Serve immediately.
Everyday Zucchini
Brittany wrote this on 24 May 2014 gluten-free, zucchini
Just a quick post, dropping in to share a ridiculously easy recipe for you to use all summer! Depending on where you live, zucchini season has either already begun or is quickly approaching. Looming, if you will, over our gardens and shadowing our minds with the same question that plagues us every year: Why did we plant so much and what are we going to do with it all?? Due to the upcoming move to the East Coast, I have not planted a garden this year (boo) but I am very much looking forward to buying it in bulk at the Farmer’s Markets. Lots of it. Tons. I’m sorry! I am one of those people who never really tire of the stuff. You can do a gazillion different things-at least!-with the vegetable and it abundantly grows and is cheap to buy. So BRING IT ON!! 
Today’s recipe is actually something I had years ago at my best friends house. I initially kinda frowned at the spices she chose to toss on the zucchini, but after trying it, I couldn’t stop eating it. After that day, I started making this side whenever I just didn’t really know what else to do. If I am out of off the cuff inspiration, have zilch energy to page through a cookbook or look up something on the internet, or am just simply really pressed for time, this is what I make. It is fast, healthy, cheap, and darn tasty. On this holiday weekend, you won’t have to stress about what to serve with your meal because this goes with everything. Grilled, baked, roasted, toasted, or flambéed. It pairs with it all. Additionally, the flavors aren’t anything too bold so kids tend to be fine with it. In addition, here are some other ideas to keep ahead of your zucchini crop this summer! Enjoy! Earth Bread 
California Chopped Salad
Tortellini W/Shrimp 
Vegetables W/Pasta
Non-Traditional Shepherd’s Pie 
Whole Wheat Zucchini Spice Muffins
Chocolate Zucchini Bread 
Baked Pasta W/Summer Veggies 
Zucchini W/Corn & Basil 
Two Years Ago: Sweet Potato Salad W/Vinaigrette
Three Years Ago: Shrimp Cobb Salad & White Chocolate Rainbow Cake
Everyday Zucchini
The key here is a high heat to get a nice sear on the zucchini, but to not cook them until mush.
zucchini
olive oil
italian seasoning
salt and pepper
Rinse enough vegetables for however many people you are serving, 1 medium zucchini for every two people. Quarter the zucchini lengthwise and then chop into half inch sections. Film enough olive oil in a large sauté pan to just barely film the bottom. No more than a few tablespoons, depending on how much zucchini you have. Set the pan over a strong medium to medium high heat. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a generous amount of italian seasoning. Again, judge this on preference and the amount you are cooking. Leave the veggies where they are for several minutes to acquire some color on them. If they are just kind of steaming, turn up the heat a bit. Give them a toss, and then leave them alone again to get more color on a different side. Pull them from the heat when they are fairly well browned but have not become mushy. Taste for salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Every once in awhile, I serve something that everyone likes. And I mean everyone.
I am usually a bit surprised by it and this time was no exception. People went wild for this pasta salad. I have served it twice, both times to a different crowd and WOW! What a hit! As my friends and family raved, I kept saying the same thing.
Really?
There isn’t anything terribly special or amazingly different about this pasta salad. It doesn’t have any revolutionary flavor combinations that will blow you away, nor does it include any trendy food items (no Sriracha or Nutella in this one…) And perhaps, that simplicity in itself, is the reason for its popularity. It is one of those sides that I can’t believe I have never made before. So obvious! So simple. Obviously, when I say everyone loves this, I am speaking in very broad generalizations. Of course, if deviled eggs aren’t your bag, or pasta salad in general gives you the heebie jeebies, then go ahead and pass on this one. But for the masses, it is a nice change from potato salad and coleslaw.
If feels good to finally post this here because I have been sitting on this recipe for nearly a month, waiting for Memorial Day weekend to arrive so that you could add it to your menus. It is already on my list; right next to some barbecued ribs , this veggie combo, and these Cherry Hand Pies. Wether you make it or not, I am so glad to have it in my arsenal for pot luck dinners, barbecues, and just lazy evenings by the lake. By itself, leftovers are a great light lunch, but tossed with some leftover grilled chicken it makes for a fantastic, make-ahead (and no cook!) summer dinner. Because the sauce is a bit creamy, this would go very well with whole wheat or gluten-free pasta. So it covers all your bases! This pasta salad + friends and family = happy Americans. 🙂
One Year Ago: Caesar Salad & Chocolate Cupcakes W/Orange Buttercream
Two Years Ago: Hobo Dinners
Three Years Ago: Whole Wheat Cornbread
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Adapted from BHG
The beautiful color of this sauce comes from paprika, but the flavor is light and mild. I am not usually a fan of raw celery in my salads, but here it adds a freshness that just may convert me. Don’t leave it out!
1/2 lb (8 oz) cavatappi pasta (pictured), rotini, large macaroni, medium shells, or other medium, bite sized pasta, cooked according to package directions, and cooled (This can be done up to a day ahead.)
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 T fresh chives, minced
10 hard boiled eggs, sliced or cut into large chunks, some reserved for garnish if you wish
3/4 c diced dill pickle
1/2 c mayo
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
3 T dijon mustard
large pinch of salt and pepper
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp smoked paprika, optional
Place the first five ingredients in a large bowl. Combine the remaining ingredients and pour over pasta mixture. Gently fold together until combined. If pasta seems dry and all ingredients are incorporated, add a TEENY TINY splash of milk and mix again, just until it comes together. It shouldn’t be gloppy, just creamy. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and/or pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped boiled egg and more chives if you wish. Chill.
Green Green Salad W/Grilled Chicken & Creamy Honey Lemon Dressing
Brittany wrote this on 14 May 2014 asparagus, chicken, cucumbers, dijon mustard, gluten-free, lemon, lettuce, spinach, yogurt
“Brace yourself,” I ordered my husband, as I dipped a piece of fresh spinach into the large measuring cup I was carrying. “This may be the best salad dressing in the history of the word.”
And I dipped and he munched and he loved it and I grinned.
I was right: It IS the best dressing in the history of the world. But there is much more to this dinner/lunch/spring supper on the deck, that makes it special.
I am very much a texture person when it comes to food. One of the reasons I love this Yogurt Salad so much is because it is creamy and crunchy, sweet and tangy, chewy and cold, all rolled into one. It just works together. This Green Green Salad is kind of like that, in that the different flavors make your tastebuds dance the hula. I love to eat asparagus but I am always brainstorming ways to do something new with it that still pays homage to its incredible flavor. I don’t want to cover up the freshness of these ingredients, just highlight them with a little brightness.
Why do I call it the Green Green Salad, you ask? I would think that was obvious….
Green=Spring. ‘Nuff said.
Also, Mother’s Day is coming up shortly. This would be stellar with an ice cold beverage on the patio for the Mother you are looking to spoil in your life. Or you could tweet, Pin, copy or share this post where your husband would see it. Caption the link with ‘Doesn’t this look wonderful, honey? Mmm. What a GREAT lunch this would be this weekend…’
One Year Ago: Power Parfaits and Quinoa Granola & Honey Lemon Grilled Chicken
Two Years Ago: Chocolate Cheesecake Bars & Lemon Quick Bread
Three Years Ago: Strawberry Ice Cream, Sweet Veggie Pasta Salad & Black and White Angel Food Cake
Green Green Salad W/Creamy Honey Lemon Dressing
This salad is great with or without the grilled chicken. Shrimp or salmon is fantastic with it as well if you want to change up the protein. This recipe makes 4 large salads.
Salad:
Fresh spring greens, or lettuce of your choice
half of an English cucumber, or 1 medium cucumber (peeled and/or scored) and diced
1 1/2 lb of asparagus, trimmed
2 T fresh chives
Honey Lemon Grilled Chicken
Dressing:
1/3 c olive or grape seed oil
2 T raw honey
2 T plain yogurt, Greek or regular is fine
zest of a full lemon
juice of HALF the lemon
pinch of salt and pepper
Whisk all the dressing ingredients together and set aside. Cut the asparagus into bite sized pieces and drop them into a large saucepan of simmering water to blanch. Let cook no more than a minute or two, just to take the snap out of them a bit. Drain and dump the asparagus into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. When cool, drain well. Layer the salad ingredients on individual plates according to appetite and top lightly with dressing. Enjoy!
Savory Lemon Grilled Drummies
Brittany wrote this on 22 April 2014 chicken, gluten-free, lemon
Easy recipes that I can make off the top of my head are what I turn to most often. A simple formula that I can make again and again with ingredients I always have on hand. Generally, that is what this blog is all about. Recipes that have passed the test and actually work. No kinks to iron out and no surprises. Today’s recipe is a prime example of this. How something simple and quick can taste soooo good. Tang + spices+fire=grilled wonderfulness.
I make this chicken all the time. I just kind of throw things together without all that much thought because I am usually desperate to get dinner on the table. Then I realized that I was ‘throwing things together’ pretty much in the same way. So I decided to actually write it down! No frills and no extra steps. The great thing, is that chicken crummies (or even thighs) are fairly inexpensive so be sure to take advantage of them when they go on sale in bulk packages. Divide them up into portions that suit your family and freeze. Then, when you don’t know what to make, toss this dish together! The other thing I love about these grilled drummies, is that I usually end up pairing them with whatever I have on hand to round out the meal. Leftover mashed potatoes from a few days ago? Great! I can make this to go with it! Random miscellaneous veggies floating around the fridge? Perfect for this pasta salad. Or good grief! Just nuke your leftovers from the week and have a smorgasbord. Its all good. This chicken will pull it all together.
One Year Ago: Spring Asparagus W/Raspberry Vinaigrette & Toasted Walnuts
Two Years Ago: Fruit Dip
Three Years Ago: Breakfast Burritos
Savory Lemon Grilled Drummies
This would be equally great on skinless, bone-in chicken thighs.
the juice of 2 lemons, about 1/3 c
1/4 olive or grape seed oil
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2-3 lbs chicken drumsticks, about 8, skin on or off
Combine all ingredients in a large, heavy duty zip top bag, or bowl. Toss chicken to coat and let marinade up to 3 hours, turning occasionally. Grill over medium, direct heat, turning to cook evenly, until golden brown and cooked through. Alternatively, roast in a 375 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until cooked.
Grilled Venison Steaks
Brittany wrote this on 16 April 2014 gluten-free, venison
If you grew up in Minnesota, then ice fishing was a pastime of yours. You have eaten lutefisk, are at home on a lake, and you more than likely own a piece of clothing that is camouflage, blaze orange, or a mix of both. You can make a snow igloo in your backyard, you mind your manners, and think nothing of whipping up a batch of creamy, wild rice soup. In addition, few freezers up in the frozen tundra are without venison in some form or another and without a doubt, steaks are my favorite way to eat it. Even here, in central IL, the land with an abundance of corn and soybeans but very little in the way of trees, I have my ways of acquiring good deer meat. I generally like to drizzle venison with a bit of olive oil, season well with salt and pepper, the roast or grill. That was my plan when I pulled a package of steaks out of the freezer to defrost for the next day. I was just going to wing it and call it good.
But then I remembered the title of a blog post by a friend of mine over at the food blog Un-Processing My World. She calls it The Best Venison Marinade. Well how do you argue with that?!
I didn’t hesitate or pause. I felt like doing something different from my norm so I just threw it all together, sealed it up, and stuck it in my fridge overnight. The next day, I had nothing to do but pull out the steaks and throw them on the grill. Easy peasy.
The result? Excellent flavor. Tangy and herb-y and just the thing too wake up my winter tastebuds and get them ready for spring! Not that I need any encouraging to prepare for warmer weather…
One Year Ago: Blueberry Maple Muffins, Sweet Potato Fries W/Pepper Lime Mayo, & Parmesan Tilapia
Two Years Ago: Cherry Frozen Yogurt W/Mini Chocolate Chips
Three Years Ago: Homemade Ketchup, Egg Ribbon Soup, & Good For You Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Grilled Venison Steaks
Recipe adapted from Un-Processing My World
The original recipe has an additional 1 c of red wine in the marinade, but I omitted it because I didn’t have any! Try it both ways! This would be great with chicken too, but in that case, only marinade for a few hours.
4 venison steaks
1 c apple cider vinegar
1/2 c of grape seed or olive oil
1 T dried oregano
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a large, heavy duty, ziptop bag. Press out as much air as you can, place the bag on a plate or in a large bowl, and refrigerate overnight. This can also be made the morning of! Turn the bag occasionally if you are around to do it, just to keep the meat marinading evenly. When ready to cook, take the meat out a half hour or so while you preheat the grill. This takes ensures that the venison isn’t quite so cold and ultimately cooks it much more evenly. Grill for 3-4 minutes over medium high heat and turn once. Grilling time will depend on the thickness of your steaks but you want a bit of pink left in the center of venison. Don’t over do it! Remove and let rest before enjoying!
Whole Wheat Naan
Brittany wrote this on 28 March 2014 whole wheat flour, yogurt
A few days ago I posted this recipe for Butter Style Chicken in the slow cooker. At the end of the recipe, I casually mention that you should serve it with naan. What I really wanted to say was, “Eat it with naan or you will regret it.” Or even, “If you don’t eat this with naan, you are dead to me.”
Naan, if you are not familiar with it, is an Indian flatbread that is usually baked in a fire oven. Tandoori oven actually. Not having access to one of those, and being a bit leery of cooking near open flames with a rambunctious 2 year old, I make do with what I have. A dry pan on the stove works great and while I am sure it can’t even TOUCH the flavor of authentic naan, it works out fine for me and my family.
I replaced some of the flour in it with white whole wheat flour, but feel free to stick with regular ‘ol all-purpose if you like. This is so wonderfully chewy and yeasty with just a bit of char on it. Do me a favor and make the chicken and then make this naan to go with it. Then we can stay friends.
On that same note, I like to do nice things for my friends! Which is why I am giving away a copy of the fantastic, healthy cookbook, Cooking With Greek Yogurt, by Cassie Johnston. It is ridiculously easy to put your name in the hat (click here to head to the post), costs nothing, and heck! You may win! Just ask the winners of my past giveaways! Loot actually shows up in your mailbox! From me! Sweet deal right?
One Year Ago: Cream Cheese Ice Cream
Two Years Ago: Root Beer Baked Beans & Lime Sherbet Punch
Three Years Ago: Speedy Glazed Salmon
Whole Wheat Naan
Recipe adapted from Half Baked Harvest
This is so great fresh, we never have any leftover. It is really best eaten right after it is made, but I have heard of other people freezing the extras and then warming it in a low oven.
2 c white flour
2 c white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 T sugar
1/4 c warm tap water
3/4 tsp active dry yeast
3/4 c warm, low fat milk
1 c nonfat yogurt
Dissolve the sugar in the warm water and add the yeast. Stir to combine and let the mixture sit and bloom-bubble and grow a bit as the yeast activates! Meanwhile, combine the flours, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the warm milk and yogurt to the yeast mixture, combine and stir into the dry ingredients with a fork. When it starts to stick together, use your hands to gently combine it evenly into a ball. Do not over work the dough. Cover with a piece of cellophane and let sit and rise for about an hour or so. When ready to cook, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. I just eyeball it, but you can use a kitchen scale to be 100% accurate. Place a dry, cast iron pan, or other heavy bottomed skillet, over medium to medium high heat until very hot. You can even grill it!! While the pan heats, roll the dough pieces out one by one on a bit of flour. Traditionally, it should be rolled in to an oval or tear shape, which is fortunate for me because they never seem to turn out round anyway. Brush both sides of the dough disc with olive oil or grape seed oil. Toss quickly onto the hot, dry pan and let set, without moving, until it puffs a bit and is good and toasted in spots. This should only take a minute or two-tops! Flip it (Careful! Its hot!) and let it toast on the other. Remove them to a tea towel lined plate and wrap gently to keep warm. Immediately brushed with butter and dipped in Butter Chicken, Curry, Tikka Masala, or any other saucy dish, may be the best thing you have ever eaten. Sometimes, I drizzle a piece or two with honey while the butter is melting. That would make anyones day.
Slow Cooker Butter Style Chicken
Brittany wrote this on 24 March 2014 brown rice, chicken, coconut milk, cream, ginger, gluten-free, rice, tomatoes, yogurt
Branching out of your comfort zone is never easy. Wether it is trying a new fashion trend (No, not everyone can wear skinny jeans.) or talking to people you don’t know at a party (The weather is a safe topic…) or reading a book from a section you don’t normally pick from (Try EXODUS by Leon Uris), it can all be a bit intimidating.
As with most things, I believe being adventurous with your food splits people into two categories: those who are and those who decidedly are not. There are those of us who order something different every time we step foot in a restaurant, get excited about pot-lucks because of the variety, and never give a dinner invite at a friends house a second thought. The flip side is one who orders strawberry at every ice cream shop they frequent, prefers to go to only one restaurant because they know they can order something there they like, and sweats a bit at dinner parties because they just don’t know exactly what they will be eating!
Between our families and friends, both groups are well represented. Thankfully, I have a recipe that takes care of everyone!
This recipe is easy and quick to put together, but wonderfully convenient due to the use of the slow cooker. While some of the spices may be a little foreign to you, nothing is all that out of this world in terms of flavor. There is chicken, which everyone loves, and rice, which everyone can eat! There are no weird veggies lurking in the sauce to make your kids wrinkle their noses, and I have lightened it up so bonus-its healthy!
Butter chicken and chicken tikka masala are very similar dishes. Butter chicken has…well…butter in it. But after messing around I couldn’t tell the difference wether I added it or not, so mine is without. I luuuuuuurv buttah, but if I can’t taste it, there is no sense in adding the calories. The other separations of the dishes are less obvious and depending on where your recipe comes from and who you ask, often contradicting. Out of habit, I call my version Butter Chicken.
Bottom line, this isn’t as odd or as crazy as you may think. So if you are trying to branch out in your meal repertoire, this is a super easy option. Not knowing you or those you cook for, I cannot guarantee they will like it. You just never know. All I can say is that it has become a favorite in my house and my family begs for it often. Testing this recipe over and over to get it juuuuuust right was a task they were more than equal to. Adventurous eaters or not!
One Year Ago: Cranberry Maple Pudding Cake – Holy majoley this is so good!
Two Years Ago: Honey Cheesecake Bars
Three Years Ago: Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars & Lemon Spaghetti
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
This lightened up version is still rich and flavorful. The bit of cream at the end can be left out, but it finishes off the flavors nicely so please don’t skip it if you can at all help it! Leftovers freeze wonderfully. This recipe makes a lot on purpose! I portion it out in individual servings so that my husband can take a single container of sauce to work with him. I just make him a fresh batch of rice the night before to go with it!
3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast and/or thighs, cut into bite size chunks
1/2 large or 1 small onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T grated fresh ginger
pinch of cinnamon
2 tsp thai red curry paste (use 1 tsp if you want almost no heat)
2 T garam masala
1 1/2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cayenne or to taste, optional
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 (14 oz) can lite coconut milk, regular is all right too
1/2 c plain, nonfat yogurt
1/2 c heavy cream, optional
cooked brown rice for serving
Naan, recommended but not required
In the bowl of a standard size slow cooker, add all the chicken and onions. In a medium bowl combine the remaining ingredients through the yogurt and pour over the chicken and onions. Cover and cook on low for at least 6 hours, or until the edges are bubbling and the chicken is cooked through. If possible, stir once halfway through. On high for four hours is fine as well. Turn the heat off and stir in the cream. Sauce will thicken wonderfully when it cools a bit from bubbling! Serve over brown or white rice, couscous, quinoa, or even whole wheat noodles. A great whole wheat naan is ah. may. ziiiiiing. with this. You could skip it, but why would you want to?!
Note: Stay tuned for a GIVEAWAY and Part 2 of Things You Should Be Doing In Your Kitchen!
Food steamed in parchment paper is one of my favorite ways to cook. Why? Well, besides the fact that it is an especially healthy method, there is no clean-up!!
The heat, steam, and flavor are trapped inside, resulting in a moist, healthy, and surprisingly quick meal. The fish melts in your mouth and the veggies are steamed until they are perfectly crisp tender. Utterly fantastic. If you are afraid of your whole meal tasting like fish, don’t be! Somehow everything ends up tasting flavorful, but the asparagus tastes like asparagus, the carrots are sweet, and the fish is tender and fresh.
Mix up your veggies and fish combos to suit what you like! Zucchini straight from the garden is wonderful here, as is summer squash. Green beans are great, and even sliced tomatoes on top is sweet and will remind you of summer no matter where you are. Use oranges instead or lemons or salmon instead of tilapia. It is the method here that is the key. Much like Hobo Dinners or Summer Salmon, we are keeping all the tastes of your dinner together to maximize the flavor, keep it healthy, and just make life a little easier.
Fish Baked In Parchment
My kids LOVE this meal because apparently, dinner is much more fun when you get to rip it out of a bag. You can easily prep these in the morning and bake them later making them perfectly hands off meal for company. Put a bowl of fresh bread in the middle of the table, pop open a bottle of wine, and you have the easiest, no time needed, clean-up free meal ever!
4 tilapia fillets, about 4 oz each, thawed or frozen
1 lb of fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed
3 large carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
2 lemons, sliced into rounds
olive oil
salt and pepper
parchment paper
Here we go!
Tear off a sheet of parchment 1 1/2-2 feet long. This all depends on the size of your fish fillet. Fold it in half and crease it well, making a square of rectangle.
Starting at one corner, cut the shape of a half moon or half heart in to the paper with the crease in the middle. Just like you used to do when making Valentines in Kindergarten! Those skills are useful once again! That lemon in the picture was keeping my paper from curling….
Open up the parchment, and in the middle of one side-and a bit toward the crease-lay down your asparagus.
Layer your carrots on top…
…and season the veggies with salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
Lay your fish fillet on top. As you can see, mine was still slightly frozen when I made the packets. Totally fine. It only takes another five minutes or so to steam.
Season your fish with salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
Cover the top of your fish with the lemon slices in one single layer.
Now here comes the fun part! Close your parchment ‘book’ over the fish. Starting at one side (I have tried it from either end and it works equally well) fold over a section of parchment and crease it well. You want it at an angle so that the fold goes off the edge.
Fold it in 1 1/2 to 2 inch sections, again and again, almost making waves. This wraps the parchment in on itself, keeping it curled and folded so that it holds together, trapping the steam inside.
Continue around the edge of the packet, making sure to keep the two edges of paper together.
When you get to the end, you will have a tail sticking out that could unravel!
Fold it down, the opposite way of the your other folds, to crease and hold it in place.
See?! A thing of beauty!! Place it on a sheet pan and slip it into a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes for a 1/2 inch, thawed fillet. If your fish is frozen or especially thick, it may take up to 20.
To serve, place one packet on each plate. I like to open the parchment up like I am opening up a lap top, but you can leave the crease in tact if you like and use a scissors or knife to cut a slit in the top. BE CAREFUL! That first blast of steam can be a doozy!
Serve as is, or with a bowl of steamed rice, quinoa, or couscous to soak up all the wonderful juices on the bottom. A hunk of whole grain, crusty bread is quite fabulous as well.
Enjoy!
Have I ever mentioned to you how much I love fish? I really do. I have to physically restrain myself from posting obscene amounts of salmon and tilapia recipes here.
Never mind that this is quite obviously a salmon dish or that a How To recipe involving tilapia and parchment paper is coming up. Pure coincidence. Really.
As for today, doesn’t the recipe just sound fun? Salmon noodle bowl. Yup. If I heard someone order that a restaurant I would definitely turn around and look. But I would do it in a friendly, make eye contact and smile enviously at her food, kinda way. Not like the lady I saw once at this bistro who glanced over her shoulder at me when she heard my Osso Bucco be announced, and then went pale at the sight of my plate. She was either a vegetarian or pregnant.
So yeah. Not like that.
I found this recipe on the Better Homes & Gardens site and glanced at it because it had such a small ingredient list. After I read through it, I realized how truly genius it was! I really love to make dressings and sauces from scratch, but sometimes, the energy and time is just impossible. If I can make it ahead, fine. If not, the addition of using a store bought vinaigrette here is a life savor. And a tasty one at that, when you make this and see for yourself just how fantastic the flavors go together.
I don’t like to put times on my recipes because any number of factors come into play in your kitchens. I don’t want you to be going along and thinking something is wrong because a 30 minute meal is taking you 45. That said, the last two times I made this, I did something I never do-timed myself. Once it took me 20 minutes and once it took me 30. My point? You can easily throw this impressive, one pan dish together on a weeknight. It is so wonderfully satisfying you won’t want to leave leftovers.
It’s no Osso Bucco, but it is definately worth a second glance.
One Year Ago: Apricot Scones
Two Years Ago: Sticky Chicken
Salmon Noodle Bowl
Adapted fron BHG
The flavors here would be wonderful over whole grain pasta. Because of the simple dressing, the different texture of gluten free pasta would work great also!
1/2 lb linguini, cooked according to package directions
1 large sweet bell pepper, cored and sliced or diced into bite sized pieces
1c grated or julienne carrots (for ease of use, I use half of a bag of the pre cut julienne carrots in the produce section)
4 c (or two large handfuls) baby spinach
3/4-1 lb wild salmon, skinless
1/2 c homemade or store bought balsamic vinaigrette
While pasta is cooking, film a large sauté pan with olive or grape seed oil over medium high heat. Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper and sear 2-3 minutes per side, or until just barely cooked through. Remove to a plate and cover to keep warm. Alternatively, you can just roast the salmon on a sheet pan in a 425 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. In the same skillet, add a tablespoon of olive oil if dry, and add the peppers. Season with salt and pepper, and toss, letting the heat quickly sauté the peppers for just a minute or two. Add the carrots, toss together, and top with the fresh spinach. Let steam for a minute, toss all vegetables together, and before the spinach has a chance to do anything more than start to wilt, empty the pan into a large serving bowl. Add the pasta and HALF of the balsamic dressing. Toss gently to let the ingredients absorb the vinaigrette a bit, then add the rest of the dressing. Serve topped with desired amount of salmon.
Traditional Meatloaf
Brittany wrote this on 1 March 2014 beef, gluten-free, oatmeal, onions
The recipes that appear here are tested, reliable, honest, and usually fairly simple. Right? Right. Todays post is a perfect example of that; something I make regularly that always works, is always good, and is the basic classic recipe I always use.
My one regret is the name. I know meatloaf is called ‘meatloaf’ for obvious reasons. I just wish the name didn’t sound so….you know….’loafy’.
I realize that there are those of you out there who shudder when they hear that word, but for the rest of you who have had the good fortune to have grown up with someone who makes great meatloaf, thereby solidifying its reputation as fantastic comfort food-BEHOLD!
Essentially, this is what I grew up eating and doggone it, you don’t fix what isn’t broke. Capisce? It has oatmeal in it because that is what my Mom always used. And it has barbecue sauce in it instead of ketchup because that is how my Mom made it. And I don’t make it in a loaf pan because my Mom taught me to put it in a roasting dish. Ok? Good. I’m glad we understand each other. If you have issues with any of the above, take it up with her.
I basically make two kinds of meatloaf. This kind, when I have 15 minutes or more to throw it together, or this kind, when I have 5 or LESS minutes to throw it together. Todays version is unprocessed and undoubtably healthier. I guess my Mom really knew what she was doing, huh? I bet that is why I am so smart….
Two Years Ago: Roasted Sweet Potato Fries & Corn Cake Muffins
Traditional Meatloaf
There is no way around it. This is just good. You can make this fairly low in fat as well if you watch the percentage in your beef. This tastes great with the cheapo 80% ratio, but the egg and sauce add enough moisture that it is just as good with the very lean 95% beef. Heck. Ground turkey is good too!!
1 lb ground chuck or sirloin
1 egg
1/3 c quick cooking oats
1 small onion, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 c your favorite barbecue sauce, plus more to glaze the top
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a shallow, oblong baking dish with foil and set aside. In a medium bowl, gently mix all the above ingredients together until well combined. If mixture seems dry, add 1 T of cold water or a bit more barbecue sauce. Don’t squeeze and overwork the meat or it will bake up tough. Place the mixture in the lined dish and gently shape into a ‘loaf’, pressing on it until it is a bit more flat, allowing it to cook faster. Pour a good amount of barbecue sauce over top and spread it all over with the back of a spoon. Let bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, depending on your oven and the fat content of the meat. It will be caramelized and brown and the juices bubbling out will be clear. Remove and set aside to cool for a few minutes before slicing.
Bistro Braised Chicken
Brittany wrote this on 18 February 2014 apricots, carrots, celery, chicken, chicken broth, dijon mustard, onions, pasta
I would be remiss this week if I didn’t share this recipe, as it has become a favorite in our house this winter.
In the last several months, while dealing with a particularly snowy winter here in central IL, I have been gravitating toward comfort food. I know I am not alone in this. I see the evidence on Pinterest…. With the snow and the ice and the vortexes and power outages and wind…sheesh! The commercials announcing spring sales and showing parades of pastel colored Easter dresses for little girls in white patent leather shoes seems to only succeed in driving home the point that it is still really, really, cold outside.
Despite this, the asparagus keeps showing up on covers of the March issues of food magazines. Berries from Florida are shipped to us up here in the frozen corn fields. And the promising color of spring radishes makes my heart beat a little faster and fills me with hope. Even though I desperately long for those sights, smells, and flavors, there is no denying the need for something warm and cozy when just zipping out to get the mail chills you to the bone. We still have to eat every day and when those days are filled with chopping the ice from your frozen car doors, you start to wish that you could microwave that cold spinach salad you had planned for lunch.
Fear not. Even though this recipe contains pasta and meat and sauce, is is a much lighter than a pot pie or chicken and dumplings. It isn’t heavy but it definitely warms you through and through. The simple ingredients and easy process make it completely doable on a weekday. It is just as spectacular as leftovers so be sure to tuck a serving or two away to take to work with you. You will thank me when you are trying to thaw out after your morning commute.
One Year Ago: How To: Roast Garlic & Roasted Garlic Sandwich Spread
Two Years Ago: Party Potatoes & Hot Chocolate
Three Years Ago: Honey Bran Muffins & Freezer Coffee Cake
Bistro Braised Chicken
Adapted from Cooking Light
Braising is a cooking method that generally involves searing meat over high heat, adding liquid, then continuing to cook over gentle heat on the stove or in the oven until done. Chicken thighs are perfect for this method and add a tremendous amount of flavor to this dish without drying out like white meat would. Skinless makes it so much healthier and boneless allows it to cook faster while just being that much easier to eat. Dried plums can be used instead of apricots as well.
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
2 T butter
2 T olive or grape seed oil
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into coins
2 stalks of celery, trimmed and diced
1 small onion, diced small
3 c chicken broth/stock, store-bought or homemade
1 T dijon mustard
1/2 tsp dried (rubbed) sage
1/2 tsp dried thyme
15 dried apricots (optional)
1 T cornstarch + 1 1/2 T water
1/2 lb wide egg noodles, cooked according to package directions
chopped parsley for garnish
crusty french bread for dipping
In a large dutch oven, melt the butter and olive oil together over medium to medium high heat. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Brown the meat well, 3 minutes on each side, cooking it in two batches if necessary so as not to crowd the pan. You want plenty of air to circulate between the pieces so that the meat sears but doesn’t steam. Remove the pieces to a plate and set aside. The chicken won’t be cooked through at this point. Don’t worry. Add the vegetables to the pan drippings and toss well to coat. Let the veggies lightly sauté without frying until just starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the dried apricots, if using, and season with the thyme, sage, and salt and pepper. Mix and let cook for another minute. Add the mustard and stir. Add the chicken broth slowly, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom. Return the chicken to the pot along with any juices collected on the plate, snuggling the pieces down into the sauce. Cover, let come to bubble, then turn down the heat to a gentle simmer. Let cook for 5 minutes, uncover, and let cook for 10 minutes more or until the chicken is cooked through and sauce is slightly reduced. Mix together the corn starch and water until dissolved and stir into the sauce. This should thicken the broth just a bit. Let everything cook together another minute or so. Spoon over noodles and sprinkle with parsley. Serve with crusty bread to soak up any leftover sauce!
Note: This dish is great to make a day ahead. Cook the recipe just as directed. Cool and chill over night. Warm gently over low heat on the stove, then garnish and serve with noodles.
Chicken W/Sweet & Zesty Raisin Sauce
Brittany wrote this on 3 February 2014 brown rice, chicken, ginger, gluten-free, lemon, raisins, tomatoes
I have mentioned before that sometimes, you can find fantastic recipes in unusual places. One of my favorite spots to search and skim for hidden ideas are product websites. For example, the Land O’Lakes site is loaded with anything and everything you ever wanted to do with butter! And did you know that the product site for Spice Islands is loaded with original recipe ideas? Now you can finally figure out what to do with that turmeric that is taking up space in your cabinet!
The point is, technology has made it easier than ever to have access to the kinds of researched recipes that we previously could only find on the advertising pages of magazines and newspapers. And that was where the original version of this recipe came from. About 15 years ago, I ripped an ad for Sun Maid Raisins out of a magazine and made the dish for dinner that night. Years later, when the ad was long lost and I was trying to remember how to make that specific dish, the internet came to my rescue. I have changed it and streamlined the flavors a bit, but those test kitchen people in the raisin offices knew what they were doing. And while we are on the subject, wouldn’t that be an amazing job? As long as it was a food that I liked (no sauerkraut testing for me) and would be able to be used in sweet and savory applications, I would totally ROCK that kind of job. Mmmm. I would pick cream cheese, but for the fact that everything that can ever be made with cream cheese seems to have already been created…
My favorite thing about this recipe? It uses pantry ingredients. A group of my friends are currently working their way through February being culinarily frugal. The point is to use up what is already in their pantries, fridges, and freezers, and to get creative in the kitchen without running to the store twice a week to buy more and more food. I am not participating because I have already kind of been doing that lately. So much so, that I cleaned my fridge a few days ago because there wasn’t anything in it. My chest freezer currently only contains two turkeys, 1 whole chicken, 3 packages of brats, a quart of barbecue sauce, and a 5 lb bag of white whole wheat flour so that certainly wasn’t going to stretch very far. Instead, I have been collecting recipes that use pantry ingredients in creative and inexpensive ways to help them plan and expand their monthly menus. I LOVE to do this kind of thing so aside from physically restraining myself from actually driving to their homes and peeking in their cupboards, this is the next best thing.
This recipe is definitely one I am going to include in my list for them. Aside from the chicken, you could serve this with just about any vegetable you have on hand, and the sauce comes entirely from the pantry. It is also adaptable to different dried fruits and various sweeteners if you needed to get creative so check the NOTE at the bottom of the recipe for some smart variations. And while you are doing that, I am going to be making next week menus. Maybe roast turkey with barbecue sauce and a side of brats….
Chicken W/Sweet & Zesty Raisin Sauce
Adapted from Sun Maid
We always serve this with brown rice. This recipe is stellar with it!
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1-28 oz can diced tomatoes, lightly drained
1 c raisins
¼ c lemon juice
¼ c brown sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste
Place a large skillet over medium heat and film with olive, canola, or grape seed oil. Season the chicken breast lightly with salt and pepper on each side and sear the chicken in the pan until brown, about 4 minutes per side. The meat won’t be cooked in the middle but thats OK. You just want the flavor from the sear. When it is golden brown, remove the chicken to a plate and set aside. Add the remaining ingredients to the skillet, being conservative with your salt and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a bubbly over the same medium heat, scraping up the good brown bits stuck to the pan. When it is hot and bubbling, return the chicken to the pan, snuggling the pieces down in the sauce. Turn the heat all the way down to low and cover with a lid. Check on it after a few minutes to make sure it is still barely bubbling. You want to cook the meat gently so that it stays moist and juicy! Let it cook until chicken is done, 5-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. Remove the meat to a serving platter and taste the sauce for seasoning. Serve chicken with sauce poured over top or on the side.
Note: There are many ways to adapt this recipe to suit whatever you have on hand. Using thick cut, boneless pork chops is just as good!! While we love to serve this with brown rice, it is great with any kind of starch: plain noodles, white rice, quinoa, couscous, or even mashed potatoes. Obviously, raisins are what make this sweet and tangy sauce so fantastic, but dried cranberries or chopped dried plums or apricots would be great as well.
Sweet Curry Salmon
Brittany wrote this on 27 January 2014
Just popping in for a quick minute to share this super easy and crazy tasty fish recipe.
I was doing some brainstorming today about this blog and my kitchen and cooking and food. It occurred to me that so many recipes that are the most popular on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, sites, blogs, and magazines are the baking ones. Cookies? Everyone knows how to make cookies. Muffins? Sure. Easy peasy. Braised chicken in a bistro sauce with roasted mushrooms and egg noodles?
Say what?
And yet that chicken dish is probably the easiest out of all of them! Main dishes, meats, seafood, and the like don’t have to be crazy or complicated. They can take less time than a batch of cookies and yield a boost of kitchen confidence that even the best of us could use sometimes. So. If you are scared to make roasted fish and have no idea how to start, I implore you to be fearless and give this a try. Simple method + simple ingredients=a recipe you vary to suit your family.
There are millions of variations with salmon and we eat it often enough that I try to change things up so that we don’t get tired of it. We really love salmon (and tilapia and fresh walleye and shrimp and…) but anyone would be bored with the same thing over and over. This recipe was one I glanced at in a magazine once and the only thing I ever remembered about it was that there was mayo and curry in it. Beyond that, I was on my own. When I tried to recreate it I was brainstorming ingredients to round out the flavor. I am a sucker for sticky glazes but I figured it needed to be cut with an acid as well so this recipe was my end result. It is a welcome change to the other maple-y/mustard-y/vinegar-y kind of marinades for salmon. The level of curry can be adjusted how you like so this is a good dish to try if you aren’t sure if you are a curry person or not! And did I mention it is super fast? This particular day I served it with whole wheat couscous and a sad bag of carrots I found in my fridge and steamed, but it is great with buttered noodles, brown rice, or even just a big green salad with a simple vinaigrette.
Two Years Ago: Chocolate Pudding Cake & Banana Snack Cake W/Honey Cinnamon Glaze
Three Years Ago: Vegetable Couscous
Sweet Curry Salmon
If you don’t have any oranges on hand, substitute 1 T of orange marmalade for the honey and zest.
1 whole salmon fillet, or 3-4 individual fillets, 4-6 oz each
1 T mayo
1 T honey
zest of 1 orange
1-3 tsp curry powder, depending on taste
pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
salt and pepper
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the mayo, honey, zest, curry powder, and pepper flakes, if using, until smooth. Set aside. Line a sheet pan with foil or parchment paper and place the fillet(s) skin side down and pat dry. Season sparingly with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 4 minutes if they are thinner fillets, 6 minutes if they are at least an inch. The edges should be opaque and the centers should still be dark and very rare. Remove the pan from the oven and smear a spoonful of glaze over each fillet. Return the pan to the oven and roast for three minutes more. Turn the oven to broil, and let the salmon go until desired doneness. It should be another 2-3 minutes for thick pieces, less for thinner fillets. Keep an eye on them so that they don’t burn. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Love a Good Recipe?
Then you’ve come to the right place! I’m Brittany, and I share tested, trusted recipes you’ll love. I prepare & photograph food, obsess over the perfect recipe, and enjoy grins of delight when I serve up something awesome. Enjoy!
